Curriculum for Graphic Design & Visual Communication BFA Degree

This course is a survey of Western and Non-Western art, architecture, and other forms of visual expression. Students will examine and critically engage with artifacts, and will consider the formal, conceptual, spiritual, social, political, economic, and cultural influences in the development of art.

We will study and analyze the development of graphic design from 1800 to the emergence of Postmodernism. We will understand how the most potent influences shaping the world of graphic design evolved through this time period. This information is of great value to the design student; not only does it provide a framework for understanding the evolution of design theory and practice in historical context, but also it provides valuable reference information for those design projects which require specific historical reference.

A studio course emphasizing a creative discovery of two-dimensional forms. Students will consider the nature and importance of light, values and graphic composition in selectively seeing and recording a visual world.

Students are introduced to the basic concepts of digital image-making through projects that balance the learning of creative development, technique, and design tools as they pertain to the Graphic Design field.

Form in Motion introduces the principles of motion graphic design through applied practice. The focus will be on the relationship between typographic principles and animation fundamentals. Students synthesize the language of motion with elements of narrative structure to realize kinetic solutions. In addition to exploring systems and the synthesis of text and image, the course also provides knowledge and skills in creative ideation in motion.

A rewarding practice in any visual art discipline begins with language of vision. In this course you will explore the dynamics of two-dimensional form, beginning with basic compositional study using only black and white forms, and then more complex projects incorporating principles of tonality and color theory. You will also be developing your skills in physical artwork, essential to later course work. Basic art supplies are required; a packet is available in the College Bookstore, or contact the instructor or department prior to the semester for the list.

One of the most exciting aspects of the graphic designer's work is to create symbols and images, which not only communicate messages, but also engender an aesthetic response for a viewer. In this course you will tackle basic symbol-making and message-communication challenges, practicing your recently gained knowledge of, and skills in, perspective drawing, formal two-dimensional design, tonality, color theory, and digital art-making to solve visual communication challenges through a genuinely personal creative process. Basic art supplies are required.

Your learning and preparation through projects designed to teach specific skills will integrate into a more comprehensive design process. You will be introduced to approaches to solving communications problems of diverse character and increasingly practical application. A clear process for working within technical and time constraints will be emphasized. Work in this course will contribute to your professional portfolio and prepare you for a successful apprenticeship.

An understanding of typography is fundamental to your professional graphic design practice. Through an historical overview of the evolution of letterforms, you will understand the visual evolution of the Latin alphabet as a result of social, cultural, and technical influences. You will gain an understanding of the nuances of type design and develop proficiency in speaking the language of type specification, in creating beautiful designs using letterforms and blocks of text, and in setting typography digitally.

Building upon the history and basic use of letterforms, students will now extend their typographic practice by focusing on font usage, paragraph and page structure and grid development. Working with more complex issues of hierarchy, contrast, scale, rhythm, and spatial relationships in typographic projects that focus on sequential designs, such as the pages of a book. Historical context and current technologies will also be discussed.

Students will employ effective visual communication strategies and adopt a user-centered methodology to craft aesthetically compelling designs that cross media. This course prepares students for the dynamic shifts in the design industry through the acquisition of a comprehensive skill set, spanning both traditional and emerging design platforms. Learning focuses on the integration of design elements within diverse systems and cultivates capabilities in critical thinking and problem-solving.

Your learning and preparation through projects couched within specific lessons now transform into a truly personal graphic design practice as you engage various self-directed projects?from logos and stationery, to publications, to packages, to architectural signs and trade show displays. This course guides you through the conceptualization, design, and production to produce a body of work ready for presentation in your professional portfolio. (Consult with your advisor to choose the section most appropriate to your elective track.) Basic art supplies will be required.

This course will guide you through the process of finalizing, organizing and assembling your graphic design projects into an engaging portfolio that represents you as a designer, as a thinker, and as a person. Your portfolio will respond to your emphasis, from traditional book forms to motion and web design. Purchase of portfolio materials will be necessary, and students will need basic art supplies.

Having explored the history and basic use of letterforms, you can now delve deeper into various aspects of the written word, typography, and its relation to imagery. In this course you will approach design solutions using solely typographic form and together with images. From font usage, to paragraph and page structure, students explore how typographic form interacts with literary content, and how the current critical milieu influences typographic thinking. Specific technical and/or aesthetic considerations necessary in composing type for digital delivery are considered, and students will also try their hand at digital font design.

For students seriously interested in furthering their skills in motion design and production. Through project work, students will encounter concepts, techniques, and approaches to help develop abilities with problem solving, ideation, typographic communication, and animation specifically in regard to motion design. Work in this course will contribute to your professional portfolio.