Building on concepts and skills introduced in Communications 1 and 2, the focus shifts to knowledge and skills necessary to being a professional and ethical communicator in the digital media industry. Through lectures, group discussion of case studies, role-play, individual projects and a group presentation, skills are further developed in personal branding for career development; improving personal networking and conversational skills; handling difficult and pressure filled meetings and conversations; contributing positively to team projects and clearly and persuasively presenting to live audiences as part of a team.
This course prepares students for their job search after graduation. Students prepare a résumé, cover letter, demo reel, and professional portfolio made up of work that they completed while in the program as well as personal work created outside of school, if appropriate. Students will also be given guidance on starting out as a freelancer. This includes working with clients, preparing contracts, and creative briefs.
This course allows students to develop a project that simulates the demands of real-life work situations within contexts of their own choosing. These projects could include video productions, 2D and/or motion graphic sequences, frame-by-frame animation, or other projects that showcase skills developed within the Digital Media Design — Video and Motion Graphics program. Students will work primarily in an independent fashion, but with guidance of a DMD staff mentor, will present their completed work at the end of the course.
This course continues the studies of visual design principals begun in the Design 1 and Design 2 courses. The main areas of focus will be the application of those skills to motion graphic projects. Emphasis will be placed on using these skills to develop clarity of purpose and a high degree of usability and functionality.
In this course, students will learn the important communication role of typography in motion design, its best use practices and use of form to visually convey meaning. Students will learn how to create well-designed pre-motion type, creating style frames that convey craft where the type works as an effective part of the overall design.
In this course, students will learn the basics of frame by frame animation, with the goal of using elements of frame by frame animation to sweeten and enhance keyframed motion graphics. Students will also learn the basics of motion graphic character animation — this includes basic character design, rigging, and keyframing.
Building on what you’ve learned last year, students will further develop the ability to shoot, edit, and use audio to create professional video. Particular emphasis will be placed on storytelling and how to effectively gather and use B-roll footage. You will also develop interview skills and learn how to prepare for, light, record and execute a strong interview for maximum storytelling impact.
This course continues the studies of visual design principals begun in the Visual Design 1 course. The main areas of focus will be the application of those skills to motion graphic projects. Emphasis will be placed on working within existing brand standards, designing animations as part of larger campaigns, and animating logos and typographic elements.
In this course, students will continue to learn typography best-use practices and use of form to visually convey meaning. Typography is a fundamental skill for a motion graphic designer, and this course will continue to allow students to practice and hone this critical skill.
This course will focus on documentary production along with the role of the corporate video producer. Through in-class hands-on workshops students will learn how to propose, plan and shoot a documentary, along with various shooting and editing techniques used to tell an effective story using video. An introduction to freelance media production business practices and how to create budgets for video clients will also be covered.
In Motion Design 1, students will develop the ability to design and build professional motion graphics using Adobe After Effects and Cinema 4D. Students will develop the ability to properly import graphics into After Effects from Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, and Cinema 4D. A key part of this course is using time management skills to maximize efficiency when given time to work in class.
Students will learn to combine video and motion graphics in this course. The course will begin with motion design exercises and assignments, and then begin to introduce video/animation interplay, compositing, camera tracking, and professional video/motion workflows.
Sound design is the emotional centre of movies and TV shows, animations, games, and combines technical and storytelling skills. Sound is always what brings the visuals to life. This course will include software and equipment demonstrations along with individual and group work. Through exercises, students will learn how to record, edit, layer, sweeten, fix, and mix audio to enhance storytelling.
In this course students will learn to create effects for common post-production needs. Students will learn to assess composite needs, organize projects, use a professional workflow, communicate within a team, and produce quality post-production visual effects.
Students will further the skills learned last term in Motion Design 1. This term will focus on client-based motion graphics as you learn new Cinema 4D and After Effects techniques. This class will also have a communications component. All students will have to give a presentation demonstrating a Cinema 4D or After Effects technique.
Students will complete a full-time, three-week work placement. Students are matched to workplaces according to their strengths, including studios that specialize in graphic design, web and mobile, or video and motion graphics. The placement has proven to be of great benefit both in terms of networking and selecting a specialty.