New Media Narrative

When I first started the New Media Certificate, I knew I was interested in both technology and design, but I didn't always know how to combine the two in a meaningful way. As a Computer Science major, many of my classes focused heavily on technical concepts, and it wasn't always clear how to explore the more creative, human-centered side of my interests.

The New Media Certificate gave me the opportunity to bridge that gap.

Through courses like Native App Development, I was able to apply my technical skills in a more creative way. For my final project, I built an interactive cooking game that combined custom gestures, animation, and visual design — pushing me to think not just about how something works, but how it feels to use. That experience played a direct role in helping me secure a mobile software engineering internship, where I could continue building real-world applications.

In Capstone, I took that foundation even further. Working with a real client through the Seraph Secure project challenged me to think beyond the screen and design for real people, real environments, and real problems. I learned how to conduct user research, iterate based on feedback, and design for accessibility — especially for audiences with different levels of technical experience.

Outside of the classroom, visiting companies like Atlanta Tech Village and Delta gave me valuable insight into how technology and design come together in professional environments. Seeing how teams collaborate, solve problems, and build products at scale helped me better understand the real-world impact of the skills I was developing.

What made the New Media experience especially meaningful was the ability to create projects that felt personal and impactful, rather than just completing assignments. I was able to explore my creativity, experiment with design, and build work that reflects who I am as both a developer and a designer.

Through this journey, I've grown not only in my technical and design skills, but also in my confidence. I've learned how to communicate ideas, collaborate with teams, and approach problems with a user-centered mindset.

The New Media Certificate helped me realize that I don't have to choose between engineering and design — I can combine both to create thoughtful, accessible, and meaningful digital experiences.