The Multimedia Design & Marketing program equips students with essential skills for today's digital marketing and multimedia landscape. Whether pursuing the one-year diploma or the two-year associate degree, students will gain a solid foundation in areas like content creation, social media strategy, digital advertising, video production and design. This program blends creative and technical expertise, preparing graduates for roles in multimedia design, marketing and digital communication.

Students complete their coursework on Mac computers in our state-of-the-art multimedia design lab at the West Burlington campus, using industry-standard tools such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Premiere, and other digital media platforms. Core courses include social media engagement, web multimedia, graphic design principles, and digital/video marketing, ensuring a comprehensive education that meets the demands of the evolving digital landscape.

Program Options

• One-year Diploma: A streamlined option designed for those looking to quickly enter the workforce with core multimedia marketing and design skills.
• Two-year Associate Degree: Offers a more in-depth exploration of multimedia design and marketing, with advanced coursework in areas like animation, digital imaging and video production.

Program Details

• Location: West Burlington campus
• Program Length: One-year Diploma
• Program Start: The program course sequence begins in the fall. However, students can begin elective coursework in the spring or summer prior to starting the core courses.
• Program Availability: Full-time and part-time options
• Admissions Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
• Program-Specific Costs: Additional fees may apply for certain courses, such as those requiring specialized software or equipment.

Summary Sheet

The summary sheet provides a program overview and other information.

Download the Summary Sheet.

Curriculum Sequence

---

Fall Semester I	Course Title	Credit
ENG-105	Composition I	3
GRA-137	Digital Design	3
GRA-175	Graphic Design Principles	3
SMM-108	Social Media Engagement	3
ANI-120	Introduction to Animation	3
	TOTAL CREDITS	15

---

Spring Semester I	Course Title	Credit
GRA-275	Advanced Graphic Design	3
MMS-111	Video Production I	3
MUS-185	Class Piano I	1
MUS-306	Digital Music Production I	3
Take 1 of 2 courses
MKT-121	Digital Marketing	3
GRA-257	Video Marketing	3
	TOTAL CREDITS	13

ENG-105 - Composition I

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

A study of the principles of writing. Emphasis on rhetoric, mechanics and development of expository patterns: narration, description illustration, comparison/contrast, classification, process and cause/effect. Required for AA and AS Degrees. Prerequisite: Meet minimum test score requirements.

GRA-137 - Digital Design

Lecture: 2

Lab: 1

Credit: 3

The student will gain familiarity with the function of graphic layout using electronic pagination software. Emphasis will be placed on publication design, development, reproducibility and utilization of proper design techniques. Students will use this publishing package to create a variety of print media.

GRA-175 - Graphic Design Principles

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

A beginning course in designing printed pieces. This course will provide the student with an introduction to some of the basic principles of design aesthetics for print and web media. A history of the desktop publishing process, basics of communication, basic document structure, typography, use of color and illustration will be covered.

SMM-108 - Social Media Engagement

Lecture: 2

Lab: 2

Credit: 3

This course explores the history of social networks and introduces students to social media for organizations. It provides students opportunities to implement the use of social media tools as part of a marketing strategy and work with social media analytic tools.

ANI-120 - Introduction to Animation

Lecture: 2

Lab: 1

Credit: 3

This course will provide students with an applied knowledge of the 12 principles of animation, namely: squash/stretch, anticipation, staging, straight ahead/pose to pose, follow through/overlapping action, slow in/out, arcs, secondary action, timing, exaggeration, solid drawing and appeal. Students will use a variety of techniques to help prepare them for animating in any medium. This course will be divided into demos, exercises, lectures and in-class critique to help students develop an understanding of Animation Principles and Techniques. Co-requisite with ANI-100 and ANI-110

GRA-275 - Advanced Graphic Design

Lecture: 2

Lab: 1

Credit: 3

This course is designed to continue to guide the student in proper design and layout aesthetics. Emphasis will be on utilization of design principles and techniques for both short and long documents, publication planning, budgeting, scheduling, finishing processes and working with outside printing companies. Prerequisite:GRA-175

MMS-111 - Video Production I

Lecture: 1

Lab: 2

Credit: 3

Video Production introduces video equipment operation, techniques in video production and specific production skills, including proper use of the non-linear editing systems, microphones, cameras, lighting equipment and tripods. For approximately 50 percent of the course, students experience hands-on application of material covered in lecture. Students produce both short and long format programs.

MUS-185 - Class Piano I

Lecture: 1

Credit: 1

Class Piano I introduces the student to fundamental aspects of playing the piano including music reading, appropriate performance technique, and keyboard understanding as it relates to basic melodic and harmonic structures.

MUS-306 - Digital Music Production I

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

Digital Audio Production I introduces students to basic theories and techniques of digital audio recording, editing and mixing. Instruction utilizes current industry software digital audio workstation and covers the fundamentals of the operation of the software, as well as audio and MIDI recording and editing. This course provides students with real-world examples and frequent hands-on assignments, that will provide a solid foundation in all aspects of audio production. Prerequisites: MUS-120 or MUS-185. Corequisite: MUS-185, if prerequisite is not met.

MKT-121 - Digital Marketing

Lecture: 2

Lab: 1

Credit: 3

A complete overview of how to promote a business online, this course covers the basics of traditional marketing before going on to explore how these core concepts can be specifically applied to digital media. Students will learn the role that websites, social media, search engine placement, email and mobile marketing play in their overall marketing strategy and how best to take advantage of each.

GRA-257 - Video Marketing

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

This course discusses the strategies and tools used to create, curate, and utilize video as a means of digital marketing. Students will be engaged in the process of marketing products or services to a targeted audience, driving sales, and raising product and brand awareness. Students will explore various ways to measure metrics to track engagement to ensure successful video marketing strategies.

Carlene Woodside - Professor - Interactive and Social Media Marketing

Email: cwoodside@scciowa.edu
AAS, Carl Sandburg College
BS, Western Illinois University
MBA, Western Illinois University