Boston University - The Center for Digital Imaging Arts

Boston University - The Center for Digital Imaging Arts (CIDA) is an academic leader in offering extensive, practical, hands-on, career oriented education and training in the rapidly emerging digital arts fields specializing in digital filmmaking, photography, graphic design, web design and 3D animation.

Whether you are a novice choosing a new and exciting career or a seasoned professional in search of enhancing your skills, Boston University - CIDA is dedicated to providing you the best, most up to date education available, designed to meet your needs, while you continually exceed your potential.

3D Animation Certificate

The 3D Animation Certificate is a 9-month intensive program intended to give students the skills as a digital animator. In the 3D Animation program, students learn the most up to date and utilized software, Alias/Wavefront Maya 3D, through hands-on practice in creating 3D models, animations and scenes. Emphasis is placed on practical, real-world application of skills while not neglecting the fundamentals of concepting, composition and figure drawing.

Throughout the program, students will conceive a short animated subject and work on the many elements needed to create their vision. By the end of the course, students will have a rendered short, complete with associated models, textures and animations suitable for a beginning portfolio or demo reel.

Audio Production Certificate

Develop your creative expertise in cutting-edge audio techniques with the Audio Production Certificate program at CDIA. Learn about the world of audio, studio operations, current music technologies and music production as they are implemented in visual media such as music, sound design, dialogue and Foley for film and television productions, and interactive media. You'll learn audio theory, gain competency with industry-standard tools, become familiar with professional standards and understand the aesthetic considerations of audio for records, film and television, games and new media.

Through a combination of hands-on exercises, lecture and team projects, you'll be introduced to real-world applications, theoretical concepts, critical listening skills and issues surrounding the aesthetics of sound, audio and music. Working with filmmaking and animation students at CDIA, you'll experience the truly collaborative nature of working with audio for visual media. Upon completion of the Audio Production Certificate you will have the knowledge and hands-on experience to enter the workforce with a substantial resume and demo reel.

Digital Filmmaking Certificate

The certificate program in digital filmmaking is an intensive, two-term (9-month) program of study that prepares students to become filmmakers skilled in a broad range of contemporary tools and techniques. Students will graduate with practical skills they can apply immediately to their own projects or launching a professional career in preproduction, production or postproduction.

In the first term, students learn the fundamental aspects of creating a digital film including hands-on training in camera operation, lighting, audio and tape formats, as well as basic editing techniques and postproduction work flows.

In the second term, students are immersed in advanced study designed to deepen their knowledge of filmmaking: cinematic storytelling, directing, cinematography, advanced editing, sound design, special effects, motion graphics, titles and DVD authoring.

Most assignments are digital video films created by students working in small crews. Students review their work with faculty and fellow students and begin to find their voice through the study of various filmmaking styles and storytelling techniques.

Graphic & Interactive Design Certificate

Prepare for a career in graphic and interactive design with the Graphic and Interactive Design Certificate. You'll learn to design for print, the web and motion graphics with hands-on coursework that uses the latest design software tools. With practical training in publication design, color management, multimedia, interactivity and more, you'll develop the skills you need to create collateral, web sites, digital video and audio. Special presentations will introduce you to the real-world business challenges faced by graphic and interactive designers, ensuring you'll be ready for your new career.

Professional Photography Certificate

A new age of unprecedented creative control and expressive power is emerging in the photographic medium. Recognizing this revolution, Boston University - CIDA has established the Professional Photography Certificate.

Designed to be on the cutting edge, this certificate program trains students in everything from basic photography and digital capture to digital workflows and essential business skills for a career in professional photography. The certificate concentrates on preparing students for a future as highly skilled, much sought-after professional portrait photographers as well as giving the tools necessary to enter the competitive world of commercial photography.

In-depth photographic assistant training, portfolio reviews and hands-on instruction combined with unprecedented instructor-led shooting time are the cornerstones of this certificate.

The Professional Photography Certificate is an intensive, 9-month program beginning with the Photographic Foundation Certificate followed by students building a professional foundation in the world of portrait and commercial photography. Real-world shooting assignments, business, marketing, composition and design, as well as professional development modules complete the certificate and provide our students the experience and skills needed for careers as modern photographers.

Web Development Certificate

Prepare for your future in building next generation interactive websites at CDIA with the Web Development Certificate. Learn how to create dynamic, data-driven web pages and applications using the same tools and techniques the professionals use. This intensive program focuses on client-side programming using HTML, CSS (cascading style sheets) and server-side programming using PHP scripting, SQL (structured query language) databases in deploying rich media sites using various Adobe Flash and open source content management tool sets.

Through a combination of hands-on exercises, lectures and projects, you'll be introduced to real-world applications with emphases on Javascript, MySQL, XML, AJAX and object-oriented programming techniques on a number of projects in increasing complexity, gaining experience in building rich internet applications and managed social content for the web. Students will generate a portfolio of sample websites that demonstrate their new skills in web platform development, integration and deployment.

After completing the Web Development Certificate you will have the knowledge and experience to enter the workforce with a substantial resume and the latest programming skills for this exciting and exploding industry.

Information

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