The Academy of Digital Design and Communication
CMT Academy of Digital Design and Communication

The mission of the Academy of Digital Design and Communication is to prepare students to be college and career ready in an interactive and creative world. The Academy of Digital Design and Communication offers the following pathways:
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Audio Production
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Audio/Visual Production
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Digital Arts & Design
Audio Production
Audio Production
This Special Program of Study is designed for students interested in becoming broadcast and sound engineering technicians and related occupations in audio production. In this program of study, students develop skills to conduct complete recording sessions and perform mix-down, mastering, and other postproduction techniques.
National Career Cluster Alignment
The Audio Production SPOS Pathway is a part of the Arts, Audio/Visual Technology, and Communication career cluster. The Arts, Audio/Video Technology, and Communications Careers involve designing, producing, exhibiting, performing, writing, and publishing media content. This cluster also and performing arts, graphic design, journalism, and entertainment.
Pathway Courses
Level 1 Course: Audio Production I
- Audio Productions I is designed to introduce students to basic knowledge and technical skills required of the recording industry. The course focuses on technical skills necessary for basic recording and editing. It will also introduce students to the basics of live sound reinforcement. Students will explore a basic knowledge of the business of music, including intellectual property. They will develop critical listening skills both technical and musical. Students will demonstrate social and communication skills and be expected to respond appropriately in professional industry scenarios.
- Aligned Industry Credential: -none-.
Level 2 Course: Audio Production II
- Audio Productions II is designed to review basic knowledge and skills and explore advanced recording and editing techniques, as well as basic mixing techniques. It will also introduce students to advanced principles of live sound reinforcement. Students will explore careers in the audio industry to develop a potential career path. They will continue to develop and progress their critical listening skills. They will be introduced to real-world social business situations through job shadowing and other experiential opportunities.
- Aligned Industry Credential: -none-.
Level 3 Course: Audio Production III
- Audio Productions III is designed to develop advanced recording, editing, and mixing techniques, as well as basic mastering required for a complete recording session. This will include advanced microphone and production techniques. It will also develop in students professional aspects of live sound reinforcement. Students will write a business plan based on their specific audio interests. They will continue to develop and progress their critical listening skills. They will be introduced to real-world social business situations through job shadowing, internships, and other experiential opportunities.
- Aligned Industry Credential: -none-
Affiliated Career and Technical Student Organization: SkillsUSA
SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. SkillsUSA improves the quality of our nation’s future skilled workforce through the development of Framework skills that include personal, workplace and technical skills grounded in academics.
Audio/Visual Production
Audio/Visual Production
This pathway explores the occupations and educational opportunities associated with the production of audio and visual media formats for various purposes, such as TV broadcasts, advertising, video production, or motion pictures. This Pathway may also include exploration into operating machines and equipment to record sound and images, such as microphones, sound speakers, video screens, projectors, video monitors, sound and mixing boards, and related electronic equipment.
National Career Cluster Alignment
The Audio/Visual Production Pathway is a part of the Arts, Audio/Visual Technology, and Communication career cluster. The Arts, Audio/Video Technology, and Communications Careers involve designing, producing, exhibiting, performing, writing, and publishing media content. This cluster also and performing arts, graphic design, journalism, and entertainment.
Pathway Courses
Level 1 Course: A/V Production I
- A/V Production I is a foundational course in the Arts, A/V Technology, and Communications cluster for students interested in A/V (audio/visual) production occupations. Upon completion of this course, proficient students will be able to explain and complete the phases of the production process including pre-production, production, and post-production. Students will establish basic skills in operating cameras, basic audio equipment, and other production equipment. Standards in this course include career exploration, an overview of the history and evolution of A/V production, and legal issues affecting A/V production. In addition, students will begin compiling artifacts for inclusion in a portfolio, which they will carry with them throughout the full sequence of courses in this program of study.
- Aligned Industry Credential: Adobe Certified Professional - Premiere Pro. The Adobe Certified Professional (ACP) certification is the industry-recognized validation of one’s proficiency in Adobe Premiere Pro CC. This certification requires in-depth knowledge of setting project requirements, design elements when preparing video, editing video sequences, exporting video using Adobe Premiere Pro CC, as well as an understanding of the Adobe Premiere Pro CC interface.
Level 2 Course: A/V Production II
- A/V Production II is the second course in the A/V Production program of study intended to prepare students for a careers in audio/visual production. Building on knowledge acquired in A/V Production, this course advances technical skill in utilizing industry equipment related to lighting and audio, and it places special emphasis on the research and technical writing involved in planning productions. Upon completion of this course, proficient students will be able to plan, capture, and edit research-based productions of increasing complexity, individually and through collaboration in teams. In addition to more robust career preparation, standards in this course include an investigation of concerns affecting A/V production businesses, such as ethical and legal issues, technology, funding, and the organization of professional roles in various industries. Students will continue compiling artifacts for inclusion in their portfolios, which they will carry with them throughout the full sequence of courses in this program of study.
- Aligned Industry Credential: Adobe Certified Professional - Photoshop. The Adobe Certified Professional (ACP) certification is the industry-recognized validation of one’s skill in Adobe Photoshop CC. This certification requires in-depth knowledge of setting project requirements, understanding the Adobe Photoshop CC interface, as well as creating and publishing digital images using Adobe Photoshop CC.
Level 3 Course: A/V Production III
- A/V Production III is an applied-knowledge course intended to prepare students to pursue career sand postsecondary learning in audio/visual production. Students in this course will apply knowledge and skills from previous courses in the program of study to create productions both independently and in teams, with the option of participating in a work-based learning experience for additional credit. Students will use industry equipment and technology to complete all phases of the production process, including planning, coordinating, capturing, editing, and distributing productions. Standards in this course include policies and regulations, independent and collaborative productions, distribution of media, and the production of live events. Students will continue compiling artifacts for inclusion in their portfolios, which they will carry with them throughout the full sequence of courses in this program of study. Upon completion of this course, proficient students will be prepared for a career in audio/visual production or to transition to a postsecondary program for further study.
