uwloo

DAC 201Designing Digital Media

Units
0.50
Faculty
Arts
Subject
Digital Arts Communication
Cross-listed
ENGL 203

When it runs

  1. F24
  2. W25
  3. S25
  4. F25
  5. W26
  6. S26
  7. F26
  8. W27
  9. S27

Ran in 6 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 4 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.

This course draws on multiple theoretical perspectives to introduce students to the fundamental principles of multi-modal communication design in its social context. Students will analyze, design, and produce digital media for use in a variety of platforms.

Prerequisites

  • Students must be in level 2A or higher

Antirequisites

  • Not completed nor concurrently enrolled in any of the following:
    • GBDA101 - Introduction to Digital Media Design (0.50)

Leads to

No course lists it as a requisite.

Fall 2026 sections

Enrolment from UW Open Data, which can trail Quest by up to two days. Instructors and rooms: Schedule of Classes.
SectionClassEnrolledMeets
LEC 001357525 / 26M 11:30–12:50
LEC 002375624 / 24F 11:30–12:50

Winter 2027 sections

Enrolment from UW Open Data, which can trail Quest by up to two days. Instructors and rooms: Schedule of Classes.
SectionClassEnrolledMeets
LEC 00135690 / 24W 14:30–17:20
LEC 00239170 / 24M 11:30–12:50
LEC 701135817 / 9999Online or by arrangement
LEC 70279609 / 9999Online or by arrangement

Reviewed on UW Flow

73% liked it68% easy68% useful

From 15 ratings and 4 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.

  • Great course, just show up to class, participate and the majority of your work is done. I actually learned stuff doing the three big projects, and the group critique sessions were quite informative. Should be an easy course (especially with betsy) as long as you can follow basic instructions

    Apr 2022 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • do NOT take this course with aditi bhatia-kalluri if you actually want to learn anything. the entire course is you submitting AI slop, so if that's your jam then go for it, but if you actually wanted to learn anything useful about design, avoid her at all costs and take with another prof if you can (i recommend betsy brey). rubrics feel AI generated and vague, slides and feedback are likely also written by AI, this course was entirely a waste of my time and money. group-project based course, as per many DAC courses, but honestly this one you can get away with just fine if the rest of your group isn't doing anything. work is doable, just vague and aditi will not help if you if you're…

    May 2026 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • This course was a good introduction to Adobe Illustrator, WordPress, and Twine. The projects were based on your own interests, which made it fun. There were video tutorials to learn how to use the applications, but otherwise you're on your own. I was able to learn the ropes quickly since I already took DAC 149. There are 3 projects worth 25%, then weekly activities make up the rest. I think it's a great course, and Betsy is a great prof!

    Nov 2024 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • I really loved this course! The prof was great and really accommodating. I always enjoyed her lectures and she made them engaging. We designed an infographic and a one page website which taught me very practical skills. Definitely recommend this course!

    Jul 2024 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

Discussed on r/uwaterloo

9 posts and comments in 8 threads mention DAC 201, July 2013 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.

Spring 2023

Winter 2023

Fall 2020

Fall 2017

Fall 2015

Fall 2014

What's a good Fine, Performing, and Communication Arts class to take? 1 point, 1 comment

u/aapw: “… Right now I'm thinking DAC 201 because I know HTML and have other Computer Science background (it's actually my first choice for a major) so I feel like it would be really easy.. unless there's anything that someone would recommend. …”

u/ThePawn: “… Taking DAC 201 has a prerequisite of 2A standing, which coming into university from high school you almost certainly will not have. I direct your attention to this link for futher reading. https://ugradcalendar.uwaterloo.ca/page/uWaterloo-Level-and-Term-of-Study. …”

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Spring 2014

Any Graphic Design courses on campus, not online? 3 points, 2 comments

“Does anybody know if there are any digital/graphic design courses which are available to take on campus? I need an elective to take, and the only course I saw was online-only. …”

u/valryuu: “I dunno if this helps, but check out: DAC 201 Designing Digital Images and Hypertext DAC 202 Designing Digital Video”

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Spring 2013

It's elective choosing time. What do. 1 point, 13 comments

“I'm in Honours Computer Science (Regular). I don't know what my interests outside of CS are. I like Graphic Design and Video Games. Film Productions cool but I doubt that's offered. What do?”

u/trivia1: “Video games are buried in the ARTS section (and fills the arts requirements!). However, you have to wait until 3rd year. ARTS303 and 304 are essentially the same, so you can do it twice! …”

u/retainerbox: “… (See DAC 201, 202, etc.) It's a bit difficult to get into these courses unless you're an ARBUS/ENGL student, but it's not impossible - talk to the professors; they are super nice and will probably let you in if you show you're interested. …”

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Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026

Calendar versions

Undergraduate Calendar