Sacramento New Technology High School

We mix the traditional elements and principles of design with graphic art and web development.

Advertisers and marketers use the elements and principles of design just like famous painters do, and students understand the motivation behind creating an advertisement that manipulates the eye towards buying or selling something. So it makes sense to combine the two.

Digital Media is a new genre of academic study, combining the foundations of art and communication with electronic media - updated for the computer.

Eventually, all High Schools will have a class like this. We must! Digital Media is the future. That's where the jobs are and it's relevant to students. Digital Media develops their ability to “think outside the box,” to be creative and to compete in the information age.

The great thing about Flash is students can make it as complicated or simple as they want. Flash is a good introduction to "vector" graphics because it's a "cartoon" version of the more advanced Illustrator program. Ambitious users can use the powerful animation features, but it's not required.

Students view a short video introducing the project requirements. Here is a partial example of that video =>

Students can draw using computers or by hand and scan their work. They are guided by the teacher and follow these assets.

Students enter their Aesop's Fables to multimedia contests and shows - like the Animator's Ball. You can also view some examples of student artwork below: