TEACHING AND LEARNING EXCELLENCE
e v i t a e r c
Crafting
Careers
Creative industries are constantly changing. Employees are expected to have diverse skillsets to handle a wide variety of projects. The Digital Media and Design program at CLC is tailored to match the types of projects students will encounter in the workplace. Students can focus on graphic design, animation, digital audio/video production and editing and web development. All these skills are woven into the curriculum. “Students work collaboratively. We try to mirror the workflow of the industry,” said Instructor Jason Rodgers. “The instructors and I base coursework off our own experience.”
Students work with high-quality equipment routinely updated to fit industry standards. Two computer labs are fitted with the latest software, including Adobe, and a recording studio has high-end microphones and musical instruments. For class projects, students have access to industry-standard video, audio and photography equipment.
Bright future The program can help students move into careers like graphic design and gaming. Opportunities are diverse, with potential jobs in marketing agencies,
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CLC CONNECTS
The Digital Media and Design program at CLC prepares students for the dynamic creative industry.
web development companies, animation studios and game development firms. Rodgers has taught at CLC for five years and has worked as a graphic designer, motion graphics artist, animator and full-time illustrator. Illustration is his passion, but because the creative industry can be challenging to navigate, he, like many current students and graduates, found an entry point that wasn’t exactly what he hoped to do. He discovered that having a well-formed portfolio and skillset is an advantage.
“Students have to stay relentless,” Rodgers said. “A lot of positions are multidisciplinary. Students could do graphic design but also need to know animation or web development. When you enter the workforce, companies are looking for well-rounded creative professionals with well-rounded portfolios.” That’s why a big focus in the program is building a portfolio. CLC alumnus Carlos Curiel, who focused on videography and photography, recognized the benefits of finishing his degree with a strong portfolio that shows off his skills and style. “Pretty much anything instructors assigned could be part of my professional portfolio, which helped me land jobs during and after school,” Curiel said.