Beginning Digital Publication is a student-driven, project-based course that introduces students to the creative and technical processes used to produce professional-quality print or digital publications. Students explore the full production cycle—from conceptualization through development, revision, and final presentation—while learning to communicate effectively with a specific audience. Possible publication formats include books, ebooks, slide presentations, websites or blogs, multimedia videos, graphic novels, and infographics.

Projects are customized to student interests and needs, with regular collaboration between the student and instructor to plan content, workflow, and appropriate tools. Throughout the course, students apply the elements and principles of design, develop visual literacy, and strengthen their ability to analyze and solve design problems. A variety of open-source, online, or industry-standard software may be used, depending on the project. Students should expect to engage in approximately 90 hours of work, culminating in a final synthesis portfolio that showcases their creative and communicative development. This course serves as a foundation for continued study in Intermediate and Advanced Digital Publication.