Bachelor of Arts
in Digital Media Design
Program Overview
Have a hand in shaping the way the modern world works, learns, communicates, and plays with a Bachelor of Arts in Digital Media Design. Social networks, games, animation, and instructional content all rely on the expertise of digital media designers to engage users and guide their experience. This Bachelor of Arts Digital Media program provides hands-on experience using the very latest tools and technologies that make up the current media arts workspace. As a student in the digital media design degree, you’ll be on top of the latest methodologies used for visual communication in business, marketing, education, and entertainment.
The knowledge and experience gained in digital media design courses prepare you for a transmedia, visually literate future that incorporates web design, audio, video, special effects, layout and design, image creation and editing, and game design.
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Course Details
Course Listing
Preparation for the Major
- 2 courses; 9 quarter units
Course Name
Prerequisite: ENG 102 with a minimum grade of C. Students must have proven college level writing skills to be successful in their written assignments in the program.
The course introduces students to the history, tools and theories of graphic design, with an emphasis on current digital media design tools and principles and their impact on culture.
Prerequisite: ENG 102 with a minimum grade of C. Students must have proven college level writing skills to be successful in their written assignments in the program.; MUL 201 with a minimum grade of C. Students must have proven competency level to be successful in the more advanced subjects in the program.
This course examines the history of storytelling as a cultural and sociological phenomena, and the evolution of the media used to tell stories.
Students must complete all prep for major course.
Requirements for the Major
- 14 courses; 63 quarter units
Course Name
Prerequisite: ENG 102; MUL 201 with a minimum grade of C. Students must have proven competency level to be successful in the more advanced subjects in the program. ; MUL 203 with a minimum grade of C. Students must have proven competency level to be successful in the more advanced subjects in the program.
The course covers concepts and tools used to create content through vector drawing tools for web, print, and mobile platforms.
Prerequisite: ENG 102 with a minimum grade of C. Students must have proven college level writing skills to be successful in their written assignments in the program.; MUL 201 Students must have proven competency level to be successful in the more advanced subjects in the program. ; MUL 203 Students must have proven competency level to be successful in the more advanced subjects in the program.
Students receive in-depth training in image composition and raster image editing.
Prerequisite: ENG 102 with a minimum grade of C. Students must have proven college level writing skills to be successful in their written assignments in the program.; MUL 201 with a minimum grade of C. Students must have proven competency level to be successful in the more advanced subjects in the program. and MUL 203 with a minimum grade of C. Students must have proven competency level to be successful in the more advanced subjects in the program.
The course prepares students to create and design digital content for electronic publication.
Prerequisite: ENG 102 with a minimum grade of C. Students must have proven college level writing skills to be successful in their written assignments in the program.; MUL 201 with a minimum grade of C. Students must have proven competency level to be successful in the more advanced subjects in the program. ; MUL 203 with a minimum grade of C. Students must have proven competency level to be successful in the more advanced subjects in the program.
Hands-on introduction in the basics of user interface design for various platforms (i.e. web, mobile, etc.). Students will learn all phases of user interface design from conception to final output.
Prerequisite: ENG 102 with a minimum grade of C. Students must have proven college level writing skills to be successful in their written assignments in the program.; MUL 201 with a minimum grade of C. Students must have proven competency level to be successful in the more advanced subjects in the program. ; MUL 203 with a minimum grade of C. Students must have proven competency level to be successful in the more advanced subjects in the program.
Students will get hands-on training utilizing the principles and techniques of web design within the digital media industry. The course is an in-depth study of effective web page design using structured markup languages, and efficient site architecture. Students will engage in projects in content development, navigation, and usability (ie: UX – user experience) and deployment.
Prerequisite: Students must have proven college level writing skills to be successful in their written assignments in the program.; MUL 201 with a minimum grade of C. Students must have proven competency level to be successful in the more advanced subjects in the program. and MUL 203 with a minimum grade of C. Students must have proven competency level to be successful in the more advanced subjects in the program.
The course provides training in creating scalable and interactive 2-D vector based objects.
A hands-on, project based exploration of the use of still and video cameras in production. Focus will be on a balance between the technical and the aesthetic. Essential camera functions are well known and timeless as the technology for image capture and replication advances rapidly.
Prerequisite: ENG 102 with a minimum grade of C. Students must have proven college level writing skills to be successful in their written assignments in the program.; MUL 201 with a minimum grade of C. Students must have proven competency level to be successful in the more advanced subjects in the program. and MUL 203 with a minimum grade of C. Students must have proven competency level to be successful in the more advanced subjects in the program.
Prerequisite: ENG 102; COM 220
A hands-on course in motion graphics for broadcast, video, and film; the course presents the current software tools used to build and deliver motion graphics. Apply concepts and techniques of compositing layers of computer-generated imagery and live action video, special effects, camera movements and cinematic points of view, as well as the design of titling and motion imagery. Survey works of professional animators, directors, and producers to demonstrate industry-standard techniques.
Prerequisite: ENG 102 with a minimum grade of C. Students must have proven college level writing skills to be successful in their written assignments in the program.; MUL 201 with a minimum grade of C. Students must have proven competency level to be successful in the more advanced subjects in the program. ; MUL 203 with a minimum grade of C. Students must have proven competency level to be successful in the more advanced subjects in the program.; MUL 461 with a minimum grade of C. This is an advanced level class, which requires students to complete the prior class in the sequence (MUL 461) before beginning this class.
Students will continue their progress from the previous course and build on their competencies. Focus will be on tracking, chroma keying, rotoscoping, and compositing.
