Field of Imaging Media Graduate School of Arts

Photographic technology, conceived in the middle of the 19th century, has continued to thrive not only as a media for recording reality but also as a media for cultivating ground for new styles of artistic expression. After motion pictures branched off from photographic technology at the end of the 19th century, imaging media has continued to develop in such forms as television, video art, CG and other forms throughout the 20th century until　today, placing itself at the core of the modern contents industry. The history of imaging media has followed the same path as the Tokyo Polytechnic University, which started as an institute for providing education in the field of photography and expanded its fields of study to other media. The Field of Imaging Media continues to observe traditional education systems as well as combining them with the cultural studies and image culture theory that are flourishing anew. We aim at restructuring academic systems that match up perfectly with society in the 21st century.

Educational Goals of this Field

Digital technology leads to the remarkable development of imaging media, and this change results in the situation where the educational styles and research activities of graduate schools need to not only stick with traditional forms of academic training, but also restructure themselves from the viewpoint of interdisciplinary collaboration. We provide courses to produce, (1) image creators playing a central role in the contents industry (directors, producers, scenario writers, etc.), (2) researchers who specialize in all aspects of the image culture (university instructors, curators, etc.), and (3) experts who are able to make the best possible use of their planning and proposal skills in such fields as mass-media and advertising. Additionally, we welcome exchange students from overseas so that we can construct an international networks of media art.

Educational Contents

Collaborating with professionals who have accumulated vast experience in video production and specialists in the field of imaging research and education, we have established two main areas of courses, training in leading-edge production environments and seminars providing information on theory and history. These two areas can deepen the students' understandings of all fields of movies, television, documentaries, CG, media art, etc. The course provides students with a wide range of knowledge to enable them to lead society in ever-changing modes, and heightens their imaging media literacy, and associates it with other relevant art media.