More than ever, successful businesses rely on creative individuals to thrive in the global economy.
In the United States alone, over 3 million people are employed in the arts. In addition to the creative component, there is a significant business dimension to this rapidly growing sector of the global economy.
Majoring in Business of Art & Design at Ringling College will provide you with a solid grounding of business skills, an understanding of the creative process, and the ability to work effectively with other creative individuals. In business courses, you’ll focus on case studies and collaborate on real world projects with innovative organizations across a wide variety of industries. Studio experiences will teach you to think creatively, understand how artists work and comprehend the role of art and design in the contemporary marketplace.
Our Passion is Business
Play the video above to learn what drives us in Business of Art & Design.
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A Day in the Life (Season 2)
by Ringling College
Season 2
A Day in the Life (Season 1)
See what inspires us.
Creativity@Work
The Business of Art and Design Department has hosted business executives and creative leaders from companies such as Disney, Cirque du Soleil, MTV, DreamWorks and many more - all as part of the Business of Art and Design (BOAD) program's Creativity@Work series and Visiting Creative Leaders program.
The Creativity@Work series invites high-level executives and creative professionals from top companies and non-profit organizations to visit Ringling College and lead interactive presentations and discussions for BOAD students and students from all of the majors on campus. These professionals share their work experiences and current projects, as well as give advice and information about their industries. In addition, many of the Visiting Creative Leaders work hands-on with students on various projects.
Disney Legend, Al Konetzni, The Disney Company
Presentation: Stories from My Thirty Year Career in Disney Character Merchandise
Brandon Oldenburg, VP of Creative and Adam Volker, Art Director, MoonBot
Presentation: From ReelFX to MoonBot: Starting Your Own Studio
David Grad, Executive Producer, MTV
Presentation: Creativity, Career, Branding and Promotion
Kathy Altieri, Production Designer, DreamWorks Animation, SKG
Presentation: Managing Change: The Real Story Behind How to Train Your Dragon
Sylvie Geneau, AVP Casting and Performance, Cirque du Soleil
Presentation: Creativity and Innovation at Cirque du Soleil
Bob Allen, former VP of Disney Production Services, Chief Storytelling Officer, i.d.e.a.s.
Presentation: Open Discussion: Creativity, Innovation, Leadership, and Careers
Steve Hickner, Director, DreamWorks Animation
Presentation: Getting the Fist Job in a Creative Field
Matt Stichcomb, VP Community, and Vanessa Bertozzi, Etsy
Presentation: The Business Behind Etsy.com
Dean Hoff, Director of CG, Nickelodeon Animation
Presentation: The Business of Making Animated TV Series
Max Howard, President Exodus Film Group
Presentation: Creating and Managing an Animation Studio after Working at Disney
Ron Summars, Director of Design Group, CIA
Presentation: Managing Creatives at the CIA
Larry Littlebird, Filmmaker and Storyteller, Hamaatsa
Presentation: Leadership and Storytelling
Leita Kaldi, Returned Volunteer, Peace Corps Senegal
Presentation: Giving Back to the World: Being a Peace Corps Volunteer
Wayne Traina, Business Manager and Match Bradford, Specialist, from Apple Store
Presentation: Apple's Unique Approach to Customer Service and the New iPad
Michael Brooks, Publisher/Creative Director, South Magazine
Presentation: Starting and Running a Magazine Business
Kushil Gunasekera, Founder, Foundation of Goodness Sri Lanka
Presentation: Cultivating Compassion and Creating Sustainable Solutions to Eradicate Poverty in the World
David Houle, Futurist, Author of Shift Age
Presentation: What Does the Future Hold for Companies and Our Society?
Shawn Seipler, Co- Founder of Clean the World
Presentation: How A Simple Creative Idea Can Become a Hygiene Revolution
Emily Sperling, Executive Director of ShelterBox
Presentation: Making an Impact in the World - The Story of ShelterBox
Jacqueline Hassink, Renown Photographer and Entrepreneur
Presentation: Tables of Power and Other Creative Projects with Top Multinationals around the World
John Tarnoff, Former Director of Show Development at DreamWorks Animation, SKG
Presentation: 21 Slides for the 21st Century
John Lack, Creator of MTV Networks
Presentation: The Birth and Evolution of MTV