In this course students convert documents to PDF format, to bridge the gap between paper and digital workflow. This includes converting small volumes of paper documents to searchable Adobe PDF files and to e-mail graphics files that were previously too large, and modifying PDF's to include advance functions such as high level security, video/audio files and electronic forms. Students also prepare files for professional print, through to posting PDF files on the web for online distribution.

Scanning & Color Correction covers the fundamentals of digital images acquired from scanning or digital camera and correcting them. The focus of this course is on optimizing images and the color correction process within Adobe Photoshop. Topics include color theory as it relates to digital images, scanning, resolution, digital image formats, and the color correction process, & CMYK conversion. The course will be provided in a lecture/lab format with in-class exercises providing hands-on experience.

This course will introduce students to the issues surrounding developing content for the web, familiarizing them with the basic tools of web design, as well as giving them an understanding of underlying technologies. Focusing on web standards as outlined by the W3C, students will learn to hand code XHTML, create Cascading Styles Sheets to control overall appearance, and upload files to a server.

A fundamental understanding of graphic design technique and colour use is necessary for production of print media and multimedia/web design projects. Students will learn about the elements and principles of graphic design, typography, page composition and color. Exercises engage the student in the design process relating to print, multimedia and web production with an emphasis on the latter. Through lectures and lab time, students learn about colour theory and the science of colour, psychology of colour in the marketplace, colour models and colour management.

This course is an introduction to the Macintosh operating system and BCIT systems the students will be expected to comfortably use. The course will introduce the students to the BCIT lab environment, including network printing, file storage/retrieval and submitting requests for helpdesk support via eHelpdesk.

This course focuses on effective targeted writing for new media applications. Through research, discussion and practice you will produce and present content for a new media project of portfolio quality. You will explore how people read screen text in contrast to printed text, view examples of high and low-impact content, and practice adapting traditional print media to new media applications. The course is a lecture/lab format; the approach is client-based and reflects industry standards.

This course teaches students the basics of digital image creation, manipulation, and rendering. Different techniques are covered within the program including all tools in PhotoShop’s toolbox, application’s interface, understanding image resolution, printing, and scanning, the difference between vector and raster based elements in PhotoShop and in other programs, creating selections using tools, using Quick Mask, using color values, and using the pen tool. This course covers also saving, and loading selections (in the form of layers, channels, or paths), photo re-touching, photo restorations, adding and managing layers, understanding different layer types, and layer masks. Student will practice using different in-class tutorials and homework assignments in addition to creating a midterm and a final project.

A solidly-constructed information architecture is critical to the success of a new media project. The course starts off describing what is information architecture (IA), and what the required skills are to be an effective information architect. By the end of the course, you will have gained experience in every aspect of the IA process. This course will teach you how to gather the essential components necessary for constructing the information architecture for a web site production. We will also cover effective ways of using metaphor and a detailed exploration into flowcharting and wireframing. You will learn this through weekly hands-on activities, and demonstrate your skills through an exam and a major term project. The term project is a "Design Brief" for a "real-world" project, for a client of your choice (within certain parameters). It consists of a well written, well organized, and well presented report, and in-class presentation. The report is to be created in MS Word and the presentation in MS PowerPoint. Week-by-week, as the course proceeds, you will be gathering the necessary skills required to assemble your term projects, which are the culmination of what you have learned throughout the course and term. We will also briefly cover the instructional design for eLearning. Through examples of different types and delivery models of eLearning, we will discuss the effectiveness of each style and how they may be improved upon.

The discipline of graphic (communication) design applies principles of visual communication to creative concepts in order to transmit content effectively, and is an essential part of good new media design. Students will explore the basic principles of composition and layout (the organization of visual elements) in relation to both print and web design. Emphasis will be on the development of and application of design skills through analysis, concept development and hands-on projects and exercises.

In this course students will be introduced a number of approaches focusing on the development of websites for the small screen mobile device; tablets and cell phones. Students will learn several different techniques to develop for the mobile web, including responsive layouts, CSS media queries and building sites with existing mobile frameworks.

