SCAD Courses Registered With Hong Kong Education Bureau

University Now Accepting Applications for Admission for SCAD Hong Kong

HONG KONG, Nov. 4 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- SCAD, the most comprehensive art and design university in the world, announces that 14 non-local courses of study have been registered by the Hong Kong Education Bureau. SCAD, the only university in Hong Kong to focus exclusively on art and design, will begin classes in Fall 2010. Applications for admission are now being accepted at http://www.scad.edu/apply .

SCAD Hong Kong courses of study will be offered in advertising, animation, graphic design, illustration, interactive design and game development, motion media design, photography, and visual effects, pending U.S. approval by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

"We are honored that the Hong Kong Education Bureau has recognized the quality of SCAD and the value our academic courses bring to Hong Kong," said SCAD President Paula Wallace. "We are now accepting applications to study at SCAD Hong Kong and look forward to welcoming students in Fall 2010. In Hong Kong, SCAD students and professors partner with cultural and business organizations and SCAD graduates pursue professional careers, helping build the new creative economy of Hong Kong."

SCAD Hong Kong, located in the former North Kowloon Magistracy Building, 292 Tai Po Road in Sham Shui Po, becomes the fourth site for SCAD, a private, nonprofit university that has established facilities in Savannah and Atlanta, Ga., USA, and in Lacoste, France.

Academic Courses Offered in Hong Kong

SCAD will offer non-local baccalaureate and master's degrees in Hong Kong. As is customary in U.S. universities, SCAD Hong Kong baccalaureate degrees offer four years of instruction, including a core curriculum in fine art foundation studies and general education before progressing into the major courses. Master's degrees require advanced knowledge and specialized study that may include field or teaching internships and thesis projects, papers or exhibitions.

SCAD Hong Kong courses include the following:

Advertising: Bachelor of Fine Arts

At SCAD, undergraduate advertising coursework parallels professional practice and often involves real clients. Collaboration with students in illustration, photography, graphic design and other SCAD courses creates a model of interaction ideal in the advertising profession. Courses in creative copywriting, strategic planning, business and integrated brand marketing round out a curriculum that produces graduates with superior capabilities and potential. Students learn the most current and progressive advertising principles and practices, and graduate with a portfolio that is leading edge.

Animation: Bachelor of Fine Arts

The use of traditional art media in digital contexts is central to the SCAD animation program. Drawing and observational skills are emphasized throughout the curriculum. Students master the use of the same tools used throughout the industry, and the SCAD animation program has been ranked among the top four in North America by 3D World magazine.

Graphic Design: Bachelor of Fine Arts, Master of Arts, Master of Fine Arts

At the core of graphic design at SCAD is conceptual thinking. Students are encouraged to view differently, shift focus, look from multiple perspectives, and to understand how perception influences meaning. At SCAD, graphic design is about more than problem solving, as students explore the creative challenge of determining what the problems are, and what opportunities exist to explore new solutions. At both the undergraduate and graduate levels, coursework parallels professional practice. Print and digital portfolios display professionally competitive design projects and demonstrate knowledgeable use of both print and time-based communication media. Student projects may include promotional campaigns, logos and visual identities, multimedia/interactive projects and presentations, packaging, posters, publications, information design solutions, Internet pages, brand design, social media exchanges and more. Students also learn appropriate production techniques and methodologies.

Illustration: Bachelor of Fine Arts

SCAD illustration students experiment with a variety of traditional and contemporary media and techniques and are encouraged to develop their own personal styles. The practical side of the illustration business is emphasized, including portfolio presentation, marketing and invoicing.

Interactive Design and Game Development: Bachelor of Fine Arts, Master of Arts, Master of Fine Arts

SCAD interactive design and game development students gain a strong visual aesthetic by learning critical interactive design, technical and analytical skills, and mastery of industry-standard tools. They use the same high-end hardware and software used throughout the profession.

Motion Media Design: Bachelor of Fine Arts

In the SCAD motion media design program, undergraduate students create network design packages, main titles, commercials and professional portfolios. Students gain knowledge and experience using the same 2-D, 3-D and compositing tools used throughout the profession.

Photography: Bachelor of Fine Arts, Master of Arts, Master of Fine Arts

In the SCAD photography program, students explore camera vision; equipment and technique; photographic applications of digital technology; black-and-white, color and alternative processes; and studio and location lighting techniques. Courses in portfolio development and business practices help prepare students for careers in a wide range of commercial, fine art or documentary applications.

Visual Effects: Bachelor of Fine Arts

SCAD students learn the art and craft of visual effects through the integration of technology and art. SCAD provides a unique combination of computer programming and technical instruction built upon a traditional fine arts foundation. Students work individually and collaboratively within a framework of cooperative activity that reflects the real-world experience of film and digital entertainment production. SCAD production facilities offer students access to high-end, industry-standard digital tools.

