Academic Catalogs

PHOT A114: Smartphone Social Media Storytelling & Branding

Course Outline of Record
Item Value
Eff Term Fall 2026
Curriculum Committee Approval Date 02/11/2026
Top Code 101200 - Applied Photography (CTE)
Units 3 Total Units 
Hours 54 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 54)
Total Outside of Class Hours 108
Total Student Learning Hours 162
Course Credit Status Credit: Degree Applicable (D)
Material Fee No
Basic Skills Not Basic Skills (N)
Repeatable No
Open Entry/Open Exit No
Grading Policy Standard Letter (S), 
  • Pass/No Pass (B)

Course Description

This course explores how smartphone photography and video can be leveraged to develop authentic and effective social media storytelling and branding strategies. Students will learn visual identity design, platform-specific aesthetics, storytelling through reels and posts, audience engagement strategies, and ethical considerations in branding. The course integrates technical, creative, and analytical skills, culminating in a cohesive social media campaign project. Transfer Credit: CSU.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

  1. Apply design principles to create consistent social media aesthetics and branding.
  2. Produce smartphone-based content (photos, reels, stories) that tells compelling narratives.
  3. Develop captions and copywriting that enhance audience engagement.
  4. Analyze social media algorithms and apply strategies for growth.\\n
  5. Critically evaluate ethical issues in digital branding and storytelling.
  6. Create a branded social media portfolio/campaign.

Course Objectives

  • Using smartphone photography and videography to leverage and develop authentic and effective social media storytelling and branding strategies. Students will learn visual identity design, platform-specific aesthetics, storytelling through reels and posts, audience engagement strategies, and ethical considerations in branding. The course integrates technical, creative, and analytical skills, culminating in a cohesive social media campaign project.

Lecture Content

Week 1 – Introduction: The Power of Social Media Storytelling

  • Overview of platforms (Instagram, TikTok, YouTube Shorts and other social media).
  • Defining branding vs. marketing.
  • Self-branding audit.

Week 2 – Visual Identity Foundations

  • Logos, fonts, color palettes, and consistency.
  • Case studies of successful visual branding.
  • Create a mood board for brand identity.

Week 3 – Smartphone Photography for Branding

  • Lighting, framing, and style choices for storytelling.
  • Crafting aesthetics that align with brand identity.
  • Portrait or product shoot for brand visuals.

Week 4 – Social Media Aesthetics

  • Feed curation: grids, stories, reels.
  • Balance between polished and authentic content.
  • Build a sample Instagram grid (mock-up).

Week 5 – Reels & Short-Form Video I

  • Filming, editing, and pacing short content.
  • Using native editing tools and third-party apps.
  • Create a 15–30 sec reel with transitions.

Week 6 – Reels & Short-Form Video II

  • Storyboarding reels for storytelling and branding.
  • Trends vs. originality.
  • Branded reel assignment.

Week 7 – Copywriting & Captions

  • Voice, tone, hashtags, and call-to-action.
  • Crafting captions that enhance storytelling.
  • Caption-writing workshop.

Week 8 – Midterm Project: Mini Social Media Campaign

  • Students submit a 3-post + 1-reel branded campaign.
  • Peer critique + instructor feedback.

Week 9 – Understanding Algorithms

  • How feeds, engagement, and discovery tools work.
  • Platform differences (Instagram vs. TikTok).
  • Analytics review exercise with case studies.

Week 10 – Audience Engagement

  • Building community, responding authentically, and interactive content.
  • Timing, frequency, and consistency.
  • Engagement strategy plan.

Week 11 – Ethical Branding & Representation

  • Authenticity vs. manipulation.
  • Diversity, inclusivity, and cultural sensitivity.
  • Case study discussion: Ethical failures and lessons.

Week 12 – Influencer & Brand Collaborations

  • Monetization, partnerships, and disclosures.
  • Building trust and credibility.
  • Draft a brand collaboration pitch.

Week 13 – Storytelling Campaign Development I

  • Planning a multi-platform campaign.
  • Content calendars, consistency, and workflow.
  • Campaign storyboard & calendar.

Week 14 – Storytelling Campaign Development II

  • Shooting, editing, and refining brand content.
  • Peer review and content refinement.

Week 15 – Portfolio Workshop

  • Curating posts, reels, and campaign assets.
  • Building a cohesive visual identity.
  • One-on-one portfolio feedback.

Week 16 – Final Campaign Presentation

  • Students present their full branded campaign (visual identity, 6–8 posts, 3 reels, captions, engagement strategy).
  • Group critique and reflection.

Assignments & Evaluation

  • Weekly Assignments (30%) – Exercises in branding, captions, reels, engagement.
  • Midterm Campaign (20%) – 3 curated posts + 1 reel with branding rationale.
  • Final Campaign Project (35%) – Cohesive campaign with posts, reels, captions, engagement strategy, and ethical branding statement.
  • Participation & Critique (15%) – Active engagement in class discussions and peer reviews.

Method(s) of Instruction

  • Lecture (02)
  • DE Live Online Lecture (02S)
  • DE Online Lecture (02X)

Instructional Techniques

Lectures, online resources, reading materials provided by instructor, one on one meetings, critiques, discussion questions, demonstration videos and links.

Reading Assignments

Students will spend approximately 2 hours a week reading materials provided by instructor.

Writing Assignments

Students will spend approximately 1hour a week writing about content provided by instructor.

Out-of-class Assignments

Students will spend approximately 3 hours a week creating imagery for the course assignments and projects.

Study Non-Contact Hours Recommended

108

Methods of Student Evaluation

  • Short Quizzes
  • Projects (Individual/Group)
  • Skills Demonstration

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

This course integrates visual literacy and critical thinking to enhance students’ ability to create and analyze images using smartphone technology.

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

Students will be doing research, reading, and writing to solve creative and visual storytelling problems through weekly assignments.

Resources Subscreen

  • Other: . . ().

Eligible Discipline(s)

  • Photography: Master’s degree in photography, fine arts, or art OR bachelor’s degree in any of the above AND master’s degree in art history or humanities OR the equivalent. Master's degree required.
  • Photographic technology/commercial photography: Any bachelor’s degree and two years of professional experience, or any associate degree and six years of professional experience.