Interactive Media Design – Web Ontario College Diploma, Co-op program

Program Overview

The Interactive Media Design – Web program empowers students to create innovative web products by blending design and programming skills. It emphasizes user-centered design, accessibility, and industry-standard technologies, preparing graduates for careers as web developers, designers, and digital marketers. The program features a comprehensive curriculum, diverse assessment methods, and a co-op work term for hands-on experience.

Program Outline

Interactive Media Design – Web Program Information Extraction:

Degree Overview:

• Overview: This program focuses on empowering students to create innovative, interactive web products for diverse applications, users, and devices.
It delivers a unique blend of design and programming training, equipping graduates with the skills to plan, design, and develop engaging and user-friendly web applications. Students explore modern technologies like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, DOM, APIs, and popular web frameworks. With a strong emphasis on user-centered design, they learn to apply human-computer interaction principles, along with standards-based technologies and best practices, to craft highly accessible, usable, and captivating user experiences.
• Objectives:
• Learn fundamentals of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for web development.
• Gain mastery in user experience design principles and web accessibility guidelines.
• Develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills with hands-on experience in industry-standard web design tools and programming languages.
• Foster collaboration and communication skills through interdisciplinary projects and team-based learning activities.
• Program Description:
• The program delivers practical knowledge and equips students with the competency to:
• Apply effective design and programming methodologies to build efficient and dynamic websites.
• Utilize advanced multimedia and graphics, including integration of audio and video assets.
• Implement principles of user experience design, information architecture, and usability evaluation.
• Engage in agile development practices for collaborative web application design and construction.
• Utilize social media marketing as a potent communication tool for business promotion.
• Adapt problem-solving skills in tackling real-world Web design requirements.

Outline:

• Courses: The program encompasses a comprehensive, two-year curriculum consisting of:
• Program Courses:
18
• Communications Courses:
2
• General Education Courses:
3
• Program Option Course:
1
• Co-op Work Term:
1
• Course Information: A detailed view of individual courses, along with their descriptions, can be found within the Interactive Media Design – Web program outline document.
• Semester 1 Courses:
• COMP 1002 – HTML, CSS, and JS Fundamentals
• COMP 1030 – Programming Fundamentals
• COMP 1051 – Digital Design Principles
• COMP 1102 – User Experience
• One selected communication course
• One selected general education course

Assessment:

• Assessment Methods: The program employs diversified assessment methods to comprehensively evaluate student learning outcomes.
Assessments could include:
• Quizzes and Tests
• Portfolios and Practical Project Assessments
• Research and Documentation Assignments
• Presentations and Oral Examinations
• Participation and Engagement
• Assessment Criteria: Evaluated metrics may encompass factors such as:
• Technical accuracy and functionality of work
• Effectiveness of user interface design
• Adeptness in communication and presenting ideas
• Adherence to academic integrity and intellectual property principles
• Meeting predefined assessment criteria specific to each task

Teaching:

• Teaching Methods: The program utilizes diverse teaching methodologies for an engaging and effective learning journey:
• Interactive lectures and project-based learning
• Industry standard software experience
• Class discussions and group workshops
• Individual feedback and guidance by expert instructional staff
• Faculty: Instructors for the program boast extensive domain expertise and industry experience, delivering real-world insights to the learning experience.
• Unique Approaches: The program embraces modern pedagogical features, including:
• Interdisciplinary learning for a holistic understanding
• Experiential learning through collaboration and hands-on training
• Real-world scenario-based challenges
• Cultivating entrepreneurial and innovative mindsets

Careers:

• Career Paths: Graduates enter a versatile job market, finding employment in various organizations and diverse roles relevant to the field, including:
• Web Developer
• Front-end Developer
• Full-stack Developer
• Web Designer
• User Experience Designer
• User Interface Designer
• Digital Marketer
• Interactive Designer
• Web Consultant
• Freelance developer
• Opportunities: Graduates boast skills sought after by both established organizations and startups that prioritize digital experience for growth and business success.
• Projected Outcomes: Job prospects look favourable for program graduates, equipping them with the potential to successfully compete for coveted positions amidst growing global demand for experienced web design and programming professionals.

Other:

• Equipment Requirements: Students are to arrive at the program equipped with a personal notebook computer (PC or Mac) complying with system requirements of:
• Processor: Intel i5 or comparable AMD
• RAM: 16GB or higher
• Hard Drive: 250GB or larger
• Operating System: Windows (most recent version) or Apple OS X (most recent version)
• Software: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Visual Studio (all accessed through subscription-based licenses as advised on https://adobe.com for education pricing info)
• Co-op Work Term: The program proudly hosts a significant co-op work term integration, offering students immersive internship opportunities within relevant workplaces to gain valuable hands-on industry experience.
For more detalles relating to opportunities offered through placement services available, and on-campus career fairs conducted