UCLA Extension courses

A director must have the ability to interpret and translate the written ideas of the screenplay into cinematic form. This overview lecture course gives the aspiring director a comprehensive practical understanding of the film director's craft--the language,…

As David Damrosch reminds us, “Reading a work from a different place and time involves a back-and-forth movement between the familiar and the unfamiliar. A view of the world is always a view from wherever we are, and we inevitably filter what we read through…

After all the work of getting through a first draft, little seems so barbaric as the slashing and burning of entire characters and scenes—but making such vulgar literary sacrifices can enable the writer to unearth the heart of conflict and character, find…

An introduction to the fundamental tools and principles used by the cinematographer to create digital or film images generated from the context of the story. The curriculum covers visualization, the negative, digital manipulation, sensitometry, filters and…

This comprehensive, step-by-step overview of physical production processes covers the tangible and intangible aspects of line producing, including budget; breakdown and scheduling; hiring and working with cast, director, staff, crew and outside vendors;…

This laboratory class provides an introduction to volumetric, spectrophotometric and potentiometric analysis. Instruction also covers the use and preparation of buffers and pH meters and synthesis and kinetics techniques using compounds of interest to…

This course covers phase changes; thermochemistry; first, second and third laws of thermodynamics; free energy changes; electrochemistry and its role as an energy source; chemical kinetics, including catalysis, reaction mechanisms and enzymes; coordination…

This course covers common construction law errors, basic contract and real estate principles in the construction context, contractor licensing and bidding. "Standard" construction industry documents also are examined, including AIA 201 general conditions,…

This course covers the basic principles and responsibilities in construction management, including interface requirements between real estate, leasing, legal, feasibility, finance, lending, marketing, accounting and public agencies; defining and controlling…

Designed for beginners and experienced gardeners, this course covers the basics of garden care and provides the student with the knowledge to solve many of the problems commonly faced in keeping plants healthy. Topics include soils and soil amendments;…

An introductory course in painting with acrylic: a fast-drying, permanent, and clean water-based medium that permits easy correction and change. The medium integrates easily with drawing and can be worked transparently or opaquely. Students develop skills in…

Get personalized guidance and feedback on building a cohesive photography portfolio. A series of class assignments are designed to teach advanced level students how to produce a unique personal photographic style. Instruction covers how to adapt your own…

Whether you're shooting people, products, still life or landscapes, understanding how light interacts with your subject matter is critical to mastering the art of photography. This course covers both artificial (strobes and hot lights) and natural lighting,…

Designed for beginning photographers, this course provides an introduction to digital workflow using Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom. Lectures and exercises address organizing photographs with Lightroom; importing and processing RAW files; and how to…

This course covers basic lighting topics, including light and texture, light and color, focal lighting, light sources, fixture schedules, switching patterns, and the required drawings used by designers in both residential and commercial spaces. Instruction…

Working from evidence-based case studies, students define UX challenges and apply appropriate methods across research, synthesis, design, prototyping, testing, iteration, and presentation for real-world application. Emphasis is placed on intentional method…

Today's designers must satisfy the needs of multiple constituents, including clients, colleagues and especially end-users. The ultimate goal of experience research is to inform design decisions that meet the critical needs of constituents. User research helps…

In this course, students apply what they have learned to real-world case studies and UX design challenges. Topics include research and observational techniques, the art of information gathering, prototyping, scope definition, journey mapping and empathy maps.…

This course covers theories and practical applications to understand the makeup of color and how best to use it. Areas covered include general color theory and psychology, effective color creation, perception, management, color language, digital issues,…

This course provides an introduction to the functions and capabilities of Adobe InDesign. Students are guided in establishing a professional workflow to design documents for print and digital distribution. Learn how to manipulate type and image and create…

Learn to create, manipulate and combine digital images. Develop a working knowledge of Photoshop's features; use the program in 2D print, interactive and web applications; and learn importing and exporting features. Students must have a subscription to Adobe…

Students with knowledge of the fundamentals of UX move on to iteration: rounds of work and experimentation to hone problem-solving skills. Instruction covers MVP builds, pattern libraries, design at scale, voice and gesture, and end-to-end projects. The…

In this thesis-oriented capstone course, Design Communication Arts students put all they've learned into action to tackle real-world design projects in the civic realm. Public presentation, collaboration, observation, research and problem-solving skills are…

This is a hands-on introduction to the creative process and core elements of graphic design for a variety of outputs, including print and electronic media. Topics include research, typography, imagery, strategy and concept development. Projects are…

Explore the stylistic and expressive potential of typography as a critical element of graphic design solutions in this hands-on course. Students learn about word/image juxtaposition, eclectic stylization, and contemporary design trends. Substantive projects…