- Aligned Industry Credential: Adobe Certified Professional - After Effects. The Adobe Certified Professional (ACP) certification is the industry-recognized validation of an individuals' skill in Adobe After Effects. This certification requires in-depth knowledge of setting project requirements and understanding of the Adobe After Effects interface to create motion graphics and visual effects.
Dual Credit and/or Dual Enrollment Opportunity in this Pathway
- Credit Type: Industry Credential for Dual Credit
- Institution: NOSSI College of Art
- Industry Credential for Dual Credit- Credit by assessment. Students are enrolled in a high school course that is identified as a match with a post-secondary course. Students complete the aligned industry credential assessment at the end of the course to prove mastery of content. If the student passes the assessment and earns the aligned industry credential, the student can use the college credit at that institution or request a transcript to use at a different institution.
Affiliated Career and Technical Student Organization: SkillsUSA
SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. SkillsUSA improves the quality of our nation’s future skilled workforce through the development of Framework skills that include personal, workplace and technical skills grounded in academics.
Digital Arts and Design
Digital Arts and Design
This pathway explores the occupations and educational opportunities associated with designing or creating graphics to meet specific commercial or promotional needs, such as packaging, displays, or logos. This Pathway may also include exploration into designing clothing and accessories, and creating special effects, animation, or other visual images using film, video, computers, or other electronic tools and media, for use in computer games, movies, music videos, and commercials.
National Career Cluster Alignment
The Digital Arts and Design Pathway is a part of the Arts, Audio/Visual Technology, and Communication career cluster. The Arts, Audio/Video Technology, and Communications Careers involve designing, producing, exhibiting, performing, writing, and publishing media content. This cluster also and performing arts, graphic design, journalism, and entertainment.
Pathway Courses
Level 1 Course: Digital Arts and Design I
- Digital Arts and Design I is a foundational course in the Arts, A/V Technology, and Communications cluster for students interested in art and design professions. The primary aim of this course is to build a strong understanding of the principles and elements of design and the design process. Upon completion of this course, proficient students will be able to utilize industry tools to conceptualize and create communications solutions which effectively reach targeted audiences. Students will acquire basic skills in illustration, typography, and photography. Standards in this course include career exploration, an overview of the history of design, basic business management, and legal issues. In addition, students will begin compiling artifacts for inclusion in a digital portfolio, which they will carry with them throughout the full sequence of courses in this program of study.
- Aligned Industry Credential: Adobe Certified Professional - Photoshop. The Adobe Certified Professional (ACP) certification is the industry-recognized validation of one’s skill in Adobe Photoshop CC. This certification requires in-depth knowledge of setting project requirements, understanding the Adobe Photoshop CC interface, as well as creating and publishing digital images using Adobe Photoshop CC.
Level 2 Course: Digital Arts and Design II
- Digital Arts and Design II is a course that builds on the basic principles and design process learned in the introductory Digital Arts and Design I course. Upon completion of this course, proficient students will be able to perform advanced software operations to create photographs and illustrations of increasing complexity. Students will employ design principles and use industry software to create layouts for a variety of applications. Standards in this course also include an overview of art and design industries, career exploration, and business management. In addition, students will continue compiling artifacts for inclusion in a digital portfolio, which they will carry with them throughout the full sequence of courses in this program of study
- Aligned Industry Credential: Adobe Certified Professional - Illustrator. The Adobe Certified Professional (ACP) certification is the industry-recognized validation of one’s proficiency in Adobe Illustrator CC. This certification requires in-depth knowledge of setting project requirements, identifying design elements used when preparing graphics, knowledge of Illustrator functions, creating graphics as well as the ability to archive, export and publish graphics used for web, print, and video.
Level 3 Course: Digital Arts and Design III
- Digital Arts and Design III is the third course in the Digital Arts and Design program of study. Applying design skills developed in prior courses, students will expand their creative and critical thinking skills to create comprehensive multimedia projects and three-dimensional designs. Upon completion of this course, proficient students will be able to use industry-standard software to create multimedia projects, web pages, three-dimensional models, and animations. Students will utilize research techniques to plan and enhance project outcomes. Standards in this course also include professionalism and ethics, career exploration, and business and project management. In addition, students will continue compiling artifacts for inclusion in a digital portfolio, which they will carry with them throughout the full sequence of courses in this program of study.
- Aligned Industry Credential: Adobe Certified Professional - InDesign. The Adobe Certified Professional (ACP) certification is the industry-recognized validation of one’s proficiency in Adobe InDesign CC. This certification requires in-depth knowledge of setting project requirements, identifying design elements, preparing page layouts, creating page layouts, as well as publishing, exporting and archiving page layouts using Adobe InDesign CC.
Dual Credit and/or Dual Enrollment Opportunity in this Pathway
- Credit Type: Industry Credential for Dual Credit
- Institution: NOSSI College of Art
- Industry Credential for Dual Credit- Credit by assessment. Students are enrolled in a high school course that is identified as a match with a post-secondary course. Students complete the aligned industry credential assessment at the end of the course to prove mastery of content. If the student passes the assessment and earns the aligned industry credential, the student can use the college credit at that institution or request a transcript to use at a different institution.
Affiliated Career and Technical Student Organization: SkillsUSA
SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. SkillsUSA improves the quality of our nation’s future skilled workforce through the development of Framework skills that include personal, workplace and technical skills grounded in academics.
Community Partners
- NECAT
- Rocketown
- Dynamo Studios
- Volunteer State Community College
- WKRN News 2

