Fall 2014: Graphic Design Graphic design is a large and growing profession in demand in the global communications world. In addition to an emphasis on traditional skills and production methods, the program allows students to gain an understanding of design process and research. Students are equipped with strong skills in visual form, and content development. The department stresses collaborative work within a studio environment. Visual problem solving is the spine of the graphic design curriculum and is prioritized in a suite of sequential classes that build relationships between the design school, arts, humanities, and sciences. The methodology emphasizes the design process by combining aspects of form studies, making meaning, theory, and technique into each assignment. Courses and faculty have planned synergies that develop the essential skills in students to identify and solve problems in physical, cognitive, social, and cultural contexts. Graduates are prepared for sustainable careers in the broad field of graphic design with multiple points of entry. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors are enrolled in three 3-credit-hour major studios each semester in which essential design capabilities are developed. This approach builds from the momentum and course structure that students experience during the foundation (freshman) year. Four typography courses supplement the studios that address color and drawing and form, the photographic image, design research, human factors, spatial and user experience design, design responsibility, information architecture, and graphic multimedia. Internships and field education are supported and encouraged, with faculty resources devoted to finding appropriate placement for students. Workshops in professional practice are offered to build skills in portfolio development and job seeking.
Graphic Design Required Curriculum FALL 2014 / SPRING 2015 All students in the School of Design must participate in the mandatory laptop buy. SOPHOMORE YEAR FALL SPRING Sophomore Studio: Visual Communication I 3.0 0.0 Visual Communication II 0.0 3.0 Image 3.0 0.0 Typography I 3.0 0.0 Typography II 0.0 3.0 Applied Communication Theory 0.0 3.0 History of Graphic Design 3.0 0.0 Studio Electives 0.0 3.0 Liberal Arts 3.0 6.0 15.0 18.0 It is strongly recommended that students take a design history course during their sophomore or junior year. JUNIOR YEAR FALL SPRING Junior Studio: User Experience 0.0 3.0 Human-Centered Design 3.0 0.0 Narrative 3.0 0.0 Information Architecture 0.0 3.0 Typography III 3.0 0.0 Pro Practice 0.0 3.0 Studio Electives 3.0 3.0 Liberal Arts 3.0 6.0 15.0 18.0 It is strongly suggested that students take an internship in graphic design during the summer months of the junior/senior years. Internships are discouraged while traditional course credits are being earned. SENIOR YEAR FALL SPRING Senior Studio: Design Systems 3.0 0.0 Spatial Experience 0.0 3.0 Multimedia Experience 3.0 0.0 Typography IV 0.0 3.0 Visual Advocacy 3.0 0.0 Degree Project 0.0 3.0 Open Elective 3.0 3.0 Liberal Arts 3.0 6.0 15.0 18.0
Fall 2014 Course Offerings DESN200 Visual Communications I: Graphic Form 3.0 credit hours Students will be introduced to the formal theories, concepts and visual tools that support graphic design. Form studies will examine line, curve, composition, visual balance, form/counter form, rhythm, and progression. This logical foundation will promote an understanding of clear formal language, while developing design problem solving and critical thinking. A fluid formal vocabulary will be applicable in all subsequent coursework. A broad range of methods and tools (both traditional and digital) will support the student's creative exploration with simple visual elements. -01 Kidwell W 8:00-10:40am & IB102 Capacity 18 F 11:00am-2:20pm IB102 DESN263 Image 3.0 credit hours This course explores the principles of photography and the photographic image as a method for seeing and a tool for communication. It is a project-based class, aimed toward challenging and expanding both technical and cognitive skills in photographic messaging. We will explore connections between photographic form and its content, as an integral part of graphic design. Narrative, documentation and the temporal qualities of the medium will be explored both in creating imagery and in analyzing the role of photographic imagery in culture. Required for all graphic design majors: laptop and 35mm camera or digital camera. -01 Ludwig MW 11:40am-2:20pm IB102 Capacity 18 DESN268 Typography I: Introduction to Typography 3.0 credit hours In the first of four typography studios for students in the graphic design program, the principles of typography are presented by examining letterform anatomy & construction, type composition and the history of typography. Letterform construction, the setting of letters into words, and the composition of text will be explored through a series of studio projects. In class and online tutorials will provide basic instruction in using traditional and current tools and methods. Digital font management will be addressed. Students will develop a basic understanding of typography, its anatomy, history, use and characteristics. -01 Staff MF 8:00-10:40am IB102 Capacity 18
