The Multimedia Design program focuses on providing the conceptual, technical, and visual design skills required to create multimedia applications and environments.

Students learn professional applications for Adobe Photoshop, Macromedia Flash, Apple Final Cut Pro, and Adobe After Effects, or equivalent digital imaging, animation, digital video editing, and motion graphics tools. Course projects include critique, storyboarding, retouching, compositing, Flash animation and site design, basic Action-Scripting, video and sound editing principles, motion graphics production, and interface design.

FEATURES

This nationally recognized Multimedia online certificate training program focuses on providing the conceptual, technical, and visual design skills required to create multimedia applications and environments. Students learn professional applications for Adobe Photoshop, Macromedia Flash, Apple Final Cut Pro, and Adobe After Effects, or equivalent digital imaging, animation, digital video editing, and motion graphics tools. Course projects include critique, story boarding, retouching, compositing, Flash animation and site design, basic Action-Scripting, video and sound editing principles, motion graphics production, and interface design. This on-line program is only offered in partnership with major colleges and universities.

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TOPIC HIGHLIGHTS

This program consists of eight required courses and one elective. The required courses are as follows:

• Intro to Multimedia: Lay the foundation for multimedia design projects by exploring the evolution, current state, and future path of multimedia design. Through examples and exercises, students examine the many facets of multimedia and how it can be implemented online or off, building conceptual skills for multimedia projects.
• Photoshop Basics: Get a thorough grounding in Adobe Photoshop, the premiere digital imaging program for graphic and digital designers. Hands-on projects show how to select, enhance, distort, color, scale, and manipulate scanned images and artworks-or create them from scratch. Every designer must tame this creative powerhouse of a program.
• Flash Basics: Develop a competence in basic drawing and animating tools in Flash. Students will master such critical interface elements as layers, scenes, nested symbols, and movie clips. Course projects including creating a logo animation, a cityscape, a splash screen, and a basic Flash site interface.
• Flash Web Site Design: Equip yourself to create Web sites with strong functionality, interactivity, and usability. Students learn to create compelling, well-designed Flash sites, avoiding common pitfalls and "Flash abuse." The emphasis is on learning a step-by-step approach to Flash site design that can be applied to a range of professional projects.
• Flash Animation: Learn drawing and animation techniques for creating compelling characters and interactive environments in Flash. Students explore techniques for using scenes, movie clips, masks, and compound objects to create animated buttons, graphics, cartoons, and interfaces. The focus of the class is on applying and mastering the principles of traditional animation using the basic Flash toolset (an understanding of ActionScripting is not required).
• Final Cut Pro: Explore a hands-on introduction to editing digital video using Final Cut Pro. Students get an orientation to major features, learning how to capture video and audio, edit and trim footage, and use ripple, roll, slip and slide tools. Course focus will be on establishing a basic knowledge of Final Cut Pro editing tools and techniques through the editing and production of short video features.
• Motion Graphics and Digital Effects: Learn how to create motion graphics using Adobe After Effects, a powerful imaging and animation tool used to produce animations, video effects, and broadcast graphics. Students master basic parameters of creating motion graphics using keyframes, masks, and filters, and timelines. The focus is on learning how to integrate video, audio, animations and/or still images from other media into effective motion graphic presentations and compressing them for different movie formats.
• Multimedia Studio Project: Stretch your creativity and understanding of how to integrate different media to create interfaces and experiences. Students will scope out a portfolio project that merges different sources including digital images, video, Flash movies, and/or motion graphics. Learning creative approaches to multimedia, students will conceptualize each component of their independent study and collaborate with the instructor to develop a high-level multimedia project produced in Flash or After Effects.

Each student will be required to select one course from the following list:

• Interface Design: Explore critical concepts in interface design, the discipline of designing intuitive, easy to navigate, and user-friendly interfaces. Students examine the thought processes behind visual and functional aspects of interface design, studying the connection between physical and Web-based interfaces. The class provides a theoretical basis for advanced interface design projects.
• Photoshop Advanced: Take your Photoshop skills to the next level by mastering Photoshop's advanced features. Students explore professional approaches to compositing, retouching, image correction, and masking. Brushes, lighting, textures, and special effects are explored as creative ways of producing high-impact images for print or Web media. The course builds on a basic level of Photoshop knowledge experience and offers projects that are challenging on both technical and artistic levels.
• Digital Photography: Explore the interaction of photography techniques and environmental factors to create powerful digital images. Students learn the fundamentals of lighting, perspective, and set-up and explore techniques for classic assignments: portraits, product shots, indoor and outdoor location shoots, and fast-action sports. Whether you're a fine artist, graphic designer, or Web developer, a mastery of digital photography gives you creative control of the medium.
• 3D Modeling Using FormZ: Experience a practical introduction into the world of 3D modeling using the advanced Autodessys Form_Z 3D modeling tool. Class projects including a robot design, lighting effects, 3D architecture, animation, and ad design. The course show graphic designers how to integrate 3D effects into their work and establishes a good starting point for further exploration of 3D environment or game design.

