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.  Students also have the opportunity to sit for the FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot certification.

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 or two-year Associate Degree
• 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

---

Summer Semester I	Course Title	Credit
SPC-112	Public Speaking	3
Take 1 of 2 courses
ART-186	Digital Photography	3
ART-184	Photography	3
	TOTAL CREDITS	6

---

Fall Semester II	Course Title	Credit
GRA-140	Digital Imaging	3
GRA-173	Typography	3
MKT-150	Principles of Advertising	3
AVI-255	FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot	3
BUS-119	Entrepreneurial Thinking	1
MAT-110	Math for Liberal Arts	3
	TOTAL CREDITS	16

---

Spring Semester II	Course Title	Credit
GRA-127	Illustrator I	3
GRA-158	Web Multimedia	3
GRA-190	Electronic Media Projects	3
GRA-933	Internship	4
Take 1 of 3 courses
SOC-114	Conflict Resolution in the Workplace	3
PSY-111	Introduction to Psychology	3
SOC-120	Marriage and Family	3
	TOTAL CREDITS	16

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.

SPC-112 - Public Speaking

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

This course examines both the theoretical and practical basis of speech communication, particularly public speaking. Emphasis is on speech preparation, organization, support, delivery and audience analysis.

ART-186 - Digital Photography

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

Introduces students to the use, management and manipulation of photographs as a digital medium. Students will study Photoshop as a photographic editing tool and utilize critical analysis relating to ideas of photo editing and manipulation. Content will include the technical concepts of digital image editing and manipulation in the context of historical and contemporary theories of photography as an art form.

ART-184 - Photography

Lecture: 2

Lab: 1

Credit: 3

This course introduces basic camera operations and equipment, processing and photographic print production for both the traditional and digital cameras. Topics include contrast, depth-of-field, subject composition, density control, film selection, proper exposure and aesthetics. Digital image scanning, current tools, technologies and software will be covered. Students will need to provide a non-automatic 35MM camera and photographic materials.

GRA-140 - Digital Imaging

Lecture: 2

Lab: 1

Credit: 3

This course is designed to introduce the student to image manipulation software used in the electronic and print media industry. Emphasis will be placed on scanning, image editing techniques, using painting tool sets, color correction, ethics and digital photography techniques.

GRA-173 - Typography

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

This course is designed to provide the student with an introduction to the history and mechanics of type and its application to layout and design. Topics include typographic fundamentals, anatomy, measurements, identification, type aesthetics, communicative aspects and production problems. A working knowledge of type in relation to images will be emphasized.

MKT-150 - Principles of Advertising

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

This course takes a detailed look into the study and practice of advertising with special emphasis placed on allowing students to plan and think more strategically, evaluate alternative courses of action, develop more creative solutions to problems, analyze why people behave the way they do, express themselves and their ideas and persuade others to their point of view by using advertising terms, concepts and procedures. 

AVI-255 - FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot covers aspects related to flying unmanned aircraft (drones).Upon completion of the course, students are prepared to take the FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification Exam.

BUS-119 - Entrepreneurial Thinking

Lecture: 1

Credit: 1

This course points students toward a mindset of motivational thinking that is useful in any career. Course activities are used to practice creative problem solving, turn circumstances into advantage, and see possibilities where others see problems. Learn the benefits of actively engaging in your workplace to make things happen.

MAT-110 - Math for Liberal Arts

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

Math for Liberal Arts is a survey course for students who have little background in mathematics. Topics include critical thinking, survey of sets, probability, statistics, logic and personal finance. Additional topics may include voting theory, graph theory and geometry. This course is not intended for Mathematics and Science majors.

GRA-127 - Illustrator I

Lecture: 2

Lab: 1

Credit: 3

This course is designed to introduce the student to the application of rendering techniques. Emphasis is placed on controlling various media, methods, surfaces, design problems and the appropriate media selection process.

GRA-158 - Web Multimedia

Lecture: 2

Lab: 1

Credit: 3

An introduction to the creation of multimedia for use with web pages, kiosks and CD/DVD. Video camcorders, digital cameras, digital recorders, touch screens and iPods will be utilized in conjunction with computer hardware and software for media creation and manipulation. Media covered in the course will include podcasting, streaming video, streaming audio, live broadcasts and presentations.

GRA-190 - Electronic Media Projects

Lecture: 1

Lab: 2

Credit: 3

Students will interview originators to determine target audience, message and time and cost constraints for a project. They will then use various pagination software and graphic design skills to produce finished, print-ready pieces. Prerequisites:GRA-137 and GRA-175.

GRA-933 - Internship

On Job Training: 4

Credit: 4

This course is designed to provide the student with a practical experience in graphic communications prior to completion of the Associate of Applied Science Degree. Placement will depend on the student's skill level and the availability of appropriate training firms. The internship should be taken during the student's final semester.

SOC-114 - Conflict Resolution in the Workplace

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

Conflict Resolution in the Workplace will study conflict resolution theories and applications in the workplace. The course will provide students with the opportunity to develop their own effective interpersonal conflict resolution skills as well as skills needed to help employees resolve their conflicts with one another and the skills needed to negotiate contracts. Students will also be introduced to theories and skills needed to apply culturally sensitive principles to conflict resolution.

PSY-111 - Introduction to Psychology

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

A basic course in the understanding of behavior, designed to give the student a scientific background in the fundamental problems and techniques covered in the field of psychology.

SOC-120 - Marriage and Family

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

A critical approach to the problems of the modern family with some information given to the historical perspective. Such topics as courtship and marriage, marital adjustment, the achievement of family unity, minority family types, parent-child relationships, economic and social changes in family organizations and family control will be covered.

Carlene Woodside - Professor - Interactive and Social Media Marketing

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