Multimedia Studies
Required classes
Introduction to Fundamentals and Technology Organization
(one-time 3-hour workshop required of all new students. This workshop does not count toward your thirteen courses required for the certificate))
This workshop will introduce the student to the Mac computing environment and the latest operating system. You will learn how to access, organize and save your files using the campus’ networked servers. You will also learn how to personalize your home system and troubleshoot basic kernel panics. Discover the ease of file management and learn tricks of the trade to keep your files under control, as well as how to add printers, access server shares, and locate and access wireless networks.
Introduction to Interactive Multimedia
Primary Software: Flash
Developing an interactive or multimedia project—whether it is a game, a presentation, a training tool or a Web page—requires planning and analysis. This course will give you an overview of the basic concepts of multimedia development beginning with the planning phases of project analysis and design, through the implementation and follow-up. You will learn criteria for evaluating various media, the necessity for addressing the user interface (consistency and complexity) and the technological issues to be considered in the development process. Moreover, we will discuss the integration of software into a final product and the deployment of that product into various media.
Design Principles for the Web and Interactive Media
Primary Software: Flash
With a focus on the design aspects of developing web sites and interactive media, this course explores the various phases of the design process in a professional environment. Topics include assessing clients’ and user needs, flowcharting, storyboarding, preparing mock-ups and demos, and production issues.
Visual Interface Design
Primary Software: Diagramming software (Power Point) and Photoshop
This course provides a foundation in the visual perceptual system and how it relates to interface design. You are introduced to academic and industry formalisms, and examine how they are most productively used. We will also explore standard and experimental methods, along with the psychology of information search and retrieval and how it informs the design of user interfaces and complex information systems.
Digital Imaging I and II AND/OR Advanced Digital Imaging
Primary Software: Photoshop
Multimedia Studies students who have little or no training in digital imaging are required to take Digital Imaging I and II. Students who have equivalent knowledge of Digital Imaging I and II are only required to take Advanced Digital Imaging.
In this course you will be introduced to the most popular raster-based image editing/painting software program used by desktop publishing and digital imaging professionals. You will be required to complete assignments designed to develop your artistic work in tandem with your use of digital tools. Topics include understanding the different “Tool” palettes, image scanning (importing and exporting), image manipulation and correction, and composition techniques emphasizing creative practice. You will also learn to take advantage of file organization techniques through the use of layer sets. Understanding the different file types (jpg, gif, bmp, etc.) and how they interact with other programs will also be explored.
In Digital Imaging II you will explore professional approaches to compositing, retouching, image correction, and masking. Brushes, lighting, textures and special effects are explored as creative ways of producing high-impact images.
Advanced Digital Imaging
Primary Software; Photoshop
Prerequisites: Digital Imaging I and II
Multimedia Studies students who have equivalent knowledge of Digital Imaging I and II are only required to take this one digital imaging class
This course is an advanced investigation of raster-based image editing techniques used by desktop publishing and digital imaging professionals. Topics include color theory, advanced scanning and image manipulation techniques, and output issues.
Multimedia I
Primary Software: After Effects
Prerequisites: Introduction to Interactive Multimedia, Digital Imaging I and II
Motion graphics is introduced, for online and offline use, focusing on the Adobe After Effects software. Multimedia I will allow you to combine moving imagery (video), still imagery and audio in a creative and effective format. You will also learn the basics of motion graphics, text and layer animation, adding effects and editing techniques.
Web Site Development: An Overview
Primary Software: Flash, Dreamweaver
Prerequisites: Introduction to Interactive Multimedia, Digital Imaging I and II
We will begin with an overview of how the web works by teaching you to create a basic web site using Adobe Dreamweaver, design software that is used to create pages for the World Wide Web. We will continue with fundamental terms like “internet” and “HTML” and will progress on to cover design techniques, image preparation and web site management. You will learn how to convert your Photoshop design concepts into working HTML pages and then organize them within the context of a web site.
Web Site Development I
Primary Software: Flash
Prerequisites: all courses above
Students will learn the design and development cycle of a web site from idea conception to interface design to implementation and launch on the web.
Introduction to Audio & Video Editing
Primary Software: Final Cut Pro
This course will give you an introduction to the relationships between sound and video as well as being introduced to the tools and techniques used in combining sound and audio in an effective and creative manner.
Multimedia II
Primary Software: After Effects
Prerequisites: all courses above
This is the second course of a two-part advanced level introduction to multimedia software and we’ll focus on more advanced editing techniques and the art of story telling through motion. Utilizing Adobe After Effects, you will learn to combine video, audio, and still images and how to apply complex effects and animation techniques to achieve a more compelling end product. Sound, along with video, will be considered and explored as we learn the relationship and importance sound has in making an impact on video production.
Elective Courses
Introduction to ActionScript
This course will extend your Flash knowledge into the fundamentals of ActionScript and how to apply that knowledge to your project, bringing life to the interface and the overall user experience. It is intended for those who have worked with Flash and want to learn more. No prior experience with ActionScript or programming is required, we will explore it from the ground up. You will learn how to control buttons, create movie clip effects, build menus, create re-usable functions, how to dynamically work with media, deal with data retrieval and much more.
Computer 3D Modeling and Animation
Primary Software: Cinema 4D
This course is an introduction to three-dimensional computer modeling. You will use professional industry standard modeling applications as you progress through a series of projects designed to develop your skills incrementally. You will learn how to model, light and render objects while exploring animation techniques and various methods for utilizing virtual lighting and camera effects.
Advanced Video and Audio Editing
Primary Software: Dreamweaver, Final Cut Pro
Prerequisites: Introduction to Audio and Video Editing
This is a class in which sound and video are considered equally. The marriage and/or collision between sound and image will be emphasized as we explore various approaches to producing sound for video. This class will discuss the history of image and sound relationships, as well as contemporary conceptual and technical approaches to sound production.
Advanced Designing with CSS
Primary Software:
This class is a four-week workshop only and does not count towards your certificate completion.
So you have a design concept for a web site, now what? This course focuses on the HTML production step in the web development process. CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) and XHTML technology will be utilized to better comprehend web standards, but more importantly, as a way to more efficiently solve creative problems. We will begin with an overview of what information design means and then quickly dive into techniques and best practice solutions for integrating the user interface. We will explore the power of CSS and the flexibility it gives as well as PhotoShop prep techniques for producing designs accurately in CSS.
Advanced Web Development
Primary Software: Flash
Prerequisites: Web Site Development Overview and Web Development I
This course will focus on deepening the student’s understanding of web technologies to enhance the dynamic interactive nature of their website designed in Web Development I.
Portfolio Development
We recommend that you take at least two classes in this program before taking this class.
The term “portfolio” is used here in the larger sense to include the whole process, from documentation to completion of a finished document. This class will explore the portfolio as a personal design problem, understanding that your portfolio is the doorway to the professional world and reflects the designer as an extension of yourself (an extension of your very own brand). Documentation, materials and form studies will be the departure points for investigating possible portfolio designs that meet the individuals’ needs.
Some fundamental principles explored will include tailoring one’s portfolio to speak to different audiences, establishing a hierarchy of content, using economy of information to avoid appearing scattered or unorganized, and the application of color, text and imagery as elements to guide the viewer/user down desired paths