About Visual Media Production

The VMD Visual Media Production program prepares students to enter the workforce as production artists for screen and print—integral members of a collaborative team. 

Production artists are proficient with industry-standard software for media development and have a working understanding of design process, layout, typography, and color.

Explore Potential Careers

Studying Visual Media Production can lead to a variety of different jobs or career paths. Below are just some of the many options you will have!

  • Digital Media Artist
  • Web Production
  • Production Designer
  • Color Retoucher

Program Options 

Click on the degree or certificate you're interested in earning to see a sample map of courses to take to complete your goal from start to finish.

Please note that the course maps provided are just an example to help you get started. Please meet with a faculty member in the department to personalize the plan to you and your Academic goals. 

The Visual Media Production emphasis consists of two certificates: Visual Design Foundation and Visual Media Production. Students will refine their skills through a supervised work-experience in a local firm or Emerge Studio, our design studio practicum. The Visual Media Production certificate includes key courses, but allows students to customize the program to meet their goals through electives.

Explore Potential Careers

Studying Visual Media Production can lead to a variety of different jobs or career paths. Below are just some of the many options you will have!

  • Digital Production Artist
  • Layout Designer
  • Production Designer
  • Technical Artist, Web Designer

View Requirements in College Catalog

Semester 1

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
VMD 100 Orientation to Visual Media Design 1  
VMD 101 Design Fundamentals 3 Can substitute DSGN 101 or PHOT 100 or ART 125
VMD 105 Visual Media Digital Skills 3   

Total Units: 7

Semester 2

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
VMD 120 Graphic Design I 3 Prerequisites: VMD 101, VMD 105
VMD 130 Typography I 3 Prerequisites: VMD 101, VMD 105
VMD 140 Web Production I 3  Prerequisite: VMD 105
VMD 152 InDesign I 3 Prerequisite: VMD 105
VMD 150 Illustrator I 3 Prerequisite: VMD 105

Total Units: 15

Semester 3

Often completed in Summer
Course Number Course Title Units Notes
VMD 154 Photoshop I 3 Prerequisite: VMD 105

Total Units: 3

Overall Total Units: 25 

View Requirements in College Catalog

Semester 1

Completion of Visual Design Foundation Certificate
Course Number Course Title Units Notes
VMD 131 Typography II 3 Prerequisite: VMD 130
VMD 141 Web Production II 3 Prerequisite: VMD 140
VMD 151 Illustrator II 3  Prerequisite: VMD 150
VMD 153 InDesign II 3 Prerequisite: VMD 152
One Elective Choose from Electives below 3  

Total Units: 15

Semester 2

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
VMD 155 Photoshop II 3 Prerequisite: VMD 154
VMD 190 Portfolio Preparation 3 Prerequisites: VMD 101, VMD 105; Advise: VMD 122, VMD 152
VMD 200A Design Studio Practicum 3 Prerequisites: VMD 120, VMD 130, VMD 140, VMD 150, VMD 152, VMD 154
Two Electives Choose from Electives below 6  

Total Units: 15

Electives

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
VMD 127 User Experience 3 Prerequisite: VMD 140

VMD 194A

VMD 194B

Internship/Work Experience 

1 and/or 

2

 Completion of Visual Design Foundation Certificate; Concurrent enrollment in 7 units
VMD 200B Design Studio Practicum II 3 Prerequisite: VMD 200A
BCST 146 Video Motion Graphics 4 Prerequisite: VMD 150 or BCST 143A or BCST 144A or CINE 56 or PHOT 57 or PHOT 60A
CNIT 133 JavaScript, jQuery, AJAX 3 Advise: CNIT 132
CNIT 133M Mobile Web w/HTML, CSS & JS 3 Advise: CNIT 133
CS 230W WordPress and Drupal CMS Development 3 Advise: CS 130A, CNIT 132, CS 160A

Overall Total Units: 33

Transfer Options

The program coursework you complete at City College will satisfy lower-division requirements for related majors at several colleges and universities. 

Have questions about transfer? Visit the Transfer Center for help, transfer information, and/or to speak with college representatives.