Interactive Media (IMMT)

Companies today continued to invest in individuals with the skills and knowledge of Interactive Media as it has become an integral part of their future operations. The Interactive Media program provides the community and industry with professionals who can creatively develop and create media and services for integrated and interactive communications, advertising, and marketing purposes, with a growing emphasis in web design development as well as social media and Web 2.0 trends

The Interactive Media Associate Degree program is designed to impart four critical skills to its graduates:

• Design and aesthetic sensibility
• Scripting (source code and application), including HTML, CSS, MySQL, PHP, XML and Actionscript
• Familiarity with various design-oriented application programs including: Adobe Photoshop, Fireworks, Protools, Avid Xpress, Premiere, AfterEffects, Flash, Dreamweaver, Illustrator, Maya, and ZBrush
• Experience in both the Macintosh and Windows platforms

By mastering these four areas, program graduates will be able to go beyond basic design and layout to complete the “big picture” regarding media structure and flowcharting. As a result, program graduates can cross cultural, aesthetic and technical boundaries.

The Digital Video and Sound major is designed to address the need for professionally trained graphic design and interactive media professionals who have the skill set to utilize audio and video assets (typically called “rich media”) in the production of new media whether in a CD-ROM, DVD, interactive Web sites or other delivery systems.

The Video Game Art and Animation track covers the core disciplines for video game art production. Students are provided the foundation in key areas that impact this field, including: time-based production, storytelling, a survey of the video game industry, traditional animation, etc. With this foundation, the remainder of the program focuses on 3D character and environment production, audio integration and game development skills, conducted through 2D and 3D software, as well as various scripting and programming languages. Students will ultimately work on team-based game projects that expose them to the video game production process.

The jobs available in interactive multimedia are varied. Typical job possibilities for program graduates include multimedia technician, multimedia specialist, multimedia developer, media specialist, instructional design technician, computer graphic artist, 3D computer animator, multimedia illustrator, desktop media publisher, interface designer, animator, script integrator, digital journalist, and presentation artist.

Upon completion of the Associate Degree program in Interactive Media, the graduate will be able to:

• Possess a working-level knowledge of the interactive multimedia field and how it affects society and industry.
• Comprehend the relationship between design, marketing, and interactive multimedia projects.
• Understand the purpose and interrelationship between design, scripting, and software.
• Be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of project design including storyboarding, diagramming, flowcharting, and brand relevance.
• Know the core concepts of scripting as they apply to multimedia and web development.
• Learn the basic principles of digital video editing using various original or provided video clips.
• Understand the basic principles of 2D design, the elements of design, and concepts of forms and structures.
• Comprehend the basic concepts of 3D modeling: model construction, rendering, lighting, and animation.
• Create a functional, interactive, animated web presence from conceptual stages to finished product.
• Possess extensive knowledge of industry standard web animation software (Flash with a 30-week course sequence).
• Gain working knowledge of web-design application software using Dreamweaver.
• Use storyboard, flowchart and drawing skills to represent finished versions of a website, an interactive CD or a video.
• Complete an interactive portfolio.
• Gain real-world experience working as an intern in a multimedia-related company.

In addition to the Interactive Media competencies, graduates completing a Digital Video and Sound major will be able to:

• Understand the role of audio/visual production in an integrated marketing communications plan.
• Use software tools to capture audio and video from various sources.
• Use sound and sound editing channels to enhance video productions.
• Understand copyright and fair use laws as they relate to audio/video production.
• Stream and import video for web productions.
• Identify ways to incorporate text and character animation into video productions.
• Demonstrate an ability to record voice, music, and effect for multimedia products.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the processes involved in planning, scripting, recording, and editing a digital audio/video production.

In addition to the Interactive Media competencies, graduates completing a Video Game Art and Animation track will be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the history, current industry and occupations that constitute the digital gaming industry.
• Possess fundamental visual and audio design/aesthetic skills in digital design, illustration, audio/sound effects and video in support of game development and design.
• Understand narrative methods with particular emphasis on those unique to video games.
• Understand the roles and responsibilities of team members and their collaboration in all phases of design, development and implementation.
• Demonstrate appropriate image-editing software and computer skills that directly support Gaming Art and Animation editing/enhancement and post-production workflow techniques.
• Work as part of a larger technical/design team to complete tasks on time and on budget.
• Understand the fundamentals of game development for both Windows and specific game consoles.
• Develop a comprehensive professional portfolio to be used in pursuing jobs and/or internship opportunities.

