Visual Media - Course Planning
Throughout this six-quarter Associate of Applied Science degree in Visual Media at Seattle Central College, you’ll be immersed in the evolving world of visual media and design. You’ll gain practical, cutting-edge skills in lighting, composition, digital editing and audio/video production while working in a variety of mediums.
Since our programs are career-focused, you’ll also complete courses on portfolio development and related business practices, ensuring that you’re prepared to hit the ground running immediately after graduation.
First Quarter
NME 110: New Media I
6 credits
Course provides students with authentic tasks and projects preparing them for real-world work demands encountered in their respective fields. Students work collaboratively in a project-based curriculum, exploring the role of communications in the context of New Media and society. Additional objectives of New Media are to develop skills that form the basis for future career work in the creative arts disciplines-all of which relate to general media-and to begin to establish professional contacts.
VME 145: Digital Imaging I
3.5 credits
Addresses the terminology and ethics of capturing digital images. Covers the functions and operation of HDSLR cameras. Introduces techniques for determining optimum exposures and basic compositional aesthetics. Includes development of an organized file management system utilizing Adobe Lightroom and parametric editing in Capture One.
VME 120: Lignting Techniques I
3.5 credits
Covers the basic methods of commercial lighting; the laws, principles, and practices of light; the qualities of direct/indirect sunlight and tungsten light sources; lighting for form, texture. Introduces standards for the safe operation of lighting equipment in a studio environment.
VME 150: Visual Media I
3.5 credits
This course provides a bridge between still and motion working with a DSLR camera. Introduction to the Adobe Premiere and technical aspects of video production. Students will design, shoot, and edit several short projects. They will be introduced to a digital, non-linear, post-production environment.
VME 110: Professional Practices I
3.5 credits
Explores the varied career paths found in visual media. Emphasis is placed on creative styles and trends in image making and storytellers of today. Entry-level issues such as working conditions, time management, organizational strategies and professional ethics will also be examined. Students will begin learning the language of media and how to critique work of their peers.
Second Quarter
NME 120: New Media II
6 credits
This interdisciplinary Seattle Central Creative Academy course, second of a three-course series, brings together Graphic Design and Visual Media students to apply skills to complete integrative design assignments. Students are given authentic tasks and projects preparing them for real-world work demands encountered in their respective fields. Students work collaboratively in this project-based curriculum, exploring the role and interplay of design and communications in the context of New Media and society.
VME 146: Digital Imaging II
3.5 credits
Covers the creative and technical requirements of digital image optimization using Adobe Photoshop Creative Cloud. Includes interface navigation, tools, layers and filters, creation and manipulation of image selections, adjustments of color and contrast, use of retouching, masking, cropping, and basic image compositing, and the export of images for print and web.
VME 121: Lightning Techniques II
3.5 credits
Covers studio techniques for lighting people. Addresses safe operation of studio equipment for “portrait lighting” setups. Introduces three-dimensional contrast in a traditional portrait studio setting. Includes subject rapport, subject posing and development of a theme-based narrative using advanced lighting techniques while demonstrating set construction skills.
VME 151: Visual Media II
3.5 credits
This course examines production methods, pre-production and post-production techniques, basic motion graphics, time-lapse video, slow motion and audio design. Working with crane/jib/sliders and other various tools. Introduction to analog and digital recording devices, microphone design and operation, techniques for acquiring professional quality audio for digital video productions. Students must work collaboratively as well as individually throughout the quarter.
VME 111: Professional Practices II
3.5 credits
Professional business communications. Explore methods of written communication for the visual problem solvers. Script writing, The creative pitch, presentations, etc. Learn multimedia storytelling, narrative forms and techniques. Develop a better understanding of using images and audio to advocate, communicate or address a specific subject or issue.
Third Quarter
NME 130: New Media III
6 credits
This is the final of a three-course series in which advanced techniques will be applied and explored. Course provides students with authentic tasks and projects preparing them for real-world work demands encountered in their respective fields. Students work collaboratively in a project-based curriculum, exploring the role of communications in the context of New Media and society.
VME 147: Digital Imaging III
3.5 credits
Introduces advanced image editing techniques and production workflows in Adobe Photoshop. Focuses on precise color correction, refined selections, and multiple image compositing. Includes advanced retouching and image output and evaluation. Requires creation of a cohesive final project of professional quality utilizing these advanced image editing tools and techniques.
VME 131: Conceptual Solutions I
3.5 credits
First of two courses with an emphasis on research and creative problem solving to achieve a successful solution to a stated visual problem. Students experiment with different presentation techniques and deliverables to solve a series of eleven one week assignments designed to force students to be creative in a short amount of time.
VME 152: Visual Media III
3.5 credits
This course builds on production methods, pre-production and post-production techniques learned in the previous quarter. Students will be introduced to multi-camera solutions and color correction and grading. Emphasis is places on professional audio and sound effects using Pro Tools for mixing and mastering audio. Students will also be introduced to animation techniques, title sequence animation to produce a complete production. Students will learn how to work effectively and develop and simulate a professional workflow for a specific project.
