Image via Pixabay

At Ringling College of Art and Design, students learn how to be highly skilled artists, designers and creative professionals in a variety of genres including fine arts, filmmaking, game art, graphic and motion design, animation and illustration. But beyond that, there are two programs that are specifically designed to equip students with the skills needed to forge new paths in the world of business and content creation: Business of Art and Design and Creative Writing. 

Why pursue a business degree at an art and design school? It’s a good question, and I love answering it. The Ringling College Business of Art and Design Bachelor of Arts degree is specialized, and unique as it is not offered at any other art college. This strategic curriculum teaches students both the creative and management skills employers find most valuable in today’s creative economy. In this program, students are prepared to redefine and refine what businesses need today, emphasizing design thinking, brand strategy, project management and team leadership.

Another quality of this business program is students have countless opportunities to collaborate with other students across all majors to bring their creative visions to life: producing animated games and films, planning events and exhibitions, crafting bold advertising and marketing campaigns and developing entrepreneurial ideas for new creative businesses.

“The magic of Ringling’s business program is that it immediately sets you apart. In my internship experience at Warner Bros., I wasn’t expected to have any design capabilities, but I excelled because I did,” said Emily Fritz, a 2020 graduate of the Business of Art and Design program now working as a manager in Global Digital Marketing for Sony Pictures Entertainment. “I find myself capable of things far beyond my job description, because Ringling College’s business program covered all the bases.”

The business curriculum is designed to be flexible, empowering students to tailor their academic experience to their individual interests and career goals. Students tackle real client projects to build their resumes and portfolios or dive into strategy to develop and launch their own business ventures. Graduates go on to work as animation producers, production coordinators, brand strategists and marketing directors to name a few, at top companies including DreamWorks, Pixar, JibJab, Blue Mammoth Games and more.

The other major aforementioned is Ringling College’s Creative Writing Bachelor of Fine Arts program. In a world where content is king, skilled writers are in high demand and these graduates can apply their skills in a variety of creative industries. Through a series of Visiting Writer Forums, guest lectures and critiques, in-house magazine and journal opportunities and a diverse selection of course offerings, the Creative Writing program allows students to explore a range of aesthetics and genres.

Yes, Ringling College Creative Writing students learn how to become great storytellers, which is at the heart of every creative endeavor, whether it be a novel, movie or TV scripts, short story, game or comic book. But more importantly, these students are set up for success when they graduate with both the technical competence and fluency of narrative to succeed in print and digital media, as well as in new, emerging technologies. In other words, they know how to make their writing financially viable. There are so many exciting avenues to pursue as a writer, everything from playwright to video game writer, graphic novelist, blogger, copywriter and more. The opportunities are endless.

Some may think the Business of Art Design and Creative Writing majors stretch the boundaries of a traditional art and design education. That’s true, because at Ringling College, that’s exactly what we do, what our students are looking for and why we created such programs.

Perhaps American artist Andy Warhol said it, and did it, best. Known for taking common culture images, making them pop with bright colors, and then mass-producing them in his own factory, Warhol not only became an iconic artist; he also left an estate in excess of $200 million. “Being good in business is the most fascinating kind of art,” he once said.

Dr. Larry Thompson is president of Ringling College of Art & Design.

Image via Pixabay