Media Arts

This course is a study in writing story and copy for a variety of print, screen, and web-based mediums.

Students explore trends in media and their impact on society. The course emphasizes historical, ethical, legal, and societal issues in relation to Christianity.

This course is a survey of the history of visual storytelling, including graphic design, film, and animation from its beginnings with cave paintings to its multidisciplinary present. Students will examine the development of pictorial representation, typographic forms, sequential images, printing, photography, cinematography, animation in its various forms (drawing, stop motion, digital forms), and digital storytelling forms (such as websites, social media, video games, etc.).

Students gain insight into structures, management, processes, the economics of and issues surrounding Media and the Arts. An emphasis is placed on financial stability and profitability in a changing media market.

Students engage in a community forum dedicated to the exploration of the digital arts and technology. Students will receive critiques on their technical and creative works, participate in group discussions, engage with guest presentations, and explore related fields such as grant writing, entrepreneurship, and career development.

Under the supervision of a qualified professional, interns gain real-world experience in a Arts environment.

Students demonstrate a culmination of skills developed during their Communication studies. Students produce a final communication project, utilizing a variety of skills and media equipment, which showcases practical communication skills and an understanding of legal, ethical, and moral issues in communication studies.

Fundamentals of Web Design
Students design, develop, and upload a simple web site using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and PHP. Web site production concepts such as naming conventions, file organization, and optimization are also covered.

Advanced Website Design
Students demonstrate a culmination of skills developed during their web design studies. Students produce final web design projects and materials that showcase practical web design skills.

3D Animation
Students are introduced to basic and intermediate 3D animation techniques. Topics to be covered include hierarchical linking, keyframing, function curves, animated modifiers, basic morphing, animated cameras, and an introduction to character animation. Students will research and create models based on anatomy and technical reference materials as well as character modeling/rigging. Students experiment with three-dimensional design, motion, and animation.

2D Animation
Students develop concepts related to pre-production for interactive media, live action, and animation, as well as skills relevant to design of characters and objects. Students use timeline animation in the development of motion graphics, interactive interfaces and basic character animation.

Integrated Animation
Students complete a self-directed study using a combination of animation techniques. Possible focuses include character animation, motion graphics, or information video. Students will create a finished animated piece based on research interests.

Portfolio III
Students create a substantial body of work in their chosen Visual Media Production and Design discipline (Video, Graphic Design, Animation, Writing) with supporting elements from the adjacent disciplines. This is designed as the third course in a 3-course sequence for portfolio production. The end goal of the three courses is a completed portfolio. A system of feedback and analysis at checkpoints will be used throughout.

Drawing and Ideation
Students are introduced to the principles of 2D design, color and type elements as they relate to print, film/television, and the internet with an emphasis on drawing and ideation.

Graphic Design I
Students explore elements and principles of basic two-dimensional design with an emphasis on composition, color theory, and craftsmanship.

Graphic Design II
Students explore elements and principles of basic three-dimensional design with an emphasis on spatial organization, color, and planning and craft.

Typography
Students explore the development and application of typography for design and layout.

Graphic Design III
Students use the principles of 2D design, color and type elements as they relate to design for printed objects and showcasing of those products through photography and video. Students will fuse photography with design products to display successful presentations of package design products.

Portfolio III
Students create a substantial body of work in their chosen Visual Media Production and Design discipline (Video, Graphic Design, Animation, Writing) with supporting elements from the adjacent disciplines. This is designed as the third course in a 3-course sequence for portfolio production. The end goal of the three courses is a completed portfolio. A system of feedback and analysis at checkpoints will be used throughout.

Reporting for Mass Media
Students develop skills for clear and concise communication to mass audiences in a variety of written formats. Emphases include writing for print and electronic media, gathering accurate information, presenting a clear written message, and basic style for professional media writing. Students submit work to an online publication.

Introduction to Public Relations
Students are introduced to the profession of public relations and strategic communication. Students demonstrate writing ability, examine strategies for publicity campaigns, and study the history and foundations of the field.

Introduction to Video Production
This course examines the components of audio, video, and still images for the purpose of media production. Students explore the equipment used to produce content.

Video Editing & Enhancement
This course is an introduction to editing tools for audio, video, still images, and basic motion graphics enhancing narrative in time-based environments.

Graphic Design I
Students explore elements and principles of basic two-dimensional design with an emphasis on composition, color theory, and craftsmanship.

2D Animation
Students develop concepts related to pre-production for interactive media, live action, and animation, as well as skills relevant to design of characters and objects. Students use timeline animation in the development of motion graphics, interactive interfaces and basic character animation.

Introduction to Video Production
This course examines the components of audio, video, and still images for the purpose of media production. Students explore the equipment used to produce content.

Video Editing & Enhancement
This course is an introduction to editing tools for audio, video, still images, and basic motion graphics enhancing narrative in time-based environments.

Video Production II
This course analyzes the components of audio, video, and still images for the purpose of media production. Students apply production techniques used to produce interactive media content.

Video Editing & Enhancement II
This is a project-oriented course where students organize and construct media components utilizing creative production techniques centered around concepts such as color grading, compositing 2D and 3D elements into shot footage, and motion tracking. Students develop visual language skills by exploring motion media editing theory as well as execution.

Portfolio III
Students create a substantial body of work in their chosen Visual Media Production and Design discipline (Video, Graphic Design, Animation, Writing) with supporting elements from the adjacent disciplines. This is designed as the third course in a 3-course sequence for portfolio production. The end goal of the three courses is a completed portfolio. A system of feedback and analysis at checkpoints will be used throughout.

Sound Design and Audio Postproduction
Students develop skills related to capturing, creating and manipulating sonic materials for film and video. Students explore techniques for developing and presenting audio materials for a variety of narrative situations.