Students will be given instruction on how to use Adobe Illustrator CS to create graphics for use in multimedia mockups and projects, presentations and web pages. Topics covered include: the nature of a vector graphics; the Adobe interface; drawing simple and complex objects with the shape, transformation and pathfinder tools; mastering the pen tool; using Live Trace and Live Paint; applying and managing colour; working with type and creating special type effects, creating blends, gradient mesh; transparency, filters and effects, graphic styles, symbols and symbol tools.

In this course students will work with audio for New Media using Apple's Soundtrack Pro. The focus of the course is importing, editing and producing basic audio pieces that can be used in multimedia, web and other media projects. Students will also be exposed to basic audio connections and cables in conjunction with an introduction to basic microphone techniques. By using practical projects the students will experience the process of audio production and post-production. This will enable students to communicate with audio producers and artists as well as making basic audio products themselves.

This course introduces students to the basic concepts and practices of web-based animation. Students will learn fundamental production and animation techniques, creating interactive presentations, managing timelines and site structures, importing graphics from other applications and basic scripting techniques. Students will be introduced to several web animation applications, after which they will be able to compare the features and shortcomings of each. In this course students will also develop a simple animation framework using JavaScript and CSS.

This course concentrates on introducing students to the fundamentals of designing and coding with JavaScript. Students will be instructed in the core principles and best practices of writing code. Students will move through the fundamentals of JavaScript to developing and extending with the JavaScript framework; jQuery. To fully understand how JavaScript works, students will be asked to write their code manually using a text editor. Prerequisites: MDIA 1190

Examines the perceptual and cognitive foundations of multimedia production. Research in visual perception, cognitive models, sound, user feedback, and gender issues will be integrated with principles of interface design and navigation.

Focuses on a practical application of interface design techniques learned in other units. Students will work in teams to examine the design and construction of a working interface. This involves assessing the technical needs of an interface and the appropriate delivery platform. By understanding the power and limitations of the tools and how to work with them, students will create systems that effectively employ colour, layout, texture and user feedback devices.

Utilizing Apple's Final Cut Pro as a software platform students will focus on the basic techniques of digital video production, such as the technical aspects of shooting, creating, altering digital video, and compression methods for Internet delivery. Various stages and aspects of the pre-production process will be touched on, including working in teams to complete presentations on time. Students will explore the basics of nonlinear digital video editing, and will create QuickTime movies with video compression. Students will capture and shoot content from a digital video camera. Students will develop these skills by finishing in-class tutorials, meeting deadlines and creating presentations that will demonstrate their skills throughout the entire production process.

In Portfolio 1 students will compile their work from terms 1 and 2, as well as personal work performed independently, into a targeted portfolio. The students are encouraged to start new projects allowing them to further develop their research, management, concept, finishing, and presentation skills in a self-directed format. They will also be required to explore their creativity by completing or refining unique self-promotion materials that reflect their personalities and design styles. The students will be expected to present their portfolios at the end of the course. Prerequisite: Completion of all Term 1 and 2 courses.

Social Media is fast becoming a key tool for businesses to connect with their customers. By understanding how to effectively communicate and interact, using various social media tools to build audience and interest, organizations and projects can spread their reach beyond their immediate client base. In this course, we will explore various social media tools, how to use them effectively to communicate and grow audience, build social media strategies and campaigns, manage social media across various platforms to work efficiently together, and measure the metrics of our campaigns, altering our strategy accordingly.

The practical, business side of design: Getting organized and staying on-track through all the timeline projections, cost estimates and workflow charts in order to ensure success and profitability. Study the essential paperwork - estimates, memos, model releases, change orders, and contact reports and look at contracts and copyright issues. When to get legal and accounting help.

This course focuses on the legal and economic constraints associated with structuring a business in the field of media and/or the arts. Topics examined include the most appropriate business entity given specific legal and tax considerations, improving negotiation skills, establishing a binding media/publishing contract, protecting intellectual property, licensing and distributing your creative work, and how to apply a "hands-on" approach to problem solving, negotiating and the drafting of contracts, with special emphasis on in-class participation.

