Intro to Digital Design

Syllabus

Course Description

Introduction to Digital Design. 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: Basic computer operation skills and a score at a predetermined level on a placement test. This course will enable the student to articulate and apply the basic principles and processes used in traditional and digital graphic and multimedia design. The student will consider typography, color, images, animation, sound and video as elements of digital design and production. The student will use essential tools to create both traditional and digital media by following a methodical design process.

Course Relevance
The digital media field emerged from the union of powerful technologies, artistic expression, and vibrant market forces. This convergence of science, art, commerce, and industry has created new opportunities in education, entertainment, communication, training and business. Using text, graphics, audio and video, digital media gives people from every profession the power to shape their ideas and deliver their messages in a sophisticated digital environment. From color theory and principles of design, to production tools and management, Introduction to Digital Design helps learners acquire an overview of the skills needed to communicate well with multimedia. It is a foundational course for a variety of digital design and production professions.

Required Materials

Subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud. Information at www.adobe.com. Students are eligible to special pricing. One subscription can be used in several information technology courses.

USB digital drive, 4GB minimum.
Note: Students can use one drive for several information technology classes.

Personal headphones/earbuds for use in the computer lab.

Course Outcomes

The intention is for the student to be able to:

1. Apply a design process to project development.
2. Develop basic skills in typical design media software.

Technology Skills
1. Discipline-specific technology
Through preparation of assigned projects, the student develops specific skills using design and production software.

Analytical Thinking Skills
1. Critical thinking
Through preparation of assigned projects, the student conducts visual research, and identifies and defines tasks needed to create original work.

Major Summative Assessment Task
1. Designing and creating specified projects that demonstrate the ability to apply graphic and multimedia design principles to the creation of traditional media, print and digital media.

Course Calendar