CIS Digital Design, Associate of Applied Science
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 digital design include: digital experience designer, UI/UX designer, motion graphics artist, 3D motion designer, virtual production technician, multimedia producer, digital asset manager, extended reality (XR) production assistant, web & interactive designer, AR/VR content creator, and emerging opportunities in interactive media and immersive technology.
Graduation Requirements
Students must complete a minimum of 90 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:
- Apply industry-standard design principles, including composition, UX/UI methodologies, and branding strategies.
- Plan, design, develop, and edit digital images, graphics, and visual assets for 2D and 3D media.
- Plan, design, develop, and edit digital time-based media, including animation, motion graphics, and virtual production.
- Plan, design, develop, and edit interactive experiences for web, mobile, gaming, and XR platforms.
- Work effectively as part of a creative technology team using industry collaboration tools and workflows.
Math and writing placement are unique to each student and are determined during the admissions and intake advising process. Additional math or writing courses may be required prior to taking the math or writing program requirements in this degree.
Program Guide
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| ART131 | Introduction to Drawing I | 3 |
| DD110 | Game Design & Interactive Media | 4 |
| DD125 | Digital Imaging & Graphic Design | 3 |
| DD160 | Digital Design Orientation | 3 |
| DD170 | Programming For Digital Media | 4 |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Winter | ||
| ART115 | Basic Design I Intro to Elements of Art and Principles of Design | 4 |
| DD130 | 3d Modeling & Environment Design | 3 |
| DD225 | Motion Graphics & Visual Effects | 3 |
| DD171 | Coding For Games & Interactive Medi | 3 |
| WR115 | Fundamentals of Report Writing | 4 |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| ART117 | Basic Design III, Intro to 3D Desgn | 4 |
| BA285 | Human Relations in Organizations 2 | 3 |
| DD165 | Web & Interactive Media Design | 3 |
| DD230 | 3d Animation & Motion | 3 |
| DD172 | Coding 3d Motion & Automation | 4 |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| BA150 | Introduction to Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| DD210 | X R Design & Development | 3 |
| DD215 | Real-Time Motion & Interactivity | 3 |
| MTH65 | Algebra II 5 | 4 |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Winter | ||
| BA223 | Principles of Marketing | 4 |
| COMM100Z | Introduction to Communication 6 | 4 |
| DD250 | Projects in Digital Media | 3 |
| DD280 | CWE: Digital Design 4 | 4 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| DD297 | Digital Design Capstone | 3 |
| PE231 | Wellness for Life 3 | 3 |
| Specific Elective 4 | 6 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 91 | |
- 1
A higher writing may be substituted excluding WR241, WR242, WR243, and WR250.
- 2
BA120, BA285, PSY100, PSY201Z, PSY202Z will satisfy this requirement.
- 3
PE231, HE250 or three (3) credits of PE185 sport/activity courses will satisfy this requirement.
- 4
Specific Electives may be substituted: Any ART, BA,CS/CIS, or DD course not otherwise required within the degree; MTH course higher than MTH65.
- 5
MTH95, MTH98, or higher, excluding MTH211, may be substituted for MTH65.
- 6
COMM100Z, COMM111Z, COMM218Z, COMM219 will satisfy this requirement.