Graphic Design

In this process-oriented course, students combine deep, disciplined research with careful writing and revision to produce a thoughtful, creative, and personally meaningful research essay. They learn to formulate focused research questions, identify and investigate credible sources, and synthesize expert opinion with their own insight in support of a clearly defined, complex thesis. The emphasis is on curiosity, exploration, and discovery. As part of the process, students also gain confidence and competency in two primary areas of written expression: organization and mechanics.

A course in which students learn to communicate quickly and effectively through the medium of the sketch, a graphic means for recording and transmitting a visual experience or mental image. In mastering the fundamentals of line, form, composition, and perspective, students acquire the techniques of a visual language which are useful in many endeavors.

An introductory study of the principles and elements of color and design theory. Students critique aspects of a visual representation by analyzing the components of design and the use of color by the artist.

A course in oral communication designed to give students poise, speaking confidence, and the ability to develop and produce a focused, well-organized speech that holds the audiences attention through effective delivery methods. Presentational skills and audience-centered communication are emphasized.

Designed to foster independent thinking, this course strengthens students capacity to reason clearly, critically, and creatively, including the ability (1) to analyze the arguments of others, (2) to synthesize effective arguments of their own, and (3) to solve problems skillfully. Students also gain experience in reading closely and conducting purposeful, imaginative researchskills essential to the examination of demanding social, moral, political, and personal issues. Prerequisite: GNST 1040

A survey of art, architecture, and design from the Prehistoric Period through the Middle Ages. Included are the social, economic, cultural, political, and religious influences which have prompted or affected the art of each period. Students examine works of art and their iconography, stylistic techniques, and different media, with the goal of being able to recognize, understand, and discuss various art forms in their broader contexts.

An exploration of important developments from the Industrial Revolution to the digital age in the history of decorative arts, architecture and ornaments, interiors and furniture, textiles, products, and graphic design.

A survey of art, architecture, and design from the Renaissance through the 20th century. Art movements such as Realism, Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, Fauvism, Cubism, Abstraction, and Surrealism are studied. Particular emphasis is placed on the artists role in society and the effect of society on art.

This course is an introductory survey of the art and artists influencing and informing the international visual arts of the late modern and contemporary periods. Beginning with Post-War Expressionism and Pop Art, the course covers the diverse movements of the late 20th century, including Feminist art, Minimalism, and Conceptual art. Students examine the art and architecture of the postmodern, post-pop environment of today, paying special attention to new media and modes of expression such as video, installation, and performance art. Students investigate the intersections of fine art and popular culture as well as explore unique voices from the margins that inform visual culture today.

A survey of American history from 1930-2000. Emphasis is on the political and economic features, both domestic and foreign, that contributed to the emergence of the welfare state and the nations rise to global leadership after World War II. The course provides an understanding of the Great Depression, the Second World War, the Cold War, Americas eventual emergence as the worlds only superpower, and the interrelation of all these factors.

To become more self-reliant and enterprising in the job search, students investigate career opportunities and the career path, personal traits, job responsibilities, and qualifications necessary to be competitive and promotable. Students build research tools that enable them to develop a plan of action, conduct informational interviews, practice interviewing skills, and produce a digitized professional resume, biographical statement, and cover letter for immediate submission to prospective employers.

In this introduction to digital graphics using Adobe Photoshop, students learn how to use programs, tools, layers, and palettes to enhance and manipulate photo composites and original art into conceptual designs. Studio. Prerequisites: GRPH 1100, GRPH 1300

This course introduces students to desktop publishing with the use of InDesign. Students learn the programs tools, menu bar, and palettes as they begin designing single and multipage layouts. Adobe InDesign is a professional prepress application that emphasizes text and typography. Studio.

