Digital Media Design, AAS

Program Description

Designed for artists and designers, students in the Digital Media Design program acquire technical skills while exploring the broad field of digital media. Employers are looking for qualified candidates who not only understand technical aspects but also know how to develop creative content. This program provides a concentrated overview of print design, animation, digital video production, and web design. It does this while incorporating art and design issues and introducing industry standard software.

Digital media designers use graphics, animation, video, and text to inform and entertain audiences. This rapidly growing field offers new opportunities for creative and technically savvy digital artists. Students receive training in traditional drawing, graphic art, interactive media, web design, photo editing, 3D modeling, 2D animation, video editing, and special effects. The program now offers three concentrations or pathways. Students may now focus on animation (2D animation and 3D modeling), graphic design/web design, and film/video production.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment growth in digital/interactive media, film production, and graphic design are expected to increase through the century. Employment opportunities include careers in graphic design, web design, advertising, public relations, marketing, and publishing.

Program Goals

• The Digital Media program helps students develop a solid artistic foundation that incorporates traditional art and digital media studies. It teaches students to skillfully use a variety of industry-standard software, hardware, and production methods, and to develop creativity and critical thinking skills in written analysis of text and visual media objects. Students draw on a rigorous combination of theory, analysis, and hands-on digital art in making original work in digital media, and collaborate with teams to bring ideas from concept to production.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students completing the Associate of Applied Science in Digital Media Design will:

• Demonstrate knowledge of visual theory, design principles, and design elements.

• Demonstrate proficiency in industry-standard software.

• Demonstrate collaborative skills by successfully completing team-oriented projects.

• Demonstrate an ability to draw convincingly from observation using perspective, proportion, attention to detail, a wide range of values and composition.