Multimedia
19 courses · San Diego Mesa College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026 · Spring 2027
MULT 100 Introduction to Visual Communication
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 32 - 36 hours lecture/48-54 hours lab
This course provides an overview of the design principles and digital tools required to develop a professional level of communication, conceptualization, composition, and visual design skills. Emphasis is placed on modern design theory, standards, & processes, industry standard software, and career opportunities in digital design and multimedia. This course is intended for students interested in game development, graphic design, web design, 3D & 2D animation, video production, and app development.
MULT 120 Introduction to Video Game Design
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 48 - 54 hours lecture
This course is an introduction to the field of video game development. Emphasis is placed on theory and history of interactive video gaming and on the fundamentals of contemporary game design and development. This course is intended for multimedia majors, individuals interested in entering the field of video game development, and anyone interested in the theory and practice of interactive gaming.
MULT 121 Intermediate Visual Communication
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 48 - 54 hours lecture
- Advisory
- MULT 100 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course is designed to develop preliminary skills in the conceptual use of industry standard digital design software. Students produce digitally imaged media elements for a diverse range of applications and present a portfolio of their work. This course is intended for multimedia and art majors and anyone interested in digital image design and editing.
MULT 122 Advanced Visual Communication
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 48 - 54 hours lecture
- Advisory
- MULT 121 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This is a project-based course designed to develop advanced skills in the use of media design software applications. Emphasis is placed on producing conceptual media elements and compositions for a diverse range of applications. This course is intended for multimedia, art, and graphic design students who plan to pursue a career in the design or multimedia industry.
MULT 123 Digital Video I
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 48 - 54 hours lecture
- Advisory
- MULT 100 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course is a project-based course in the use of nonlinear digital video editing systems. Emphasis is placed on the process of digital video development and production using non-linear video editing techniques. Topics also include the history of film and traditional filmmaking as they relate to current practices. This course is intended for students pursuing careers in the multimedia industry.
MULT 124 Digital Video II
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 48 - 54 hours lecture
- Advisory
- MULT 123 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This advanced course is designed to develop and refine technical and conceptual skills in the professional applications of digital design theory and practice. Emphasis is placed on advanced digital methodologies and visual grammar in the design and production of both traditional and non-traditional works. Students complete a portfolio of digital work for professional presentation. This course is intended for multimedia and art majors and anyone interested in digital image design and editing.
MULT 148 Business of Games
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 32 - 36 hours lecture/48-54 hours lab
This course provides students with a fundamental understanding of the underlying functions, goals, and language of the video game development business. Students learn lessons from historical game releases that can be applied to new projects alongside general business best practices. Students learn the latest revenue models being used in the video game industry and how to leverage those tools to engage vs. alienate customers. Students research game employment opportunities, develop a resume, online presence, and create a business plan for an independent game project. This course is designed for multimedia students and students seeking employment in the digital entertainment industry.
MULT 150 Beginning Unity Game Development
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 32 - 36 hours lecture/48-54 hours lab
- Advisory
- MULT 100 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent and MULT 211 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This is a project-based course designed to develop skills in 2D and 3D game development and introductory gameplay programming. Emphasis is placed on developing interactive environments and games. This course is intended for students interested in the conceptualization, design, and development of 2D & 3D games and applications.
MULT 152 Intermediate Unity Game Development
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 32 - 36 hours lecture/48-54 hours lab
- Advisory
- MULT 150 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent and MULT 213 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This is a project-based intermediate Unity course designed to develop skills in game design and gameplay programming. Emphasis is placed on developing interactive games incorporating C#, sound, video and digital assets at the intermediate level. This course is intended for students interested in creating interactive 2D & 3D games.
MULT 154 Advanced Unity Game Development
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 32 - 36 hours lecture/48-54 hours lab
- Advisory
- MULT 152 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This is a project-based course using Unity for creating online and stand-alone games. Emphasis is placed on the game development processes, including design, story and character development, physics audio, optimization, and deployment. This course is designed for students interested in advanced game development.
