Carnegie Mellon University is known worldwide for its work in robotics, artificial intelligence, and computer science, and the School of Art provides many opportunities for students who aim to combine their artistic practice with technology.

Concentration in Electronic and Time-Based Media Following foundational instruction across a wide range of mediums, all School of Art students select a concentration in which to pursue advanced coursework. Within the Electronic and Time-Based Media concentration, class topics include: animation, video and performance, computational and interactive art, and game arts, among others.

BXA Intercollege Degree Program The BXA Program challenges students to develop an individual course of study that combines art with the humanities, sciences, or computer science. The Bachelor of Computer Science & Arts (BCSA) program, in particular, is designed for students interested in learning computer science theory and in-depth coding, in addition to the formation of their own artistic practice.

Technology-oriented students may also be interested in some of the options through the Bachelor of Humanities & Arts (BHA) program such as degrees that combine Art with Statistics and Machine Learning, Logic and Computation, or Information Systems.

Students may either enter the university as BXA students or, more commonly, transfer into the program once at CMU.

IDeATe (Integrative Design, Arts, & Technology) The IDeATe network is a centralized hub for design, art, and technology that brings together faculty and students from many different colleges and schools on campus. A resource heavily used by School of Art students, IDeATe offers undergraduate courses and minors in Game Design, Animation & Special Effects, Media Design, Sonic Arts, Design for Learning, Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Intelligent Environments, and Physical Computing. For students wishing to learn how to use animation software and/or how to program interactive games, artworks, and website, IDeATe provides a strong technical background.

Additional Majors, Minors, and Accelerated Masters School or Art students have the option of pursing an additional major or minor in a technical field, such as Computer Science, Robotics, or Logic and Computation. Particularly popular among students interested in interactive design and new media is the secondary major or the minor in Human-Computer Interaction. This program encompasses interdisciplinary work in design, computer science, and behavioral and social science, ideal for students who may wish to pursue a career in video game design, smartphone app design, or interactive robotics, or who are interested in gaining an understanding of human behavior to make interactive artworks. The Human-Computer Interaction Institute also offers an accelerated Master’s program, which allows undergraduate students to obtain a Master’s degree with an extra year of coursework.

Frank Ratchye STUDIO for Creative Inquiry Housed within the College of Fine Arts and helmed by School of Art Professor Golan Levin, the STUDIO for Creative Inquiry examines the intersection of the arts, science, technology, and culture. Through grants and mentorship, the STUDIO provides School of Art students with the support to pursue trailblazing projects outside the classroom. Past STUDIO projects have uncovered previously unknown Andy Warhol art works on floppy disks, launched successful start-up companies, and created an artwork to send into space with contributions from more than 150 individuals.