The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) CIS Digital Design degree is designed to successfully prepare students for careers in the expanding fields of digital design and media productions through an integrated curriculum exposing students to design principles and technical strategies. Upon successful completion of the AAS CIS Digital Design degree, students are prepared for a variety of entry-level positions in numerous digital design fields. Students attain knowledge and learn skills to seek careers in creative and support professions within such media industries as film and video, graphic design, production, game development, animation, and web design. Some of the careers available in media include: Production designer, camera operator, visual effects production, multimedia producer, duplication, production assistant, graphic artist, art assistant, web designer, and other emerging opportunities.
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Graduation Requirements
Students must complete a minimum of 91 credit hours with a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 or better. All courses must be completed with a grade of ‘C’ or better. Twenty-four (24) credits must be completed at Southwestern before the AAS CIS Digital Design degree is awarded.
Complete the graduation application process one term prior to the term of completion (e.g., spring term graduates must apply during winter term).
Prerequisites
Students must take the following prerequisites:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CIS90 | Computer Basics (or demonstrate proficiency) | 2 |
| MTH60 | Algebra I (or placement in higher math course) | 4 |
| WR90R | Academic Literacy (or placement in higher writing course) | 4 |
Program Guide
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| ART115 | Basic Design I, Intro to Elements Elements Of Art & Prin Of Design | 4 |
| ART131 | Introduction to Drawing I | 3 |
| CIS120 | Concepts of Computing | 4 |
| CIS125PH | Computer Applications: Photoshop | 3 |
| DD160 | Digital Design Orientation | 3 |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Winter | ||
| ART110 | Digital Photography I | 3 |
| ART116 | Basic Design II, Color Theory | 4 |
| CS195 | Web Development I | 3 |
| DD235PH | Digital Design App: Photoshop | 3 |
| WR115 | Introduction to Expository Writing (or higher) 1 | 3 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| ART117 | Basic Design III, Intro to 3D Design | 4 |
| BA285 | Human Relations in Organizations 2 | 3 |
| CIS125IL | Computer Applications: Illustrator | 3 |
| CIS125MA | Computer Applications: Maya | 3 |
| CS133WS | Web Scripting | 4 |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| ART210 | Digital Photography II | 3 |
| BA150 | Introduction to Entrepreneurship 3 | 3 |
| CIS125DW | Computer Applications: Dreamweaver | 3 |
| DD235MA | Digital Design App: Maya 4 | 3 |
| MTH86 | Computer Technology Mathematics (or higher) | 4 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Winter | ||
| BA223 | Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| DD250 | Projects in Digital Media | 3 |
| DD280 | CWE: Digital Design (Specific electives may be substituted; any CS/CIS, BA, ART, or DD course not otherwise required within the degree) | 4 |
| SP100 | Basic Speech Communications (or higher) | 3 |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Spring | ||
| DD297 | Digital Design Capstone | 3 |
| PE231 | Wellness for Life 5 | 3 |
| Specific Elective 6 | 6 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 91 | |
| 1 | Excluding WR241 Imaginative Creative Writing Fiction, WR242 Imaginative Writing Poetry Poetry, WR243 Imaginative Writing Explorations, and WR250 Autobiography Writing. |
| 2 | BA110 Group Dynamics for Teams, BA120 Leadership Development; PSY100 Introduction to Psychology, PSY201 General Psychology, PSY201H General Psychology w/Honors, PSY203 General Psychology, or PSY203H General Psychology w/Honors may be substituted for BA285 Human Relations in Organizations. |
| 3 | CIS250 Technology Entrepreneurship may be substituted for BA150 Introduction to Entrepreneurship |
| 4 | DD235ID Digital Design App: Indesign may be substituted for DD235MA Digital Design App: Maya |
| 5 | HE250 Personal Health or three (3) credits of any PE185 sport/activity course may be substituted for PE231 Wellness for Life. |
| 6 | Specific Electives: Any ART, BA,CS/CIS, or DD course not otherwise required within the degree; MTH course higher than MTH86 Computer Technology Mathematics. |
Program Student Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate professional design principles and practices.
- Plan, design, develop, and edit digital images and graphics.
- Plan, design, develop, and edit digital time-based media.
- Plan, design, develop, and edit interactive webpages.
- Work effectively as part of a design team.