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.

Check out the Digital Design website.

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 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).

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.

Award Map

Prerequisites

Students must take the following prerequisites:

Course List

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

Plan of Study Grid

First Year
Fall		Credits
ART115	Basic Design I Intro to Elements of Art and Principles 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	Fundamentals of Report 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	Computer Language I: 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 7	4
	Credits	16
Winter
BA223	Principles of Marketing	3
DD250	Projects in Digital Media	3
DD280	CWE: Digital Design 6	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, WR242, WR243, and WR250.
2	BA110, BA120; PSY100, PSY201, PSY203, or  may be substituted for BA285.
3	CIS250 may be substituted for BA150
4	DD235ID may be substituted for DD235MA
5	HE250 or three (3) credits of any PE185 sport/activity course may be substituted for PE231.
6	Specific Electives may be substituted:  Any ART, BA,CS/CIS, or DD course not otherwise required within the degree; MTH course higher than MTH86.
7	MTH105 or higher, excluding MTH211, may be substituted for MTH86.
*	All Honors courses may substitute for their equivalent requirements.