Arts, Media, and Communication

Where This Program Can Take You

ENTRY LEVEL
Start a career right after high school with CCCTC experience:

• Production Assistant
• Camera Operator
• Grip or Gaffer
• Video Editor (Assistant)

TECHNICAL LEVEL
Build on CCCTC skills with a 2-year associate degree or trade school:

• Multimedia Specialist
• Broadcast Technician
• Motion Graphics Designer
• Junior Video Editor

PROFESSIONAL LEVEL
Combine CCCTC and a 4-year degree to access high-level opportunities:

• Film Director
• Producer
• Multimedia Artist/Animator
• Cinematographer
• Content Creator / YouTuber

YouTube video related to this program (caution: third-party content):

• Producers & Directors – CareerOneStop
• Multimedia Artists – CareerOneStop
• Video Editor – CareerOneStop
• What It’s Like to Be a Camera Operator (YouTube)

PREREQUISITES- (Completed before you start the program)

• See Program of Studies for most up to date information:  Honors Principles of Art, Media, and Communication OR H Digital Media Design
• 94% attendance and 2.0 GPA 

SCHEDULE OF PROGRAM 

• 1 Semester
• Junior or Senior Year
• Spring or Fall
• MODS 1-3

Video Production

Video Production is designed for students who have career interests in film and video production or broadcast media.  Students work on the fundamentals of video production , including the techniques and the anesthetics of shooting, lighting, sound design, and editing.  this program provides instruction in a real studio environment. Students create scripts and then record, capture, and edit film and television broadcasts. Students use HD Cameras and Hollywood level Final Cut Pro  and Adobe Premier Pro editing software.  Students also have access to a professional TV studio at the Community Media Center. Students will develop the entry level skills needed to record news and live events and to film videos and television broadcasts. 

Major Topics

• Preproduction and planning skills (script writing, story boarding, directing, and producing)
• Production skills (camera operation, recording audio, and lighting setup)
• Post-production skills (editing and effects compositing)

 

EARN COLLEGE CREDIT  

Video Production partners with these schools
Students can earn college credits in this program through our agreements with these colleges.  (check for the current status, as these agreements change over time):

• Art Institute of Washington – 4 credits
• Stevenson University-  3 credits
• Frederick Community College – 4 credits

Contact the college or trade school you plan to attend and find out if you can earn credits or advanced standing at their institution!

COLLEGE ADVANTAGE

Get a jump start on college
Use college level texts to earn college credit while having the training, skills, and experience that most high school graduates do not get until they are well into their college major.  This program puts you in touch with state of the art, computers, software, HD cameras, a professional TV studio, and other technology so students can experience video production before they go to college. 

 CAREER ADVANTAGE

Start your career NOW
Work with industry grade technology that our local business partners use every day.  This allows the best students to come back as an CCCTC intern or find an internship at a local business such as the Community Media Center or CCPS. ​

Professional AffiliationsCommunity Media Center
Our partner across the parking lot.  

 Art Institute of Washington, Bridgemont Community and Technical College, Carroll Community College
All have an agreement with CCCTC based on the college's requirements for curriculum, faculties, and instructor that is reviewed and renewed periodically to guarantee that students are getting the equivalent instruction at CCCTC that would be expected in class at that institution.  Credits are awarded based on that agreement.

PROFESSIONAL ADVISORY COUNSEL  
In accordance with federal and state regulations, each program is supported by a Professional Advisory Counsel composed of local business leaders and educational institutions. This group convenes periodically to review the program's curriculum and resources, ensuring alignment with current trends in technology and skills. Their guidance helps prepare students for the evolving career demands of the industry.

1.  

Students in this program will need to be able to:

1. Use Software to Produce Graphic Art – Create professional-quality designs using Adobe InDesign and other industry-standard programs.
2. Create and Produce New Ideas – Develop original concepts and layouts that communicate messages clearly and creatively.
3. Organize Information Visually – Arrange text, images, and graphics effectively to make information easy to understand and appealing.
4. Work Quickly & Accurately Under Deadlines – Manage time efficiently to complete projects on schedule without sacrificing quality.
5. Follow Multi-Step Directions – Execute detailed production steps from initial design to final print with precision.
6. Apply Hand-Eye Coordination – Use fine motor skills to operate printing equipment and handle materials carefully.
7. Complete Projects Needing Manual Dexterity – Assemble, trim, and finish printed products with attention to detail.
8. Think Critically & Solve Problems – Analyze design challenges and production issues to find effective solutions.
9. Apply Math and Reading Skills – Use measurements, formulas, and written instructions accurately throughout the production process.
10. Communicate and Collaborate Successfully – Work with team members and clients to understand needs and deliver quality results.
11.  

