Major in Media Arts and Design

The Media Arts and Design major nurtures nimble makers and critical thinkers, blending theory with playful experimentation. MADD graduates excel in diverse fields, ranging from indie game design and creative technology to arts education and entrepreneurship. Their contributions across industries underscore the adaptability of the MADD curriculum and the wide-ranging potential of their expertise, bridging art and technology.

Students wishing to major in Media Arts and Design should meet with the MADD Program Director early in their second year to help construct their course plan going forward. By Spring Quarter of their third year, all students will be required to file a major course agreement form with the department. Participation in the major must be declared to the Director of Undergraduate Studies, and the subsequent approved paperwork must be sent to the student's College adviser for official registration.
 

The Media Arts and Design major is an in-depth program requiring 12 courses in total. This includes a spread of courses covering Media Theory, Media History, Media Practice & Design, and electives.

As of Spring 2025, students interested in majoring in Media Arts and Design are required to take the Foundations course in their third year.

Press Start: Foundations of Media Arts and Design
A required course for 2nd or 3rd-year students, Foundations serves as an essential introduction to the Media Arts and Design (MADD) program. It cultivates community, introduces core program values, foregrounds portfolio development, and prepares students for advanced MADD coursework. Through lectures, discussions, and collaborative activities, students will engage with the history, theory, and practice of media arts and design. This course also offers a guided exploration of MADD’s specialized “clusters.” Students will build a shared vocabulary and practical framework to explore the intersections of media art, design, and culture, preparing them to engage critically and creatively with the field.

Portfolio
To complete the MADD major or minor, students must compile a portfolio that includes digital media artworks and/or historical and theoretical writing. Each portfolio must feature an artist statement, project case studies, and supporting media documentation. Regardless of participation in collaborative projects, students must submit an individual portfolio that highlights their contributions and creative growth. Portfolio expectations and approaches are introduced in the Foundations course.

 The Media Arts program offers several tracks depending on whether students wish to complete a senior capstone project. The distribution requirements of each track are: 

Standard Media Arts Track

• Press Start: Foundations in Media Arts and Design
• 2 Media Theory courses;
• 2 Media History courses;
• 3 Media Practice and Design courses;
• 4 electives in theory, practice, or design;

Opt-In Capstone Track

• Press Start: Foundations in Media Arts and Design
• 2 Media Theory courses;
• 2 Media History courses;
• 2 Media Practice and Design courses;
• 3 electives in theory, practice, or design;
• 2 Capstone courses, taken during the student’s final year.

These requirements aim to give students a well-rounded foundation in theoretical and historical aspects of media and design while also affording them opportunities for creativity. These courses will also prepare them for a multitude of media professions and fields, whether they aim to study media further in graduate school or become practitioners and artists. 

The majority of MADD courses are cross-listed with other departments, often in Cinema and Media Studies, Visual Arts, Art History, Computer Science, Literature, Music, and Theater and Performance Studies. 

MADD courses and cross-lists are distributed across Media Theory, Media History, Media Practice and Design, and Electives according to their course number. Major program courses cannot fulfill general education requirements. They must be taken for quality grades, with more than half bearing University of Chicago course numbers.

Course Numbering Key

Media Theory (10000 - 14999)
Media History (15000 - 19999)
Media Practice & Design (20000 - 24999)
Electives (25000 - 28999)

Media Arts and Design Electives

Students may choose their electives from any category, enabling them to customize their educational experience in alignment with their personal interests and academic trajectory. The only stipulation is that elective courses must originate from MADD or hold a MADD crosslist. 

Course Petitions

Students may find themselves in a situation where a non-MADD listed course aligns closely with MADD approaches or subject matter and they wish to include it in their course plan. To address such situations, students have the option to petition for the inclusion of non-MADD courses. To initiate this process, students are required to complete a course petition form. Along with the form, students should provide relevant course materials or coursework that demonstrates the alignment of the non-MADD course with MADD approaches. Each petition will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to determine its suitability for inclusion in the student's program of study.

A capstone project is a substantial work or a set of related pieces for public presentation, such as a video game, software art, interactive installation, or media performance. It may expand on a past project or be a new work developed during the capstone sequence. Students have the option, and are encouraged, to work collaboratively.

As of Autumn 2025, the Capstone sequence is optional for majors in Media Arts and Design. Majors opting into the sequence are required to take both courses. Note: students who are studying abroad should meet with the Director of Undergraduate Studies to explore alternative options, should they still want to complete a Capstone project. 

The Capstone sequence can replace the following major requirements: Methodologies will count as an elective, and Production will fulfill one of the practice requirements. Students opting out of the Capstone sequence will take the major requirements as normal. 

Capstone I: Methodologies
The Methodologies course is designed to equip students with essential skills and strategies for creative project development. This course explores the intricacies of ideation, effective research, goal setting, design, and project scoping. Students learn to adapt and adjust their approaches, tackle challenges, and embrace diverse methods, fostering an environment of nimble experimentation.Methodologies serves as the foundation for students to conceptualize and iteratively develop their ideas, laying the groundwork for the projects they will bring to completion in Capstone II.