Career Preparation for Students

SCAD Hong Kong will provide an innovative curriculum; a faculty of accomplished professors with impressive academic credentials and significant professional experience; state-of-the-art technology and learning resources; and a variety of services to help students pursue careers after completion.

The faculty and staff at SCAD Hong Kong will work with students to provide guidance in areas such as resume writing, portfolio preparation, interviewing skills, salary negotiation, and job-search strategies to give students added insight and confidence in entering the workplace.

"SCAD graduates are in demand; the university annually hosts recruiters from renowned digital media companies, including MTV, Pixar, LucasArts, Apple, Rhythm & Hues Studios, Disney, Dreamworks, Electronic Arts, Digital Domain, JibJab, Cartoon Network, CNN, The Weather Channel, TBS and more," said Tom Fischer, SCAD chief academic officer. "Even in these difficult economic times, more than eight out of 10 SCAD graduates in 2008 who responded to a survey reported that they were working in their desired field or were admitted to graduate school within six months of graduation."

"We find that SCAD grads are among the most 'production-ready' entry- level candidates we meet," noted Laurence Plotkin, who has served as director of human resources and recruitment for Digital Domain. "I believe that SCAD's access to cutting-edge technology and software, combined with talented and supportive faculty, is the winning combination. Quite simply, SCAD prepares its students well to join teams composed of some of the most experienced visual effects artists in the world."

SCAD Has Strong Connections in Asia

SCAD Hong Kong will provide a base from which to expand and strengthen the university's relationships in Asia that have developed over the past 30 years. SCAD has more than 200 alumni currently living and working in Asia and the enrollment of Asian students at SCAD continues to increase. Currently, more than 500 Asian students are enrolled at SCAD in Atlanta and Savannah. SCAD international students comprise more than 10 percent of the total SCAD student population. The top four countries of residence for all SCAD international students are located in Asia: South Korea, China, Taiwan and India.

For the past two years, SCAD has collaborated with VTech, a Hong Kong- based, world leader in cordless phones and electronic learning products. Because of the quality of student work on these collaborative projects, VTech has selected SCAD students for internships and full-time careers. With the opening of SCAD Hong Kong, new partnerships will be developed as well.

In the Hong Kong community, SCAD plans to continue to present memorable exhibitions and other cultural programming to benefit both students and the public. Two recent SCAD exhibitions featured work by Chinese artists at the LFK Gallery in Hong Kong and the work of distinguished photographer and SCAD Chief Academic Officer Tom Fischer and select SCAD students at the Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre in Shek Kip Mei. Titled "Silver & Ink," this exhibition spawned a workshop for local photography enthusiasts led by Fischer and noted local photographer Ducky Tse.

Admission Inquiries and Information

SCAD admission inquiries should be directed to admission@scad.edu. Scholarships and financial aid may be offered to qualified admitted students based on academic and/or artistic merit and financial need. Additional admission information can be found online at http://scad.edu/admission and students may apply at http://scad.edu/apply .

SCAD: The University for Creative Careers

The Savannah College of Art and Design is the most comprehensive art and design university in the world, offering more degree programs and specializations than any other art and design university. SCAD is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution conferring bachelor's and master's degrees in distinctive locations and online to prepare talented students for professional careers. SCAD offers students a choice of degree programs in 46 majors and more than 50 minors at locations in Savannah and Atlanta, Georgia; in Lacoste, France; online through SCAD eLearning; and in Hong Kong beginning Fall 2010.

SCAD offers an exceptional education and unparalleled career preparation. The diverse student body of more than 9,900 comes from all 50 United States and nearly 100 countries worldwide. Each student is nurtured and motivated by a faculty of more than 650 professors with extraordinary academic credentials and valuable professional experience. These faculty emphasize learning through individual attention in an inspiring university environment. SCAD provides an innovative curriculum enhanced by advanced, professional-level technology, equipment and learning resources. SCAD has garnered acclaim from respected organizations and publications, including BusinessWeek, American Institute of Architects, DesignIntelligence, U.S. News & World Report and Los Angeles Times.

    For more information, visit http://scad.edu .

    PRESS CONTACT:

     Molly Mulloy
     Edelman Hong Kong
     Tel:   +852-2837-4735
     Email: molly.mulloy@edelman.com

     Tom Ho
     Edelman Hong Kong
     Tel:   +852-2837-4726
     Email: tom.ho@edelman.com

     Sunny Nelson
     SCAD
     Tel:   +1-912-525-5225
     Email: snelson@scad.edu

SOURCE SCAD