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The Business of Art & Design is an innovative program developed by the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center. After 18 months of research and site visits, the leadership team of the SVHEC developed a unique academic program that uses art & design to teach the essential workplace skills of problem solving, creativity, collaboration, teamwork, entrepreneurship, and innovation. Currently, there are two academic tracks in the Business of Art & Design: Digital Art & Design and Product Design & Development.

While the programs use different mediums for instruction, they each provide students with the fundamental skills for the 21st century workforce. The Business of Art & Design programs create a unique 2+2+2 educational pathway beginning with 11th and 12th grade high school dual enrollment courses that lead to a Career Studies Certificate or a 2-year community college applied associate’s degree (AAS) and eventually articulate to a bachelor’s degree (BS). Two Business of Art & Design programs have been developed and are currently being offered at the SVHEC in partnership with Danville Community College: Digital Art & Design and Product Design & Development. 

Digital Art & Design

Graphics, Video, Audio, and Web Design come together in a unique program the focuses on digital literacy in the 21st century. This project-based learning environment takes students through the design process, and in enroute, teaches enhances their creativity, problem solving, and innovation. Students learn that there is no one right solution--only the best solution for the task at hand. This process and the resulting outcomes are invaluable whether students pursue a career in design or in the sciences.

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Product Design & Development

This unique program marries art, design, engineering, and advanced manufacturing in a curriculum that takes students from art to part to mart. Through the semester, students take an idea from the pages of a sketchbook to a finished, engineered product. Students learn how to work through each phase from re-engineering a problematic component to using advanced manufacturing equipment and techniques to complete the project. Because students work on real world design challenges, they learn how to collaborate with each other and with outside vendors, how to innovate, and how to problem solve. Finally, students use the spoken and written word to market their completed project.

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