Credit
27 courses · Santa Barbara City College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026 · Spring 2027
MAT 103 Introduction to Multimedia
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 90 (36 lecture, 54 lab)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Provides a comprehensive look at the concepts and principles of digital media and computer graphics, and the consequences and influences in our current world. Elements of sensorial perception, psychology and narrative regarding media will be explored. Analysis of photography, film, animation, video and gaming, regarding elements of linear and interactive structures including history, aesthetics, and their cultural significance.
MAT 105 Survey Of Multimedia Tools
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 90 (36 lecture, 54 lab)
- Advisory
- MAT 103.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Overview of tools and applications used to produce interactive multimedia, including software applications, peripherals and hardware. Major applications for design, photo processing, web design, authoring and video. Evaluation and description of the strengths of each program and potential for integration of production applications.
MAT 109 Informational Graphics for the Web
- Units
- 0.5
- Hours
- 9 (9 lecture)
Overview of how to create and publish on the web; informational graphics, with typical office applications (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, FileMaker, etc.).
MAT 111A Photoshop for Media Production
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 36 (9 lecture, 27 lab)
Short class in computer graphics using Adobe Photoshop. Students discover and practice organizing image-content into layers, layer groups and paths, to then export content into different file formats. Students get introduced to production techniques in Animation and media production. The long class in Digital Imaging (MAT 131) is also highly recommended to cover image creation.
MAT 112 Digital Drawing
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 90 (36 lecture, 54 lab)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Introduction to digital drawing through the powerful art tool Adobe Illustrator. Create vector-based artwork that translates well to other graphic software and media. Create icons, characters, illustrations, interface elements and patterns. Work with type, native 2D shapes, 3D effects and vectorized bitmaps.
MAT 116 Interactive Design I
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 90 (36 lecture, 54 lab)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Introduction to principles of Interactivity through the production of projects that use animation, interactive storytelling, interface design and responsive maps. Students learn to structure non-linear content and are exposed to principles of user experience, working with a variety of graphic and audio assets.
MAT 118 2-D Animation techniques
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 90 (36 lecture, 54 lab)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Students will develop stronger skills in 2-D digital Animation. We will work with timing, storytelling, audio syncing, stop-motion, rotoscope and matting techniques. We will explore and recognize styles and techniques, incorporate both vector-based and bitmap graphics, and integrate photographic and video material.
MAT 121 Computer Interface Design
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 90 (36 lecture, 54 lab)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Building Graphic user-interfaces (GUI) through the principles of computer interaction: window, icon, menu and mouse activity. Strategies to organize information on an interactive screen. Case Studies: Computer, Web and Mobile devices/Apps. Behavior, Usability(UX)and basic Prototyping. Good digital graphic-skills required.
MAT 131 Digital Imaging I
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 90 (36 lecture, 54 lab)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
An introduction to the image processing capabilities of PhotoShop to create and edit images and to prepare images for various media. No prior knowledge of PhotoShop is required. Includes Tools Selection, Channels, Layers, Filters, Text, Brushes, Effects, Masks, Adjustment Layers.
MAT 132 Digital Imaging II
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 90 (36 lecture, 54 lab)
- Advisory
- MAT 131 and 112.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Advanced Photoshop course building on skills presented in MAT 131. Students work on projects that challenge their creativity and technical ability, and develop complex commercial and surreal projects working with image manipulation software.
MAT 134A Classical Animation I
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 90 (36 lecture, 54 lab)
- Advisory
- ART 120.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Basic principles of animation through drawing and other media. Includes analytical understanding and depiction of anatomy, perspective and the movement of things in the real world.
MAT 134B Classical Animation II
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 90 (36 lecture, 54 lab)
- Prerequisite
- MAT 134A.
- Advisory
- ART 120.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Further study and application of animation principles through drawing, with emphasis on character development, timing, action analysis, and compositing the scene.
MAT 136 Introduction to 3D Animation
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 90 (36 lecture, 54 lab)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Fundamentals of 3D animation including modeling, animation and rendering. Focuses on computer animation tools and techniques, and builds a solid foundation for developing character animation and special effect sequences.
MAT 137 Visual Effects for Film, Television and Gaming
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 90 (36 lecture, 54 lab)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Course on visual effects using 3-D and Compositing software to complete the scene production. Utilizing particles, rigid-bodies and soft bodies, students apply techniques for creating natural phenomena, such as waterfalls and blowing leaves. Also explored are methods for simulating physical interactions, such as a chair falling down a staircase.
