Emphases

Three people are focused on shaping pottery on pottery wheels in a studio. The room has shelves with pottery and supplies in the background.

Ceramics

The Ceramics program develops technical skills in construction, forming, mold making, glazing, and firing. Students refine their artistic approach, preparing for careers as studio artists, designers, technicians, or graduate study.

Ceramics Program Information

Electronic Art & Animation

The Computer Art program teaches skills in 3D modeling, animation, motion graphics, and game design, with a focus on adapting to industry changes. Graduates pursue careers in animation, digital media, interactive content, or continue to graduate studies.

Electronic Art & Animation Program Information

A person wearing a red and white hat operates a camera on a tripod in a room with bright lighting. Another person stands nearby. A seated person in the foreground faces away, holding a pen and paper. A microphone is positioned above them.

Digital Cinema

The Digital Cinema program offers training in filmmaking, covering history, production, and various techniques. Students gain hands-on experience with professional equipment, preparing for careers in film, TV, animation, and digital media.

Digital Cinema Program Information

Woman with long hair painting in a studio. She is focused on a paint palette in front of her, surrounded by various art tools. Behind her are artworks and a bust on a stand. The scene is well-lit with studio lights.

Drawing & Painting

The Drawing & Painting program focuses on developing skills in various media while exploring color, composition, and conceptual practices. Students refine their style through a portfolio review and capstone courses, culminating in an exhibition at the DeVos Art Museum.

Drawing & Painting Program Information

Person with short auburn hair and glasses working on a laptop at a desk, designing a circular graphic. Nearby are a notebook, phone, and an orange bag. Overhead view.

Graphic Design

The Graphic Design program teaches students to translate ideas into visual systems for print and digital media. Students learn design, typography, and layout through hands-on courses, with opportunities in letterpress printing and digital design.

Graphic Design Program Information

A person in a classroom holds a light blue sculptural object resembling a pitcher. Nearby are sketches and another similar object on the table.

Industrial Design

The Industrial Design concentration teaches students to research, conceptualize, and visualize products and services using design sketching, problem-solving, and digital fabrication. Students develop innovative solutions through both individual and collaborative projects.

Industrial Design Program Information

Person using Adobe Illustrator on a MacBook, designing a retro-style cover titled "Gigantic" featuring a pink mythological creature.

Illustration

The Illustration program teaches students to communicate ideas for print and digital media, preparing them for careers in advertising, publishing, and entertainment. Students develop their personal style through life drawing, digital tools, and hands-on projects, building a professional portfolio.

Illustration Program Information

A person wearing a green sweater uses a handheld blowtorch in a workshop. They focus intently on their work. Colorful abstract paintings are visible on the wall in the background.

Metalsmithing/Jewelry

The Metalsmithing/Jewelry program exposes students to techniques like casting, welding, and forging, allowing exploration in areas such as jewelry, blacksmithing, and sculpture. Students develop their unique artistic direction through individualized research and hands-on projects.

Metalsmithing/Jewelry Program Information

A hand holds a camera, capturing a person in a yellow jacket standing in a snowy landscape. The camera's screen displays the scene, focusing on the person holding ski poles. The background is blurred, with trees visible.

Photography

The Photography program at NMU blends digital and traditional techniques, offering students hands-on experience in both areas. With access to advanced facilities, including Mac labs and a professional lighting studio, students prepare for success in contemporary image-making.

Photography Program Information

A person in protective gear, including earmuffs, a cap, and a face mask, is sanding a wooden piece in a workshop. They're wearing a red plaid shirt, and various tools and equipment are visible in the background.

Woodworking & Furniture

The Woodworking program develops design, craftsmanship, and problem-solving skills, guiding students from concept to full-scale pieces while mastering techniques for furniture and product design.

Woodworking & Furniture Program Information

Majors

A young woman wearing a white sweater and denim overalls smiles while holding a video camera with a microphone attached, standing in a studio with professional lighting equipment.

Social Media Design Management

Students in the Social Media Design Management program learn to combine design, marketing, and communication to build and manage brand identities across digital platforms. The program emphasizes visual storytelling, brand strategy, and audience engagement, preparing graduates for careers in digital media, advertising, and corporate communications.

Social Media Design Management Program Information

A young girl points at a notebook while a woman beside her smiles. They are sitting at a classroom table with other children visible.

Art Education

The Art Education program certifies K-12 art teachers while developing their artistic skills. Graduates gain hands-on experience and pursue careers in education, museums, and community arts.

Art Education Program Information

Minors

Art History Minor

The Art History minor at Northern Michigan University invites you to explore the world’s artistic traditions, from Zen gardens of Japan to the stone temples of the Mayan lords, and from Egyptian royal portraits to Rembrandt’s self-portraits. You’ll develop skills in visual analysis and critical thinking that extend beyond the past, helping you understand contemporary art and design as well as literature, music, drama, and folklore.

Art History Minor