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The New Media and Digital Design program explores design thinking strategies and emerging technologies, such as creative computing, interaction design, UX (user experience) design and visual communication. After completing this two-year program, you will have competences to take on emerging professions in a variety of dynamic creative industries with the ability to express your creative process and personal brand voice.

Careers

What is New Media and Digital Design?

In today's new media and digital design world, commanding the attention of your target audience has become a more challenging task than ever before. New media designers must be proficient with the world of design principles, captivating graphics, consistent branding, effective typography, strategic visual storytelling, intuitive layout, powerful infographics, responsive design, user-centered UX/UI design and great use of digital technology to deliver powerful messages. Here are the most in-demand design job titles from the Labor Department for 2023:

  1. Product Designer - $112,610
  2. Frontend Web Developer - $104,842
  3. Digital Designer - $76,912
  4. UX Designer - $90,000
  5. UI Designer - $80,000
  6. Art Director - $66,939
  7. Motion Graphics Designer - $49,597
  8. Graphic Designer - $49,597
  9. Animation Designer - $41,971

Transfer

Students who earn their New Media and Digital Design degree from Pierce College can transfer directly to The Evergreen State College through the Upside Down Degree program. Students wishing to transfer to another four-year program are advised to work closely with their academic advisor to map out additional requirements for an Associate of Arts degree.

Transfer Institution Information

About the Program

Explore the interdisciplinary, high-demand field of new media, digital design, user experience design and visual communication including 3D modeling, animation, graphic design, digital illustration, UX/UI design, motion graphics, and video and multimedia storytelling skills to create a comprehensive portfolio. The two-year New Media and Digital Design and one-year UX/UI Design Certificate programs can be completed entirely online, to enable students to seek immediate employment or to transfer to a four-year college to earn their degree.

The New Media and Digital Design program at Pierce College open doors to careers in interdisciplinary fields requiring courses in two main areas:

Associate of Applied Science in New Media and Digital Design – Two Years

This part of the degree incorporates 3D modeling, animation, digital illustration, motion graphics, video production, user experience design and visual communication.

Graduates can expect to be readily capable of competing for jobs in the new media design industry, or they can choose to pursue an advanced degree at a four-year institution. See the Transfer Page for more information.

The New Media and Digital Design program is enhanced by a state-of-the-art lab offering full new media design and multimedia capabilities for hands-on experience. You will study with instructors who have both academic expertise and practical experience in their field, bringing a genuine working knowledge to their teaching.

Students generally complete their associate degree in about two years.

UX/UI Design Certificate Program – One Year

This project-based certificate program focuses on creating an accessible human-centered design system and interaction design for the cross-platform applications. Students will gain experience in researching, analyzing usability data, prototyping, and user testing. Upon successful completion of the program, students will have extensive websites and mobile app high-fidelity prototypes into their design portfolio to demonstrate advanced UX design skills.

The UX/UI Design Certificate Program is aligned with Google UX Design Certificate Program to help student learners prepare for high-demand career fields. Students can complete their certificate in about one year.

Get Started

*3-D images courtesy of Desiree Alexander, Aiden Woods and Ravyn Beutler

Related Pages

Contacts

Min
Pak
Assistant Professor of Digital Design
253-912-2268