Course Information
Course Number: MTEC1101
Course Title: Design Foundations I
Course Description:
Design Foundations I is the first course in a two-part series for Emerging Media Technology majors. Emphasizing project-based learning, this course equips students with fundamental concepts, skills, and design processes essential for creating digital and interactive media. Integrating creative methodologies with critical thinking, students prepare for a rapidly evolving technological landscape. For hybrid and online sections, minimum technology requirements include a working camera and microphone, to be switched on at the instructor’s request.
Section Number: H10 & H10L / H20 & H20L
Class Meetings
Online Space(s):
- OpenLab: https://openlab.citytech.cuny.edu/mtec1101-sp2026
- Online (Zoom): Meeting Link
In-person Location:
- New York City College of Technology CUNY
Entertainment Technology Department / Emerging Media Technology
Voorhees Hall 186 Jay Street, Room V-314 Brooklyn NY 11201
Faculty Information
Instructor
- Sean M. Landers
Office Hours/Information:
- M (online) & W (in-person): 11:45AM – 12:15PM
In-person Office Hours/Location:
- V314, Voorhees Hall
Contact Information
- Email: slanders@citytech.cuny.edu
Attendance and Promptness:
Attendance is critical for success in this class. Moreover, because of the group work we’ll be doing, your absences do not only affect you – they also affect your peers, and our plans for the session. If you will be absent, please contact the instructor before class begins.
Following an absence, you are responsible for catching up on what was missed; ahead of an absence, to the extent it is possible, then you are responsible for making sure that any group or partner you’re working with will be empowered to continue the work during that class.
Learning Outcomes
| Learning Outcome | Demonstration |
|---|---|
| Understand and apply the principles of design thinking. | Project assignments, in-class activities, critiques. |
| Establish basic competencies across a set of core design tools. | Proficiency in Adobe tools, Google Suite, and collaboration platforms. |
| Use Adobe software (Illustrator, Photoshop, Audition, XD) to create digital media. | Assignments that require creating visual and sound compositions. |
| Integrate AI tools in design workflows, such as Adobe Sensei. | AI-enhanced design iterations in project work. |
| Develop interactive user interfaces and experience basic UX design. | Projects using Adobe XD or Figma. |
| Effectively collaborate on group projects, managing workflow and feedback. | Group work on final projects, peer critiques. |
| Communicate ideas through formal and informal writing. | Written reflection papers, project documentation. |
| Critically analyze design principles and tools, including AI tools. | In-class discussions, critiques, project assessments. |
| Collaborate and share responsibilities in a team setting. | Team projects that involve multiple stages of collaboration. |
| Utilize digital tools and AI to enhance creative projects. | Use of Adobe software, Google Suite, and AI integrations in projects. |
Materials Needed for Physical Design Projects
Since the initial part of the course focuses on physical, non-computer-based design exercises, students will need access to basic physical materials, which may include:
- Paper and pencils
- Scissors, glue, and tape
- Markers or colored pencils
- Rulers or other simple measuring tools
These materials will help facilitate hands-on prototyping and early-stage design thinking projects.
Software Tools Introduced in Design Foundations I:
- Adobe Illustrator — For vector graphics, shapes, typography, and composition.
- Adobe Photoshop — For image editing, pixel graphics, and layering.
- Adobe Audition – For sound editing.
- Figma — For prototyping interactive interfaces and UX design and collaborative UX/UI prototypes.
- Google Suite (Docs, Sheets, Slides, etc.) — For collaborative tasks and document sharing.
- Trello, Notion – Tools for project management.
Optional Tools:Blender (3D design), Audacity (sound editing), Google Jamboard (brainstorming), Miro (collaboration), GitHub (version control).
Schedule of Classes
Detailed breakdown of schedule can be found here.
Grading Breakdown
| Category | Weight |
|---|---|
| Project Assignments | 60% (20% each for 3 major projects) |
| OpenLab Portfolio | 20% |
| Final Presentation | 10% |
| Weekly Participation | 10% |
Note: Students who miss a quiz or project deadline must propose an extra credit assignment to make up for missed work.
Attendance/Participation
Attendance and Promptness:
Attendance is critical for success in this class. If you have a legitimate reason for missing a class or being late, please contact the instructor before class begins.
Later in the semester, group projects are introduced, it is essential for you to maintain contact with your group, and if you miss a class when groups are assigned it is your responsibility to get connected with a group and a project.
Accessibility Statement
City Tech is committed to supporting the educational goals of enrolled students with disabilities in the areas of enrollment, academic advisement, tutoring, assistive technologies, and testing accommodations. If you have or think you may have a disability, you may be eligible for reasonable accommodations or academic adjustments as provided under applicable federal, state and city laws. You may also request services for temporary conditions or medical issues under certain circumstances. If you have questions about your eligibility or would like to seek accommodation services or academic adjustments, you can leave a voicemail at 718-260-5143, send an email to: Accessibility@citytech.cuny.edu, or visit the Center for Student Accessibility’s website.
Academic Integrity Policy
Students and all others who work with information, ideas, texts, images, music, inventions and other intellectual property owe their audience and sources accuracy and honesty in using, crediting and citation of sources. As a community of intellectual and professional workers, the college recognizes its responsibility for providing instruction in information literacy and academic integrity, offering models of good practice, and responding vigilantly and appropriately to infractions of academic integrity. Accordingly, academic dishonesty is prohibited in The City University of New York and is punishable by penalties, including failing grades, suspension and expulsion. More information about the College’s policy on Academic Integrity may be found in the College Catalog.
City Tech Diversity & Inclusive Education Statement
This course welcomes students from all backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. In accordance with the City Tech and CUNY missions, this course intends to provide an atmosphere of inclusion, respect, and the mutual appreciation of differences so that together we can create an environment in which all students can flourish. It is the instructor’s goal to provide materials and activities that are welcoming and accommodating of diversity in all of its forms, including race, gender identity and presentation, ethnicity, national origin, religion, cultural identity, socioeconomic background, sexuality and sexual orientation, ability, neurodivergence, age, and etc. Your instructor is committed to equity and actively seeks ways to challenge institutional racism, sexism, ableism and other forms of prejudice. Your input is encouraged and appreciated. If a dynamic that you observe or experience in the course concerns you, you may respectfully inform your instructor without fear of how your concerns will affect your grade. Let your instructor know how to improve the effectiveness of the course for you personally, or for other students or student groups. We acknowledge that NYCCT is located on the traditional homelands of the Canarsie and Lenape peoples.
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