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Certificate Program

Live Experience Design & Production

Learn foundational skills in design and production for live events and experiences

The Live Experience Design & Production Certificate provides students with foundational skills in design and production for live events and experiences with an emphasis on creative technology. Students will also learn about introductory research methods, resources, and professional practices in the live events industry.

Required Courses

16.5 Credits | Not Available Online

LEX 101 Introduction to Live Experience Design & Production

This course introduces students to the LEX major and the live entertainment, event, and experience industries, especially through an overview of design, technology, and production skills (especially those dealing with visual elements but also with sound and staging) and professional practices (including understanding industry roles, effective communication and collaboration, entrepreneurship, and project management). Standard resources related to planning and operations as well as those related to academic approaches to theory and creativity will be introduced. Students will also begin to engage with current events and issues, such as sustainability and representation, and how creativity is harnessed to address them.
Credits : 1.5

LEX 126 Staging Design & Production I

The first of a three-course sequence, this course introduces students to design principles, theory, and practices related to staging with a focus on application to live events and experiences. Students will learn about the fundamental components of staging systems and equipment, including modular staging systems, truss systems, hoists, and motor controls as tools for realizing designed spaces through staging. Industry-standard software will be introduced as students create stage plans and layouts in preparation of client briefs.
Credits : 3

LEX 127 Visual Design & Production I

The first of a three-course sequence, this course introduces students to visual design and production with a focus on application to live entertainment events and experiences. Students will gain familiarity designing for, planning, connecting, and operating visual production equipment and technology. Investigation of industry-standard software and systems of aesthetic visualization and data manipulation are introduced as students create content for different kinds of projection technology and work with visual media systems.
Credits : 3

LEX 128 Sound Design & Production I

The first of a three-course sequence, this course introduces students to sound design and production with a focus on application to live events and experiences. Students will study sound principles such as physics, theory, signal chain, and basic hardware operation and setup. Students will learn about live sound systems and equipment, including microphones, preamplifiers, compressors, equalizers, mixing consoles, cabling, speakers, and amplifiers and how to intentionally engage these elements in the signal chain for live sound capture and processing. Industry-standard software will also be introduced as students create sound systems and learn both pre- and post- processing of capture methods. Students will also consider the role of sound as a component of designed experiences in different kinds of spaces, events, and immersive experiences.
Credits : 3

LEX 129 Lighting Design & Production I

The first of a three-course sequence, this course introduces students to lighting design and production with a focus on application to live events and experiences. Students will study fundamental lighting concepts, fixture benefits, basic electronic principles that include hardware networking and infrastructure setup, and design implementation through DMX programming and console operation as well as practical light rigging and safety. Students will also consider the psychology of light and the role of light as a component of designed experiences. Industry-standard software will be introduced as students create lighting systems and show sequences.
Credits : 3

LEX 225 Research Methods & Professional Practices

This course develops research skills and professional practices introduced during the Foundation year. Students will study bibliographies and research methodologies from experience design, contemporary visual culture and design, live events production and other related fields. Industry documentation and reports will be surveyed, including client and project briefs, concept design presentations, technical reports, and regulatory statutes. Students will review competence with essential software, technology, and safety before more advanced work begins in the Junior year.
Credits : 3

Live Experience Design & Production

Who Should Enroll

The program is designed for a wide range of individuals. College experience is not a prerequisite for this program. High school and college graduates, veterans, professionals, and entrepreneurs will be among the students who bring their diverse perspectives to the program.

Cost

$1,351 per credit hour
A total of 16.5 credit hours are required. Credits will be billed per course.

How to Register

Enrolling in one of PCA&D’s Certificate Programs is simple. Confirm your intent to pursue one of our certificates by filling out an application.

If you have any questions regarding mapping out a plan, upcoming class schedules, or completing your certificate, please contact an Admissions Counselor at 717.396.7833 ext 1001 or email admission@pcad.edu.

Start a Certificate Application