DESN300 Human-Centered Design 3.0 credit hours This studio explores the capability of graphic design to create meaningful messages and experiences for the user, whether purely visual, or possibly tangible. The dialogue between designer and audience is studied for the purpose of pragmatic and appropriate design decisions. Ethnographic design research methods (direct observation, writing, video, interview) and gathering audience information and feedback informs the design process. Class exercises will push initial experimentation through the sense of touch, with special consideration to human factors. Projects will address a spectrum of content from social to commercial and across a range of media. -01 Staff MF 11:40am-2:20pm IB118 Capacity 18 DESN340 Narrative 3.0 credit hours Explorations in this course will focus on creating and influencing meaning in both linear and non-linear narrative communication. Sequence, rhythm, pacing, sound, and progression is explored in 2, 3, and 4-dimensional media. Students are introduced to narrative theory to gain understanding of graphic design as a story telling device through the use of editing, authorship, action and story arcs. Demonstrations and lectures will build a working knowledge of tools and techniques using planning & editing processes (storyboarding and writing). -01 Galloway WF 8:00-10:40am IB118 Capacity 18 DESN360 Typography III 3.0 credit hours This course presents complex problems of typography including hierarchy, grid structures and typographic systems in complex documents. Key information design principles and graphic diagramming methods will be presented and applied to typographic interpretations of information content. additionally, we will learn through reading, observation, discussion, and visual exploration aka: the act of doing. The project work will include multiple, sequential page communication systems with variable levels of verbal and visual information. course focus: the relationship of form to content; function and expression; the anatomy of text; typographic grids and formats; legibility; tradition and innovation; traditional and technological craft. -01 Kidwell M 8:00---10:40am & IB118 Capacity 18 W 11:40am-2:20pm IB118
DESN405 Design Systems 3.0 credit hours In this course, students will develop a broad overview of complex design problems from practical and theoretical perspectives. Course content will focus on larger scale communications programs involving identity and branding systems in several media, including print, web, environmental signage, exhibitions and packaging. The projects stimulate inquiry from the student's unique personal interests and allow exploration of various concept development strategies. Scheduled meetings include lectures, presentations, demonstrations, and discussions of contemporary design work. Participants should make full use of their individual (and our collective) time and effort and should consider the course and all its activities as a collective set of parts with which to build insight. -01 Kidwell M 11:40am-2:20pm & IB118 Capacity 18 F 8:00---10:40am IB118 DESN425 Multimedia Experience 3.0 credit hours The principles of screen design, interactivity and navigation as well as sound and motion in graphic multimedia will be applied to two digital projects. This will serve as a capstone course, with pre-existing knowledge of digital spaces enabling faster and more complex generation of concepts. -01 Ludwig MW 8:00-10:40am IB118 Capacity 18 DESN435 Visual Advocacy 3.0 credit hours The notion of designing for social change has been an emerging trend over the past decade, utilizing the tools and methods of creative thinkers for positive influence in communities. Visual Advocacy explores the range of ways we can empower others by initiating or co-authoring projects through direct engagement with the community. in the process we become socially and politically active as designers and artists. This class will use readings on theory, history, and key players to inform its work with local community activists in identifying and proposing solutions for the real problems their communities face. -01 Galloway WF 11:40am---2:20pm IB118 Capacity 18
Graphic Design Electives DESNE325 Online Presence for the Artist 3.0 credit hours This course is designed to help artists of all disciplines establish a public online presence. It is a workshop studio in which students, in class, will explore a variety of methods for self-promotion through the latest online tools and venues to create a personal online presence. This course is taught by a practicing design professional experienced in online publishing, exhibition design and the promotion of artists. Each student s outcome will be tailored to that individual s art practice. We will also explore online tools for producing printed portfolios and promotional material. There will be moderate expenses associated with web and print production. A laptop with Adobe Photoshop (any version) is required. -01 Ludwig MW 2:30-5:20pm IB111 Capacity 16