Design and Media
The Design and Media concentration educates and trains designers for the visual communication needs of industry and society. Emphasis is placed on the conception, creation, planning and realization of visual solutions to complex problems in contemporary cultures. Students integrate methodology, prototyping, aesthetics, human factors, technology, materials, context and audience to develop strategies and solutions that give form to print, screen, and the built environment.
Careers and Earning Potential
In Hawaiʻi the creative sector supports a wide spectrum of commercial businesses, individuals, cultural enterprises and non-profit institutions. Creative enterprises produce, directly or indirectly, a range of goods services that are the product of artistry, design, aesthetic value or cultural enterprise.
A student will gain a variety of communication, computer and video skills to help prepare them for careers in advertising, media, communications and more.
For more information on careers and earning potential, visit the Hawaiʻi Career Explorer website.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the concentration in Design and Media, students will be able to:
Production Skills and Technical Knowledge
- Demonstrate an understanding of current interactive technologies, tools, and apps by effectively using them to execute projects
- Demonstrate programming and coding skills by building functional products and prototypes that simulate the intended interactive experience
Conceptual Thinking
- Collect data appropriate for a given project
- Use research findings to develop design ideas centered on target users
- Identify user demographics and diagram the user experience
- Produce a consistent interactive experience in a medium appropriate to the user’s needs
- Analyze and discuss design trends and issues
Written and Oral Communication
- Clearly and professionally present work and ideas
- Evaluate and critique work in chosen medium
Visual Communication
- Apply grid-based visual compositions that demonstrate the principles of design
- Apply typographic theory to choices that effectively communicate information hierarchy and mood towards a given a platform
- Demonstrate effective use of color and imagery for an intended audience
Professional Readiness
- Produce a cohesive portfolio tailored to reflect stated career goals
- Work cooperatively and effectively in a professional production environment
- Practice meeting deadlines and submit work according to professional presentation standards
Prerequisites
UH West O’ahu Creative Media Degree Requirements
Students who are a part of the UH System multi-campus ACM articulated pathway are eligible for this program. Students and graduates from other creative media or communications programs can be considered for admission through a portfolio and transcript review. Please contact Sharla Hanaoka, email shanaoka@hawaii.edu.
Undergraduate General Education Requirements
- General Education Requirements (31 Credits)
- Writing Skills Requirement (3 credits)
- Lower Division Math Requirement (0-3 credits)
Creative Media Foundational Requirement: (18 credits)
- ART 112 Introduction to Digital Art (Will satisfy general ed DA requirement)
- CM 120 Introduction to Digital Video
Plus, choose 12 credits from the list below:
- ART 101 Introduction to Visual Arts
- ART 107D Introduction to Digital Photography
- ART 113D Introduction to Digital Drawing
- ART 126 3D Computer Graphics
- ART 221 Design for Print and Web
- ART 229 Interface Design I
- ART 231 Art Through Applied Geometry
- ART 240 Typography and Color Design
- CM 140 History of Video Games
- CM 142 Introduction to Video Game Design
- CM 143 Introduction to Game Art
- CM 150 Film Analysis and Storytelling
- CM 151 Pre-Production: Digital Video
- CM 152 Principles of Video Editing
- CM 153 Sound Design for Digital Media
- CM 155 Introduction to Screenwriting
- CM 160 The Mobile Word
- CM 161 Intro to iOS Mobile App Development
- CM 251 Animation and Special Effects
- ICS 101 Digital Tools for the Information World
- ICS 111 Introduction to Computer Science
Core Requirements
Creative Media Core Requirements (21 Credits):
- CM 256 Creatives in Media
- ENG 313 Introduction to Creative Writing (WI)
- CM 314 Music, Sound & Media
- CM 320 Creative Producing
- CM 401 Creative Professionals
- HIST 363: 20th Century Popular, Mass & Counter-Culture
- SD 360: Dynamics of Effective Leadership (WI)
Design & Media Concentration Requirement (12 credits)
Complete 12 credits from the following:
- ART 320 Web Design & Development
- CM 315 Interactive Applications
- CM 316 User Experience
- CM 317 Motion Graphics
- CM 350 Creative Strategy
- CM 351 Innovative Advertising
- CM 352 Transmedia and Emerging Media
- CM 358 Web Series Production
- CM 378 Visual Depictions of the Human Experience and Media Power
- CM 390 Creative Media Internship
- CM 403 Special Topics
- CM 415 Visual Design for Mobile Apps
Capstone Requirement: 6 UD Credits
- CM 489 Pre-Capstone Experience (WI)
- CM 490 Senior Project or CM 491 Senior Practicum
Electives
Design & Media Concentration Electives (9 credits)
- ART 311D Design in Public Spaces
- *ART 320 Web Design & Development
- BUSA 300 Principles of Marketing