Print Production (Digital Art and Graphic Communications)

Course Overview
In this dynamic course, students explore the intersections of digital art, print production design, package design, advertising, photography, and comic book illustration. Through hands-on projects and collaborative assignments, participants utilize a variety of digital tools and print technologies to create compelling visual graphics applicable across multiple mediums.

Course Objectives & Major Topics

• Digital Art Techniques: Experiment with digital painting, illustration, and product design using Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. Develop essential skills in composition, color theory, graphic communications, and visual storytelling.

• Package Design: Learn fundamentals of creating functional and aesthetically pleasing packaging that communicates brand identity. Analyze real-world examples and design packaging for various products.

• Advertising Concepts: Study key advertising principles including visual branding and marketing strategies. Create ads that effectively communicate messages and resonate with target audiences using digital art, studio photography, and layout design.

• Comics and Storytelling: Combine art and narrative through panel layout, character design, and pacing. Produce comic strips or short graphic novels.

• Photography Skills: Explore basic photography techniques such as composition, lighting, and editing to capture and enhance images for digital art and production design projects.

• Creative Collaboration: Work in teams on projects that simulate real-world production environments, developing communication skills and the ability to integrate constructive feedback.

• Portfolio Development: Build a diverse portfolio showcasing skills in digital art, production design, package design, advertising, photography, and comics, preparing for academic or professional creative pursuits.

Prerequisites

• Completed before program start:

  • Honors Principles of Art, Media, and Communication OR Honors Digital Media Design

  • 94% attendance and minimum 2.0 GPA

• See the Program of Studies for the most up-to-date information.

Schedule

• 1 semester

• Junior or Senior year

• Offered Fall and Spring (Mods 2–4)

EARN COLLEGE CREDIT

Print Production partners with these schools, allowing students to earn college credits through articulation agreements (check for the most current agreement because these often change) :

• Art Institute of Washington – 4 credits

• Bridgemont Community and Technical College – 4 credits

• Carroll Community College – 3 credits

• Montgomery College – 4 credits

• Frederick Community College – 4 credits

Contact the college or trade school you plan to attend to find out if you can earn credits or advanced standing at their institution!

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EARN VALUABLE CERTIFICATIONS

Our program is PrintED© certified, offering opportunities to earn national certifications in:

• Graphic Communication

• Advertising Design

Industry certifications like these give students a competitive edge in the graphic communications field.

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COLLEGE ADVANTAGE

Get a jump start on college by using college-level texts and earning credit while gaining training, skills, and experience that most high school graduates don’t get until well into their college programs. This program features:

• State-of-the-art MAC computers

• Industry-standard software

• Professional-grade print and graphic arts equipment

Students gain hands-on experience that makes them feel right at home in any college lab.

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CAREER ADVANTAGE

Start your career now by working with industry-grade technology used daily by local business partners. Become certified by PrintED, a nationally recognized organization, to stand out in the job market.

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AFFILIATIONS

PrintED©
Administered by the Graphic Arts Education and Research Foundation (GAERF®), PrintED is a national accreditation program that sets industry standards for graphic communications courses at both secondary and post-secondary levels. Certification is typically awarded to post-secondary institutions and requires renewal every three years through onsite program evaluations.

Partner Colleges:

• Art Institute of Washington

• Bridgemont Community and Technical College

• Carroll Community College

These schools have agreements with CCCTC ensuring that curriculum, faculty, and instruction meet their standards. Credits are awarded based on these agreements and are reviewed regularly to guarantee equivalency.

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PROFESSIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL

In accordance with federal and state regulations, the program is supported by a Professional Advisory Council made up of local business leaders and educational institutions. This council meets periodically to review curriculum and resources, ensuring they reflect current industry technology and skills. Their guidance helps prepare students for evolving career demands.

