Interactive Media Design

Program Overview

From touchscreen applications and websites to motion design and video, interactive media designers create the User Experience (UX). In this cutting-edge program, students learn to design and produce illustrations, photography, infographics and animations for anything interactive. Graduates of this program become skilled compositors, able to create motion graphics, virtual environments and integrated media content.

NOTE: Students enrolling in this program are required to purchase their own laptop. For specific laptop and software requirements for this program click here.

Motion Graphics

Field Placement

Interactivity

Admission Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or Mature Student Status
Grade 12 English (C or U)

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Intakes and Availability

Date	Domestic Availability	International Availability
September 2020	Open	Closed
January 2021	Open	Open

Tuition

Year one domestic: $3,188 (CDN)
Year one international: $13,788 (CDN)

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Semester 1 Courses

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Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

UI/UX designer
Design manager
Production manager
Motion graphic designer
Multimedia designer/developer
Web designer

View all Career Options

Program Details

NOTE: Students enrolling in this program are required to purchase their own laptop. For specific laptop and software requirements for this program click here.

In this program, students use Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and After Effects as well as contemporary web-based coding frameworks to understand User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) design. They learn to create compelling visual assets for interactive animated and motion infographics. They are also taught digital and traditional illustration techniques and develop a proficiency in interactive storytelling.

In the first year of the program, you will learn to use HTML5, CSS3 and JavaScript to create intuitive, animated and interactive website interfaces and layouts based on user-centric motion and design principles. There is an emphasis on developing good visual design skills using HTML and CSS as your primary tools.

You will be introduced to layout, typography, digital colour theory and strategies for using these skills in a variety of integrated media projects. You will also learn to use a digital single lens reflex (DSLR) camera and basic capture, edit and printing techniques.

You will produce animated and visual assets for integrated media projects, such as web apps, interactive infographics, virtual environments, marketing installations and touchscreen presentations.

In The News

Admission Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or Mature Student Status
Grade 12 English (C or U)

Courses

Semester 4

Courses and course descriptions are subject to change.

Costs

YEAR ONE FEES	Domestic	International
Tuition	$3,188	$13,788
Compulsory Ancillary	$1,337	$1,812
Program Incidental	$350	$350
Total Fees:	$4,875	$15,950

Please note: fees are based on the 2019-2020 academic year and do not include textbooks. For more information please see Other fees to consider.

Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

UI/UX designer
Design manager
Production manager
Motion graphic designer
Multimedia designer/developer
Web designer

WHERE YOU COULD WORK:

Advertising agencies
Corporate in-house departments
Educational institutions
Web and graphic design studios
Interactive and motion design studios
Media and publishing companies
Self-employment
Web studios

Field Placement

Your learning experience will be complemented by a field placement component that will offer you an opportunity to connect with developers working within the profession and be exposed to current industry practices and trends.

Program Transfer, Degree Completion and Additional Credentials

Graduates can apply to the second year of Durham College’s Contemporary Web Design program and complete the program in two semesters.

Graduates may also be eligible to apply their academic credits toward further study through Durham College’s partnerships with many Canadian and international colleges and universities, including:

Please visit our pathways page to learn more about how you can transfer your credits towards a degree.

Laptop Requirements

Laptop requirements

There are two recommended models of MacBook laptops you will want to consider and each will meet the requirements of your program. Students will want to be familiar with the hardware and software used in the industry by professionals. our professors highly recommend the use of MacBooks.

Our professors have extensive professional experience and recommend the 16-inch MacBook Pro with 512GB storage as ideal for incoming students. The larger screen allows for more workspace based on the complex software programs students will be using. This design with advanced features meets all the needs and expectations for this program. Students will seamlessly integrate into the workforce upon graduation, armed with the same tool used by many of our industry partners.
Alternatively, students may wish to purchase a more entry level laptop for those who are budget minded. Our professors recommend the 13-inch MacBook Pro with 256GB storage. Although this laptop costs less it will still give the student the opportunity to meet the needs of the program.

Software requirements

Operating System (bundled with new notebook computer purchase)
Membership in Adobe Creative Cloud™ is included in your Student Fees and will be made available during your first week. There is no need to purchase a subscription.
Microsoft Office (Available for free for students from Microsoft through your DC Mail account. Please do not buy it.)

Creative Cloud brings together everything you need to create your greatest work. One simple membership gives you and your classmates to the very latest versions of all the Adobe professional creative desktop applications like Photoshop®, Illustrator®, Premiere Pro® and more — plus new features and upgrades as soon as they're available. And that's just the beginning. With Creative Cloud™, everything you need to create intuitively and collaboratively is included.

Free downloadable software (please download and install prior to the start of classes. Caution: To avoid malware, only download from the actual developer or using the links below):

OTHER RECOMMENDED HARDWARE

All students MUST have a Cat 5e or Cat 6 Ethernet cable 2 meters long to connect to the campus network and an adapter to connect to Ethernet depending on the laptop.
USB flash drive for storing smaller amounts of data
External hard disk USB-3 or USB-C 1 TB or larger (included in your Student Fees)
Wacom Intuous 3 6×8-inch digital graphics tablet (optional)

NOTE: These requirements were accurate at the time of posting and are subject to change. Please be aware that hardware and software versions are subject to change and will be updated as needed. For further information and FAQ click here.

COVID-19 Information

Program Overview

Admission Requirements

Intakes and Availability

Tuition

Semester 1 Courses

Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

Program Details

In The News

Admission Requirements

Courses

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 3

Semester 4

Costs

Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

WHERE YOU COULD WORK:

Field Placement

Program Transfer, Degree Completion and Additional Credentials

Laptop Requirements

Laptop requirements

Software requirements

OTHER RECOMMENDED HARDWARE

Interactive Media Design in the news

Helpful Resources

College guide September 2020 [PDF]

College guide September 2020 [Interactive]

Graduate Employment Report [PDF]