Prerequisite: ENG 102 with a minimum grade of C. Students must have proven college level writing skills to be successful in their written assignments in the program.; MUL 201 with a minimum grade of C. Students must have proven competency level to be successful in the more advanced subjects in the program. ; MUL 203 with a minimum grade of C. Students must have proven competency level to be successful in the more advanced subjects in the program.
Computer-aided digital audio creation used in DVD, video, and Web authoring. Students learn basic music theory and composition practices applied to digital audio production, utilizing professional software tools used in the field, as well as hardware applications. Covers file management and compression for specific delivery mediums. The course is an exploration into role audio has in digital media and the process of editing and creating digital audio for numerous platforms. Topics include Sound Effects (SFX), musical score, and narration.
Prerequisite: ENG 102; MUL 201 with a minimum grade of C. Students must have proven competency level to be successful in the more advanced subjects in the program. and MUL 203 with a minimum grade of C. Students must have proven competency level to be successful in the more advanced subjects in the program.
The course provides students with exposure to all phases of video game design from concept to completion. Steps include pre-production, completion of a game design document, prototyping, 3-D modeling, and animation.
Prerequisite: ENG 102 with a minimum grade of C. Students must have proven college level writing skills to be successful in their written assignments in the program.; MUL 201 with a minimum grade of C. Students must have proven competency level to be successful in the more advanced subjects in the program. ; MUL 203 with a minimum grade of C. Students must have proven competency level to be successful in the more advanced subjects in the program.
Hands-on application of 3-D graphics and modeling techniques. Produce basic 3-D elements and apply materials, textures and lighting for film, video, print and gaming applications.
Prerequisite: ENG 102; MUL 201 with a minimum grade of C. Students must have proven competency level to be successful in the more advanced subjects in the program. and MUL 203 with a minimum grade of C. Students must have proven competency level to be successful in the more advanced subjects in the program.
In-depth, hands-on application of game development engines and Augmented and Virtual Reality systems.
Final Project for the Major
- 2 courses; 9 quarter units
Prior to beginning the Final Project sequence, students must have completed and passed all requirements for the Major.
Course Name
Prerequisite: ENG 102 with a minimum grade of C. Students must have proven college level writing skills to be successful in their written assignments in the program.; MUL 300; MUL 203; MUL 308; MUL 309; MUL 312; MUL 316; MUL 345; MUL 353; MUL 356; MUL 365; MUL 372; MUL 375; MUL 390; MUL 461; MUL 462; MUL 465
This course is an opportunity to go in-depth, on a topic covered in the program. Students will select a topic (with instructor approval) and complete all phases of production (conception, design, development, launch and post assessment).
Prerequisite: ENG 102; MUL 201; MUL 203; MUL 308; MUL 309; MUL 312; MUL 316; MUL 345; MUL 353; MUL 356; MUL 365; MUL 372; MUL 375; MUL 390; MUL 461; MUL 462; MUL 465
This course is an opportunity to in-depth on a topic covered in the program. Students will select a topic (with instructor approval) and complete all phases of production (conception, design, development, launch and post assessment). The student may use the class as a continuation of the project in MUL 483 or for a new project.
Thesis Course
- 1 course; 4.5 quarter units
Prior to beginning the Thesis Course sequence, students must have completed and passed all requirements for the Major, as well as the Final Project courses before being placed into this sequence.
Course Name
Prerequisite: ENG 102; MUL 201; MUL 203; MUL 308; MUL 309; MUL 312; MUL 316; MUL 345; MUL 353; MUL 356; MUL 365; MUL 372; MUL 375; MUL 390; MUL 461; MUL 462; MUL 465; MUL 483; MUL 485
In this two-month capstone course, students assemble a portfolio of their best work from previous Digital Media Design courses and edit/polish those pieces until they are suitable to show a prospective industry employer. Students will also submit a written thesis documenting their creative journey in the program. Grading is H, S or U only.
Degree and Course Requirements
To receive a Bachelor of Arts degree with a Major in Digital Media Design, students must complete at least 180 quarter units as articulated below, 45 of which must be completed in residence at National University, 76.5 of which must be completed at the upper-division level and a minimum 69 units of the University General Education requirements. The following courses are specific degree requirements. In the absence of transfer credit, students may need to take additional general electives to satisfy the total units for the degree.
The Bachelor of Arts in Digital Media Design consists of courses that prepare students for a broad range of positions requiring a background in digital graphic design, web design, video, and audio production and post-production, video gaming, and virtual and augmented reality.
A graduate with a BA in Digital Media Design will obtain skills and competencies to excel in various fields including, but not limited video gaming, video & audio production, motion graphics, and web. Job opportunities* may include:
- Art Director
- Web Designer
- Game Designer
- Video Editor
- Journalist
- Photographer
- Educational & Instructional Designer
- Social Media Specialist
*Sources
Program Learning Outcomes
- Develop a personal vision in the creation of original multimedia content.
- Examine current trends and key technologies in the media industry.
- Demonstrate oral, visual, and written communication skills with clients, project managers, and media production team members.
- Describe and implement the phases of media production, from the initial planning to the final delivery of a professional product.
- Explain the legal and ethical issues related to media production and distribution.
- Create active and interactive content with graphics, animation, sound, and video using media authoring software.
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Successful completion and attainment of National University degrees do not lead to automatic or immediate licensure, employment, or certification in any state/country. The University cannot guarantee that any professional organization or business will accept a graduate’s application to sit for any certification, licensure, or related exam for the purpose of professional certification.
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