This hands-on course covers the fundamentals of type, its characteristics, vocabulary and nomenclature, as well as creative uses of type and how it is integrated in successful design. Working with letterforms is a critical element to successful design.…

Gain a broad understanding of design and its dynamic past to discover inspiration for the present. Survey the history of visual communication, design's sociopolitical and cultural contexts, and the artistic and technological characteristics of various…

In today's fast-paced, highly competitive business world, it is more important than ever to recognize and study the significant role communication plays in our business lives. How well we communicate greatly determines the success of our performance on the…

This course explores motion graphics in After Effects with AI integration. Students learn animation fundamentals, AI-generated imagery, text-to-video, and conversational AI. Topics include AI history, effortless development, and prompts for design. Hands-on…

The Supervised Field Work Practicum, extending over two quarters, is designed for students who have completed the prerequisite courses in the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counseling Certificate. Students are assigned a minimum of 255 hours of on-site agency…

This comprehensive, hands-on course introduces designers to digital design tools. The course begins with an overview of architectural and interior design concepts; students also review client presentations and see how they were created. Students learn why the…

A study of the basic techniques of the medium as a powerful tool for the designer, as well as those interested in pursuing a career in architectural photography, this course introduces the tools and techniques used in photographing architecture, interiors,…

This course traces the architecture, landscape architecture, interior design, furniture and decorative arts of the nineteenth century. Periods covered include French Empire, English Regency, Biedermeier, Gothic Revival, Victorian, Beaux Arts, the Chicago…

Crime novel of all types—be they cozies, hard-boiled or thrillers—often appear on the bestseller lists. But mysteries are challenging novels to write due to their complex plots, the necessity of planting of clues and red herrings, and the unraveling of the…

Novice storytellers tend to associate the quality of a story with the quality of its prose. While a clear and concise style will facilitate understanding, the commercial success of “poorly written” books demonstrates that good storytelling, the kind of…

Videogame players demand deep stories with rich characters, as hits such as Red Dead Redemption 2, God of War, and The Last of Us prove. Further, the rise of touch-screen devices of all sizes opens up exciting new innovations for storytelling techniques. In…

Literary agents are uniquely positioned in the publishing world to have their hands in many facets of the book process, from a book's inception through to finished copies and publicity. This course begins with an overview of the Agency Agreement, the contract…

An editor’s job includes not only improving the mechanics of writing but identifying places where content isn’t working or needs revision and development. This skill is also invaluable for writers, who can use it to shape their own work or to make extra money…

Created for the beginning writer, this course explores the various genres within the category of children's picture books, including nonfiction, writing in rhyme, classics and concept books for young children. Writing exercises focus on improving fundamental…

For those with some previous training in poetry, this intermediate workshop focuses on creating work which emphasizes lyrical and innovative language, personal insight and individual voice. In addition, you refine your knowledge of a number of the craft's…

Editors who want to work outside of big publishing houses can find success in freelance editing. Freelance editors must learn to balance projects, find and bid on new work, and maintain client relationships over time. This course will provide students an…

This workshop takes you beyond the picture book basics and teaches you to master the specific craft techniques used in creating successful picture books, including strong beginnings and endings, the power of the page turn, audience participation, engaging…

Rock ‘n’ roll exists because of the blues. Songs sung by enslaved Africans in the southern U.S. became gospel music, the acoustic blues of the Mississippi Delta, the electrified sounds of Chicago, and the rhythm and blues associated with Memphis. When this…

As we travel along life's path, our stories are the most precious gifts we can pass on. In this course, students are encouraged to write stories that have affected their hearts. Be they funny or sad, about good times or bad, each student has an opportunity to…

Due to advances in technology, what we thought we knew about the fundamentals of cosmology, astronomy and space exploration is evolving almost daily. In this course, we explore the latest concepts, news and discoveries regarding multiverses, gravitational…

Discover what it takes to be an effective producer and director in the flourishing genre of unscripted television and gain insights in the process of creating a valid series concept that can sell. Through lectures, discussion with industry guests and analysis…

Bringing a design-centric approach to UI (User Interface), this course will give you the tools to make the interactive elements on your website or app look great and feel intuitive. Instruction covers visual fundamentals, presentation best practices, and user…

This course is for anyone who has a story from "real life" that needs to be told. Sometimes your story is about a person, place, thing or some concealed part of yourself; a remembered time or event; or even something that will happen as you give account to…

Travel writing has been imaginatively transporting readers for centuries and remains one of the most robust areas of publishing. This course guides you to elevate the mere travelogue or guidebook entry into a thoughtful, well-crafted piece of literature as…

Many aspiring novelists write with the hope that inspiration will come. The result is time wasted on a flabby novel with no clear shape and a sagging pace. On the other hand, story structure gives your novel a skeleton; it forms the bones of your story. And…