This course delves into advanced integration between Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. It defines complex methods of importing and exporting files while retaining fully editable layers, text, vector graphics, symbols and objects with applied filters and layer effects. The course will also teach students how to automate repetitive and time-consuming tasks in order to do the work more efficiently within the two programs. The students’ creativity will be explored and flourished by the understanding of various special effects. Prerequisites: MDIA 2165 and MDIA 2185

The visual effects course teaches students the basics of creating digital visual effects for a film or a video clip. Different techniques are covered within the Adobe After effects application including: using all tools in the toolbox; importing different types of footage into a project; building managing and nesting composition; working with layers and animating layer's transformations; manipulating and editing keyframes; adjusting animation curves; masking and rotoscoping; applying effects, combining effects to achieve a visual look; digital colour corrections using levels and curves ;time remapping; 3D compositions, light and cameras; creating and animating text using the text tool or text effects; using layer track matte; using layer transfer modes; an overview of QuickTime compression; rendering in After Effects. Students will create several projects to practice learned techniques, as well as creating a midterm project and a final project that will present/demonstrate their knowledge of the visual effects subject.

This course explores the new HTML5 and CSS3 standards as well as some of the peripheral technologies being put forth from the WC3. Focusing on the new semantic tags and media elements, this course will introduce students to the best practices for creating rich document structures and using advanced design patterns. This course will also focus on best practices for site development; from the planning phase to backup strategies. Prerequisites: MDIA 2292 and MDIA 2294

This level-two course builds upon the skills learned in the first level. Students will learn some of the more advanced features of web programming including working with Cascading Style Sheets and JavaScript (Ajax and jQuery) as well as integrating content from existing web services such as twitter, flickr or google. The course will also introduce students to the basics of server side scripting and working with databases. Prerequisites: MDIA 2294

Students will prepare their final targeted portfolios for presentation to prospective employers and clients. Selected number of projects that they have produced throughout the program will be assembled and ready for display in print and online.

The Practicum gives students access to a hands-on experience with an on or off-campus client.  The practicum is designed to empower students to complete a real-world project, while developing their network and professional portfolio.  The experience allows students to work under the direction of an adviser to secure a practicum in an organization of their choice. The students must secure their own placement/assignment approved by the adviser in order to initiate the process. Students are expected to earn genuine real world  experience while refining the skills and knowledge learned throughout the program and better understand the professional expectations of the position they hold during the project. In addition to time spent in the workplace, students will meet during the last week of the term to present and share a summary of their work experience with advisors, faculty and each other. Prerequisite: Successful completion of all courses in Terms 1 - 3.

The future of websites will change with the emergence of new broadband capabilities. Businesses will be demanding richer graphics with eye catching animation, movies and sound tracks. Students will need to be keenly aware of these rapid changes in the industry. This course is focused on researching these new and emerging trends in the industry. Students will participate in group discussions and case studies regarding the implementation of ever-changing software and hardware as it relates to multimedia.

This course is an overview of Web marketing. The emphasis will be on developing a cost-effective Web marketing campaign for small businesses. Special focus will be placed on web marketing tactics, terminology, principles and concepts found in the Web marketing field. Students will develop a general awareness of diverse on-line marketing forms such as search engine promotion, on-line branding, domain names, blogs, banners, microsites, email advertising, and other innovative types of advertising on the Internet.

This multidisciplinary course deals with the most important aspects of starting a business in New Media. In this course, students will learn how to assess opportunities, develop a business concept and create a plan to put their ideas into action. This course will increase the probability of success for students who are planning to start a business, students who are in the early stages of launching a business or students who are planning to work as managers for design companies. A series of lecturer and speakers will present the students with guidelines for setting up and maintaining a multimedia design business. Topics include: Starting up a business, accounting advice, business budgets/funding, networks and security, writing a business plan, marketing research and planning, negotiation skills, pricing strategies, and community resources. By the end of the course, students will submit a business plan and sample marketing proposal.

Focusing on PHP & MySQL, students will develop and integrate a Content Management System (CMS) into a website for inclusion in their portfolio. Students will also install and modify an industry standard off-the-shelf CMS system, such as Wordpress or Drupal. Knowledge and ability to hand code HTML and CSS is required. Prerequisites: MDIA 3294

Students produce materials and explore techniques to enhance their effectiveness in finding employment and performing well in the work place. Emphasis is placed on interviewing, networking and presentation skills, résumé and cover letter writing, and responsible teamwork. Participants do some role-playing in an interview setting to become more comfortable and professional in this environment. Students hone these essential skills to industry standards in a workshop setting that encourages self-evaluation, constructive feedback and group work.