Accredited Digital Art Courses

Develop digital design skills through our high school Digital Arts courses at Sterling Academy! We offer several courses in this subject area, each worth one semester (0.5 credit).

Full-time students at Sterling Academy can take these courses for their electives. If you are a full-time student at another school but your school does not offer these courses, you can enroll at Sterling Academy part-time and take the courses you wish. These courses are 100% online, and since we are an accredited school, you can generally easily transfer credits earned back to your high school.

What can you learn in our courses? Well, not only will we teach you how to apply established graphic design principles and how to use the digital graphic programs that are out there today, but also how to learn so that you can quickly adapt to the ever-changing list of new graphic tools. Our courses give you many opportunities to create vector based graphics, apply effective graphic design principles, and create 3-dimensional models and animations. Most of the digital tools we use in our courses are free.

A typical course will ask you to create a project by first breaking down the specific skills you will need to know to succeed. You practice these skills separately, then you practice integrating the skills. At this point, you will feel confident as you successfully complete the required project.

DIGITAL ARTS COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

3D Modeling (1A & 1B)

The first semester introduces the student on how different 3D models are built and how to practice using a variety of modeling methods. In the second semester, students will be introduced to the tools and techniques needed to create works of 3D art to bring objects to life.**

Animation (1A & 1B)

The first semester introduces the student to develop a story by exploring design, the 12 principles of animation, creating a storyboard, and leveraging the tools of the trade. In the second semester, students will start exploring the software Blender, gateway to 3D modeling, computer animation, and postproduction procedures used in film industry.**

Foundations of Game Design (1A & 1B)

The first semester introduces the student to an overview of game designing and the digital game industry. In the second semester, students work on storytelling, mechanics, and production of a game.**

Game Design (2A & 2B)

In the first semester, students learn aspects such as creating the narrative of a game and audio & visual effects. The second semester covers character development, level design, testing, and publishing.**

Game Design for Chromebooks (1A & 1B)

In the first semester, students learn the fundamentals of game design including scripting in JavaScript, game mechanics, audio editing, storytelling and game world development. Students will apply these skills to build an arcad- style galactic adventure game. The second semester students will apply all the skills they learned into building a full blown prototype game for all to see!**

Digital Media Fundamentals (1A & 1B)

In the first semester, students learn to use text, graphics, animations, sounds, videos, and more to make impressive media. The second semester students will incorporate creative ideas into websites, discover the basics of marketing, explore podcast and audio editing.**

Web Development (1A & 1B)

Students begin with introductions to HTML, CSS, JavaScript, organizing files and developing the web project workflow. Second semester's topics include creating a beautiful webiste, webiste maintenance and performance, XHTML, web security and mobile web.**

Web Development (2A & 2B)

Students begin with Agile methodology of software development and how it plays into leadership and teamwork amongst developers. Second semester website goes live! Students will discover common coding errors and security threats, website accessibility and realiability and become more fluent and efficient in JavaScript.**

Digital Design (1A & 1B)

In the first semester, students will learn the basic principles of design, the tools needed to succeed in the industry, how to design objects, how to market yourself and open your own design business all while building a portfolio. Second semester students will be able to apply effective communication and people skills, explore and implement the design process, create images, properly use equipment, and evaluate and market your own design.**

**These courses require students to download software. Minimum system requirements apply.

Middle School Digital Art & Design

Digital art and design involves everything from advertising to animation to photography and more. In this course, you’ll learn about the evolution of art; the basic principles of art and design; the role of art in politics and society; and how to create digital art and make it come alive.*

Middle School Photography: Introduction (1A) & Drawing With Light (1B)

Students see photographs every day on television, on the Internet, and in magazines and newspapers. What makes a great photograph? How did the artist capture a story? What makes a great picture? What are careers in photography? In this course, students learn and apply fundamental skills to use a camera and take photographs of animals, people, and landscapes. Students gain an understanding of how photography can be a means of documentation or high art. Students examine photographic careers and explore self-reflection to progress their creative growth as they develop a photographic portfolio. This course helps students select subjects, take a photograph, and print and display memories!*

Digital Photography: Introduction (1A) & Creating Images With Impact (1B)

Have you ever wondered how photographers take such great pictures? Have you tried to take photographs and wondered why they didn’t seem to capture that moment that you saw with your eyes? The online high school Digital Photography I course focuses on the basics of photography, including building an understanding of aperture, shutter speed, lighting, and composition. Students will be introduced to the history of photography and basic camera functions. Students will use the basic techniques of composition and camera functions to build a portfolio of images, capturing people, landscapes, close-up, and action photographs.*

*These courses require students to provide some materials in order to complete their projects.

OUR DIGITAL ARTS COURSES

We offer the following digital arts courses at Sterling Academy:

3D Modeling 1A & 1B ($)
Animation 1A & 1B ($)
Foundations of Game Design 1A & 1B ($)
Game Design 2A & 2B ($)
Game Design for Chromebooks 1A & 1B ($)
Digital Media Fundamentals 1A & 1B ($)
Web Development 1A & 1B ($)
Web Development 2A & 2B ($)
Digital Design 1A & 1B ($)
Digital Media Web Design 2A & 2B ($)
Middle School Game Design 1A & 1B ($)
Middle School Digital Art & Design ($)
Middle School Photography: Drawing With Light ($)
Digital Photography 1A: Introduction ($)
Digital Photography 1B: Creating Images With Impact ($)
Digital Photography 2: Discovering Your Creative Potential ($)

Course descriptions are located at the bottom of this page.

($) Courses with the dollar symbol require a $99 surcharge per semester on top of the regular tuition price.

MEET OUR Digital Arts TEACHER

Mireya Leon is a dedicated technology educator with a strong background in full-stack development. She earned her B.S. in Computer Science from CSU Monterey Bay and furthered her studies with an M.S. in Human-Computer Interaction from UC Santa Cruz. Mireya began her career as a developer, working with technologies such as WordPress, Ruby on Rails, the MERN stack, app development, and microcontrollers before transitioning into education.

Concurrent with her role as technology teacher serving Sterling Academy students, Mireya is also a Computer Science Adjunct Instructor at Hartnell College. She combines her industry experience with a passion for teaching. Mireya focuses on making complex concepts accessible and engaging, believing that a deep understanding of both programming and students is key to an effective learning environment. Outside of teaching, she enjoys exploring the latest tech innovations, drawing, and comic books.

Mireya resides in Salinas, CA, where she continues to be influenced by the region's unique blend of agriculture and technology.

Online High School Digital Art Courses

DIGITAL ARTS COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

OUR DIGITAL ARTS COURSES

MEET OUR Digital Arts TEACHER

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