Classes

Students enrolled in the IMC program will discover the fundamental elements of effective visual communication - sometimes including sound, video and motion graphics. Students learn how to plan and develop projects from concept and design through production and delivery. Principles of design and composition are implemented throughout the program. Students learn how to integrate color, type and graphics to convey information and make an impression. Aspects of e-commerce are discussed during the Web module.

At the end of each module, students will have accumulated some tangible work illustrating their skill in that media. At the end of the full IMC program, successful students will have a well-rounded portfolio that includes print, multimedia and Web design ready for presentation to potential employers or clients.

Print Module (290 hours)

• Mac Basics / File Management

  Review most of the current Mac operating system and hardware. Topics include file management (opening, saving, save as and closing files), file types and formats - as well as creating folders to organize files, opening and working with applications, and learning resources.

• Photoshop

  Adobe Photoshop is a bitmap digital imaging and editing program that will enable students to enhance images and create special effects for the web. Digital editing is used to edit digital images and to create original artwork. Topics may include creating environment changes in images, creating special type and 3-D effects. This program includes timesaving production techniques for this industry-standard image-editing program used by web professionals. The student will also learn how to scan photos, create special effects, and incorporate these photos and art into text and layout applications.

• Illustrator

  Using the Illustrator application, students can create vector graphics used for digital design. This application is the premier postscript vector graphic program used to create object-oriented images - which means students can create graphics with smooth edges and small files. The student will learn about the leading vector drawing program used by designers who appreciate the program's precision tools to produce high-quality logos, signs, illustrations, brochures, and packaging. It features superior power and precision.

• InDesign

  Students will learn important aspects of publishing for print in this section. InDesign gives students the ability to design documents - including graphics and writing copy. It also helps them design a professional résumé, create a professional corporate identity or brand and collateral materials.

• Acrobat Pro

  This program is the essential tool for universal document exchange. Acrobat converts any document (including entire Web sites) into a PDF file, with its original appearance preserved, and then distributes it for viewing and printing on any system. Powerful markup tools make electronic review a snap, so students can collaborate more easily and productively than ever before. Acrobat is the file format used to FTP print files to printers.

• Portfolio

  Students will create and present a Print portfolio which includes completed projects in Photoshop, Illustrator, Adobe Acrobat Pro, and InDesign. In addition, students will create an up-to-date résumé, business card, and stationery package.

Multimedia Module (320 hours - daytime; 240 hours - evening)

• Sound

  Students will learn the basics of sound-based editing software. The goal of this section is for the students to be able to understand basic sound editing techniques for use in one of their other projects, (i.e., After Effects, Final Cut Pro and Flash).

  Being able to create custom sounds in this industry will make students more valuable in the work force; not only will students have unique sound elements and enhancements to add to projects, but, they will be an asset to any company by providing money-saving skills and products.

• After Effects

  After Effects software delivers a comprehensive set of tools to efficiently produce motion graphics and visual effects for film, video, multimedia, and the Web. Students can explore unlimited creative possibilities with precise control while working in a 2D or 3D compositing environment. After Effects has the capability to animate static images and further enhance presentations. Its job is to take all kinds of media - still images, animations, video clips and even Flash movies, and compose them into a single video - adding effects and altering the nature of the images (and sounds) in many different ways.

• Final Cut Pro

  Final Cut Pro is the only professional non-linear editor that lets students work in the entire range of editing formats. Students will learn how to capture and import video and audio, edit and export video to various offline or Web formats. Students will learn to use standard editing patterns to tell stories effectively by using Final Cut Pro's editing tools, content management capabilities, complex effects and transitions, and compositing.

• Swift 3D

  This program allows the student to output 3-dimensional animation in vector format. It is used in conjunction with Flash or can be a stand-alone program for creating 3D artwork. This program will help introduce the student to the concept of designing with 3 axis - x, y, and z. They will be able to create text and simple models and render them in 3 dimensions. Swift is a unique 3D package because of its ability to render in vector and will serve as a basic introduction to 3D. Learning this software will give our students an extra bit of knowledge that will aid in having them stand apart from the competition and will give their portfolio projects that extra edge and professionalism.

• Flash

  Flash is used to create media-rich content and can be used for building and distributing applications that can be used across a range of operating systems and devices including handhelds, cell phones, and other gadgets. This section of Flash will focus on building a solid foundation of time-based editing skills. The student will be required to learn and master the basics of tweening, shape morphing, and basic interactivity. Students will also learn how to design a simple user interface.

• Portfolio

  Students will create a CD or DVD Multimedia Portfolio which includes completed projects in Sound, Swift 3D, After Effects, Final Cut Pro and Flash.

Web Design Module (265 hours - daytime; 345 hours - evening)

• Internet / HTML

  Learn how to create a web page. Topics may include the actual Hyper Text Markup Language tags used to create Web pages, important concepts and terms, appropriate file formats, naming conventions, and organizational skills. Students will also learn critical evaluation of Web sites and gain an understanding of the Web creation process.

• Dreamweaver

  Students will learn the visual web design application that industry professionals choose to develop Web sites, automate production, and enhance team efficiency. Dreamweaver can be customized using HTML, CSS and JavaScript - giving students the power they need for rapid Web development. Students will learn additional time saving production techniques with this high-end visual Web design program.

• Flash

  In this section of Flash, students will develop a mastery of the Flash tools and will be able to create a functioning non-linear website made entirely with Flash. Students may also explore media-rich content including the use of sound and video. Flash can be used for building and distributing multimedia content across a range of operating systems and devices including handhelds, cell phones and other gadgets. This section prepares students for more advanced topics of data integration and application development.

• Portfolio

  Students will create a Portfolio website created in Flash/Dreamweaver for on-line viewing. In addition they will create a website for a non-profit organization.

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