Media and Visual Arts

Location: Big Picture, Chinook Middle School, Highland Middle School, Odle Middle School, Tillicum Middle School, Tyee Middle School

This class is for students interested in exploring art, technology, and the many careers available in the digital art industry. Graphic arts, photography, animation, and videography are some of the art forms covered in the semester. Students will use technology to manipulate images, edit videos, create graphic design products, design games, and apply basic photography skills to a variety of products and academic areas. Students will work individually and in groups to create a wide variety of art projects demonstrating their achievements in understanding processes of the media used and creative techniques for future application in school, business, or personal use. 

Location: Big Picture, Chinook Middle School, Highland Middle School, Odle Middle School, Tillicum Middle School, Tyee Middle School

Are you ready for the world of Video Production? The Digital Video Content Creation 1 course is an exciting introduction to the world of video editing, filming, script writing and studio production. Students learn the various ins and outs of the video industry. Commercial television and film production are all included. In this world of You Tube, Tik Tok and IG stories, high production values gain views.  Using state-of-the-art equipment, students will learn tips and tricks for making their stories shine.  They will also learn to produce commercials, public service announcements, music videos, and news stories.    In addition, students will learn the production process, including concept brainstorming, storyboarding, filming and video editing. Students may obtain their Adobe Certification in the Adobe Creative Cloud products such as Premiere Pro and After Effects.   

Location: Chinook Middle School, Highland Middle School, Odle Middle School, Tillicum Middle School, Tyee Middle School

In this project-based class, students work in teams to increase their communication, videography, editing, storytelling, and computer art skills for a variety of audiences and purposes. Video art projects may include filming an assortment of school events and topics to be shared with their school/community. Technical skills focus on advanced techniques with camera work, audio, lighting, digital workflows and storytelling techniques. Students practice 3 steps to making movies using pre-production, production and post-production skills. Students build on their foundation from Video Production 1 to tell visual stories, communicate and develop voice for school and community purposes. 

Location: Bellevue High School

This course offers an immersive exploration into the art of digital painting, designed for students passionate about creating visual illustrations and concept art. Blending foundational principles of traditional art—such as color, form, light, perspective, and proportion—with advanced digital techniques, students will develop the skills to craft compelling 2D designs. Key areas of focus include character design, visual storytelling, idea generation, and iterative design workflows with production milestones. Students will gain proficiency in tools like Photoshop, learning to build custom brushes, patterns, and enhance their creative processes. Ideal for aspiring artists interested in careers in video games, animation, and other creative industries, this course emphasizes hands-on practice and prepares students for a range of professional applications in digital art and design.

Location: Bellevue High School, Newport High School

Radio Broadcasting covers the ins and outs of working in a real radio station. Students learn how to run a radio station as they participate in the operation and management of KASB 89.9 FM, broadcasting from Bellevue High School. Students learn the art of audio recording, mixing and editing. The class is hands on, providing experience with professional audio equipment. This class prepares students for advanced college courses and/or for work in the industry. 

Location: Bellevue High School

This class produces the morning bulletin, WakeUP!, using a professional news studio. Students produce and broadcast a weekly newscast to the rest of the school. The course also covers on-screen and vocal presentation. This class is hands on, providing experience on professional audio and studio video equipment, and prepares you for advanced college courses and/or work in the industry. 

Location: Bellevue High School, Big Picture, Interlake High School, Newport High School, Sammamish High School

Are you ready for the world of Video Production? The Digital Video Content Creation 1 course is an exciting introduction to the world of video editing, filming, script writing and studio production. Students learn the various ins and outs of the video industry. Commercial television and film production are all included. In this world of You Tube, Tik Tok and IG stories, high production values gain views.  Using state-of-the-art equipment, students will learn tips and tricks for making their stories shine.  They will also learn to produce commercials, public service announcements, music videos, and news stories.    In addition, students will learn the production process, including concept brainstorming, storyboarding, filming and video editing. Students may obtain their Adobe Certification in the Adobe Creative Cloud products such as Premiere Pro and After Effects.  

Location: Bellevue High School, Big Picture, Interlake High School, Newport High School, Sammamish High School

Take the next step into the exciting world of Video Content Creation with cutting edge technology making movies and recording audio. Digital Video Content Creation 2 students will work individually and in teams producing video projects such as mini-documentaries and short films to enter film festivals, and other projects for student activities, sports, special community events, and non-profit organizations. Additionally, students will write and produce a short movie, animated video or music recording. Students may obtain their Adobe Certification in the Adobe CC products such as Premiere Pro and After Effects.   

Location: Newport High School (Available to all schools)

Are you interested in television production, filmmaking, and professional video creation? Advanced Digital Video Content Creation offers a comprehensive look into the world of professional video and film production. In this course, students gain hands-on experience in a modern post-production facility equipped with industry-standard tools. They will engage in all aspects of production, including planning, writing, directing, shooting, editing, and producing their own videos. With access to top-tier digital cameras, DSLRs, as well as audio and lighting equipment, students will have the resources they need to create high-quality content. Their films will also be entered in local film festivals, offering a unique opportunity for exposure. 