MAT 138 3-D Character Animation
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 90 (36 lecture, 54 lab)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Advanced 3-D computer animation course on character animation, including character design, modeling techniques for bodies, heads, hands and feet, skeletal and muscle systems, facial animation and lip-syncing to dialogue.
MAT 139 3-D Lighting And Rendering
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 90 (36 lecture, 54 lab)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Advanced 3-D computer animation course on the art and science of lighting and rendering. Techniques for creating photo-realistic computer-generated imagery explored, including lighting, shadowing, texture mapping and shader manipulation.
MAT 141 3-D Modeling
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 90 (36 lecture, 54 lab)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Fundamentals of 3-D modeling, texturing, lighting and rendering. Focus on 3-D modeling tools and techniques. Builds a solid foundation for designing and modeling products, characters, sets and props for animation, product advertisements, movies and video games.
MAT 145 Video Game Design
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 90 (36 lecture, 54 lab)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Introduction to the design and development of video games. Focuses on the elements that make computer games compelling and the basics of game mechanics and environments to their stories and social experiences. Covers industry workflow from theories and practices to a hands-on AAA game engine. No programming experience is necessary.
MAT 149 Social Media and Online Content Creation
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 90 (36 lecture, 54 lab)
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course introduces students to the principles and practices of creating effective digital content for online platforms. Through integration of a variety of social networking applications, students discover and practice online content creation and discover how networks and communities with shared professional and personal interests develop their work. Through hands-on projects, students create and manage content for platforms, gaining experience in web principles, analytics, optimization, and ethical considerations in digital media.
MAT 153 Web Design I
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 90 (36 lecture, 54 lab)
- Advisory
- Art 140.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Students focus on design principles, including: usability, color, layout, fonts, negative space, image quality and placement. Students learn: designing with grids, designing for different screen environments, sizing and optimizing photos. Proficiency in Photoshop required.
MAT 154 Web Design II: Integration
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 90 (36 lecture, 54 lab)
- Prerequisite
- MAT 153.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Students create a web site from scratch using HTML5, CSS3 & jQuery. You will learn how to employ bootstrap, responsive design, custom Wordpress themes, PHP contact forms, and organic Search Engine Optimization. Requires proficiency in Photoshop.
MAT 164 Online and Mobile Marketing
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 (54 lecture)
- Transfers to
- CSU
Introduction to those components needed to develop effective online and search engine marketing (SEM) strategies. Emerging digital media and mobile advertising campaigns are emphasized. Includes search engine optimization (SEO), paid placement ads, keyword identification, placement strategies, SEM research and management tools, and WAP advertising applications in mobile marketing and video advertising.
MAT 167 3-D Environments Design
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 90 (36 lecture, 54 lab)
- Advisory
- MAT 136, MAT 141, MAT 145.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Introduction to the design and creation of a 3D environment for a game or visualization. Students practice with techniques and workflow towards the creation of 3D assets, and bring them into a modern rendering engine, to create there the Environments or worlds where the project will take place. Students complete a 3D portfolio piece from their own inspiration.
MAT 168 Serious Game Prototyping
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 90 (36 lecture, 54 lab)
- Transfers to
- CSU
Prototyping games for virtual reality, simulations, education and marketing. Topics include game play, game-based learning, game concept development and game prototyping. Students explore game prototyping through hands-on projects.
MAT 205 Portfolio Development
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 90 (36 lecture, 54 lab)
- Transfers to
- CSU
Guides students as they develop and refine media pieces towards the personal online portfolio that they will need for job interviews, freelance work and transferring to other institutions. Assignments will help students define their strengths and present their skills through projects in a compelling way, showcasing: animation, motion graphics, interactive prototypes (UI and UX), concept art or character design in accessible online formats. Online presence, resumes, and demo reels are covered.
MAT 216 Interactive Design II - Simple Games
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 90 (36 lecture, 54 lab)
- Prerequisite
- MAT 116.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Students further develop skills in interactive production by prototyping projects like simple games and apps. They work on interactive environments to develop portfolio pieces and discover, first hand, about issues in user experience.
MAT 290 Work Experience In Multimedia
- Units
- 1-4
- Hours
- 216 (216 lab)
- Advisory
- MAT 101, MAT 110.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Supervised employment of students with the intent of creating student awareness of work opportunities, assisting them to acquire desirable work habits, and providing them with experiences in multimedia and related industries. Students perform assigned responsibilities as an employee, follow employer's policies, write individual learning objectives, keep a record of time worked, fill out a student data sheet, and secure an employee evaluation. Course restricted to 3 repetitions