MULT 160 Beginning Unreal Engine
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 32 - 36 hours lecture/48-54 hours lab
- Advisory
- MULT 121 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent and MULT 211 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course is a guided digital studio approach to developing skills in the use of industry standard game engine software for use in digital interactive game environments. Emphasis is placed on game design and development, optimized 3D design and visualization, interactive 3D scenes and levels, and general multimedia. This course is intended for multimedia majors and anyone pursuing a career in video game development or general multimedia.
MULT 162 Intermediate Unreal Engine
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 32 - 36 hours lecture/48-54 hours lab
- Advisory
- MULT 160 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent and MULT 213 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course is a guided digital studio approach to 3D character & game level design and production. This course combines exercises and individual and group projects to develop necessary skills and techniques in video game production. The course is intended for students who are preparing for more advanced study in 3D modeling, animation, and game design.
MULT 164 Advanced Unreal Engine
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 32 - 36 hours lecture/48-54 hours lab
- Advisory
- MULT 162 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent and MULT 213 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This class engages the student of Video Game Development in an exploration of interactive environments using methodologies and concepts drawn from both inside and outside the traditional realms of interactive game design. It provides an opportunity for students to engage an audience by channeling their conceptual ideas into interactive digital environments via technologies incorporating programming, sound, compositing, virtual reality, interactivity, and three-dimensional modeling & animation. Emphases include an in-depth examination of contemporary examples of interactive gaming and a cross-sectioned exposure to the art, design, and programming involved in the creation of interactive games. This course serves as a preparatory environment for students to design and create a fully functional interactive game.
MULT 201 Introduction to 3D Graphics
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 32 - 36 hours lecture/48-54 hours lab
This course is an introduction to 3D computer generated graphics. Emphasis is placed on student exploration of the various facets of 3D modeling and animation processes to create 3D computer generated art while using industry standard software. This course is designed for students interested in and those majoring in 3D Modeling and Animation.
MULT 211 3D Modeling
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 32 - 36 hours lecture/48-54 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- MULT 201 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
- Advisory
- MULT 100 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course covers modeling techniques used for building 3D organic and hard surface objects and environments. Students utilize industry standard techniques to produce a variety of realistic and stylized 3D objects. This course is designed for students interested in and those majoring in 3D Modeling and Animation.
MULT 213 3D Texturing and Lighting
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 32 - 36 hours lecture/48-54 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- MULT 201 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
- Advisory
- MULT 100 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course is an in-depth study about creation and application of realistic and stylized materials, textures and lights to emphasize the desired mood and feel in 3D computer generated scenes. This course is designed for students majoring in 3D Modeling and Animation.
MULT 215 3D Character Design and Development
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 32 - 36 hours lecture/48-54 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- MULT 201 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
- Advisory
- MULT 100 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course is an introduction to character design and modeling. Students design a simple stylized character, then model the character in 3D while using a variety of complementary techniques such as box modeling, edge looping, UV layout and texturing. Basic character rigging and animation is also explored. This course is designed for students majoring in 3D Modeling and Animation.
MULT 217 3D Studio Pre-Production
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 32 - 36 hours lecture/48-54 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- MULT 201 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
- Advisory
- MULT 100 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course is an introduction to industry standard pre-production workflows and processes for animation. Students take a production driven approach to conceptualize and write a script for an animated short film, conduct art research, produce a complete Production Document that serves as a blueprint for the production of an animated film, and validate their ideas and storyboards via an animatic. This course is designed for students majoring in 3D Modeling and Animation.
MULT 290 Independent Study
- Units
- 1-3
- Hours
- 48-162 hours other
This course is for students who wish to conduct additional research, a special project, or learning activities in multimedia. It is not intended to replace an existing course in the discipline. In this course students have a written contract with their instructor for activities such as: preparing problem analysis, engaging in primary research, preparing reports, and meeting with the instructor at specific intervals.