Digital Design

DIGITAL DESIGN COURSES 2022/23

Digital Design & Literacy 8

Practical and fun, students in digital design learn how to use digital media software and develop their own creative projects - including the exploration of their own ideas! In class, students will get to:

•    Make storyboards and plans before producing their own videos

•    Utilize graphic design software (Adobe Photoshop) to edit and enhance photos

•    Explore the fields of digital sound design and computer programming

•    Practice and improve their keyboarding skills

The skills learned in this class will greatly help them in their future projects and courses!

Digital Design & Literacy 9

Wherever you go, people are relying more on computers and technology than ever. This course builds on what students learned in MYP Design: Digital Design and Literacy 8 but can also be taken as a first digital design course! 

In this course, students will explore a wide range of technologies: 3D modelling, website creation, audio and video production, video game programming, and photo editing. We investigate current design trends as well as good design principles. This course is designed for students who like to think about complex ideas, make projects, and work independently with others while using the ‘Design Cycle’ as a guide to produce work.

Software Used: Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, Premiere Pro, Blender

Digital Media Design 10

Digital Media Design is the final course in the IB Middle Years Program digital media design track – although it can be taken as a first digital design course as well! 

Students taking this course will continue to explore, learn, and create using numerous digital design tools and platforms to create image and video media. This course focuses primarily on digital content creation – the process of ideating, developing, and refining digital products. We will develop skills in producing and editing photo and video content designed for online platforms such as YouTube and Twitch. We will also create and design various forms of 2D and 3D content such as video game sprites and models.

By the end of the course, you will have the tools and understanding needed to create a wide-variety of design-rich content for your favorite content-hosting platforms!

Software Used: Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, Premiere Pro, OBS Studio, Blender

Video Game Design 10

Are you interested in designing video games? Want to learn how to create digital worlds and characters? Curious to see what programming a game is like? Have an interest in producing game-focused sound effects and music? This course is meant for anyone who has ever wondered “How are video games and apps made?”

Video Game Design 10 is designed for students who want to learn more about and participate in the type of design work being done in the industry. Students will learn how to use Unity to write code and develop virtual worlds, Blender to design and create 3D models, BandLab to record and produce digital audio, as well as strategies for tying all of this work together into larger projects! As they learn, design, and develop, students will explore the wider design industry and learn about project workflow, professional roles and responsibilities, and the people who work in the industry. By the end of the course, students will learn how to utilize the design cycle to ideate and create simple games of their own design!

Computer Programming 11

Prerequisites: None

Computer Programming 11 is a course for students who have a strong interest in learning how to code! Students will develop beginner to intermediate skills in problem solving, program design, structured programming, and coding fundamentals while building software and 2D video games. This course is project-based, meaning all core content is learned and assessed by actually creating working pieces of software! This course is a prerequisite for all computer programming options at the grade 12 level and also qualifies students to take Video Game Development 12.

Coding Languages Covered: Java, C#

Software Used: Greenoot, Netbeans, Unity

Computer Programming 12

Recommended Prerequisite Course: Computer Programming 11

Computer Programming 12 is a course for students interested in deepening their technical fluency in and conceptual understanding of computer programming through a project-based approach. Students will expand upon their learning in Computer Programming 11 by studying more advanced skills, algorithms, and techniques for writing software both individually and in teams. Students can choose to write code in Java, Python, C#, or a combination of the above! Students will also be able to explore self-chosen topics in the field to extend their learning through self-directed explorations.

Coding Languages Covered: Java, Python, C#

Software Used: Netbeans, PyCharm, Microsoft Visual Studio

AP Computer Science 12

Recommended Prerequisite: Computer Programming 11 highly recommended

AP Computer Science 12 is a course for students interested in digging deep into the technical side of computer science. It is a fast-paced and intensive course that takes students from absolute beginners to skilled practitioners of the Java programming language. It emphasizes object-oriented programming methodology in Java and focuses on problem solving and algorithm development. It is meant to be the equivalent of a first-semester course in computer science at post-secondary. Students who successfully complete the AP Computer Science exam can use this course credit at a post-secondary institution of their choice!

