155 Ayers Street • Barre, Vermont 05641 • Tel: 802-476-6237 • Fax: 802-476-4045

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The Digital Media Program at Barre Technical Center embraces the digital technologies that surround our lives: video, animation, motion graphics, web sites, and graphic design for print and interactive media. Digital Media surrounds us and is in constant flux. BTC’s interactive program lays a foundation for the students who want to be the pioneers for the next generation of the digital world.

The Digital Media program integrates traditional design with cutting-edge technologies. The program is designed to educate creative innovators and visual problem solvers in theory and practice. After completing introductory units in design principles and media creation, students develop advanced skills in one or more areas including graphic design, digital photography, video production, flash animation, motion graphics, and web site design. All program completers produce a portfolio of personal work suitable for applying for college or a job.

Careers in Digital Media

Photography: Commercial photographer, photo journalist, portrait photographer, travel photographer.
Design and Illustration: Graphic designer, web site designer, interactive media designer, illustrator.
Video: Video producer, camera operator, editor, audio designer.
Animation and Motion: Graphics animator, video game character designer, special effects designer.

College Credit and Industry Certification

Digital Media students are eligible for Adobe Certifications in Photoshop, Fundamentals of Web Design, and Flash Animation.

Program completers may receive up to 6 Dual Enrollment credits (Introduction to Graphic Design and Introduction to Web Development) through Community College of Vermont. Dual Enrollment students must complete the regular Digital Media curriculum and pass the Accuplacer sections designated by CCV. Dual enrollment credits are transcripted college credits that many universities and colleges will accept as transfer credits.

Digital Media program completers who attend Lyndon State College or the New England Institute of Art/AI also have the option of receiving college credit at either school. The New England Institute of Art/AI offers a waiver of 3 credits, and LSC offers up to 9 credits based on a portfolio review.

Related Academics

Post-secondary education is recommended for many digital media careers. Among the schools that program graduates have attended are RIT, New England Institute of Art/AI, Franklin Pierce, Lyndon State College, Castleton State College, Champlain College, Fairleigh Dickinson, Maine College of Art, Emerson College, SUNY and Hallmark Institute of Photography.

Students interested in Digital Media careers should have good basic computer skills. Art and communication courses are also helpful. Students should consider high school courses that will prepare them for college-level work.

Labor Market Outlook/Potential Earnings:

Vermont employers who have hired program graduates include Accura Printing, Leahy Press, Ad Art America, Burton Snowboards, National Life, Jet Service Envelope, Beltrami Photography Studios, Walker Motors, The Burlington Free Press, VideoVision Productions, Ben and Jerry’s, Signal Advertising, WCAX and Family Memorials.