About New Media Design
The New Media Design program provides students with the opportunity to learn the knowledge, skills and attitudes required to design, develop and produce interactive, user friendly, digital media projects such as responsive websites and games. The courses are part of the Interactive Digital Media Technology framework developed by the Manitoba Technical Vocational Education branch to create programming that is accessible and responds to current labor market needs.
Part 1
IDM Intro
To start your journey, learn to conceptualize, plan, develop, and publish an interactive digital media project.
Learning to code using the essential web languages that are the building blocks to any website starting with HTML for structure and CSS for presentation.
Become efficient in creating hand coded websites as well as using industry standard programs like Adobe Dreamweaver. With teacher-led instruction, examples and the creation of your own web pages, you will learn to code to the W3C standards.
IDM Design
Awareness of the principles and elements of design is the first step in creating successful digital projects. Learn how to use graphic creation programs like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator to create dynamic graphics for the web including logos, composite images and more!
Integrate your artistic skills and technical theory to master the art of creating an intuitive website layout.
IDM Asset Creation
Create original assets to support your interactive digital media projects. Examples of assets include vector images, animations, and sound effects.
Learn the basics of game design and take a more in-depth look at Game Creation software like Unity, as you create your own mini game to gain the hands-on experience you need to pursue further gaming interests.
IDM Futures
Start ‘collecting and connecting the dots’ of your life experience to support your career aspirations. Develop your portfolio to show off your new skills for either employment or post-secondary opportunities.
Find your future place of employment as you explore and research the local industry in Winnipeg and Manitoba. Learn business skills essential in New Media Design including business practices, culture, teamwork, communication, and employability skills.
Part 2
Coding for IDM
Take your web skills to the next level and add “programmer” to your resume. Learn the Web’s hottest programming language: JavaScript!
Using practical examples and writing your own interactive web pages, you learn the basics of programming from variables to looping, and how to work with the Document Object Model.
Advanced Coding
Add complexity to your website. Learn prototyping all the way through to implementing a functioning WordPress site.
Install, use, and learn the popular WordPress Content Management System. Use server-side technologies like PHP to transform static web pages into dynamic data-driven applications.
Advanced Asset Creation
Do you want to create a member directory or forum? Properly designed databases are the key to dynamically driven websites. Design a database and learn the SQL language needed to implement and manipulate your database system.
Students will learn the skills related to creating advanced features of dynamic asset creation as well as applying code to assets.
Project Management
Learn and apply project management concepts while creating a web presence for a business client. This is your opportunity to apply your technical and business skills and gain real work experience.
In this course, students will work in project teams as they apply the knowledge and skills learned in other courses to create, manage, and release an authentic interactive digital media project.
Upload your final product for the world to see!
Career Readiness Skills
At Louis Riel Arts & Technology Centre, we prepare you for real success in the New Media Design industry. Our program is built on essential skills that today’s digital creative professionals need. These skills come from three important sources:
- What industry partners tell us they need from new employees
- The Global Competencies valued by Manitoba Education
- The Skills for Success identified by the Government of Canada
We focus on teaching these skills through real projects and work-like experiences. This helps you build the habits and abilities you need to succeed in your career. As you move through the program, you’ll practice and improve these skills every day.
The six core competencies you’ll develop in our program are:
- Personal Management & Growth
- Teamwork & Collaboration
- Communication
- Organization & Planning
- Creativity
- Critical Thinking
Let’s look at what each of these competencies means for your work in New Media Design
Communication
Clear communication helps everyone understand each other in New Media Design. You need to share ideas and information in ways that make sense to others.
This includes presenting your work clearly and writing instructions that others can follow. You’ll learn to give helpful feedback and use feedback you receive to improve your work.
You’ll practice using email and other work tools professionally. Whether you’re talking to teammates or clients, you’ll learn how to get your message across in the right way.
Personal Management & Growth
In New Media Design, being good at technical skills is just one part of success. You also need to know how to manage yourself at work and keep growing in your career.
Being professional is important – from showing up on time to how you handle yourself in the workplace.
You’ll learn to understand your strengths and where you need to improve, while learning to adapt to change and bounce back from setbacks.
Along the way, you’ll create a strong resume and build a portfolio that shows off your best work. Good work habits, professionalism, and taking care of your well-being will help you build a strong career.
Creativity
Creativity in New Media Design means finding new ways to solve problems. You’ll learn to come up with fresh ideas while still meeting project requirements.
This means trying new approaches and finding unique solutions that work. Being creative isn’t just about being artistic—it’s about finding clever ways to solve design challenges.
You’ll learn to test your ideas, get feedback, and make your designs better. Staying open to new ideas and approaches helps you grow as a designer.
Teamwork & Collaboration
Almost all New Media Design work happens in teams. When you work on projects, you’ll team up with classmates, teachers, and clients who all bring different skills and ideas.
Good teamwork means listening to others’ ideas, sharing your own thoughts clearly, and working together to solve problems.
You’ll learn to work well with different types of people and be flexible when others have different ways of doing things.
Success comes when everyone does their part and helps each other out!
Organization & Planning
Being organized helps you work better and faster in New Media Design. You’ll learn how to keep your files neat and well-named so others can find and use them. Making backup copies and sharing files in ways that make sense to everyone is very important.
You’ll also learn how to plan projects and manage your time to meet deadlines. Good organization prevents mistakes and saves time.
Being able to adjust your plans when things change is also an important skill you’ll develop.
Critical Thinking
Critical thinking helps you solve problems by breaking them down into smaller parts. You’ll learn to look at challenges from different angles and find the best solutions in New Media Design.
This includes understanding what users need, testing your work, and fixing problems when they come up. You’ll get better at making smart decisions about your designs by thinking things through carefully.
Learning from mistakes and improving your approach helps you create better work.