Digital/Experimental Media

The Digital/Experimental Media (DX Media) program is an interdisciplinary academic and research program dedicated to exploring the intersections of art, science, technology and society and the experimental application of a wide range of media as art.

The MFA program in Digital/Experimental Media emphasizes cultural production that is informed by historical, philosophical and theoretical study. Students are encouraged to draw from areas outside of traditional art domains and to question and challenge traditional notions of what constitute valid art media, contexts, and approaches. The program encourages an interdisciplinary lens when creating digital and experimental works, allowing students to explore the blurred lines between art, science, culture, and history. Desired focus areas include (but are not limited to): mapping, imaging, information visualization, networks and telecommunications, ecological and biological practice, social and community practice, electronics and physical computing, interactivity, systems art and sound art. As part of Kansas State University's 2025 initiative, the goal of our emerging program is to be a renown center for creativity, research and practice in cutting edge experimental art and technology.

The MFA is a 3 year program of study involving seminars, studio courses, art history courses, and independent study. Student progress is monitored through a series of open faculty reviews and exhibition of works. A final exhibition at either the department's Mark A. Chapman Gallery or another approved location is required. Students are encouraged to take courses outside of the Department of Art as may be appropriate to their research and development.

In addition to guidance in the development of a cohesive, culminating body of work, the program offers mentorship in the instruction of art for students interested in university teaching. Graduate students receive Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTAs) their first year, with 100% tuition waiver and stipend for full-time appointments. GTAs assist a professor and are assigned to teach courses related to their areas as Instructor of Record. K-state MFA students graduate with strong teaching portfolios and samples of student work.

The DX Media program offers a variety programming involving exhibitions, symposia and visiting artists which compliment the MFA program. We are the hosts of the first "prairie LASER", K-State's chapter of the Leonardo Art Science Evening Rendezvous. DX Media graduate students will be important participants in the development and administration of the K-State LASER program.

Graduate Faculty

Anthony Warnick
Assistant Professor
warnick@ksu.edu

Office: Willard 037

DX Media Lab site

Resources and Facilities

Resources and facilities in DX Media Lab include:

  • Oculus Rift Virtual Reality Kit
  • Digital SLR Video/Photo Kits
  • Studio Lighting Kits
  • DJI Phantom Quadcopter Drone
  • GoPro Video Kit
  • 3D Prototypers
  • Pocket Dolly System
  • Audio/Visual kits
  • Projectors
  • Flatscreens
  • CNC Router
  • Laser Cutter/Engraver
  • Apple Mac Pro Computer Lab
  • Arduino microcontrollers
  • Analog and digital sensors and breakouts (e.g. photoresistors, accelerometers, water quality)
  • Electronic components (resistors, capacitors, ICs, etc)
  • Lighting (e.g. LEDs, IR LEDs, photodiodes, phototransistors)
  • Electro-mechanical (e.g. servos, fans, muscle wire…)
  • Soldering equipment
  • General electronics prototyping equipment (e.g. pcbs, multimeters, wire strippers...)
  • GPS and other wireless devices (e.g. xbee, wi-fi shields, nRF24L01+)
  • Max/MSP/Jitter software
  • Adobe Creative Suite Software

Apply to the MFA program