Associate Degree Programs

Pratt’s Associate Degree Programs offers an exciting educational opportunity to traditional and nontraditional students through two-year Art and Design degree programs. These programs allow students to immerse themselves in an intensive two-year, career-track associate of occupational studies (AOS) or transfer-track associate of applied science (AAS) education.

Located in Manhattan, at the center of the art and design community, students have immediate access to the world’s leading design studios, museums, and galleries. This sophisticated location provides excellent opportunities for field trips, guest speakers, and internship placement. Location, opportunity, and diversity—with students of varied ages from across the country and around the world—combine to create a unique educational experience.

The faculty members, which include some of New York’s leading artists and designers, bring a combination of expertise and dedication to the classroom. They work diligently to provide students with professional experience and to inspire the confidence students require to continue their education or pursue their chosen careers. Class sizes are small and faculty members work closely with each student, helping to refine and build their skills to a professionally competitive level.

In all majors, there is a strong emphasis on teaching traditional skills and a commitment to providing students with access to the most advanced technology. The curriculum begins with rigorous foundation courses for all majors, followed by major-specific upper-level courses, and culminates in professional portfolio development, internship opportunities, and capstone projects.

Chair
Susan G. Young

Assistant Chair
Zach Whitehurst

Acting Assistant to the Chair
Laura Feng

Academic Adviser
Zachary Lucero

Office
Tel: 212.647.7375
Fax: 212.367.2480
aos@pratt.edu
www.pratt.edu/associate-degree

Faculty Bios
https://www.pratt.edu/academics/school-of-art/undergraduate-school-of-art/associate-degrees/faculty-and-staff/

ASCG-100 Digital Media - (3 Credits)

The course focuses on using computers and devices as tools for personal and professional art expression. Students will cultivate a rich hands-on understanding of tools and learning terminology while building eye-hand coordination through the creation of basic digital art and time-based media. This course is a prerequisite for all digital design and interactive media courses.

ASCG-101 UI/UX Interactive Media I - (3 Credits)

User experience design is the process of enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty by improving the usability, ease of use, and pleasure provided in the interaction between the customer and the product. This course provides students with a general overview of User Experience Design(\"UX\") and User Interface Design (\"UI\"), paying special attention to mobile usage contexts and building a career in the field.

ASCG-201 UI/UX Interactive Media II - (3 Credits)

This course will focus on responsive web and app design, utilizing user experience principles. Students will build upon previous knowledge of UI/UX to develop a deeper understanding of coding and user-centered design.

ASCG-212 Pre-Press and Print Production - (3 Credits)

This course explores the aspects of successful digital pre-production, focusing on the fundamental principles and techniques involved in taking a print idea or digital idea from conceptual stage through to the successful production of the finished piece across both digital and print media. Dye-cutting, digital mechanics, 4-color separations, paper stocks, RGB, CMYK, Pantone color systems, coatings, embossing, thermography, foil stamping, and various types of printing presses and digital outputs are covered.

ASDG-101 Photography - (3 Credits)

This course provides a basic overview of different aspects of lighting and digital photography. Photography is addressed in fine art, commercial illustration and design. Students learn to operate a consumer level digital camera and use imaging software. Printing techniques are also addressed. Assignments are geared toward understanding the technical and aesthetic issues that contribute to a successful digital photograph.

ASDG-109 Typography I - (3 Credits)

This course is an introduction to the study of both letterform and type as important elements of design, focusing on the relationship between typography and space as a powerful tool for the communication of ideas. Studying the letterforms themselves will allow students to recognize the important aspects of body and display text in order to employ type appropriately. Students will study the illustrative and communicative nature of letterform.

ASDG-206 Painting II - (3 Credits)

This course will continue to develop the student's ability to use oil paint to represent objects and the human figure in an environment. Students will use their conceptual understanding of the color wheel as a guide to mix oil colors effectively on their palette. They will use the 4 properties of color (hue, value, intensity and temperature) to help them create the illusion of space.