- CM 201 Forensic Photography
- CM 301 Esports Primer
- *CM 315 Interactive Applications
- *CM 316 User Experience
- *CM 317 Motion Graphics
- CM 340 The Modern Game Industry
- CM 341 Writing and Storytelling for Video Games
- CM 342 Game Design & Development I
- CM 343 Game Level Design
- *CM 350 Creative Strategy
- *CM 351 Innovative Advertising
- *CM 352 Transmedia and Emerging Media
- CM 353 Making a Short Film
- *CM 358 Web Series Production
- CM 359 Branded Entertainment: Online Video Campaign
- *CM 378 Visual Depictions of the Human Experience and Media Power
- *CM 390 Creative Media Internship
- CM 391 Game Design Project
- CM 402 Archival Research for Media Makers
- *CM 403 Special Topics
- CM 405 Documentary Arts
- CM 406 Advanced Screenwriting
- CM 407 Stop Motion
- *CM 415 Visual Design for Mobile Apps
- CM 430 Mastering Social Media
- CM 442 Game Design & Development II
- ENG 317 Pidgin Creative Writing Workshop
- ENG 300c Introduction to Cultural Theory
- ENG 360 Literature & Film
- ENG 361 History of Film
- ENG 367(a) Film Genres and Directors
- ENG 368(a) Topics in Television Studies
- ENG 385 Fairy Tales and Their Adaptations
- ENG 441 Gender & Sexuality in Literature & Film
- HIST 243 Asia Cool: Modern Asia & Pop Culture
- HIST 311 Chinese Culture
- HIST 321 Japanese Culture
- HIST 325 Asian Economies, Business & Consumers
- HIST 326 Japan Cool: Anime, Manga, and Film
- HPST 304 Hawaiian-Pacific Traditions
- HPST 461 Traditional Art of Hawaii
- HPST 462 Traditional Art of the Pacific
- HPST 477 Polynesian and Micronesian Mythology
- HPST 478 Hawaiian Mythology II
- HPST 479 Hawaiian Mythology I
- ICS 129 Introduction to Databases
- ICS 184 Network Fundamentals
- ICS 211 Introduction to Computer Science II
- ICS 240 Operating Systems
- MGT 301 Business Ethics
- MGT 320 Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship & Small Business Management
- MKT 311 Consumer Behavior
- MKT 331 Advertising & Promotion Management
- MUS 240 Intro to Music Technology
- MUS 289 Introduction to Music Writing
- MUS 343 Audio Production: Intro to Mixing
- MUS 389 Intermediate Music Writing for Media
- PHIL 439 Philosophy and Film
*Courses may only be used once to fulfill the Design & Media Concentration OR Concentration Elective requirement
Electives Requirement (26 credits)
Check with your College Success Advisor to confirm how many electives are needed.
Program Overview
The Design and Media concentration educates and trains designers for the visual communication needs of industry and society. Emphasis is placed on the conception, creation, planning and realization of visual solutions to complex problems in contemporary cultures. Students integrate methodology, prototyping, aesthetics, human factors, technology, materials, context and audience to develop strategies and solutions that give form to print, screen, and the built environment.
Careers and Earning Potential
In Hawaiʻi the creative sector supports a wide spectrum of commercial businesses, individuals, cultural enterprises and non-profit institutions. Creative enterprises produce, directly or indirectly, a range of goods services that are the product of artistry, design, aesthetic value or cultural enterprise.
A student will gain a variety of communication, computer and video skills to help prepare them for careers in advertising, media, communications and more.
For more information on careers and earning potential, visit the Hawaiʻi Career Explorer website.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the concentration in Design and Media, students will be able to:
Production Skills and Technical Knowledge
- Demonstrate an understanding of current interactive technologies, tools, and apps by effectively using them to execute projects
- Demonstrate programming and coding skills by building functional products and prototypes that simulate the intended interactive experience
Conceptual Thinking
- Collect data appropriate for a given project
- Use research findings to develop design ideas centered on target users
- Identify user demographics and diagram the user experience
- Produce a consistent interactive experience in a medium appropriate to the user’s needs
- Analyze and discuss design trends and issues
Written and Oral Communication
- Clearly and professionally present work and ideas
- Evaluate and critique work in chosen medium
Visual Communication
- Apply grid-based visual compositions that demonstrate the principles of design
- Apply typographic theory to choices that effectively communicate information hierarchy and mood towards a given a platform
- Demonstrate effective use of color and imagery for an intended audience
Professional Readiness
- Produce a cohesive portfolio tailored to reflect stated career goals
- Work cooperatively and effectively in a professional production environment
- Practice meeting deadlines and submit work according to professional presentation standards
Sharla Hanaoka, Associate Director Creative Media
Contact an Admission SpecialistClick here to learn more about the various media programs across the UH System supported by the Academy for Creative Media System
Academic PathwaysTo learn more about the Design and Media program click here
Design and Media