VME 160: Studio Techniques I
3.5 credits
The first in a series of three classes focused on technique. How to understand the needs of the client, the audience and the art direction of a campaign. Emphasis on working to meet the final deliverables of various aspects of visual media. Each class will explore multi-deliverables from motion to stills to meet the needs of the stated problem. Students will be encouraged to explore solutions and to be creative in their approach to visual problem solving.
Fourth Quarter
NME 210: New Media IV
4 credits
VME 280: Special Projects I
4 credits
This is the first in a series of three courses designed to expand current graphic design knowledge and skills, offering students the opportunity to work on a major self-initiated project. The course emphasizes research and the creative process that leads to a successful media solution. By engaging in a unique quarter-long project, students have the opportunity to develop strong portfolio pieces with the ultimate goal of employment.
VME 232: Conceptual Solutions II
4 credits
Final of two courses with an emphasis on research and creative problem solving to achieve a successful solution to a stated visual problem. Students experiment with different presentation techniques and deliverables to solve a series of eleven one week assignments designed to force students to be creative in a short amount of time.
VME 250: Visual Media IV
4 credits
This is a course in advanced digital video production focusing on the skills needed to complete professional digital video productions pertaining to location and studio environments. The students will produce material including short documentaries, interviews, studio productions and music videos. In this course students will rotate through the roles of a production team while producing projects.
VME 261: Studio Techniques II
4 credits
The second in a series of three classes focused on technique. How to understand the needs of the client, the audience and the art direction of a campaign. Emphasis on working to meet the final deliverables of various aspects of visual media. Each class will explore multi-deliverables from motion to stills to meet the needs of the stated problem. Students will be encouraged to explore solutions and to be creative in their approach to visual problem solving.
This course focuses on the professional requirements of Corporate and Editorial photography. Continued work on understanding lighting controls with the discipline of working on location. Students will engage in real projects to develop conceptual and creative solutions to produce images that tell a compelling story.
Fifth Quarter
NME 220: New Media V
4 credits
VME 281: Special Projects II
4 credits
This is the first in a series of three courses designed to expand current graphic design knowledge and skills, offering students the opportunity to work on a major self-initiated project. The course emphasizes research and the creative process that leads to a successful media solution. By engaging in a unique quarter-long project, students have the opportunity to develop strong portfolio pieces with the ultimate goal of employment.
VME 262: Studio Techniques III
4 credits
The final in a series of three classes focused on technique. How to understand the needs of the client, the audience and the art direction of a campaign. Emphasis on working to meet the final deliverables of various aspects of visual media. Each class will explore multi-deliverables from motion to stills to meet the needs of the stated problem. Students will be encouraged to explore solutions and to be creative in their approach to visual problem solving.
This course focuses on Food & Product Photography, identifying some of the challenges and how to resolve them. It offers an in-depth research and practice on how different foods, textures and products (Metal, Glass, Fabric, Plastic, etc.) respond to different types of light. Students work in collaborative teams and assume the role of photographer, assistant, prop designer and stylist.
VME 251: Visual Media V
4 credits
The beginning of the final capstone visual media production. Covering the fundamentals of producing and directing techniques used in digital video production. Students learn the entire process of producing a major video production. Concepting, script writing, story development, planning, timelines, props, casting and budgeting are all addressed in this collaborative learning environment. Begin exploring storytelling using 360 video and virtual reality environments to enhance the viewers experience.
VME 270: Professional Business Practices
4 credits
Students acquire work contracts with a client and apply their design skills in exchange for a fair wage or equitable trade. Students receive practical experience with pricing and negotiating fees, writing proposals and design briefs, organizing efficient timelines, managing workflows, and applying basic accounting and business practices. Students are provided with ethical guidelines for conduct and behavior within the visual media profession.
Sixth Quarter
NME 230: New Media VI
4 credits
VME 282: Special Projects III
4 credits
This is the first in a series of three courses designed to expand current graphic design knowledge and skills, offering students the opportunity to work on a major self-initiated project. The course emphasizes research and the creative process that leads to a successful media solution. By engaging in a unique quarter-long project, students have the opportunity to develop strong portfolio pieces with the ultimate goal of employment.
VME 276: Portfolio Show
4 credits
Students will collaboratively participate in the planning and organization of the portfolio show. This will include, but is not limited to, Branding, Marketing, Web-Design and Development, Photography, Videography, Exhibit Design, Social Media and Promotion. Students are required to design and install their own work for the show.
VME 252: Visual Media VI
4 credits
This course builds on the skills and knowledge acquired in the previous Visual Media courses. Introduction to advanced editing techniques including compositing footage, color balancing, chroma-keying, advanced effects, and sound mixing and manipulation. This course concludes with a capstone project that is collaboratively produced and demonstrates advanced skills in editing techniques.
VME 286: Portfolio
4 credits
Develop, design and prepare a portfolio of work that represents the student’s creative voice and professional direction, for presentation to multiple clients, representatives and agencies. Includes various presentation methods, including electronic portfolios. Create marketing materials: business card, stationery and self-promotion.