ASDG-207 Drawing III - (3 Credits)

This advanced drawing class encourages the development of personal styles and individual points of view. Advanced theories of drawing shall be discussed and incorporated into projects that allow the student to explore a variety of mixed media. Serious emphasis shall be devoted to the analysis and appreciation of master drawings.

ASDG-211 Typography II - (3 Credits)

This intermediate course is a continuation of ASDG 109. Typography I. This course closely examines the letterform as an image and as an element that, coupled with the design tools of scale, color, and layout, can tell a visual story.

ASDG-212 Typography III - (3 Credits)

This advanced course is continuation of Typography II. Focusing on the refinement of the skills students developed from Typography I-II, students will exercise their understanding of letterforms and begin to apply effective solutions to more complex typographic systems.

ASDG-225 Painting III - (3 Credits)

This advanced course is a continuation of Painting I & II and allows students to paint in a variety of media, which will include both oil and water based paints, and students will be working from still life, life models, landscape, and imagination.

ASFA-241 Fine Arts Seminar - (3 Credits)

The Fine Arts Seminar explores ideas and issues relevant to the Fine Arts curriculum. This course addresses concerns of the studio arising from the social, historical, and intellectual parameters of the time. The concerns are formal and philosophical as well as practical. Class discussions include topics such as personalities, events, exhibitions, writing of critics and artists, values and studio practice.

ASFA-242 Fine Arts Studio - (3 Credits)

The Fine Arts Studio provides an environment for students to complete their capstone projects. This course is an opportunity for students to demonstrate proficiency in their selected area of concentration. Each student will complete and present a body of work and artist statement that culminates in a public exhibition of their Capstone Project.

ASFD-143 Drawing I - (3 Credits)

This is an introductory drawing course covering the basic elements and principles of drawing such as line, shape, value, texture, space, and perspective. Subject matter will include still life, landscape, and the nude model. Figure and the spatial relationships to the page will be studied. The emphasis will be on composition, line, value, volume, and negative space. Media will include pencil, charcoal, links, and a variety of other drawing materials.

ASFD-144 Drawing II - (3 Credits)

This course is a continuation of Drawing I emphasizing the development of strong fundamental drawing skills, working from both still life and the model. Students will be encouraged to experiment with media and scale, with specific attention to compositional development both conceptual as well as perceptual.

ASFD-157 Material and 3 Dimensional Form - (3 Credits)

Material and 3-Dimensional Form introduces students to the material, techniques and ideas that comprise the three-dimensional world of \"made\" things and natural forms. The basic abstract components-line, plane, mass, space, and composition-are examined and explored through assignments and research.

ASFD-168 Light,Color and Design I - (3 Credits)

This course emphasizes visual observation through the study of color and composition. Learning to exercise critical judgment and the development of aesthetic sensibilities are also primary goals of the course. Students explore various media and the tools of expression in the continuing search for ways to communicate visually by applying design, color and concept with purpose.

ASFD-169 Light,Color and Design II - (3 Credits)

A continuation of Light, Color & Design I, this course expands the study of color and composition while advancing aesthetic sensibilities and strengthening critical judgment. Assignments are more conceptually challenging, and will focus on the historical and contemporary methods of manipulating the two-dimensional surface to explore its infinite expressive possibilities.

ASGM-101 Collaborative Game Design - (3 Credits)

This course is an invitation to non-programmers, students of all disciplines, and anyone who enjoys creating enjoyable experiences for themselves and others. Students will have a brief overview of the major developments in gaming, including game history and its influence on culture and business. The structure of this course follows three tracks (Narrative, Mechanics, and Systems), with the aim of cultivation a diverse and growing community of game-designers and players across disciplines. Fostering multidisciplinarycollaborations is a prime focus of this course, using well-established team-building techniques and strategies.

ASGM-102 Game Analysis and Strategy - (3 Credits)

This class provides students with the tools to examine and conceptualize a game's underlying structure. By unlocking how addictive games work, students will gain insights into the nature of risk and reward, incentives, and behavior science.