Throughout the course, students will broaden their understanding of career possibilities through field trips to nearby studios. They will also have the chance to connect with industry professionals during classroom visits and at film festival seminars or career days. This class provides a strong foundation for those looking to pursue advanced college courses or work in the video production industry. Additionally, students will play an active role in creating a bi-weekly student-produced morning announcement program. For those looking to further their credentials, the course offers an opportunity to earn the Adobe Certification in Adobe CC software, including Premiere Pro and After Effects. 

Location: Sammamish High School

This course will cover the concepts, principles and techniques used for designing, creating, and manipulating 3D computer models, images and animations. Topics include 3D modeling, texturing, rendering, rigging, animation, lighting, cinematography, and a study of motion. Students will develop their skills in working with a 3D creation suite to develop assets and animations needed in games and films. Tools used will include Adobe After Effects, Adobe Animate, and Adobe Character Animator. Students will also earn industry recognized certifications from Adobe and Autodesk. 

Location: Bellevue High School, Interlake High School, Sammamish High School

Students will use the predominant software and techniques of the graphic design industry, learning key design principles such as product and packaging design, branding, and other aspects of effective design.  This course will focus on electronic image manipulation, page layout, and web design. The Adobe software used in this class meets current industry standards. Students can obtain their Adobe Certified Professional certification in Photoshop. Introduction to graphics and/or familiarity with computer operation is recommended. 

Location: Bellevue High School, Interlake High School, Sammamish High School

In Computer Graphics 2, students take a deeper dive into graphic design principles and practices by creating commercial design products. Students further their skill development from Computer Graphics 1 using the Adobe industry standard design programs Illustrator and InDesign.  Students can obtain their Adobe Certified Professional certification in Adobe Illustrator and InDesign. Students will submit a portfolio in the spring. 

Location:  Newport High School, Sammamish High School

In this course, students produce the school yearbook. Students must be self-starters, able to work in teams, be conscious of quality control, and will be held to real life deadlines. We will cover basic professional photography elements & principals, interviewing techniques, copy writing, and page layout and design. Emphasis is on accurate and fair coverage of the school year. Yearbook does require a significant commitment; students will be assigned pages from various sections. Pages are assigned at the beginning of the year and students are expected to independently manage how each will be completed for the rest of the year.  In order to fairly represent a sport (or any organization that meets outside of school hours) you will need to attend several after-school events (ex. Sports, club meetings, dances, etc.), thus, work beyond the regular school day is required.

Location: Bellevue High School, Big Picture, Interlake High School, Newport High School, Sammamish High School

Students learn to capture and compose images with a camera and to develop compositional skills with a photographic eye. Students will also learn the history and development of photographic technology while exploring its importance in journalism, advertising, fine art, and commercial applications for possible career choices. The emphasis will be on digital photography. Postproduction including Photoshop will also be a major focus of the class. 

Location: Bellevue High School, Big Picture, Interlake High School, Newport High School, Sammamish High School

Under guidance of the instructor the advanced student of photography will extend and refine the skills and techniques introduced in Photography, including creating and manipulating digital images in Photoshop. Advanced photography students will develop their portfolio in breadth (variety of photographic approaches) or concentration (theme for a body of work) as part of this class. Portfolio development is applicable for the student's future AP 2-D Design Portfolio. 

Location: Bellevue High School, Big Picture, International High School, Newport High School, Sammamish High School

In this two-semester course, AP Photography students will work on a 2-D Design Portfolio as defined by the Advanced Placement Studio Art criteria. The 2D Design Portfolio includes (but is not limited to): graphic design, typography, digital imaging, collage and photography. Students will continue their advanced exploration of photography, including camera work and digital editing. 

Location: Sammamish High School

Costume design is a course that prepares individuals to design, select, or build costumes for characters in Sammamish High School's theatre productions. Costumers will serve as part of a production team. This course includes instruction in costume design, script analysis, period styles, history of costume, stage hair and makeup, drawing and sketching, cost estimation and budget compliance, and sewing construction. 

Location: Sammamish High School

Advanced Costume Design is a course that advances students’ knowledge of designing, selecting, or building costumes for characters in Sammamish High School's theatre productions. Costumers will serve as designers and as part of the production team. This course includes instruction in costume design, script analysis, period styles, history of costume, stage hair and makeup, drawing and sketching, cost estimation and budget compliance, and sewing construction. 

Location: Bellevue High School, Interlake High School, Newport High School, Sammamish High School

This hands-on course concentrates on the various technical aspects of theatre production including sets, props, lights, costumes, sound, and stage management. Students research, design, build and produce technical elements for both theoretical and actual productions. Students will be introduced to all technical theatre areas and then specialize in one or two. Some afternoon and evening work as production running crew members is expected. Students who complete the course can pass an operations test with the district and can become employed by the district to work in the Performing Arts Centers. 

Location: Bellevue High School, Interlake High School, Newport High School, Sammamish High School

Students will concentrate on the major areas of theatre technology and production. Students will explore advanced set design and construction techniques, the creative process involved in translating a script into a visual design, and the essentials of developing costumes, props, lighting and sound designs. All students in the class will acquire behind-the-scenes stage experience through the production of 2-3 shows during the year. Students who complete the course can pass an operations test with the district and can become in employed by the district to work in the Performing Arts Centers.