MULTIMEDIA CONCENTRATION
UNDERGRADUATE
The Digital Media Arts major consists of two concentrations - Multimedia Development and Web Development.
Multimedia is the skillful merging of computers, creative talent, some programming, asset management, the use of advanced software for the creation of digital sound, video, 3-D modeling and animation, design principles and project management. The major focuses on the new media, the organization and display of information, and the development of interactive applications. Students are free to pursue their creative, artistic talents or their desire to aspire to the more technical component of multimedia development. Graduates find employment in media writing, web design, web application development, instructional design, 2- and 3d-Modeling, animation and graphic design.
DEPARTMENTAL CORE
JMA 401: Media and Society:
The primary objective of this course is to assist you in becoming a critical thinker about the role of media in everyday life. By examining the historical foundations and political economy of media institutions, we will seek to better our understanding of how, why, and to what extent media affect our culture and vice versa. We will accomplish these objectives through a combination of lectures, discussions, assignments, and "debates" on major media issues.
JMA 411: New Media Production:
New Media Production is an introductory course that provides a solid foundation for utilizing industry standard software to create New Media content. The major objective of the course is to use tools such as Dreamweaver, Illustrator, Photoshop, In Design and Premiere to develop a New Media advertising campaign for a real or hypothetical organization, including but not limited to, a Web site, a DVD, a logo, business cards and brochures
JMA 412: Media Ethics:
Examines ethical issues that challenge media professionals and consumers. By interpreting and applying ethical theory -- from the classicists to the contemporary -- students will analyze ethical challenges inherent in the modern media.
JMA 413: Media Law & Regulation:
At the end of this course, you should have: 1. Basic knowledge of applicable legal terminology and the fundamental laws, regulations, and policy affecting and concerning media. 2. A general understanding and deeper appreciation of the ways that laws, regulations, and policies are developed and implemented in the U.S. The appreciation includes the ability to rationally argue in favor of or in opposition to specific cases and situations. 3. The ability to practically apply basic legal knowledge.
DIGITAL MEDIA ARTS MAJOR CORE:
JMA 414: Elements of Flash:
Designers use Flash to create vector-based animations for graphics, text, audio and video and to create rich interactive interfaces and applications. Students will explore the interface, work with images of varying formats, create and format text, create basic animations using tweens, draw and edit shapes, create button symbols and publish and export movies.
JMA 415: Professional Development & Project Management:
Explored key issues in making a living as a multimedia professional. Students learn about the management of assets, time and team relationships through practical exercises. Topics include accounting practices, marketing and self promotion, preparing resumes, costing, proposal writing and the production pipeline.
MULTIMEDIA CONCENTRATION CORE:
JMA 416: Digital Imaging Techniques:
This course concentrates on developing digital imaging skills for the many different types of media in use today. It focuses on the design and production of information for web sites, multimedia, DVD, and video presentation which communicate through the integrated use of text, images and graphic elements. The cultural significance and theoretical implications of the medium will be explored. Using Adobe Photoshop students will learn techniques for preparing and optimizing photographs and other images for the web
JMA 417: Visual Design & Layout
This studio course teaches students how to display complex information clearly and beautifully. Students will learn how to organize type, images, and raw data into communications.
JMA 418: Writing for Advertising or Copywriting
Creating ad copy, touching on business writing, production finishing, and helping clients to deliver revenue generating messages.
Electives (9 Units)
Students must take 9 additional department credits. Students are encouraged to talk with their mentor to choose an emphasis (a suggested but not mandatory direction of study). Suggested emphasis examples include:
JMA 420: Web Interface Design:
Web Interface Design students study and apply topics related to web interfaces such as: information architecture, navigation, usability, task analysis, user-centered design, accessibility, and interaction. The course focuses on how to design/develop interfaces for people to perform tasks. Students may use programs such as Dreamweaver to create interfaces with which people must perform tasks such as login in, check out, and create discussion boards. Students will work with actual clients to conduct usability tests and to do redesign work.
JMA 421: Principle of Audio & Video:
This course will not only teach the principles of capturing audio and video, but will aid in the application development process, digitalization, editing, and production of digital video for media. Students create DVD and media files that represent techniques and practices being used in the industry today.
JMA 422: Advanced Digital Photography:
This course is aimed at enthusiastic photographers who wish to take control of Digital Image making and with basic photo skills interested in mastering digital imaging. In this class, students will use digital cameras and computer software to create original works of art. Students will be introduced to the following three areas: (1) Digital imaging technology (cameras and editing software), (2) Photo composition and lighting, and (3) Printing and electronic distribution. This course will encourage you to shoot RAW images and seek to enhance your digital workflow system using popular software and digital imaging techniques. Previous experience with Photoshop or other digital image manipulation tools is required. Students are encourages to develop various forms of composition such as photography for science, art or publication.
JMA 423: Sound Design I:
This course is an introduction to the role audio and sounds have in a variety of distribution media. This course also is an introduction to the production techniques, technology, and artistic aspects of appropriately applying sound in a variety of distribution media.
JMA 424: 3D Modeling Principles:
This course introduces students to the artistic and technical elements associated with creating three-dimensional computer generated imagery. Concepts include shape, composition, lighting, shading, and the development of the industry and processes involved in producing 3D computer animation. Students design, create, model and render life like images.
JMA 425: 3D Animation Principles:
Building on concepts covered in 3D modeling principles (JMA 406), students develop an advanced understanding of two-dimensional animation software (compositing layers, camera movements, visual effects, etc.) They are introduced to three-dimensional animation software (modeling, lighting and basic visual effects, etc.) Issues relating to the design and aesthetics of computer animation are discussed.
JMA 426: Character Animation:
Character animation is about an artist bringing a character to life. The student practices with 2D and 3D animation software to draw or pose characters, but also will learn to develop a sense of timing, of observation, mannerisms, and movement. Students also learn to be an actor, having a sense of what makes something alive and natural and how to bring an inanimate character to life. This course ranges from conventional character animation techniques such as walk cycles and lip sync to computer animation, along with tips for giving characters the illusion of life.
JMA 427: Game Level Design:
In this course, students continue to study existing game paradigms and use an existing game engine to develop multiple levels, adding various terrains, varying lighting conditions, building, then incorporating 3D models.
JMA 428: Sound Design 2:
This will build upon the concepts introduced in the Sound Design 1 course. Specifically Sound Design 2 will cover; Functional Sound Design for Film, Theatre and Radio Drama. The course will introduce transactional Sound Design for products such as games and other similar interactive products. Sound Design 2 will cover advanced Digital Audio Workstation concepts including; advanced editing, recording session management, mixing, mastering, MIDI, advanced digital sound processing and project portability. Sound Design 2 will also introduce audio encoding formats for open and proprietary delivery. Students considering Sound Design 2 should have successfully completed the Sound Design 1 course.