Digital Media Arts & Design
17 courses · Orange Coast College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026 · Spring 2027
DMAD A115 Typography
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 lecture hours; 54 lab hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
Formerly: Typography I. Typography offers a comprehensive introduction to the principles of typography, covering both its historical roots and modern applications in print and digital media. Students will explore the anatomy and classification of type, while learning the essential skills for designing with typography in both physical and digital formats. Through hands-on projects, students will use current graphic design software to create professional-quality assets such as posters, logotypes, and digital graphics. By the end of the course, students will have produced a variety of typographic pieces suitable for inclusion in a portfolio.
DMAD A116 Typography & Branding
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 lecture hours; 54 lab hours
- Prerequisite
- DMAD A181.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Formerly: Typography II. Typography and Branding explores the intersection of typography and branding through designing custom typefaces and developing brand identities. Students will learn vector-drawing techniques, including the Pen Tool, and create custom typefaces using industry-specific software. They will apply these typefaces in hypothetical brand identities and design comprehensive brand guidelines that reflect the chosen brand’s tone and style. By the end of the course, students will produce professional, portfolio-ready projects that showcase their custom typefaces and brand assets.
DMAD A117 Rapid Illustration Techniques
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 lecture hours; 54 lab hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
Course expands upon freehand drawing skills. Rapid illustration methods of determining design solutions and as final presentations. Techniques drawn from areas of graphic and advertising design, industrial design, and interior design. Emphasis on acquiring art suitable for student’s portfolio. Recommended for Digital Media Arts and Design majors, as well as practicing professionals.
DMAD A151 History of Graphic Design
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course will cover the history and development of graphic design from written communication to current trends as professional and artistic endeavors. The influence of graphic design upon the prevailing culture and the influence of culture upon graphic design will be explored.
DMAD A181 Introduction to Computer Graphics
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 lecture hours; 54 lab hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
- C-ID
- ARTS 250
This course is designed to effectively and creatively introduce Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign. The programs will be approached from an application perspective. Course may include guest speakers and field trips.
DMAD A182 Graphic Design
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 lecture hours; 54 lab hours
- Prerequisite
- DMAD A181.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course applies the elements of design, spatial relationships, typography and imagery with a practical approach to design solutions. Students employ graphic design skills using both traditional and digital tools, materials, and software used in the graphic design industry. The focus will be on finding creative visual solutions to communication problems using technical skills.
DMAD A183 InDesign for Design
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 lecture hours; 54 lab hours
- Prerequisite
- DMAD A181.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Using industry-standard hardware and software, students will create digital files that, once output, will print correctly on a printing press.
DMAD A190 Illustrator for Design
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 lecture hours; 54 lab hours
- Prerequisite
- DMAD A181.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Adobe Illustrator is a versatile tool for creating illustrations, logos, and graphics for both print and the Web. Students will learn to produce detailed and scalable vector art, while applying the principles of color and design. Students will learn the tools of Adobe Illustrator to create graphic designs and illustrations.
DMAD A193 Photoshop for Design
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 lecture hours; 54 lab hours
- Prerequisite
- DMAD A181.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Adobe Photoshop is the world's most popular graphics and digital photo-editing software program. This course integrates photography, art, and design to introduce the skills and techniques needed for digital visual communication. Students will learn the tools and features of Photoshop, allowing students to work more efficiently and creatively.
DMAD A200 Designing for Screens
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 lecture hours; 54 lab hours
- Prerequisite
- DMAD A181.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Formerly: Designing for the Web. Designing for Screen covers the core principles and practices of user interface design for digital screens. Students will gain a solid understanding of user experience (UX) as it applies to user interface (UI) design, focusing on creating effective and visually compelling layouts for web and mobile applications, as well as other screen-based devices.
DMAD A202 Design Industry Preparation
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 18 lecture hours; 54 lab hours
- Advisory
- DMAD A115, DMAD A182, DMAD A190, DMAD A193, and DMAD A200.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Formerly: Studio Internship Prep. Design Industry Prep is a capstone course that prepares students for professional careers in design. It covers essential aspects of professional work, including effective problem-solving, crafting compelling narratives, creating high-quality pitch decks, and managing contracts and workflow. Students will enhance their soft skills in this course and apply their previously-acquired design skills to a mock client project—practicing, from start to finish, pitching, managing a project, creating assets, and presenting/delivering those assets. This course should be taken toward the end of the DMAD program.
DMAD A203 User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) Design
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 lecture hours; 54 lab hours
- Advisory
- DMAD A181, DMAD A190, and DMAD A193.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Formerly: Interaction Design. Interaction Design focuses on creating engaging and user-centric experiences by integrating user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design principles. Students will design and prototype for various platforms, including web and mobile applications. The course emphasizes the importance of UX research, guiding students through methods for understanding user needs, behaviors, and preferences. Through practical projects, students will learn to conceptualize, address design challenges, and apply research insights to develop visually appealing, effective, and intuitive products.
DMAD A212 Advanced Studio Internship
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 18 lecture hours; 54 other hours
- Prerequisite
- DMAD A202.
- Transfers to
- CSU
The Advanced Studio Internship is for students looking to participate in Studio DMAD, the on-campus student-run graphic design firm. Studio DMAD is a supervised internship related to classroom-based learning and applies the skills obtained in the DMAD program to the industry. This course is open to students who have completed DMAD A202.
DMAD A263 Motion Graphics and Video Compositing with Adobe After Effects
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 lecture hours; 54 lab hours
- Advisory
- DMAD A181 and DMAD A190.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Develop skills in the art of animated graphics and digital video compositing, which are used in film and television titles and advertisements, music videos, web sites, multimedia concerts and fashion shows. Create original artwork with complex layers of graphics, video, text, photography, and audio using masking, keying, layering, transparency, effects, sweeping camera paths and 3D elements.
DMAD A280 2D Animation
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 lecture hours; 54 lab hours
- Advisory
- ART A120, DMAD A181, and DMAD A190.
- Transfers to
- CSU
An investigation into the theory and practice of computer generated 2-D animation. Lectures, demonstrations, and graphic examples introduce students to the technical and creative aspects of 2-D animation as seen in communication media. Through classroom assignments students will investigate both commercial and fine art applications.
DMAD A281 3D Computer Graphics Animation
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 lecture hours; 54 lab hours
- Advisory
- DMAD A181 or FILM A110.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Investigation into the practice of 3-D temporal image handling utilizing computer graphics technology. Students will explore artistic applications in various fields. Instruction is offered at beginning and advanced levels.
DMAD A288 Digital Portfolio Development
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 lecture hours; 54 lab hours
- Advisory
- DMAD A181, DMAD A182, DMAD A190, DMAD A193 and DMAD A200.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course provides the student with an opportunity to prepare themselves for the workplace. During the course, students will refine a body of design work and publish their portfolio in both print (optional) and web formats. Students will design and develop their own personal brand including—visual identity, resume, cover letter, and business cards in preparation for job interviews and/or college. They will also spend the quarter researching potential employers and learn about each company, agency, and/or studio so that they can strategically tailor their application process. This course should be taken in the final semester of any Digital Media Art & Design program.