Design and Creative Practice Programs
Bass students prepare to become exceptional creators and scholars in an exciting environment that equips them with the technological skills to succeed in a globally connected world.
Take note: Effective Fall 2025, the Bachelor of Arts in Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication (BA in ATEC) degree program has been renamed the Bachelor of Arts in Media Arts and Design (BA in MAD). This new title better reflects the strengths of our Bachelor of Arts program and improves recognition across the University and in industry.
Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication / Media Arts and Design
ATEC and MAD programs inspire students to blend art, technology, design, engineering, science, and the humanities to create innovative solutions. Our programs focused on design and creative practice include the BA with Emerging Media Arts concentration and MFA Creative Practice pathway. Emerging Media Arts offers students coursework in digital arts areas such as digital fabrication, projection mapping, new media art and performance, sound, time-based media, and video. Creative Practice explores the production of new art and technology in a studio or design practice in an idea-driven maker-culture environment. Other ATEC and MAD degrees are also available, which allow students to focus less on design and more on other areas.
BA Concentrations: Critical Media Studies | Emerging Media Arts
MA Concentrations: Emerging Media Studies | MFA Concentrations: Creative Practice
Certificates: Certificate in Applied Experience Design and Research
Career Paths with a Degree in Design and Creative Practice
3D modeler, artist, audio technician, digital musician, graphic designer, motion graphics artist, new media artist, photographer, videographer, video editor, the possibilities are endless
Student Organizations
The American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) UTD presents career-development workshops and networking opportunities for those entering the design industry. The Animation Guild provides a collaborative environment for students interested in animation production. Likewise, the Student Game Developer Association is a community of students and industry professionals interested in game development. And the UX Club increases awareness and community around user-centered design.
Explore Arts, Humanities, and Technology Student Organizations →
Related News
Research
Our lab and studio culture blends art, technology, design, engineering, science, and the humanities to create an incubative environment rich with possibilities.
Labs and Studios
Certificate in Applied Experience Design and Research
Students interested in Emerging Media Arts may also be interested in the Certificate in Applied Experience Design and Research. This certificate gives students the opportunity to explore the fast-growing field of user experience (UX) design and research. With an emphasis on practical, human-centered thinking, it offers insight into how intuitive digital experiences are created.
Whether paired with a creative degree or pursued alongside studies in other fields, this certificate signals to employers that a student is prepared to contribute to the design of user-focused products and services. It’s a valuable credential for anyone interested in the intersection of design, technology, and real-world application.
Design and Creative Practice Faculty
ATEC and MAD Faculty include world-renowned artists, scholars, and creative practitioners. Our professors publish with the nation’s leading academic presses, work with top animation studios, hold patents in design, and are recognized as pioneers by peers in their field. Our faculty bring to the program different areas of expertise, including in games studies, arts education, global media studies, science and technology studies, critical media studies, and animation studies. No matter their field of expertise, they all share a focus on media, arts, and technology.
Classes
To obtain specific information about classes each semester at The University of Texas at Dallas, visit the UT Dallas Coursebook. For more general information, visit the UT Dallas Undergraduate Catalog or Graduate Catalog.
Contact Information
Mark McKinney
Professor of Instruction and Area Head
Email: Mark.McKinney@utdallas.edu
Office: ATC 3.503
Bass School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology
The University of Texas at Dallas, JO31
800 W. Campbell Road
Richardson, TX 75080-3021
Phone: 972-883-2759 or 972-883-2980