Coding Languages Covered: Java

Software Used: NetBeans

Video Game Development 12

Recommended Prerequisites: Computer Programming 11 or Graphic Production 11/12 or 3D Modelling and Animation 11/12

Do you want to push your skills in programming, graphic production, or 3D modelling to the next level? Do you have a passion for game design? Do you want to get a taste for real-world development processes? In Video Game Development 12 you will be working in a project-based learning environment to develop custom games both individually and in small teams. You will work on both small and large-scale projects to develop skills in self-chosen specializations and create products that harness your new learning alongside the unique skills you bring to the course from your previous studies. You will also get opportunities to create experiences of your own design and imagination to play and shar with others!

Coding Languages Covered: C#

Development Software: Unity, Microsoft Visual Studio

Visual Design Software: Adobe Suite, Blender

3D Modeling and Animation 11/12

Students in 3D Modeling and Animation will develop 3D worlds, sculpt characters, build short films and animations, and create assets for video games and interactive experiences. Starting in Blender, students will explore and manage creating objects in 3D and apply custom lighting, volumetrics, and textures. Then, students will sculpt and rig custom characters. Finally, students will explore motion tracking to build video game ready environments and characters. Advanced students will also be given opportunities to self-direct and explore their own topics of interest.

Software used: Blender, Substance Painter, Quixels or ArmorPaint, ZBrush*, Adobe After Effects
* License dependent

Graphic Production and Yearbook 11/12

Students in Graphic Production will explore and apply design principles, use photography and typography to communicate information, and create visual design products that solve problems. Starting in Illustrator, students will use colour theory, contrast, symmetry, and balance to develop and explore a personal design language. Then, students will develop a range of products for a variety of different mediums like online layouts, video, photography, and digital artwork.

The Yearbook pathway is designed for students interested in journalism, photography, design, marketing, or desktop publishing. Prior experience using computers and editing software is an asset, but not required. Students interested in Yearbook should take this course in both semesters in order to fully complete the book!

Software used: Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, After Effects, Premiere Pro

Content Creation & Digital Marketing 11/12

Have you ever wondered how YouTube videos generate profit?  How do you create content that engages followers?  How do you monetize your videos and obtain sponsors? How can you make your channel grow? In Content Creation and Digital Marketing you will have an opportunity to deep dive into marketing strategies behind the scenes of the most successful content creators of today, while also having hands on experience with filming, editing and script writing to create high quality, engaging YouTube/Social Media video content.

Software Used: Premiere Pro, Adobe Creative Cloud, Digital Audio Workstations

Digital Audio Production 11/12

Digital Audio Production 11/12 is a course for students who want to learn about the innovative and exciting field of sound design and how sound is integrated in a wide variety of modern media. Students will learn how to produce music, sound effects, live audio recordings and mixes, as well as how to use industry standard production equipment to capture, edit and master audio tracks. They will be able to apply their learning to a variety of media such as film, video games and web-based media, as well as have the opportunity to produce professional music recordings. No pre-requisites or ability to read music required!

Software used: Digital Audio Workspace (DAW), Adobe Audition, Adobe Premiere Pro

Accounting 11

Don’t wait until college, university or a financial crisis to study accounting! A secondary school credit in accounting will give you a strong head start for any future studies or for managing your own personal finances! This introductory course covers the full accounting cycle for individuals with little to no financial background. Topics include an introduction to accounting theory, traditional recordkeeping procedures, the accounting cycle, and reporting. We will also be developing beginner and intermediate skills in using Excel and other software to document, calculate, and report.

Students will also be given opportunities to study accounting application topics that connect to areas of personal finance such as saving and growing money, investments, budgeting, and taxes!

Tourism 11

Tourism 11/12 represents a comprehensive introduction to a fast-paced, rapidly changing, and extremely diversified industry. Students will explore the five core sectors of the tourism industry and learn about opportunities available to them to pursue work in each. They will also study trends and future-looking perspectives on where the various parts of the industry are heading. There will also be many opportunities for students to review, visit, and engage with various elements of the local tourism industry! By the end of the course, students will have a comprehensive understanding of what the tourism industry is about and how they can get started down a path in the industry.

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