Capstone II: Production The Production course builds upon the work initiated in Capstone I, guiding students through the final stages of project execution. With a focus on translating ideas into fully realized creative works, students refine their projects through an iterative design process. This studio course provides hands-on experience in production, supported by experienced instructors and state-of-the-art tools and technologies. By the end of Capstone II, students will have developed a polished, portfolio-ready project that reflects their creative growth.

Students majoring in Media Arts and Design have the flexibility to explore a wide range of topics while also developing deeper expertise in specific areas. To help navigate the program’s diverse offerings, courses are grouped into thematic “clusters” that reflect different areas of focus. These clusters serve as a guide for students to orient themselves within the curriculum and identify affinities that align with their interests.

While students are free to take courses across different areas, they may find it helpful to engage with a particular cluster as a way to build depth in a subject. Those pursuing a Capstone project in their fourth year are encouraged to consider how their coursework aligns with their project goals. Students are welcome to discuss their course planning and potential areas of focus with a MADD advisor, particularly during the major declaration process in their third year.

Students majoring in Media Arts and Design have the flexibility to explore a wide range of topics while also developing deeper expertise in specific areas. To help navigate the program’s diverse offerings, courses are grouped into thematic “clusters” that reflect different areas of focus. These clusters serve as a guide for students to orient themselves within the curriculum and identify affinities that align with their interests.

While students are free to take courses across different areas, they may find it helpful to engage with a particular cluster as a way to build depth in a subject. Those pursuing a Capstone project in their fourth year are encouraged to consider how their coursework aligns with their project goals. Students are welcome to discuss their course planning and potential areas of focus with a MADD advisor, particularly during the major declaration process in their third year.

Sample study paths are available here.

The Media Arts and Design program (MADD) is an interdisciplinary program and currently offers the following clusters:

💾🎨 Creative Computing
 Do you want to expand your creativity to an infinite canvas? In this cluster students will explore the expansive possibilities of the “meta-media” of computing, learning to harness its capacity to merge text, images, sound, and interactivity in blended and novel ways. The Creative Computing cluster encourages students to redefine the landscape of digital media, challenging conventional norms and crafting innovative forms of creative expression not previously possible with traditional media. Key faculty in this cluster include Nick Briz, Diana Franklin, Pedro Lopes, Ken Nakagaki, Jason Salavon, and Jon Satrom.

🎛️🔊 Digital Sound and Music
 Are you driven to discover new dimensions in sound and music? In the Digital Sound and Music cluster, students delve into the world of digital sound production, learning techniques to compose and score for nonlinear media such as video games. This cluster goes beyond traditional music-making, inviting students to redefine its boundaries, creating sound installations, algorithmic instruments. and other innovative auditory experiences that challenge and expand our understanding of sound. Courses in this cluster are often cross-listed with the Music Department which has an Electronic Music Studio that students can take advantage of for their projects. Key faculty to note include David Bird, Nick Briz, Paula Harper, Jennifer Iverson, and Takashi Shallow.

✨🎬 Expanded Cinema
 Are you eager to take moving images beyond the traditional theater screen and narrative forms? In this cluster, students push moving images outside their typical frames exploring an assemblage of contexts including mixed reality (VR/AR), transmedia storytelling, video installation, and AV performance. This cluster is a creative playground for filmmakers interested in experimental, participatory, hypermedia and other non-linear modes of storytelling that engage audiences in unprecedented ways. Key faculty in this area include Marc Downie, Ian Jones, Tom LaMarre, Daniel Morgan, AE Stevenson, and Scott Wolniak.

🕹️♟️ Games
 Are you passionate about creating worlds, puzzles, and experiences that captivate and engage? In the Games cluster, students explore the vast universe of game design and development. Beyond video games, the cluster also explores the intricate design of card games, the imaginative realms of role-playing games, and the innovative landscapes of alternate reality games. Here, students learn to craft not just games, but compelling experiences, mastering the art of storytelling, strategy, and design to create interactive adventures that resonate with a diverse set of audiences and themes. Key faculty for this cluster include Katherine Buse, Chris Carloy, Patrick Jagoda, Ian Jones, and Ashlyn Sparrow.

💻⚡️ Media Performance
 Are you intrigued by the fusion of theater, play, and cutting-edge media technologies? The Media Performance cluster offers a unique blend of traditional performance arts with the dynamic realms of digital media. In this cluster, students dive into the world of experimental audio-visual real-time performances, exploring how technology can augment and transform the theatrical experience. Key faculty for this cluster include Heidi Coleman, Patrick Jagoda, Rasean Davonté Johnson, John Muse, Jon Satrom, and Sandor Weisz.

Students double majoring in Media Arts and Design and another major can count a maximum of four courses towards both majors, pending approval from both departments. However, no part of the Capstone Colloquium Sequence may be replaced by an analogous course in the other major, given the uniqueness of the MADD Colloquium and its importance to community building. Thus, double majors may have to take multiple capstone courses to fulfill both program requirements.

In their second year, students interested in majoring in Media Arts and Design should schedule a meeting with either the Director of Undergraduate Studies or the Associate Director to collaboratively plan their future coursework. By the Spring Quarter of their third year, all students are expected to submit a major program worksheet to the department. This worksheet is designed to outline their proposed course of study and is not a binding contract. It will be reviewed and adjusted as needed.

Participation in the major must be declared to the Director of Undergraduate Studies and the subsequent approved paperwork should be sent to the student's College adviser for official registration.