Certification Courses:

• Rich Media Communication Certificate
• Visual Communication Certificate
• Web Communication Certificate

A series of online certificate courses are available for students interested in being certified in several Adobe software products: Dreamweaver, Photoshop and Flash. Each course is designed to prepare students to take the associate Adobe Certified Associate test for Web Communication, Rich Media Communication or Visual Communication. These tests are sanctioned by Adobe and offered to qualified students through Columbus State Community College and the Certiport testing system (sanctioned by Adobe). Students taking these courses will be introduced to each objective and principle designed into the corresponding certification test. While completing these courses does not guarantee success for students taking the certification tests, the courses are a very focused preparatory tool for the certification test. These courses are offered exclusively in an online format.

Software/Hardware Requirements

Students taking courses in this curriculum may need to own or have access to hardware or software to pursue this degree. This is particularly important for students who are enrolled in online/distance learning sections of a particular course. Check with the program advisor to discuss specific course needs and options.

 

Interactive Media Associate Degree

Quarter 1

Course	Name	Credits
ENGL 101	Beginning Composition	3
GRPH 112	Introduction to Computer Design	4
IMMT 101	Principles of Interactive Media	3
MATH 104	Intermediate Algebra	5
HUM XXX	Humanities 111, 112,113,151 (or)  152	5
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS	.	20

Quarter 2

Course	Name	Credits
ENGL 102	Essay and Research	3
GRPH 113	Fundamentals of Layout and Storyboarding	4
MKTG 102	Branding	3
IMMT 111	Foundations of Digital Media	3
BMGT 257	Project Management	3
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS	.	16

Quarter 3

Course	Name	Credits
GRPH 251	Photoshop and Design I	5
IMMT 241	Cascading Style Sheets	4
IMMT 150	Videography and Editing	4
GRPH 243	Vector Illustration	5
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS	.	18

Quarter 4

Course	Name	Credits
COMM 207	Writing for the Web	3
IMMT 216	Media Graphics and Optimization	4
IMMT 217	Video Editing	3
IMMT 236	3D Modeling	4
IMMT 237	Beginning Flash (Design)	4
CIT 145	HTML	3
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS	.	21

Quarter 5

Course	Name	Credits
COMM 105	Speech	3
SSCI 100	Globalization and the Social Sciences	5
CIT 212	Web Database Development	3
IMMT 238	Intermediate Flash (Development)	4
IMMT 262	Web Publishing Site Design	4
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS	.	19

Quarter 6

Course	Name	Credits
CIT 213	Designing an e-Commerce Website	3
IMMT 239	Advanced Flash (Advanced Scripting)	4
IMMT 271	Interactive Portfolio Development	4
IMMT 251	Multimedia Practicum	4
IMMT252	Multimedia Seminar	1
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS	.	16
TOTAL DEGREE CREDIT HOURS	.	110

Digital Video and Sound Major

Quarter 1

Course	Name	Credits
ENGL 101	Beginning Composition	3
MATH 104	Intermediate Algebra	5
IMMT 101	Principles of Interactive Media	3
HUM XXX	Humanities 111, 112,113,151 (or)  152	5
IMMT 102	Fundamentals of Video and Sound	2
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS	.	18

Quarter 2

Course	Name	Credits
ENGL 102	Essay and Research	3
BMGT 257	Project Management	3
IMMT 150	Videography and Editing	4
IMMT 151	Audio Editing/Voiceover	4
IMMT 111	Foundations of Digital Media	3
GRPH 113	Fundamentals of Layout and Storyboarding	4
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS	.	21

Quarter 3

Course	Name	Credits
COMM 105	Speech	3
IMMT 152	Narrative Storytelling and Production	4
MKTG 102	Branding	3
IMMT 153	Screenwriting for Digital Video and Sound	3
GRPH 243	Vector Illustration	5
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS	.	18

