Interactive Media Arts at NYU Tisch: What I Expected to Make vs. What I Make

The best and simplest way to describe Interactive Media Arts is the mixture of art and technology! But what does this really mean? As an IMA student, my major focuses a lot on the art of digital media technology and interactivity. I have also been able to develop a foundation of code and different forms of interactive media through arts and science classes here at NYU.

Ever since I was little I have always loved art. I painted, drew, made stop-motion videos, and did photography. Then, I quickly gained an interest in film. Once I found this passion, I ended up going to a specialized high school in which I majored in film and loved it!

During my time in high school, I did several art internships and learned that mixing art forms was possible, and I loved this undiscovered land of creativity. For example, I loved experimental films and photography. So, when applying to colleges, I wanted a major that allowed me to explore the possibilities of mixed media. And that’s when I discovered Interactive Media Arts at NYU Tisch School of the Arts!

Being that IMA is so wide-ranging, I didn’t really know what it meant at first. I assumed there were limitations, like only doing graphic design. I worried that I’d be doing code with little art implications, and I came into the major with no prior coding experience. However, I quickly learned that all levels and skills are welcomed to IMA with open arms!

One of the biggest things I learned that I didn’t expect to learn was coding. I had never coded before IMA, but I have now learned two different coding languages in my first year-and-a-half at NYU! I learned Python and p5.js.

With this coding knowledge, I have been able to create chatbots! My friend and fellow Admissions Ambassador Zuni and I made a dating coach chatbot for our final.

In addition to coding, I have still been able to go back to my roots in film! For example, in a hypercinema class, we had a genres project where we had to edit a short film based on a randomly given film genre.

With the start of my sophomore year, I took my first performing class. There, we learned about creating audio and visual interfaces for live performances. I got to use a 4-wall immersive video projection room for my final!

As an IMA student, I graduate with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, which broadens my career path, as I can work in any art-adjacent field! As the IMA website states, careers in IMA are found in many major technology companies, creative firms, digital agencies, and museums.

Personally, I want to be some type of creative director. IMA provides a great platform for that, as I will be well-versed in various art types. I also plan to declare a minor in Business of Entertainment, Media, and Technology to have some marketing skills as well. Finally, I am working to take a lot of storytelling classes to help me represent my ideas in the best ways possible.

To me, Interactive Media Arts at NYU is more than just digitized art. I am learning how to combine my two favorite things, art and technology, in new and innovative ways. The program has so much to offer, and I have learned so much in less than two years. Through my classes, I’m learning about where I want to expand my skills and what I want to learn next.