ASGM-103 Storytelling and Interactive Narrative Design - (3 Credits)

This course highlights the central structural and aesthetic role narrative brings to game design. Stories and roleplaying predate all other art forms, and narrative-based entertainment will continue to evolve alongside every new technology that captivates our imagination. With a special emphasis on roleplaying games and world-building, students will learn the crucial building-blocks of story structure, pacing, and character development; appropriately adapting them to various types of games and technologies.

ASGM-104 Animation and Motion Graphics I - (3 Credits)

This course deals with the fundamental structural issues included in creating motion graphics and animation. Focus is on design for animation using video and graphic design techniques. Topics include storyboard, narration, and various techniques used in the industry.

ASGM-105 3D Modeling and Animation I - (3 Credits)

This course introduces students to computer-aided Three Dimensional design and animation. Topics covered include shaping primitive objects; constructing skeletons for realistic support and movement; as well shading, textures, and simulated physics. Students will conclude the course with the ability to create believable 3D characters and objects.

ASGM-121 Object-Oriented Programming - (3 Credits)

This course covers the fundamental of programming, with an emphasis on object-oriented programming, one of the most popular methods for writing modular and easily extended code for games and other applications. Students will gain an understanding of the wide variety and relative strengths of available programming before focusing on one language in-depth (Python, Java, C, or similar).

ASGM-122 Game Production I - (3 Credits)

This course teaches the core skills for game creation. Students design and build an original playable 3D game. The entire process for game developing is covered from conceptualization through final assembly. Art, concepts, and code are combined to bring to life a unique world of each student's creation.

ASGM-123 Immersive Sound Design - (3 Credits)

The aural environment can be just as beautiful, or just as scary as any 3D environment. The predominance of surround-sound and binaural headphones make sound even more crucial to any interactive experience. Students will learn to mix, combine, and optimize the sound-scape to create immersive experiences that complement interactive design.

ASGM-201 Mobile Gaming - (3 Credits)

In this course, students will create games for web browsers, tablets and smart phones using HTML5, CSS3, and various javaScript frameworks. Students will go through the entire production process from the planning stages to best production practices to testing and delivery.

ASGM-204 Animation and Motion Graphics II - (3 Credits)

This studio course explores the area of advanced motion graphics and animation. The course is designed to move beyond the basics and focus on storytelling, narrative, acquiring technical skills and creation quality work. Students will produce several short motion graphics and animations as well as two longer projects during the course.

ASGM-205 3D Modeling and Animation II - (3 Credits)

This course teaches the methods to create original art in 3D along with techniques to capture objects and people from the real world as scanned datasets for use in virtual environments. The art of motion is applied to the models created through the animation and rigging of characters. Students will also work with motion-captured clips that are edited, blended and then applied to original characters to tell an animated story rendered to a video and acted out within a game.

ASGM-206 Advanced Worldbuilding - (3 Credits)

This is an interdisciplinary seminar focusing on creating believable and compelling artificial worlds for stories and games. Students will examine worldbuilding case studies such as Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones as they harness linguistics, city planning, cartography, and other disciplines to create their own worlds.

ASGM-207 Serious and Subversive Games - (3 Credits)

This class evaluates the social and psychological qualities of games and simulations in an attempt to push the medium into a new form. Students create games that investigate politics, education, and much more.

ASGM-222 Game Production II - (3 Credits)

Students continue the process of building their own playable 3D game from ideas, to creation, to marketing. Students will learn business models associated with marketing and producing a game, and will learn how to balance consumer demands and financial intelligence with realizing their personal artistic vision. Skills learned in art and coding will be tempered buy an understanding of the industry business model.

ASGM-240 Interactive Media Portfolio - (3 Credits)

This course summarizes the Game Design and Interactive Media program experience and concentrates preparation for the capstone project. The focus is on producing a professional quality portfolio which will quickly exhibit the students' design and technical skills while also exposing them to networking and job searching opportunities.

