Computational Art at UCLA is for students who want to make creative work with code, systems, data, interaction, and emerging technologies. Students work across art, design, and media, but the center of the major is computation: not just as a tool, but as a creative material, a way of thinking, and a subject for artistic exploration.

Computational Art is not half computer science and half art. It is neither an art degree with a technical add-on nor a technical degree with a creative component. Artists, designers, engineers, and creative technologists have been developing this field for more than sixty years. It is a distinct creative field where code, images, systems, interaction, sound, data, networks, and emerging technologies become materials for artistic work.

Students drawn to this major may be asking whether to pursue art or engineering, computer science or design, technical work or creative work. In Computational Art, these paths come together. Students combine creative imagination with technical skill, developing projects that could not exist through either art or computation alone. They also ask larger questions about technology: Who creates it? Who uses it? Who is affected by it? How do computational systems shape culture, creativity, and everyday life?

Students come to Computational Art with different strengths. Some arrive with experience in visual art, design, music, video, or performance. Others have explored coding, electronics, AI tools, interactive media, digital worlds, or experimental technologies. The program builds shared foundations while helping students develop a focused creative practice with computation.

As a BA program within a major research university, Computational Art combines studio practice, technical learning, and broad liberal arts study. Students have room to explore courses across UCLA while developing a creative practice centered on computation as an artistic medium. They may extend their studio and technical work through electives, minors, and courses across campus, including areas such as Digital Humanities, Disability Studies, Architecture, Art, Film, Music, Engineering, and other fields.

UCLA is an ideal place to study this field. Located in Los Angeles, the university is part of California’s globally influential ecosystem of software, technology, art, design, entertainment, and media culture. Los Angeles offers a unique context for students interested in the future of creative technology and contemporary artistic practice.
Graduates of the Computational Art BA may pursue creative and technical roles such as:

Creative Coder / Creative Technologist
Media Artist / Digital Artist / Motion Designer / XR Artist
Generative Artist / Computational Designer / Artist working with AI systems
Design Technologist / UX Engineer

The degree can also prepare students for further study in areas such as:

Graduate study in Media Art or Art
Graduate study in Design or Architecture
Graduate study in Games, Digital Media, and related fields
Graduate study in Computer Science and other engineering fields

Computational Art is one of three majors in the Department of Design Media Arts, alongside Design and Games. These three majors offer distinct paths through creative work with digital technologies: Design focuses on visual communication and graphic design with digital tools; Games focuses on games as a creative, technical, and cultural medium; Computational Art focuses on computation as a material, method, and subject for artistic practice.

During the first two years, students take shared foundation courses with students from all three majors. In the third and fourth years, Computational Art students specialize through upper-division courses, electives, and independent creative work. Through their elective choices, students can shape an individual path within the major, including areas such as creative coding, generative systems, interactive media, 3D graphics, sound, image, data, networks, AI systems, and experimental technologies.

The program culminates in a self-directed Senior Project, a two-course sequence in which each student develops, produces, and presents a substantial original work that reflects their individual interests and creative direction.

Preparation for the Major
8
Media Histories
10
Design Culture
21
Digital Image
22
Fabrication and Materials
24
Video and Motion
25
Typography
28
Interactivity
Core Lecture Courses
101
Media Arts Introduction
104
Design Futures
Core Studio Courses (choose 9)
110
Tangible Media
111
Art and the Internet
131
3D Modeling and Motion
125
Game Design
116
Sonic Media
127
Interactive Animation
126
Game Engine
114
Arts Research and Practice
115
Art and Science Collaboration
128
Worldbuilding
129
Collaborative Game Lab
130
Experiments in Virtuality
140
Word and Image
141
Web Design and UI/UX
142
Design Systems
143
Disability and the Web
144
Type in Motion
145
Design Research
146
Ecological Arts and Justice Practice
150
Professional Practice
160
Special Topics in Design Media Arts
Senior Project
159
Capstone Senior Project in Design Media Arts

In addition to classes taken within the DMA department, students complete a series of general education courses and are encouraged to take other electives from the university to broaden their experience. A complete list of all DMA classes with descriptions is available in the UCLA General Catalog and individual class websites can be found on the DMA Classes website.