Students in this program will need to be able to:

1. Use Software to Design & Animate – Create graphics, animations, and interactive media 
2. Create and Produce New Ideas – Develop original digital content that engages and communicates visually.
3. Organize Information Visually – Arrange visuals, text, and motion to convey clear, compelling messages.
4. Work Quickly & Accurately Under Deadlines – Manage multiple tasks and revisions while meeting fast-paced production timelines.
5. Follow Multi-Step Directions – Navigate complex workflows in editing, design, and animation processes.
6. Apply Hand-Eye Coordination – Use precise movements for editing, animation keyframing, and digital manipulation.
7. Complete Projects Requiring Digital Dexterity – Build layered projects that demand technical focus and detailed control.
8. Think Critically & Solve Problems – Tackle design and production challenges using creativity and logic.
9. Apply Math and Reading Skills – Use measurements, timing, and written instructions when editing and animating.
10. Communicate and Collaborate Successfully – Share ideas, take feedback, and work with peers on professional-level projects.

Where This Program Can Take You

This program opens doors to a wide range of creative and technical careers. Whether you're looking to enter the workforce right after high school, continue your education at a trade school or community college, or pursue a four-year degree, Interactive Media Production gives you a competitive edge.

Career Exploration

Click below to explore career profiles, skill requirements, and salary info:

• Special Effects Artists and Animators – CareerOneStop
• Multimedia Artists and Animators – My Next Move
• Multimedia Artists and Animators – Bureau of Labor Statistics

Related Training Areas

• Digital Arts
• Drawing
• Game and Interactive Media Design
• Graphic Design

If you're unsure where to start, try exploring My Next Move, an interactive career site that matches your interests with possible careers.

Career Levels and Examples

ENTRY LEVEL

 

Start your career directly after high school with hands-on experience and a strong portfolio.

 

TECHNICAL LEVEL

• Animation assistant
• Game design assistant
• Website design tech

Combine this program with a 2-year associate degree or trade school certification to launch into more specialized roles.

 

• Production Artist
• Commercial Illustrator
• Graphic Arts Technician

PROFESSIONAL LEVEL

This program provides a strong foundation for pursuing a four-year degree in a wide range of design and media fields.

 

• App Developer
• Advertising
• Animator / Special Effects Artist
• Desktop Publisher
• Game Designer
• Graphic Designer
• Illustrator
• Interactive Media Designer
• Layout Artist
• Webpage Designer
• Marketing

Video Resources

Explore real-world applications of interactive media careers through the videos below:

• MSDE: Interactive Media Production
• Interactive Media Production (Example Program)
• Multimedia Artists and Animators
• Graphic Artist Career Video
• Graphic Designer – CareerOneStop
• Graphic Artist at Google

Interactive Media Production

4-Credit Completer Program

Start with the Principles of Art, Media, and Communication, where you'll explore careers in broadcast, multimedia, graphic design, and print. Build your skills in Honors Interactive Media Production as you plan and create interactive content using industry tools. In the final year, dive into Advanced Interactive Media Production, designing, coding, and developing multimedia and web applications, with a focus on group projects and portfolio development.

Honors & Advanced Courses | Hands-On Projects | Career-Ready Skills

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Here is information from the program currently running at CHS — CCCTC will be running the Advanced IMP option. We will not be offering the Game Design option at CCCTC.

• 3D Modeling: Prop Design – Student Examples
• Commercial Design: Mood Boards – Student Examples
• Website Design – Student Examples

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Scheduling & Prerequisites

Prerequisites (Completed before starting the program):

• Honors Principles of Art, Media, and Communication (see Program of Studies for latest info)
• 94% attendance
• 2.0 weighted GPA

Schedule:

• 1 semester
• Junior or Senior Year
• Spring, Mods 2–4

COLLEGE ADVANTAGE

Get a jump start on college
Use college level texts to earn college credit while having the training, skills, and experience that most high school graduates do not get until they are well into their college major.  This program puts you in touch with state-of-the-art MAC computers, state-of-the-art software, industry grade print/graphic arts equipment, and technology, so students can experience graphic design and print production before they go to college. Students in this program will feel right at home in any college lab.

  CAREER ADVANTAGE

Start your career NOW
 Work with industry grade technology that our local business partners use every day and become certified by the nationally known organization, PrintED.  

PROFESSIONAL ADVISORY COUNSEL  
In accordance with federal and state regulations, each program is supported by a Professional Advisory Counsel composed of local business leaders and educational institutions. This group convenes periodically to review the program's curriculum and resources, ensuring alignment with current trends in technology and skills. Their guidance helps prepare students for the evolving career demands of the industry.