Design, Arts, and Technology
At the Intersection of Arts and Digital Technology
Program Overview
The Design, Arts, and Technology (DAT) program is a secondary major that integrates the fine and applied arts with digital technology. Students complete DAT requirements alongside a complementary major in Art, Business, Communication, English, Psychology, or Theatre, plus a three-hour internship (ideally aligned with the complementary major).
Build creative and technical skills across:
- Website development and design
- Film and video production
- Sound editing and audio production
- Multimedia art
- Graphic design
- 2D animation
- Communications technology
Grow Creative and Technical Skillsets
Pair the depth of your primary major with marketable digital skills that support careers in multimedia, design, and communication. Develop fluency in industry-standard tools, visual storytelling, and digital production to graduate prepared for creative, tech-driven roles.
Portfolio-Ready for Your Goals
Develop hands-on experience with professional creative technologies while producing work you can curate into a polished portfolio. Through applied projects and interdisciplinary collaboration, you will graduate with tangible examples that showcase both creativity and technical expertise.
“As a commercial illustrator, my background in the Design, Arts, and Technology program at Bellarmine informs my work every day. Learning a range of tools and workflows helped me become a more marketable and versatile artist — and the Bellarmine experience shaped me beyond my career."
Shae Goodlett ’17, Commercial Illustrator
100%
Experience Internships
50+
Study Abroad Opportunities
99%
Alumni Success Rates
Program Highlights
Combined with the depth of a primary major, the breadth of DAT prepares students for multimedia work and roles that incorporate digital technology. Students build experience with creative and production tools while producing portfolio-ready work.
The curriculum is interdisciplinary and taught by faculty specializing in areas such as digital photography, technical communication, graphic design, digital media, music technology, film, and entrepreneurship.
Degree Requirements
Experiential Learning
Courses
Faculty
| Faculty Member | Overview |
|---|---|
| Laura Hartford, M.F.A. Associate Dean, Bellarmine College of Arts and Sciences Associate Professor of Art |
Teaches photography and digital art. Holds an M.F.A. from Indiana University and has professional experience in fine art and commercial media production. Her work appears in national and international collections. |
| Shawn Apostel, Ph.D. Associate Professor; Instructional Technology Specialist |
Ph.D. in Rhetoric and Technical Communication. Background in graphic design and digital communication, with research interests in teaching with technology, visual communication, and digital ethos. Published author and conference leader. |
| Michael D. Mattei, Ph.D. Professor, Rubel School of Business |
Professor of management information systems with extensive corporate IT leadership experience. Former executive director of the Center for Interdisciplinary Technology & Entrepreneurship. |
| Angela D. Miller Adjunct Faculty, Design, Arts, and Technology |
Multidisciplinary educator with graduate degrees in forensic science, theatre directing, and digital media. Faculty advisor and co-coordinator of TEDxBellarmineU, with professional experience in media, theatre, and creative production. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Are personal computers or laptops required?
No. University computer labs contain the hardware and software needed for coursework, though many students choose to purchase a laptop with commonly used programs.
Is any other equipment required?
Some courses may require access to equipment not provided by the program (for example, certain video or elective courses). Review course details when registering.
Do I need specific technology skills before entering?
No. Students at all levels of technological literacy are welcome.
Do I need design experience before entering?
No. Students at all skill levels in design are welcome.
Do I need artistic talent, or can I focus on design and technology?
Artistic skills are developed through coursework and are not required before entering the program.
What kinds of capstone projects do students typically undertake?
Capstone projects vary by interest and may include web design, print design, illustration, audio, video, animation, and digital photography.
Am I required to complete an internship in both DAT and my other major?
No. DAT requires one internship, and required internships in a second major may fulfill the DAT internship requirement.
Upcoming Events
Contact
Laura Hartford, MFA
Division Chair
lhartford@bellarmine.edu
(502) 272-7988
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