A place for creatives to grow.
Multimedia Communications is the creative career-technical program at Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School. We teach students how to solve problems and tell stories using visual media, i.e. digital and printed designs, photography, interactive web/app designs, video, and animation.
What is Design Thinking?
Design Thinking is a problem-solving framework introduced by the Stanford University Design School, known as d.school. Stanford d.school believes “Everyone has the capacity to be creative” and we do too. The Multimedia Communications program follows the Design Thinking methodology to equip students with creative problem-solving skills.
The Design Thinking Process has a series of steps:
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Empathize: getting to know your customer or target audience
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Define: understanding the problem that needs solving
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Ideate: generating ideas to solve the problem
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Prototype: create a draft of the solution for feedback
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Test: collect feedback about the prototype and adjust draft as needed
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Final delivery of the solution
We apply this methodology in Multimedia by assigning projects that align with real-world work and real-life problems. Students are asked to define their target audience and explain the strategies their media uses to reach that particular group of people. Further, students are required to develop concept work for all projects and they receive feedback throughout the project to help make their work more successful.
Multimedia students are first exposed to Design Thinking with the freshmen exploratory experience and other short-term projects that involve planning before execution. In sophomore and junior year, they apply the process to more complicated and demanding projects like the boardgame design project, social media campaign, stop-motion animation, and various video projects. Juniors also complete a design thinking project called “Welcome Freshmen,” which requires them to design an experience for new freshmen assigned to our program. Finally, in senior year, students complete a capstone project, which allows them to create industry-standard work for a real client in the community. For more details on how the Design Thinking Process applies to specific projects, visit our blog at bvtmultimedia.blogspot.com.
Our Staff
Mr. Millette
Grades 9 – 12
Licensed in Radio and Television Broadcasting and Instructional Technology
Jim Millette says, “Wherever you go, there you are.” Having gone
to Uxbridge High School, he began making videos for the local community access station. After transfering from Bryant University, he received his undergraduate degree from Rhode Island University. Upon graduation, he entered the television communications field working for WBMC TV3, Worcester. Jim visited BVT to train teachers in the use of video equipment, and this turned into a job opportunity. He earned his Masters degree in Instructional Technology at Framingham State University.
Ms. McCabe
Grades 11 – 12
Licensed in Design and Visual Communications.
Monique McCabe is a graduate of the former BVT Graphic Arts department, and she has her BS in Media Arts and Technology from Rochester Institute of Technology. At the age of 10, Monique knew that she wanted to go into the Graphic Design field. She previously worked as a visual design and marketing specialist for high-tech software companies, and continues to run her own freelance photography business. She primarily works with the upperclassmen on community projects, developing advanced design and digital production skills, and photography.
Mrs. Mota-Medeiros
Grades 9 – 10
Licensed in Design and Visual Communications, Programming and Web Development, and Business Technology
Ashleigh has industry expertise in typography, layout, web design and development, and user interface design. She earned her BFA in Graphic Design from UMass Dartmouth, followed by a Masters degree in Education from Fitchburg State University. After working as a User Interface Designer, Ashleigh moved into a teaching career at another vocational school before joining our program at BVT. Ashleigh primarily works with the freshmen and sophomores in our department.
Mr. Mayo
Grades 11 – 12
Digital Imaging Specialist
BVT Design & Print Center
Tom Mayo grew up in Putnam, CT as one of four siblings. He studied Graphic Communications at the Hall Institute of Technology. Tom has extensive experience in the Graphic Arts and Printing field. For over
25 years, Tom has worked for major printing companies including McGraw Hill and Boston College. Tom is involved in a highly beneficial awareness program focused on embracing differences during childhood. He co-produced a children's book called The Misfit Sock. Entering the Printing and Design field “all started as an elective in high school,”
Tom shared.