Media Arts Fundamentals

This course introduces students to the field of media, design, and the arts and examines the basic concepts of visual literacy needed in the development of work in various digital media. In surveying the history of mass/digital media in the past century, students also learn how various forms of media and messaging contribute to communicating cultural meaning. The course emphasizes critical thinking, media criticism and analysis.

The aim of this course is to introduce the design and conceptual fundamentals used by graphic designers. The course emphasizes both the visual forms used to create design compositions, as well as the concept development process. This studio course uses hands-on projects, and incorporates terms and techniques that are taught in other courses including typography, colour, photography and writing. Course content is delivered using a lecture/discussion format, and develops the students’ critical thinking/analysis skills through group critique sessions.

This course is designed for students who are not professional designers or photographers but who have a personal interest in photo and image editing. BCOM17 explores a range of Photoshop tools, palettes, and functions used for creating, editing, capturing, repairing, resizing, and enhancing digital images. The course includes modules on selection techniques, layers, paint and colour techniques, type elements, filters, sharpening and softening, actions, lighting, repairing and retouching, and printing and publishing. (3 hrs. per week)

Prerequisite: None

This course is designed to help students develop and practice the communication skills needed to succeed in college and workforce environments. Emphasis is placed on improving foundational communication strategies-reading, writing, listening, and speaking—and on developing research and critical thinking skills.

An introductory course the fundamentals of digital photography, elements of composition, and basic image editing. Also examined are photography's role in society, and a brief overview of the history of photography. You will learn the practical side of digital photography by exploring the various camera parts, functions and photographic techniques that will lead to producing technically sound images. Digital workflow, including image editing and optimization for various purposes is also covered. There will be series of photographic assignments, which will be edited and optimized in our computer lab, culminating in the production of visually compelling images. You will also gain an appreciation of aesthetics and composition, through discussions, critiques and writing an artist statement.

This course is the first of two drawing courses in the Graphic Design program. Students will learn observational skills required for accurate visual rendering and gain the technical abilities to visualize two and three-dimensional subject matter. Students will be introduced to the process connecting an idea to the expression and development of a finished image. The course will prepare students to conduct research from a variety of sources then synthesize and develop original art pieces and designs. Using various drawing tools, media and surfaces, students will learn several drawing approaches to represent natural and inorganic objects.

This course is designed to study foundational elements of music theory, including notation (treble and bass clefs), scales (major and minor), intervals (simple; upwards only), triads (major and minor in root position), time and rhythm (simple time; regular groupings and triplets), transposition (octave; clef to clef; up to 4 sharps and flats) and select musical terminology (musical terms and signs). Students will begin Analysis by identifying the foundational elements materials studied within short musical compositions.

Digital citizenship is a new area of study that examines the ways in which we can engage in civic life through online communication. Through the use of case study, online exploration, and discussion you will examine the positive benefits and potential risk factors that affect us as digital citizens. This course will also explore contemporary issues in online communication such as internet surveillance, personal health, and social etiquette in order to promote a more active citizenry of online learners.

This course helps students explore interpersonal skills and styles through the medium of drama. Emphasis is placed on improvisation, situational analysis, use of voice, and use of body language. Students are encouraged to examine how these skills, which are developed in a creative environment, can be transferred to a variety of life situations including interpersonal conflict resolution, building trust, persuasion, presentations, and negotiation.

This course looks at the question: what media arts career would be a good fit for me? The course begins with a deeper understanding of self: personality, passions, values, interests, aptitudes and aspirations. Next is an exploration of leading-edge careers in media, design, and the arts in Canada, as well as general workplace trends and opportunities. Further individual research focuses on finding a realistic academic or career option that is a good personal fit, reflecting both an understanding of self and the changing nature of the media/design industry, work, and the economy.

This course gives students the opportunity to develop a personal portfolio for preparation for entry into diploma programs in Media Arts. Reflecting on personal strengths, academic interests and career goals, students generate a digital portfolio, which demonstrates their skills in the use of digital media tools, professional communication, and college- and career-readiness. Peer and instructor critiques, as well as feedback from industry mentors, guide the personal, professional, and portfolio development of each student.

This course is a computer lab based practical course that is a study and introduction to video editing and post-production. Students will demonstrate through the Adobe Creative series basic non-linear editing techniques to produce visual montages and sequence-based instructional videos.

This course further develops basic design fundamentals for a professional graphic designer. Students learn fundamental design concepts through the completion of hands-on projects. The topics include steps in the design process, the development of design layouts, and the role of the critique process.

Prerequisite(s): DESI 101 + DESI 131 + DESI 151 + DESI 181

This course is the second of two drawing courses in the Graphic Design program. Students learn fundamental drawing techniques and explore a variety of materials and tools. Students develop skills of observational drawing, with emphasis on proportion, composition and style. Students refine ideation sketches into original designs through brainstorming and testing multiple alternatives of a single concept. They learn drawing strategies enabling them to visually develop ideas and concepts as part of the process of producing effective artworks.

Prerequisite(s): DESI 141

This course is designed to continue the study of the foundational elements of music theory begun in MUSC 3R. All the topics covered in MUSC 3R are expanded upon and new components are added. The course content includes: Notation (all accidentals), scales (major and minor with technical names of degrees: relative and parallel relationships; enharmonic relationships; select synthetic scales), intervals (all simple intervals above and below), triads (major and minor in root position and inversions), time and rhythm(simple and compound time with regular and irregular groupings), transposition (major keys upwards by any interval), cadences (authentic, plagal and half), and select musical terminology(musical terms and signs). Analysis will involve identifying materials studied within short musical compositions.

This course is designed to improve your communication skills in the field of marketing communications. You will learn how to read and write creatively. Reading and writing creatively will help prepare you to write advertising copy, news releases, reports, as well as scripts for broadcast or video productions. You will learn how to research topics through traditional means by searching the Internet. To succeed in this course you will need an open mind, positive attitude, willingness to change, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Prerequisite: COMM34

Focusing specifically on the visual arts, this course develops visual thinking and literacy through the study of visual elements, principles of design and style in two-dimensional and three-dimensional arts.

This course helps students explore interpersonal skills and styles through the medium of drama. Emphasis is placed on improvisation, situational analysis, use of voice, and use of body language. Students are encouraged to examine how these skills, which are developed in a creative environment, can be transferred to a variety of life situations including interpersonal conflict resolution, building trust, persuasion, presentations, and negotiation.