Digital Media Assignments

Media Making Resources

The Libraries can help you make media no matter where you are! 

Stop by the Digital Media Lab (Hill) or the 4th Floor Media Spaces (Hunt) for on-demand orientations, consultations, and in-person collaboration six days a week!

Media Making practitioners are on hand Monday-Friday 10am-8pm and Sundays noon-8pm at both spaces to assist you with your media making needs, including using our reservable spaces, borrowing technology from the Libraries, LinkedIn Learning, and more!

Set up a virtual consultation with a library staff member / media making practitioner

Consultations help you figure out what you need to do to accomplish your goals, and our consultants are knowledgeable practitioners who are ready to help on your schedule and anywhere you are!

Find the right hardware for your media making needs 

There's a good chance you already own what you need to make professional quality media projects! Not sure? Set up a virtual consultation or drop-in during our open hours for assistance!

Find the right software / apps for your media making needs

There is a world of *free* software and apps to help you make great media from home with stuff you already own.

  • Audio
    • GarageBand (Mac and iOS; free and likely already installed!)
    • Audacity (Mac and PC; free and well-supported)
    • Reaper (Mac and PC; free for 60 days, $50 forever after that, and a modern audio workstation that is as good as many far more expensive ones)
    • ProTools First (Mac and PC; free, streamlined, light version of the popular industry standard software)
    • So many more! Set up a virtual consultation or stop by during our open hours to discuss what may be right for you.
  • Video
  • Graphics
    • Gnu Image Manipulation Program (GIMP) (Mac and PC; free, Photoshop-like open source software)
    • Photopea (in-browser, Photoshop-like app!)
    • Inkscape (a nice alternative to Illustrator for vector graphics)
    • Vectr (free vector graphics software)
    • Gravit (free, multi-platform, Illustrator-like vector graphics software)
    • Canva (free graphic design software)
    • Darktable (open source photography software)

Use LinkedIn Learning!

Whatever you do, let us know if you want assistance doing it!

Find

Many sources of video, audio, images, and music are available online that are free and legal for you to use. Creative Commons works require that you give credit to the creator, while older works in the public domain don’t require any attribution. Selections of recent, copyrighted material can also be used, as long as you apply the doctrine of fair use: you must transform the copyrighted material in some way (short clips, remix, parody). Ask your instructor for help if you’re unsure about rights for using resources.

Cite

Tools to help you cite your sources including images, videos, music, interviews, and more. Ask your instructor how they wish for you to cite your sources for the project. 

  • APA Style: examples of how to cite media in APA format
  • MLA Style: examples of how to cite media in MLA format
  • Citation Builder: Online tool for creating citations for books and articles in MLA and APA formats

Edit

There are many online video tutorials available for learning how to use video and audio editing software. If you need help, library experts are available. Use the Technology Consultation request form to book an in-depth consultation  or Ask Us for immediate quick troubleshooting assistance. 

Watch University Library Specialist Kyle Langdon describe 6 quick tips for better audio recording at home!

 

Publish

Here's a list of questions to ask yourself as you finish up:

  • How much time will it take to export and upload my project?
  • How does my instructor want me to submit my project (Google Drive, YouTube, Moodle)?
  • Have I properly attributed my sources according to my instructor's guidelines?
  • Do I have the right to use anyone else's content that I've included, whether it's public domain, Creative Commons-licensed, or fair use?

Ask a librarian if you need help or have questions about publishing your project!

(The following applies to times when the Libraries buildings are open)

Create

The library has a full range of technology you need to create your multimedia project! 

Check out our technology lending pages to find what you need. Not sure what you need? Stop by the Digital Media Lab in Hill or the Media Production Spaces in Hunt or set up a virtual consultation; one of our Media Makers will help you thoroughly and quickly!

 

 

Librarian(s)