Multimedia
Multimedia majors are full of ideas. We teach the skills to make them reality.
As a student, you will evolve creative concepts into practically applied works, preparing you for the career of your choice. Whether your future lies in web design, film, animation, digital music, graphic design, or video games, you’ll be prepared to master the medium.
Develop skills that blend art and technology
We create a supportive and engaging environment where you’ll have the opportunity to discover, shape and express your creative voice through dynamic media. You’ll learn the theory and practice of how a single premise is developed into a creative concept and practically applied across: web design, print design, digital cinema, immersive experiences, animation, gaming platforms and emerging technologies.
Learn the business of multimedia
Moving beyond media literacy, you’ll gain an understanding of industry theories and processes, best practices and the tools and techniques to create and develop entire media franchises. No matter which medium your future holds, you’ll be prepared for its real world application.
Create original works in our state-of-the-art facilities
Our two-story, 20,000-square-foot William Rolland Art Center houses drawing, painting, photography, ceramics, sculpture and watercolor/design studios along with lecture classrooms, a screening room, and computer, multimedia and editing labs. Filled with beautiful natural light, the building features high ceilings with exposed beams and ducts and many environmentally friendly features.
You’ll have the opportunity to be creative in these facilities throughout your coursework — and during your senior capstone project that gets installed at our annual CLUFest exhibition in the William Roland Art Center gallery.
Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) Scholarship
If you have superior talent in music, theatre, or art, then you should apply for the Visual and Performing Arts scholarship. This scholarship awards up to full tuition.
At a Glance
Degree Type
Bachelor of Arts
Department
School/College
College of Arts and Sciences
Next Steps
Interested in this major? Here's what you can do next:
With challenging and relevant courses, outstanding faculty, small class sizes, and an emphasis on hands-on learning, the multimedia program will position you to succeed in your chosen career.
Degree requirements
Find out what it takes to earn a degree in multimedia and explore the courses.
Emphasis Areas
Customize this major to your interests by taking courses in an area of focus:
Digital Gaming
Discover the art and science of game development, level design, interactive media, virtual reality and themed immersive entertainment. Learn the theory, tools, and technology behind today’s most innovative, engaging and popular new media experiences. From interactive storytelling, design documents and concept development to coding, testing, animation and environmental design.
Graphic Design / Print
Pursue careers in fields such as graphic design, publication and package design, advertising and brand identity design, digital illustration and image editing. Students learn to think and problem solve creatively and to express themselves artistically, while gaining hands-on technical proficiency and learning about best practices in the design industry.
High Definition Digital Cinema
Students will learn to be agile content creators, developing proficiency in all aspects of high definition production, from concept and scripting, to production and post-production. An additional focus is on documentary, reality, and other uses of the cinema toolkit for personal expression outside of scripted content.
Interactivity, Web & Mobile Devices
Prepare for a career in fields such as web design and development, user interface (UI) design, and interaction design. Students must solve creative problems while meeting the needs of the user experience and technical requirements of each medium. They will develop strategies for keeping up-to-date with these ever-changing technologies.
Visual Effects, Motion Graphics & Animation
Explore the craft of visual effects, animation, media production, titles, graphics, cinematic previz, preproduction and post-production. Learn from industry veterans as you build your professional portfolio and design, produce and collaborate on a variety of real world visual fx, graphics and animation projects. Students will engage in the effects design process from the perspective of the animator, graphic designer, VFX technician, technical director, VFX supervisor, previz artist, producer and director.
Highlighted Courses
Get familiar with some of the courses you might take in this major.
MULT 100: Introduction to Multimedia
Introduces students to the concept of multimedia and presents the latest developments in the field. Designed as the gateway to the major, the course will model in simplified form the way the major will function. Students will be introduced to basic skill competencies - both computer and non-computer - necessary for the major. General concepts relating to multimedia will be introduced including social, ethical and legal issues, among others.
See descriptionMULT 300: Advanced Multimedia I
Concentrates on developing each student's specialty in multimedia as well as assessing higher levels of skill and knowledge competency. Team projects focus on broader uses of more advanced multimedia technology. Emphasis is placed on user interface, advanced communication skills and content development.
See descriptionMULT 358: Visual Effects/Motion Graphics/Animation
This class concentrates on professional visual effects, motion graphics and 3D animation techniques for High Definition Television and Digital Cinema. Grounded in the creative appraisal and technical analysis of script and production requirements students will learn entertainment industry skills such as asset management, script breakdown, plate production, blue/green screen compositing, title and type animation, and basic character animation and staging.
See descriptionMULT 465: Maxon Cinema 4D 3D Animation
This class focuses on the principles of 3D animation and how they are applied across multiple media: Print, Internet, HD Television, Digital Cinema and Digital Gaming. Topics include construction of models, 3D space, composition, color, keyframe animation, visual effects and motion capture, as well as the specific aesthetic and technical requirements of the industry.
See descriptionMULT 471: High Definition Digital Cinema II
Modeled after major studio and production company project workflows this two semester, hand-on, time intensive class concentrates on the post production process for dramatic, experimental, reality documentary work from dailies, visual effects, color correction, audio design to edited short. Major use of the Internet for project management, research and development, post-production and distribution is emphasized.
See descriptionRecommended Minors
Want to add even more value to your degree? Consider one of these minors to gain a unique combination of skills and perspectives.