Quarter 4

Course	Name	Credits
COMM 207	Writing for the Web	3
IMMT 158	Motion Graphics (After Effects)	3
IMMT 216	Media Graphics and Optimization	4
IMMT xxx	Technical Elective	1
FOTO 114	Introduction to Digital Photography	4
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS	.	15

Quarter 5

Course	Name	Credits
SSCI 100	Globalization and the Social Sciences	5
IMMT 155	Foley Art and Sound Design	4
IMMT 237	Beginning Flash (Design)	4
IMMT 240	Documentary Storytelling and Production	4
IMMT 262	Web Publishing Site Design	. 4
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS	.	21

Quarter 6

Course	Name	Credits
IMMT 238	Intermediate Flash (Development)	4
IMMT 249	Corporate/Instructional Video	4
IMMT 260	DVD Development	4
IMMT 251	Multimedia Practicum	4
IMMT 252	Multimedia Seminar	1
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS	.	17
TOTAL DEGREE CREDIT HOURS	.	110

ELECTIVES

Course	Name	Credits
IMMT 157	Sports Broadcasting	4
IMMT 159	Music Video Production	4
IMMT 250	Document Transfer Using Acrobat	2
IMMT 239	Advanced Flash	4
IMMT 297	Special Topics	1– 6

Video Game Art and Animation Track

Quarter 1

Course	Name	Credits
ENGL 101	Beginning Composition	3
GRPH 113	Fundamentals of Layout and Storyboarding	4
MATH 104	Intermediate Algebra	5
COMM 105	Speech	3
IMMT 115	Survey of the Digital Gaming Industry	3
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS	.	18

Quarter 2

Course	Name	Credits
ENGL 102	Essay and Research	3
GRPH 116	Introduction to Traditional Animation	4
IMMT 236	3D Modeling	4
IMMT 237	Beginning Flash (Design)	4
GRPH 115	Fundamentals of Illustration	4
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS	.	19

Quarter 3

Course	Name	Credits
GRPH 216	Advanced Traditional Animation	4
GRPH 255	Digital Drawing	4
IMMT 188	Introduction to 3D Game Production	4
IMMT 116	Storytelling for Games	3
IMMT 242	Advanced 3D Computer Modeling	4
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS	.	19

Quarter 4

Course	Name	Credits
IMMT 233	3D Environment Design and Development	4
IMMT 245	3D Animation	4
IMMT 238	Intermediate Flash	4
IMMT 215	Introduction to Video Game Development	4
COMM 207	Writing for the Web	3
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS	.	19

Quarter 5

Course	Name	Credits
HUM XXX	Humanities 111, 112, 113, 151 (or)  152	5
SSCI 100	Globalization and the Social Sciences	5
IMMT 263	Video Game Development I	3
IMMT 155	Foley Art and Sound Design	3
IMMT 243	3D Character Design and Development	4
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS	.	20

Quarter 6

Course	Name	Credits
IMMT 264	Video Game Development II	3
IMMT 288	Post Production	4
IMMT 295	Portfolio Development	4
IMMT 239	Advanced Flash	4
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS	.	15
TOTAL DEGREE CREDIT HOURS	.	110

Rich Media Communication Certificate

Quarter 1

Course	Name	Credits
IMMT 112	Fundamentals of Interactive Design	3
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS	.	3

Quarter 2

Course	Name	Credits
IMMT 280	Rich Media Communications	4
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS	.	4
CERTIFICATE TOTAL	.	7

Visual Communication Certificate

Quarter 1

Course	Name	Credits
IMMT 112	Fundamentals of Interactive Design	3
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS	.	3

Quarter 2

Course	Name	Credits
IMMT 290	Visual Communications	4
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS	.	4
CERTIFICATE TOTAL	.	7

Web Communication Certificate

Quarter 1

Course	Name	Credits
IMMT 112	Fundamentals of Interactive Design	3
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS	.	3

Quarter 2

Course	Name	Credits
IMMT 283	Web Media Communications	4
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS	.	4
CERTIFICATE TOTAL	.	7