whatIsNewMedia?

The term new media describes visual art crafted with digital tools. Yet every medium has at some point been new, and while digital media may be among the newest, the fundamental motivation for using any medium is as old as humanity: we still tell stories, whether by the flicker of the campfire or that of the screen.

Yet, what may be new about today's new media is this: in a manner without parallel in history, digital media have democratized and globalized our stories, fundamentally changing the terms of exchange between artist and audience.

newMediaWiki is a Creative Commons licensed Open Educational Resource introducing artists to the tools at the core of the digital media revolution, grounding digital practice in strategic, theoretical, and critical frameworks.

	2D Digital Art is a course in which students work with vector graphics, raster graphics and graphic layout programs. The course introduces how computing can be used to produce works of art and design. Software focus: Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, slideware. Concept focus: basic visual design principles.
	3D Modeling introduces 3D computer artwork and content creation using modeling, rendering, and animation applications. It provides students with an in-depth understanding of 3D techniques and production strategies. Software focus: Maya, Photoshop. Concept focus: animation principles, advanced visual design.
	4D Media focuses on interactive multimedia. It explores experimental uses of new media in the visual arts with emphasis on integrating digital media with current practices in 2-, 3-, and 4-dimensional art. Software focus: Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Animate, Premier. Concept focus: time-and-motion, digital typography, interactivity, advanced visual design.
	Media Praxis concentrates on the convergence of digital, interactive, and time based experiences within current studio practice. Students design their own experience. The course can be repeated to sponsor large scale, complex, or collaborative projects. Software focus: Student-directed. Concept focus: Student-directed.
	Art Theory is an introduction to verbal commentary, both oral and written, about art. The development of critical and expressive skills are given emphasis.
	Fabrication Art introduces the exciting realm of digital design. The class explores the computer as an artistic media as students learn applications. Projects will address the themes of form, function and the aesthetics of design while also gaining an introduction to contemporary sculpture and computer mediated design happening in the art world now.

aboutTheAuthor

Visit williamCromar.com to find out more about the author of newMediaWiki. 

williamCromar is an artist and educator based in Philadelphia. He hybridizes a peculiar blend of architecture, music, animation and artmaking into a unique body of interactive digital—tactile art environments.

williamCromar has exhibited nationwide, drummed in punk bands, freelanced as an architectural modeling consultant, taught and lectured at the University of Pennsylvania, and served as Visiting Assistant Professor in the School of Architecture at Philadelphia University. He has served as Chair for the PSU Abington College Art Program, where he currently teaches new media, encouraging emerging artists to commit senseless acts of beauty on the Mackintosh. He concurrently directs the PSU Abington MakerSpace. His kilt is a Clan Farquharson Ancient tartan.

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