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.
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.
Complete both individual and collaborative interactive media projects effectively.
Use best practices and tools to design and develop dynamic, rich-media content.
Contribute to the assessment of the requirements of an interactive media project.
Contribute to the development, budgeting, planning and professional presentation of an interactive media project.
Design a media project (interface, navigation, graphics, text treatment) using current best practice design and development principles, and applying conceptual and theoretical frameworks.
Build effective and dynamic Web sites and/or mobile applications.
Identify and analyze ethical and professional issues arising in an online environment.
Apply research and conceptual skills to propose possible solutions for mobile/multimedia/Web development problems.
Use creative and critical thinking techniques in the effective design, development and implementation of an interactive media project.
Contribute to the assessment of the financial, technical and artistic success of an interactive media project.
The courses listed below are for incoming students. If you are a current student, please refer to your program of study for the year you began your program. Your program of study can be found on MyCampus.
Semester 1
Communication Foundations - Media, Art & Design (COMM 1806)
Fundamental Communication Skills (COMM 1810)
Design & Conceptual Process (CWD 1400)
Web Design I (CWMD 1100)
Digital Illustration & Imaging I (CWMD 1200)
Photography For Integrated Media (CWMD 1300)
Web Technologies (CWMD 1500)
General Education Elective (GNED 0000)
Semester 2
Web Design II (CWD 2100)
Prototyping For Interactive Media (CWMD 2200)
Video & Audio Production (CWMD 2300)
Interactive Design And Animation I (CWMD 2500)
Coding For Design (CWMD 2601)
General Education Elective (GNED 0000)
Semester 3
Infographics I (CMP 3100)
Design Studio I (CMP 3200)
Motion Graphics I (CMP 3300)
Media Integration (CMP 3401)
Interactive Media (CMP 3501)
General Education Elective (GNED 0000)
Semester 4
Design Studio 2 (CMP 4100)
Infographics 2 (CMP 4200)
Motion Graphics 2 (CMP 4300)
Portfolio Development (CMP 4400)
Collaborative Projects (CMP 4500)
Field Trips & Visiting Lecture (FTVL 4404)
Field Placement/Capstone Project - IMDE (FWK 4505)
Courses and course descriptions are subject to change. Please note that as a result of COVID-19 the 2020-21 program of study may be modified to accommodate program delivery changes. Students should refer to their timetable for the most up-to-date course information.
Costs
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
After applying and updating their first-year courses in the Spring/Summer, graduates can proceed to the second year of Durham College’s Contemporary Web Design program and complete the program in another 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:
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®, After Effects® 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):
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)
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.
App Store
Google Play
