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.
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.