ASGM-242 Game Production III - (3 Credits)

This advanced course is the capstone of the game production track, where students will bring together all the skills they developed in interactive design, game mechanics, animation, and graphic design to produce digital as well as analog and hybrid games incorporate both software and hardware components. Students will explore the uses of 3D printing and microprocessors such as Arduino and Raspberry Pi.

ASGM-243 Collaboration Studio - (3 Credits)

This is an advanced workshop where students work together to develop, test, and publish complex games, simulations, and interactive training applications. Collaborative techniques are emphasized as students draw on their experience and expertise from previous classes, evolving earlier game concepts and mechanics into marketable products.

ASGM-245 Mobile App Design - (3 Credits)

Mobile apps pose specific challenges as the variety and capability of tablets, phones, watches and other wearable technology expand into new areas and businesses. Students will explore how gesture-and touch-based interfaces can be elegantly implemented without overshadowing their content.

ASGR-101 Communication Design I - (3 Credits)

This course is an introduction to the study of visual communication. Topics include conceptualization, graphic imagery, aesthetics and symbolism for the communication of information through graphic design. Visual problem solving and conceptualization is emphasized within a context of understanding of communication design history.

ASGR-102 Communication Design II - (3 Credits)

The course is a continuation of the study of visual communication in Communication Design I. Emphasis is places on integration the symbolic and communicative aspects of typography with visual elements to execute real-world design project briefs. Through the application of design principles and typography, projects will stress strong visual concepts while exploring hands-on media and digital techniques. Visual problem solving skills will be developed and refined with a continued emphasis on the context within design history.

ASGR-201 Graphic Design I - (3 Credits)

This course is an introduction to the study of 2-D graphic design as a communication tool. It teaches students how to apply basic design concepts to the presentation of informative or persuasive material, and more broadly, how to visually communicate with an audience. Students will have a brief overview of the history of graphic design and graphic design theories.

ASGR-202 Graphic Design II - (3 Credits)

This is intermediate level course is a continuation of ASGR 201: Graphic Design I. Applying basic design concepts to the presentation of informative or persuasive material, students will develop their craft in practicing effective visual communication. The course emphasizes practical assignments that examine applied problem solving and professional solutions for graphic designers.

ASGR-203 Advertising Design I - (3 Credits)

This advanced study of concept and implementation for advertising campaigns, large, and small space ads include an exploration of the role of marketing in advertising from concepts to computers. This course emphasizes the development of personal expression and the preparation of a portfolio.

ASGR-204 Advertising Design II - (3 Credits)

This course is a continuation of ASGR 203. In this course students will continue to refine skills in marketing and advertising across a wide range of platforms. Understand the roles of both the Creative Director and Art Director as part of a team in the development of an advertising campaign. The course further emphasizes the key importance of the big idea, strategic research, ideation process, creation of ad copy, development and presentation of briefs and visual conceptualization to convey to advertising concept.

ASGR-207 Package Design I - (3 Credits)

In this course, students are introduced to the concept and design of packaging, including color, form, type, photography, and marketing.

ASGR-208 Package Design II - (3 Credits)

This course is a continuation of ASGR 207. This advanced course introduces students to true color image processing, powerful painting and masking features and color separation techniques. Other topics include templates, project management, image setting and advanced type control. Students produce portfolio pieces to illustrate their professional level of page design and production in both black-and-white as well as four-color.

ASGR-240 Portfolio - (3 Credits)

This course is concerned with building a graphic designer's and illustrator's portfolio and giving the students an awareness of the crucial role the portfolio plays in career development. The course also includes information relating to the job market, types of employment available, promotional pricing strategies and other career information of interest. Assignments are geared toward individual needs. Guest speakers include representatives from the art and design fields.

ASGR-270 Digital Design - (3 Credits)

This course covers designing for the grid for print and interactive applications. Topics include color, digital rendering, vector graphics and successful combinations of a variety of design software. Deign assignments are geared towards a variety of output media, including print, motion, and interactive/on-line applications.

ASGR-9200 Internship Summer Only - (0 Credits)