Course Descriptions
The following courses are offered by the New Media Arts Department.
NMAD110 Moving Images (3 credits)
This course is an introduction to digital video production skills and storytelling techniques and is an entry level in the New Media Arts Department’s “Moving Images” track. Primarily, NMAD110 provides an overview of filmmaking basics: camera/lighting/sound as the essential technical competencies and building blocks of the discipline. Students will participate in a series of assignments, both practical hands-on and through lecture, discussion and screenings, in order to learn and practice these core competencies and techniques. (Prerequisite: NMAD112; and a Pre or Co-Requisite CRWR141, Screenwriting I) *Studio Fee
NMAD112 Introduction to Digital Media (3 credits)
NMAD112 teaches fundamental aspects of working with digital media on the Macintosh computer platform. Using the iLife ’09 and iWork ’09 software suite, students, will work on specific projects within each of the programs, while becoming familiar and comfortable with the Mac computer platform. This course is designed to address the basic skills required to operate in the digital world we already inhabit already as well as develop basic skills towards the degree in the New Media Arts department. *Studio Fee
NMAD115 Graphic Design Tools (3 credits)
This course is designed to introduce the basic tools used by a graphic designer. We will explore Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and In Design as well as other programs. The students will learn how to illustrate, create layouts, understand photo selection, typography, composition, color theory, resolution, and printing techniques. The students will learn how to communicate a message, explore native identity and begin to develop their personal graphic design style. (Prerequisite: NMAD112) *Studio Fee
NMAD210 Editing Fundamentals (3 credits)
This class provides a foundation for all aspects of non-linear video editing. Students will learn how to master the basic concepts of editing using filters, effects, mixing sound, adding titles, creating transitions, color correcting and editing workflow. Instruction also includes editing theory and analysis. (Prerequisite: NMAD110) *Studio Fee
NMAD215 Graphic Design Styles (3 credits)
This course will focus on interpreting and working in famous graphic design styles as well as beginning to develop your own personal style. We will create multiple page documents, posters, package and screen designs. We will focus on branding, typography, illustration, layout, color theory, composition, and more. We will survey graphic design history and students will design in the following famous styles: Historic, Renaissance, Arts and Crafts, Victorian, Art Nouveau, Modern, Post Modern and Computer Revolutionary. Students will learn critical thinking skills, explore native identity and further define their personal graphic design style. (Prerequisite: NMAD115) *Studio Fee
NMAD220 American & World Cinema History (3 credits)
This course is a concentrated study of movements within American and International cinema. This course presents a survey of American and International films, the classics that define and shape film history, ranging from the silent classics to today’s blockbusters and independent films. International and American cinemas will be analyzed within historical, social, and aesthetic contexts.
NMAD298 Independent Study (3 credits)
The purpose of an independent study is to provide for the unique interests, specific passions, and artistic direction of IAIA students who seek opportunities to direct their own learning in order to fulfill personal educational goals.
NMAD305 Career Focus & Specialization (1 credit)
This one credit course is designed for students to discuss and explore their strengths and weaknesses in the field of graphic design and begin to build a portfolio. Students will use this class to help focus their educational and professional goals. Areas to assess are: design, illustration, print production, web production and computer programming. Students will participate in group discussion, critique and site visits in the community and relate this to their course of study. (Prerequisite: students must be in their junior-year standing.)
NMAD310 Documentary Theory & Methods (3 credits)
NMAD310, or “The Documentary” explores the social, cultural and personal relevance of documentary from painting to photography; to moving image and to New Media such as blogs and MySpace. In addition, students will participate in hands-on filmmaking methodology with special consideration to the needs and requirements of non-fiction filmmaking. (Prerequisite: NMAD110) *Studio Fee
NMAD470 Senior Project I (6 credits)
This course is designed for the students with senior standing to demonstrate mastery of their discipline. In Senior Project I, the students will conceive, plan, budget and design their thesis project in consultation with their advisor(s). Final approval of the students’ project dossier will be necessary before advancing to NMAD480: Senior Project II, by the Faculty of Record and the NMA department chair. (Prerequisite: students must be in their senior-year standing.)
NMAD475 Interactive Design for Mobile Devices (3 credits)
The students will explore delivering multimedia and web page content to mobile devices such as cell phones and music players. The students will design using Flash, bitmaps, video and web formats. (Prerequisite: NMAD305 and NMAD325) *Studio Fee
NMAD480 Senior Project II (6 credits)
This course is designed for the students with senior standing to demonstrate mastery of their discipline. In Senior Project II, students will produce and complete their thesis projects in consultation with their advisor(s). Senior Project II students are required to present their final projects in a public forum and receive feedback from their advisor(s) and the public through dialogue and Q&A. (Prerequisite: students must be in their senior-year standing and have successfully completed all requirements for NMAD470.) *Studio Fee
NMAD485 Future Trends in New Media (3 credits)
This course will look at future trends in new media exploring the latest techniques for web development and other forms of new media. Students will explore software and hardware and attempt to predict trends and future solutions for delivery and content creation. (Prerequisite: NMAD305 and NMAD325)
NMAD490 Internship (3 credits)
Internships place students within existing organizations to learn directly from fellow employees, volunteers, clients and others. Internships provide valuable hands-on real world opportunities for students learning to deepen and strengthen classroom instruction and prepare students for professional careers in their chosen fields. Students report to workplace supervisors and fulfill workplace expectations to receive academic credit. All students keep a journal to document their learning and they will write a final reflective paper. Workplace supervisors will complete an evaluation form commenting on students learning in the workplace.
