Interactive Media Design is a two-year College Diploma program designed to prepare you for a variety of careers in the digital media industry. Web-design, programming, as well as video and motion graphic skills, are in demand in all employment sectors. You explore the primary elements of media project planning and development with equal importance given to the creative and the technical aspects. This balanced learning experience prepares graduates to be generalists in the media industry, meaning you can jump into a wide variety of roles as you begin your careers. Strong emphasis is placed on hands-on media production through courses in computer-based web design and programming, as well as video and motion graphics. Through several program-specific elective courses, you can focus your path towards specializing as a motion graphic designer or a web developer, or you can choose to remain as a generalist, depending on your interests. You plan and execute individual and team-based projects under the guidance of a faculty, industry experts in the media field. You gain practical experience working with live clients through applied projects. You navigate these learning opportunities with the operating system of your choice, such as Mac OS X or Windows.

Start Term Availability
Fall 2023
Open
Winter 2024
Open
Level: 01
Course NameCodeHours
Name: Communications I + -
Code: ENL1813
Hours: 60

Communication remains an essential skill sought by employers, regardless of discipline or field of study. Using a practical, vocation-oriented approach, students focus on meeting the requirements of effective communication. Through a combination of lectures, exercises, and independent learning, students practice writing, speaking, reading, listening, locating and documenting information, and using technology to communicate professionally. Students develop and strengthen communication skills that contribute to success in both educational and workplace environments.

ENL181360
Name: Entrepreneurial Mindset + -
Code: GED0020
Hours: 45

How do entrepreneurs identify opportunities that others overlook? What are the underlying beliefs and assumptions that enable them to succeed, regardless of where they begin? Entrepreneurship requires people to identify problems in the environments in which they live and work and then reconceive them as opportunities for improvement. The entrepreneurial mindset ignites the process of searching for the intersection of one's interests and abilities with the needs of fellow human-beings. Through experiential, problem-based learning, students explore specific beliefs and assumptions that enable entrepreneurs to succeed so that they can apply them to college or their chosen career path.

GED002045
Name: Introduction to Photography + -
Code: MTM610
Hours: 45

Students discover the capabilities of professional level cameras by exploring the functions beyond simply pointing and clicking. By using manual modes and taking advantage of the many features a professional camera has to offer, students examine the technology, techniques, and theory of photography and video. Students take photos in a variety of settings and environments, exploring best practices during production to minimize post-production issues. Ways of using photography as visual communication are delved into, with opportunities for student to showcase their ability in storytelling through their own photographs.

MTM61045
Name: Web Development I + -
Code: MTM6130
Hours: 60

Designing and developing websites in browsers starts with the basics of two coding languages HTML and CSS. Students discover web development and modern web standards to build sites that work on any sized device. Students apply current best practices in web design and coding techniques as they complete responsive website building projects using industry standard tools such as Git and GitHub.

MTM613060
Name: Digital Graphics + -
Code: MTM6160
Hours: 60

The creation of digital art requires an understanding of the modern techniques, tools and file formats the industry uses. By exploring and utilizing current software, students become familiar with the process of planning for and executing digital graphics and design assets. Students examine best practices for file size and format, optimization, and the development of assets for use both online and in print.

MTM616060
Name: Design Foundations + -
Code: MTM6161
Hours: 45

Through a hands-on approach to design theory, students become objective rather than subjective about good design. Through project-based learning, students discover the fundamental design rules, including principles in layout, typography, colour theory, user interfaces and interaction design. Modern industry-standard software is used interactively to explore design processes, methodologies and best practices.

MTM616145
Level: 02
Course NameCodeHours
Name: Professional Communication in Digital Media + -
Code: ENL6007
Hours: 45

Strong communication skills are a key part of professional success. Students focus on writing clear, correct and concise print and web-based content, and speaking confidently to a variety of audiences. With these skills, students can promote themselves, work well with others, sell ideas, and connect with colleagues and clients. Using workplace scenarios, students write (e.g., letters, emails, web content) and speak (e.g., presentations, meetings, phone calls, interviews) to a variety of audiences. Students also identify their own communication strengths and challenges and prepare a plan for ongoing professional development.