- Art
- Computer Information Systems
- Computer Science
- Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- Film and Television
- Music
- Communication
Assistant Professor in the Visual Arts Department
Assistant Professor
Visiting Lecturer of Visual Arts
Adjunct Faculty Member
Adjunct Faculty Member
Adjunct Faculty Member
Adjunct Faculty
Adjunct Faculty Member
Check out the spaces and tools you'll have access to in this major. Explore the entire Cal Lutheran campus with our virtual tour
Opened in 2017, the William Rolland Art Center provides modern facilities for the Cal Lutheran Art and Multimedia programs.
The main gallery space in the lobby of William Rolland Art Center.
Interactive VR Studio
William Rolland Art Center Mac Lab
Swenson Mac Lab
Spies-Bornemann Center Mac Lab
Soiland Humanities Center Mac Lab
Studio A features an all-discrete, state-of-the-art 48-channel API Vision recording console with recall automation and additional outboard equipment. The console connects to a 48-channel Pro Tools HD Accel system featuring pristine Antelope audio interfaces.
Studio C is a small collaboration studio located in the Zimmerman Music Studios facility. It features a UAD duo interface, external preamps and other outboard gear, midi drums, analog synthesizers, beat pads, and other MIDI equipment.
The TV studio features an HD digital production switcher with 2 ME's Broadcast graphics system, live HD streaming capability, three professional Hitachi HD broadcast cameras with Fujinon lenses, teleprompters, green screen keying, and a real news set from KTLA.
Our main TV studio is a full featured high definition production facility that can accommodate a wide range of production needs from news programming, interviews and dramas.
We offer hands-on opportunities that give you the freedom to explore your passion through real-world work and prepare for a fulfilling career.
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Portfolio Building Opportunities
Over the course of your studies, you will produce a solid body of work that will enable you to create a professional portfolio or demo reel, depending on your concentration, which you will assemble in your final year. Your portfolio or demo reel will showcase both your creative problem solving skills, as well as your technical expertise.
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Creative Facilities
Our two-story, 20,000-square-foot William Rolland Art Center houses drawing, painting, photography, ceramics, sculpture and watercolor/design studios along with lecture classrooms, a screening room, and computer, multimedia and editing labs. Filled with beautiful natural light, the building features high ceilings with exposed beams and ducts and many environmentally friendly features.
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Annual Multimedia Exhibition
As part of your capstone course, you’ll collaborate with classmates to plan, design, implement and install an exhibition, entitled CLUFest, in the William Roland Art Center gallery. This themed showcase highlights the multidisciplinary skills acquired via the curriculum and internships.
Multimedia is a major that teaches students a lot about the basics of technology and art. I’ve had fun doing things outside my graphic design emphasis such as video editing, character design, and web design. I’m not sure what I want to do with my degree, but I know that I have a lot of options.
Samara Benjamin '26
Read their storyOur program prepares graduates for careers in a broad range of media fields including animation, computer games, digital cinema, directing, e-commerce, high definition (HD) and interactive television production, project management, web development and visual effects.
Potential Careers
Desktop Publishers
Format typescript and graphic elements using computer software to produce publication-ready material.
See descriptionMedia Programming Directors
Direct and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in preparation of radio or television station program schedules and programs, such as sports or news.
See descriptionMedia Technical Directors/Managers
Coordinate activities of technical departments, such as taping, editing, engineering, and maintenance, to produce radio or television programs.
See descriptionFilm and Video Editors
Edit moving images on film, video, or other media. May work with a producer or director to organize images for final production. May edit or synchronize soundtracks with images.
See descriptionArt Directors
Formulate design concepts and presentation approaches for visual productions and media, such as print, broadcasting, video, and film. Direct workers engaged in artwork or layout design.
See descriptionSpecial Effects Artists and Animators
Create special effects or animations using film, video, computers, or other electronic tools and media for use in products, such as computer games, movies, music videos, and commercials.
See descriptionGraphic Designers
Design or create graphics to meet specific commercial or promotional needs, such as packaging, displays, or logos. May use a variety of mediums to achieve artistic or decorative effects.
See descriptionWeb and Digital Interface Designers
Develop and test layouts, interfaces, functionality, and navigation menus to ensure compatibility and usability across browsers or devices. May evaluate web design following web and accessibility standards, and may analyze web metrics. May create graphics used in websites and manage website content and links.
See descriptionLooking for more career paths? Search these related areas to discover more options.
Employers
Some of the organizations our graduates work for include:
- CBS Paramount
- Creative Artists Agency
- Dark Burn Creative
- Fandango
- Fox Network Group
- Magaurn Video Productions
- Mechnology Visual Effects
- Nickelodeon Animation
- Paradox Development
- Walt Disney
- Warner Media
- Wondros
Graduate Schools
Our alumni have pursued advanced degrees at:
- Gnomon 3D Modeling & Animation School
- Musician’s Institute
- San Francisco Academy of Arts
- Simmons College
- University of Connecticut
- Video Symphony
I have always had a love for art but wanted to pursue it differently. I wanted something broader so I could learn on a spectrum. With multimedia, it’s great to understand areas you may not have considered or known of before. I’ve grown an appreciation for graphic design and animation but have tried many more outlets.
Anna Bello '23
Communications Coordinator, Montecito Club
This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Some occupations listed above may require a related graduate degree.
How We Prepare You for Success
We have 20,000+ employer contacts for jobs and internships, with over 200 listings posted each week.
Our excellent career counselors in the Career Services center will get in touch with you during your very first term on campus. They offer over 50 workshops each year on resume writing, interviewing, salary negotiations, applying to graduate schools, and other critical skills to help you begin your career successfully.
After you graduate from Cal Lutheran, you receive free access to Career Services for life, as a valued member of our alumni family.
of Cal Lutheran graduates find a job or enroll in graduate school within nine months
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