PHOT121 Introduction to Photography (3 credits)
This course is an introduction to black and white fine art photography. Course information covers camera anatomy, aperture, and depth of field, shutter speed, light, and exposure. Students learn the techniques of chemical processing and printing of black and white film. Lectures will introduce the study of the technique and aesthetics of fine art photography. The history of photography will also be introduced and discussed. Readings, research papers, field trips to galleries and museums, visiting artists, and both group and individual critiques are part of the learning experience. (Prerequisite: FUND101) *Studio Fee
PHOT221 Intermediate Photography (3 credits)
This intermediate course emphasizes increasing technical, formal, and critical skills in photography. Students will use various format, such as medium and large, cameras. They will also have the opportunity to use the studio lights and explore the in-depth use of various artificial lights as they study light and the artistic use of light and how it relates conceptually to their projects. This course includes readings, field trips, slide lectures, visiting artists, and both group and individual critiques. (Prerequisite: PHOT121) *Studio Fee
PHOT290 Photography Internship (1 to 6 credits)
This course is a contract internship with the students, the host institution and the Studio Arts Program at IAIA. The students will have an opportunity to spend concentrated time with professionals in the area of study related to their art, education or research. Note: This internship may be taken after the first year as 290 or after the third year as 490 for one to six credits. *Studio Fee “traditional” versus “contemporary” and the relationship and validity of such definitions to their own body of work. Some of the underlying questions of our inquiry are the nature of Native American aesthetics within media and the relationship to identity and cultural continuity. (Prerequisite: students must be in their senior-year standing.)
NMAD410 The Business of Movies (3 credits)
This course examines the process of producing film and video programming for the entertainment industry and independent productions. This class explores established procedures and common issues associated with preparing a script for film production, emphasizing script breakdown, establishing shooting schedules, preparing budgets, and post-production planning. In addition, this class surveys the current marketing and distribution cycles for the independent filmmaker. (Prerequisite: NMAD110 and NMAD210; students must be in their junior or senior-year standing.)
NMAD415 Advanced Graphic Design (3 credits)
An advanced exploration of the conceptualization and development of type-and-image. Students will use advanced graphic and creative problem solving techniques in the design process, with emphasis on research and analysis of the latest trends in graphic design on a national and international level. Students will be given advanced training in computer-aided graphic and interactive design techniques that will ready them for internship, apprenticeship or real-world graphic design opportunities. (Prerequisite: NMAD215 and NMAD305) *Studio Fee
NMAD420 Advanced Production Tutorial (3 credits)
This hands-on course allows students to work on the set of a senior-level student’s project. Students will crew at various stages from pre-production, production to post-production in order to gain valuable administrative, technical and artistic skills on and off the set. The jobs include but are not limited are: co-producing, storyboard artist, first assistant director, first assistant camera, gaffer, assistant editor or assistant sound designer. (Prerequisite: NMAD110 and NMAD210) *Studio Fee
NMAD425 Advanced Web Design (3 credits)
Advanced Web applications. Students will continue to explore in-depth issues related to the Internet such as server management, designing with frames, creating forms for end-user defined content, and basic code programming. Students will employ advanced techniques of web design and explore interactive applications using Flash, Flash Action Script, HTML, XML and advanced Graphic Design for the web. There will be a continuation of the advanced study of ‘back-end’ applications, enabling students to acquire the skills necessary to work with advanced database applications, to maintain servers and content-heavy professional site construction. (Prerequisite: NMAD325) *Studio Fee
NMAD435 Publication Design (3 credits)
This course addresses complex challenges inherent in handling large quantities of text in multiple page formats such as books and journals. (Prerequisite: NMAD215 and NMAD305) *Studio Fee
NMAD445 Package Design (3 credits)
This course provides a broad overview of essential packaging design basics including materials, production methods, and experimental investigation. (Prerequisite: NMAD215 and NMAD305) *Studio Fee
NMAD455 Digital Fine Art (3 credits)
This course will incorporate graphic design principles for commercial art, such as advertising and branding, but apply them to strictly non-commercial projects. Students will be encouraged to incorporate a variety of mediums in their work, to experiment, explore new approaches to image making. (Prerequisite: NMAD215 and NMAD305) *Studio Fee
NMAD465 Flash Character Animation (3 credits)
This course offers students an opportunity to learn Adobe Flash software for the purposes of creating animated work. Students will become familiar with the tools and interface of the program and learn how to create short timeline-based sequences and gain proficiency in the animation features of Flash.