This course introduces the formal elements of line, shape, color, texture, and composition as well as the graphic principles of balance, repetition, scale, emphasis, repetition, and unity. Students learn that the organization, exploitation, or manipulation of elements is essential to achieve a good design. Studio. Prerequisites: GNST 1230, GNST 1300, GRPH 1100, GRPH 1300

This class introduces the students to digital illustration. Students learn the Adobe Illustrator software with its many tools, palettes, and menu bar. Illustrator is used to assist the students in rendering original sketches into high-resolution vector images. Studio.

This course is a further development of Design I, but with an emphasis on imagery. Students begin to use scale and cropping, image manipulation, juxtaposition, and the merging of images to further strengthen and develop their visual elements. This course shows how a single image of a sign or symbol can be used to convey a powerful meaningboth positive and negative. Studio. Prerequisites: GRPH 1250, GRPH 1500

Students are introduced to conceptual thinking and the role of a graphic designer as a visual problem solver. Students identify a design problem, develop a visual solution, and present ideas through thumbnail sketches for group critique. Brainstorming sessions and teamwork are integrated as part of class participation. Prerequisite: GNST 1080

This course explores the fundamental traditions of typography combined with computer technology. It provides the foundation from which the students can develop both an understanding of typography and a personal aesthetic. Studio. Prerequisite: GRPH 1100

Using Photoshop, students employ a wide range of skills to produce smooth, detailed, and eventful computer-rendered environments and characters. They also learn how to avoid problems commonly inherent in signature poses of a character, creative movement, and rough planes. Studio. Prerequisite: GRPH 2420

This course explores the role that concept, a dominant creative idea, plays in entertainment design from thumbnail sketch to final product. Students learn industry-specific techniques (or entertainment isms) for achieving the WOW factor for full marketing campaigns. Studio.

This introductory class offers a practical introduction to the World Wide Web and the challenges it poses for the graphic designer. Using Adobe Dreamweaver, students learn how to apply their own ideas to create a successful website using this multifaceted application. Topics include HTML, interaction, site architecture, file optimization, and website principles and practices. Studio. Prerequisites: GRPH 1450, GRPH 1720

Students explore the creation and development of key art and its application to entertainment marketing. They analyze the elements essential to creating a central image as they progress from rough tissue concepts to full-color comps. Studio.

A fundamental class in preparing art for reproduction, this course covers desktop publishing, typesetting, mechanicals, printing (conventional and digital), paper, color separations, inks, imposition folding, and binding.  Students prepare a design from concept to final reproduction. Prerequisites: GRPH 1450, GRPH 1720, GRPH 2780

This class equips students to convert thumbnail sketches into original, finished art. By developing strong Adobe Photoshop skills, students learn how to rebuild figures, add extensions, and build comps. Students gain experience in preparing these elementswhether computer-generated, illustrated, or photographedso that they can be loaded onto the server for designers developing a theatrical campaign. Studio

This course is designed to teach students how to adapt key art creative to a variety of media outside of the traditional one sheet format. Thinking creatively about composition, color, and design consistently is stressed through all campaign-advertising formats. Studio.

This course enhances students appreciation of the skill and creativity of photography by challenging them to produce their own photographic art. Course discussions include terminology, innovations in digital photography, and various experimental processes.  The course illustrates the practice of buying commercial photography for fashion, graphic design, and general marketing purposes, including negotiating with art reps, buyout of stock photography, and coordinating photo shoots. Studio. Prerequisite: GRPH 1050

In this introduction to digital composition through Adobe After Effects software, students extend their knowledge of design as they learn to create motion graphics and visual effects for a wide range of media, including film, television (video), DVD, CD-Rom, and the web. Studio.

This course explores the potential of iconic imagery and demonstrates the power of a title-with-a-concept in ad campaigns where space is at a premium. Studio.

This is an advanced class in portfolio development. Students design, produce, and gain experience presenting their work in a professional working environment. They also write a comprehensive resume and present their portfolios before the class.Studio. Prerequisites: GRPH 2080, GRPH 2480

Marketing & Brand Development introduces and highlights the basic marketing principles which provide the framework for understanding the importance, value, and impact of marketing and brand management.