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CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS

A 70% or better must be achieved in order to receive a Certificate of Completion.

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COURSE OBJECTIVES

By successfully completing this program, students will understand how to:

• Implement the many facets of multimedia both online and off.
• Be proficient in Adobe Photoshop.
• Develop a competence in basic drawing and animating tools in Flash.
• Create websites with strong functionality, interactivity, and usability.
• Draw and animate compelling characters and interactive environments in Flash.

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PDF BROCHURE

Please click here to download the PDF brochure for the Gatlin online courses offered by OCPE.

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WHO SHOULD ATTEND

There are no specific prerequisite skills for this program. Each course builds on the skills and knowledge gained from the previous course. Students will begin with the Introduction course and work their way through the program.

The intended audience for this program is students seeking a thorough multimedia education.

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This course is taught by part-time George Mason University, OCPE, Gatlin instructors.

Nancy Taylor is the Creative Director, Designer and Owner of Nancy Taylor Design, based in Brooklyn, New York. She has worked in Marketing, Design, and Administration at several top companies in New York City. She holds an MFA from Parsons School of Design (in Design and Technology) and studied film and video at Film/Video Arts. Nancy is also an accomplished collage artist who has exhibited all over New York City.

Donald Gambino is a computer artist, consultant, educator, and trainer, since 1983, teaching students of all levels and abilities. Formerly the Chairperson of the Computer Art Department at the School of Visual Arts in New York City, he has taught innovative computer art courses for over 12 years, and created the BFA program in computer art.

Luke Harms is a senior Flash designer and art director who specializes in action scripting. In his seven-year career working in interactive media, Luke has consulted for such major media firms as Ernst & Young, IconNicolson, Grey Interactive, and Marvel Interactive. Luke also teaches at the Pratt Institute in New York City and holds a Masters in Interactive Communications from Tisch School of the Arts.

David Holzman has been an illustrator, graphic designer, painter and educator for over 20 years. He has taught at the School of Visual Arts and Western Connecticut State University. Mr. Holzman developed Summerworks, an intensive six-week residential program for artists. He has worked in a both traditional and digital media, and his work has appeared in Graphis, Print Magazine, and the Museum of Modern Art.

Stephen Voss is a Portland, Oregon-based documentary photographer and Web designer. Stephen's photographs have appeared in The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Willamette Week and he writes about photography for a number of magazines. He is currently working on a grant-funded project documenting people experiencing homelessness in the Portland area. Stephen has a BA in computer science from the George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

James Dodson graduated from the University of Texas School of Architecture with a bachelor's degree in architecture in 1995. During his studies he spent two semesters studying abroad and fell in love with travel. His passion for design and travel brought him to Oslo, Norway where he joined Snèhetta (the internationally acclaimed designers of the Alexandria Library in Egypt). In four years at Snèhetta Jim worked on a variety of projects and a number of prize-winning competitions. Jim's specialty in the office was the use of 3D modeling as a design tool. His models have been published in magazines and trade publications in Europe and the United States. Jim has also given lectures in 3D modeling at architecture schools in Oslo and Bergen.

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1. How do I register for a Gatlin online course?

Gatlin does not offer courses directly to the public. It offers courses through George Mason University and other colleges and universities. Please contact our office at 703-993-2113 or click here for more information or to register for a course.

2. How much do Gatlin online courses cost?

To view the prices for all Gatlin courses that are offered by George Mason University, please click here.

3. Why do I have to take Gatlin courses through a participating school?

That is the only way Gatlin Education Services offers its courses. They do not deal directly with the public.

4. Do I have to travel to register for or to attend a Gatlin online course?

All Gatlin courses are delivered entirely online, so you do not have to go to a class or travel to a school. Please contact our office at 703-993-2113 or click here for more information or to register for a course.

5. How long does it take to complete a Gatlin course?

All of our Gatlin courses are asynchronous. You can start and finish the course at your own pace. Most courses are designed to be completed within 180 days. You may request an extension if you think you will need more time to complete a course. Please contact us at 703-993-2113 or click here if you have any questions or if you would like to register for a course.

6. Do I have to buy additional materials?

Please refer to the green Included Materials box located on the upper right hand side of this page. If materials are included in this course, they will be shipped by Gatlin to you via UPS ground service after you have registered for a course.

7. Can I get financial aid for Gatlin courses?

George Mason University offers financial assistance through the Sallie Mae Training Loan Program for qualifying students. Call 703-993-2113 for more information. GES also provides a loan opportunity for students (www.collegeloanapplication.com).

8. What happens when I complete the course?

If you obtain a final passing grade of 70% or greater in a course, we will award you a George Mason University certificate of completion.

9. Who will be my instructor?

Each student is paired up with a George Mason University, OCPE, Gatlin facilitator for one-on-one interaction. The facilitator will be available (by e-mail or by telephone) to answer any questions you may have and to provide feedback on your performance. All of our facilitators are successful working professionals in the fields in which they teach.

10. What are the system requirements in order to take an online course?

Please see the "PC requirements" section listed for individual courses.

11. When can I start the course?

You can register for a course at any time.

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