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Integrated Media Program

Integrated Media is a new Associate of Applied Science degree program that leverages decades of faculty experience, state of the art facilities, and the emerging emphasis on digital media for the Creative Services industry. The Integrated Media Program features a shared core of digital skills across the disciplines of Digital Photography, Graphic Design, Broadcasting and Video.

MHCC’S Integrated Media Program is a unique opportunity for you to explore a broad-based digital media training. The creative industry is being pressed to do more, and do it faster — and more effectively. Employees with broad digital skills are in high demand in the Portland Metro area. Classes are small, focused and rigorous. Students move quickly through the course progression, each term building on the skills gained in the previous term.

During the application process, each student selects an option area (Broadcasting, Digital Photography, Graphic Design or Video) and follows the requirements described for each option application. We carefully screen applicants for both academic and creative aptitude. The application process for Fall 2010 will be posted after November 2009.

Team Work
Because businesses increasingly require content creators from each discipline to work in collaboration, Integrated Media offers courses in which students from different options work in teams on projects requiring varying areas of specialization. By working across traditional boundaries, you'll achieve fluency in multiple design settings and applications and learn to conceptualize, plan, build and promote products/projects in digital media. Integrated Media projects feature solutions that incorporate sound, video, photography, lighting, acting, script writing, animation and design.

Computers are the primary tool for the planning and presentation of work that is digital media. Examples include the use of software to design print ads or magazine pages, record podcasts, manipulate photographic images or create videos. You'll use digital media to put your ideas into motion, creating animations, sound tracks, titles and an array of special effects.

Real World Experience
Second-year students participate in a three-term sequence of Integrated Media Practicum, an applied studio simulation that realistically produces creative solutions for clients at the college and for non-profit agencies in the Portland area. You will graduate with skills for entry-level creative services positions as well as the business knowledge to build a freelance career. You’ll also have a firm understanding of the entire creative process and portfolios/reels in a variety of formats to show off your skills.

Industry Standard Technology
Because we recognize that computer technology skills are very important for seeking employment in today's market, the MHCC Integrated Media program trains to the industry standard Adobe Creative Suite software: Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign and Acrobat; Apples Pro applications: Final Cut Pro, Final Draft, DVD Studio Pro, and other premiere applications such as ProTools. We have six production and teaching labs equipped with the latest Macintosh computers and software. We collaborate closely with students in each of the option areas to broaden our training in digital media to incorporate graphics, audio, video and still images in our student projects.

In Fall 2007, MHCC became an Apple Authorized Training Center and will offer certification training opportunities for Final Cut Pro and other Mac-based software applications.

Digital Emphasis
While you are not expected to have any previous specific software experience coming into the Integrated Media program, you should be very comfortable working with a computer, have good keyboarding and mouse skills, the capacity to follow directions and the willingness to learn new software programs. We'll go fast and furious through the various software programs. Novice computer users may find this program too challenging*. You should be able to comfortably work at a computer for up to 8 hours a day. Students accepted into the program should be prepared to have significant daily access to a computer connected to the Internet.

*If you are concerned about your computer aptitude or skill level, please meet with an Integrated Media Advisor.

Broad Training
In the Integrated Media program, students will be learning about ALL digital media relating to moving and still images, sound and design. Our curriculum has been developed to expose students to all areas of the creative services to maximize our graduate's employment options in the future. This program of study may not be suitable for students interested in a narrow focus or specializing in only a single area.

Program Start
Students are admitted to begin each fall term. Transfer students must meet with an Integrated Media faculty advisor to discuss the possibility of starting in winter or spring terms. There may not be space available to accommodate transfer students.

Enrollment
20 students per option. Total number for the Integrated Media degree: approximately 80. Up to five alternates are selected for each option area during the acceptance process.

Efficient Scheduling
So that you can easily plan your schedule for the two-year program, the core Integrated Media and Option courses (three per term) follow this format every year: With a few exceptions, first-year courses are on Tuesdays and Thursdays only while second-year courses are on Mondays and Wednesdays. Classes generally start at 9 am and continue through 7 pm.

Employment Outlook
Employers will favor those who have excellent technical skills as well as the professional behavior to work effectively in teams and independently. Today’s creative worker needs to be able to function beyond the boundaries of a single discipline and is often called upon to contribute in a variety of media. Portland’s demand for creatives is supported by well-known international firms such as Nike, Adidas, Wieden+Kennedy, Laika, and Columbia Sportswear. Many graduates find that freelancing (contract work) offers higher pay and more flexibility than being a full time employee.

Job Titles
Graduates of the Integrated Media AAS degree will qualify for positions such as:

Contact
INTEGRATED MEDIA FACULTY ADVISORS
JD Kiggins - jd.kiggins@mhcc.edu, 503.491.7632
Christina Maier - chris.maier@mhcc.edu, 503.491.7624
Jack Schommer - jack.schommer@mhcc.edu, 503.491.7611
David Maier - david.maier@mhcc.edu,503.491.6992

Admissions Requirements
Integrated Media is a Restricted Entry program where applicants must complete the admissions application procedures and meet specific option and program criteria before being considered for acceptance into the program. The packet must be completed accurately and returned by the application deadline date (in June each year). Only completed packets meeting minimum criteria will be considered.  Download the application.  If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact one of the IM faculty advisors.

Program information for students enrolled prior to Fall 2007:

• Graphic Design
• Radio Broadcasting
• Television Production Technology