Prerequisites: ENL1813

ENL600745
Name: Video Foundations + -
Code: MTM6200
Hours: 84

Students explore the full video production life cycle, from planning and pre-production to editing and post-production. Video and audio technology and tools are introduced, building on the basic photography techniques and best practices. Through hands-on, cross-program projects, students work through pre-production and production of both video and audio. Emphasis is placed on ensuring the best quality result when transitioning to post-production to minimize corrections during editing.

Prerequisites: MTM6101

MTM620084
Name: Web Development II + -
Code: MTM6201
Hours: 60

This course expands on the basic knowledge of HTML and CSS to incorporate topics such as accessibility, search engine optimization, fluid design, advanced media queries, CSS frame work, and web animation. Students explore the mobile-first paradigm, create sites that behave across a range of platforms, utilize existing CSS frameworks, and create fun, interactive and dynamic media projects.

Prerequisites: MTM6130

MTM620160
Name: Content Management Systems I + -
Code: MTM6231
Hours: 45

In the fast-paced media industry, not every project needs to be built from scratch. Content Management Systems (CMS) offer pre-built functionality that designers and developers can work with to deliver diverse, feature-rich, modern websites. Students install, configure, customize and style websites built on these systems. In addition, students assess how and when using a CMS is appropriate, when it can benefit projects and clients and how to integrate a variety of social media systems within their CMS.

MTM623145
Name: User Experience Design I + -
Code: MTM6260
Hours: 60

A multiple-stage approach introduces the user experience (UX) design process. Students create user interfaces by applying UX strategies, user research, information architecture, interaction design, usability testing, visual design, and content strategy. Going beyond creating graphics, students focus on how responsive website interfaces must be based on user needs and expectations while aligning business goals. Students design effective interfaces that allow improved workflow while integrating user feedback and usability data collected through focus groups. Practical and effective planning for user interfaces is practised through completing interactive projects.

Prerequisites: MTM6162

MTM626060
Level: 03
Course NameCodeHours
Name: Web Development III + -
Code: MTM6302
Hours: 60

Users have come to expect a dynamic, interactive experience when exploring sites; this interactivity is fundamental to creating a modern user experience. Building on knowledge of HTML and CSS, students use JavaScript and related client-side technologies to build interactivity into websites and applications. Best practices in coding are elaborated on and put into concepts including functions, conditional statements and loops as they complete dynamic interactive website building projects.

Prerequisites: MTM6201

MTM630260
Name: Media Project Planning + -
Code: MTM6304
Hours: 60

Effective management of time, resources, clients and teams is crucial to the success of any project. Students utilize the theory of project management, following industry standard guidelines and best practices. With mock client projects, the full project cycle is explored, including planning, managing risks, intellectual property rights, client and team communication, project scope, project documentation and closure.

Prerequisites: MTM6200 and MTM6201 and MTM6231 and MTM6260

MTM630460
Name: User Experience Design II + -
Code: MTM6305
Hours: 60

Today's interfaces should be intuitive, easy to use and satisfy customer needs so that products and services are successful. The user experience (UX) design process is introduced for tablet and mobile app interfaces. Using a practical and applied approach, students understand user experience design, from data gathering methodologies to interaction design and user interface testing. Students apply design principles and guidelines to create well- thought-out interactions and cohesive interfaces for mobile app environments, focusing on the end-user experience.

Prerequisites: MTM6260

MTM630560
Name: General Education Elective
Code: GED6149
Hours: 75
GED614975
Name: General Education On-line Elective
Hours: 75
75
Level: 04
Course NameCodeHours
Name: Applied Projects + -
Code: MTM6460
Hours: 84

Students work with real clients or on industry-reflective projects, using teamwork and acquired skills to build real-world applications and multimedia products. Working in teams, students plan, manage and develop a project through the full project cycle, from proposal to post-mortem while working on technically challenging client based projects. Students present final project work to classmates, clients, faculty, friends, family and potential future employers.

MTM646084
Name: Digital Portfolio + -
Code: MTM6461
Hours: 45

Students explore the creation of print and digital publication in multiple formats, building on prior layout, design and software knowledge. Students focus on preparing for graduation through projects that develop personal documents including business cards, design resumes, digital portfolios and freelance documentations.

Prerequisites: MTM6160

MTM646145
Name: General Education On-line Elective
Code: GED6149
Hours: 60
GED614960
Name: General Education On-line Elective
Hours: 45
45