We live in an age inundated by audio and visual media. Whereas earlier cultures communicated ideas through the spoken word or through printed texts, contemporary modes of communication are mass-produced sounds and images. In order to be truly literate in today's world, people should be fluent in the "language" of modern media.

This course explores applied media aesthetics - the basic concepts that are used to create attractive ads, Web pages, commercials and movies. It also introduces basic audio terms and the use of sound design in film and video. The class is built around a series of lectures and screenings of movie clips, TV commercials and published materials. Students explore the use of design elements and principles through lab exercises and class presentations using a variety of computer illustration and editing programs. This is the required introductory course for the New Media: Film, Television and Radio major/minor, and fulfills a history requirement for the VPA core.

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