Digital Media & Design Courses

Not only do you get to work with creative, talented, motivated people in the Digital Media and Design program...you get to learn some cool stuff, too. (It is school, afterall).

Here is a sample schedule of the courses you will take.

Junior Year

Senior Year

Junior Year

Introduction to Graphic Design (Full Year)

This class is a beginning-level class in general design theory. Students will use industry standard software to explore the elements and principles of design. Students will work with Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe InDesign to develop solutions to various design problems. Projects include business cards, brochures, web graphics, illustrations and more. Teamwork and communication skills are stressed. 

Introduction to Web Design and Development (Full Year)

This is an entry-level web class. Students will learn HTML programming as well as Cascading Style Sheet technology for the web. Students will also learn how to use Adobe Dreamweaver and Flash to build web pages. They will learn how to upload and maintain websites and work with content management systems.  The students will begin to learn how to interact with clients as they start building web sites for small businesses and non-profit organizations.

Introduction to Digital Video (Full Year)

This is a beginning-level lab course where students will explore the creative process of video production. Students will learn the fundamentals of professional digital video: story development, script writing, planning, storyboarding, shooting, camera techniques and post-production editing using Final Cut Express. Students will also learn best practices by studying film scenes from classic to modern day movies. Teamwork and communication skills are stressed.

English (Full Year)

Junior English is designed to give students practical reading and writing skills that they will need in the workforce and in technical/professional training programs. In writing, students study paragraph development, sentence structure, and punctuation. They apply these skills as they organize and develop their ideas in such documents as resumes, letters, memos, reports, instructions, proposals, and personal reflections. In reading, students learn strategies to build vocabulary and comprehend meaning from a variety of texts, including textbooks, poetry, short stories, essays, and novels. HS or ECO
 

Senior Year

Advanced Graphic Design (Full Year)

This is an advanced project-based design course. Students will use the skills they learned in their junior year to complete graphic design projects in print, web and multimedia applications. Software includes the Adobe Creative Suite, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and Flash. Projects include business cards, brochures, web graphics, illustrations and more. Teamwork and communication skills are stressed.  

Advanced Web Development (One Semester)

This course will move students beyond the basics to create dynamic, content-driven web sites using technologies such as CMS platforms, XHTML, CSS, PHP and MySQL. Students will have the chance to develop client sites using  a real-world business process that teaches project management, web marketing and professionalism.  Project management and marketing skills are stressed in this course.

Advanced Video Production (One Semester)

Building on their skills from junior year, students will have the opportunity to concept, pitch and produce a narrative film. They will add scriptwriting , advanced production and editing skills, and marketing to their repertoire. The final product will be show in the CAL Five Minute Film Festival. Students can gain valuable time management and leadership skills while honing their creativity through standard film and video industry techniques.

Integrated Media (Full Year)

Students will learn the basics of marketing and communications—branding, advertising, public relations, event planning, e-marking and customer relationship management—and apply them to their capstone/client projects. They will have the chance to focus on their medium of choice (print/web/video) while incorporating multiple media outlets. During the year, they will also explore career paths and higher education opportunities while preparing their portfolios, resumes and interviewing skills.

English (Full Year)

Senior English is designed to refine and expand on reading and writing skills introduced in junior English.   Activities may include interviews, research in one's field of study, and longer workplace writing and/or presentation projects. In reading, instruction focuses on helping students achieve literal comprehension, form valid inferences, and develop vocabulary. Students will receive instruction and assistance in completing the Senior Capstone Project in this course. HS or ECO