The Art and Technology program at the China Academy of Art is established against the backdrop of the new round of technological and industrial revolutions, characterized by big data, intelligent media, and artificial intelligence. It actively promotes innovation in design education within the context of the "New Liberal Arts." Building upon the century-old artistic educational heritage of the China Academy of Art, the program is dedicated to cultivating innovative designers who possess critical thinking, interdisciplinary integration capabilities, and foresight. It aims to respond to and shape new social and cultural possibilities brought about by technological change.
The teaching of the Art and Technology program commences with social inquiry, leveraging the cultural resources, industrial characteristics, and advantages of the Yangtze River Delta region, and constructs a teaching pathway that integrates art and technology alongside industry-education integration. Through multidisciplinary collaboration, it persistently engages with current and future social issues, and explores new languages and new drivers for design at the intersection of art, humanities, and emerging technologies. The program focuses on design research and practice in areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Bio-design, Embodied Intelligence, Complex Systems and Kinetic Design.
To support the above educational objectives, the program proactively aligns with the national innovation-driven development strategy, anticipating the cross-sectoral competencies required by future industries. The curriculum emphasizes the practical application of intelligent principles and emerging technologies, while systematically enhancing interdisciplinary practical and creative skills. By integrating real-world industrial projects and international academic resources, it aims to strengthen students' global competitiveness. Graduates will be equipped with the comprehensive capabilities for planning, design, and management across various fields, including the digital industry, cultural heritage and tourism, intelligent manufacturing, design education, and commercial art projects. They are expected to become leading talents capable of driving industrial innovation, transformation, and evolution in future societal development.
This major was selected as a National First-Class Undergraduate Program in 2019. It has been ranked 1st nationally in the CUAA Chinese University Rankings for four consecutive years, and 2nd nationally in the 2026 Best Chinese Majors Ranking.
Curriculum Overview
Curriculum Structure
The curriculum features a talent cultivation model inspired by the Chinese character "士", a “scholar-shaped” structure characterized by "broad horizontal exploration + deep vertical specialization." It focuses on the development of four core competencies: "aesthetic judgment, social awareness, technological learning ability, and innovative breakthrough capacity." The curriculum is structured as follows: the first year provides a broad, open, and future-oriented foundational design education; in the second year, core professional courses help students build a foundational knowledge system while respecting individual interests and guiding them toward focused specializations; the third and fourth years employ an institute-based, project-driven teaching model, centering on social issues as the core research focus, targeting modern digital industries and emerging fields, and deepening inquiry-based interdisciplinary learning.