The Department of Design Media Arts accepts first year and transfer applications for Fall quarter only. Each applicant must complete the University of California Application and the DMA Undergraduate Supplemental Application, including a creative portfolio.

WHO CAN APPLY?
High school graduates
Students transferring from California community colleges or other accredited universities

How do I apply?
Admission to the Department of Design Media Arts is a two-step process.

Step 1
Students must complete the University of California Application and put Design Media Arts as their first choice major to UCLA.

Step 2
All applicants for the Design Media Arts major must also submit the DMA Undergraduate Supplemental Application in SlideRoom. Detailed information about the supplemental requirements and how to submit, can be found in the Important Documents section below.

Transfer Students

The Department of Design Media Arts emphasizes visual, audio, analytical theoretical, and technology-mediated work in design and media arts. This is typically a three-year program that fully integrates computers and other digital technology into the curriculum.

Admission to the Design Media Arts major is based on evidence of creative talent and academic achievement and is very competitive. The most important admission criteria is the supplemental application which requires a portfolio of creative work. While it may be beneficial to complete the courses listed below as recommended preparation, there is no guarantee they will transfer as exact UCLA equivalents. Substitutions for lower division requirements will be determined by the department in the summer following admission. Syllabi or other descriptive course documentation may be required for consideration.
Recommended (not required) preparation for the major: one course each in drawing, color theory, two-dimensional and three-dimensional form, digital media computer design, programming for media arts, letter forms and typography, design culture, and interactivity and media arts, and two courses in design history.

The department has prepared a help document for Transfer Students, to assist in identifying relevant coursework.
Non-UCLA students may also take DMA preparation for the major courses here at UCLA during Summer Sessions: https://summer.ucla.edu/.
Design Media Arts will consider sophomore transfers. For more information about admission criteria, please visit. https://www.uclaarts-admission.com/transfer-applicants

Change of Major

Students who wish to join the Design Media Arts major submit applications in Fall Quarter to start coursework in Spring Quarter. Change of major applications will be considered only for current UCLA students who have successfully completed at least one quarter at UCLA/a UC campus and are in good academic standing. Students may not apply for admission to Design Media Arts more than two times during their residency at UCLA. Previous coursework in Design Media Arts does not guarantee admission.

The Department prefers that students have fewer than 90 units at the time of application to ensure a normal degree completion time. Students with more than 121 units (excluding AP and Design Media Arts courses) will not be considered. The supplemental application is a critical consideration in the admission process. Supplements are reviewed by department faculty, graduate students, and select alumni.
Students who would like to change their major to add Design Media Arts as a major must attend a mandatory information sessions on one of the dates listed below. Please register through link on the date you will be attending. Info sessions are held in Fall quarter only and will be held on Zoom.
Design Media Arts Change of Major Information Sessions: TBD

When you are ready to apply, please use this link. Design Media Arts uses SlideRoom to collect Change of Major application materials. If you do not have a SlideRoom account, you will be prompted to sign up for one for free. There are no costs associated with applying for a Change of Major.

ESSENTIAL DATES FOR NEW STUDENTS
TBD

UC General Undergraduate Application due
TBD

DMA Undergraduate Supplemental Application due
TBD
If you are a new UCLA student and have questions about the application process, please email our Enrollment Management office at admissions@arts.ucla.edu or check out our resources at www.uclaarts-admission.com.

ESSENTIAL DATES FOR CHANGE OF MAJOR
TBD

Register as a Change of Major at: https://forms.gle/8CMdCwEnti3MdMj69
TBD

DMA Change of Major Application Due
If you are a current UCLA student and have questions about the Change of Major process, please contact Laura Young lyoung@arts.ucla.edu.