Created with code and inspired by traditional art and design, the new media major at UNC Asheville is built for curious creatives and fearless innovators.

Why Study New Media at UNC Asheville?

Student and Alumni Spotlight

New Media Outside the Classroom

By studying theory and through practical projects, students learn to explore and articulate emerging forms of art, design, and communication. Not only do new media majors master state-of-the-art tools and software, but they also learn how art, media, and culture affect each other and society.

A new media student using a VR headset

Opportunities to Intern at Top Media Companies

Beyond the classroom, students find inspiration from renowned visiting artists and guest speakers, and they can get a head start on their careers through internships in art and design. Past new media internships have included design for the North Carolina Arboretum, Black Mountain College Museum and Arts Center, Plum Print, The Center for Native Health, marketing for Bounty and Soul, San Diego Padres, Asheville Tourists, Dolo Digital, graphic design for USDA Forest Service, Asheville Art Museum, the Collider Asheville, WNC Magazine, SnapAV, Marketing for Lifescale Analytics, film editing for MacNeice Films, multimedia and web coordination for Sensible City LLC, videographer for Bike Monkey Magazine, Asheville Museum of Science (AMOS), Appalachian Wildlife Refuge and others.

Two new media students looking at an installation at the black mountain college new media event

Organizations & Events

Students can also get involved with the New Media Arts Council (NewMAC), a student-led organization that provides peer mentorship to students entering the program. The department also hosts an annual juried student exhibition showcasing student work that experiments with new forms of narratives.

New Media students on a summer study abroad trip

Study Abroad

Our mission is to promote a comprehensive understanding of media art, history, and culture on a global scale. To achieve this, we provide annual faculty-led short-term study abroad intensives that satisfy new media degree requirements. Additionally, we advocate for semester-long study abroad opportunities for new media students via the UNCA Study Abroad Program.

Meet the Faculty

New media faculty at UNC Asheville have expertise in animation, directing, screenwriting, filmmaking, art, design, virtual reality production, coding, and much more. Here to mentor you as you learn, experiment, and grow into your full potential, our faculty encourage serious play, self-discipline, lifelong learning, and community service. Small class sizes and frequent interactions with faculty is one of the things that makes the UNC Asheville experience unique.

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New Media Degree Careers & Outcomes

Graduates of the new media bachelor’s degree program are ready to move on to careers in interactive design, animation or video, or to pursue graduate studies. Whether your dream career is in marketing, journalism, or tech, your skills in digital literacy, design, communication, web development, animation, video, digital fabrication, and coding make you an adaptable and desirable candidate to a range of potential employers.

From software development to climate research to experimental art, our graduates have become leaders in some of the fastest-growing fields of our time — some even founding their own companies in the digital media space. Our alumni have held titles such as art director, digital media specialist, animator, graphic artist, storyboard artist, social media manager, game designer, videographer, and more at top local and global companies including Pixar, Skydance Animation, EA games, Cartoon Network, Anthroware, Wells Fargo, and Slate. 

Related Programs

Let Your Creativity Shine in UNC Asheville’s New Media Major

Explore, create, and innovate in the Bachelor of Arts in New Media program at the University of North Carolina Asheville. Dive into animation, interactive media, and video art and design with faculty support as you prepare for an exciting career in the evolving world of new media. 

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