Graphic Design Courses
GRAPH 3226-99
DESIGN STUDIO 3
SECTION DESCRIPTION
Students are expected to develop personal working methods and interests through more general questions posed by the faculty. Longer-term projects will be intermixed with shorter projects posed by visiting critics. Students should complete the Design Studio track with a developed sense of self, and able to start framing questions and lines of inquiries of their own. End forms will be more emphasized than in Design Studio 1 and 2, in part as evidence that craft and working methods are sufficiently evolved. The twice-a-week format is intended for juniors or advanced designers who have completed the first two semesters of Design Studio or an equivalent design principles track.
Please contact the department for permission to register; registration is not available in Workday.
Major Requirement | BFA Graphic Design
GRAPH 322G-01
GRADUATE SEMINAR II
SECTION DESCRIPTION
The objective of this course is to assist students in the development of methodologies for exploration, investigation, and construction of a well-designed proposal of thesis work. This seminar provides students with a variety of discursive and exploratory means to identify, locate, reflect on, and develop areas of interest to pursue in the evolution of individual thesis planning, culminating in the presentation of the thesis proposal.
Majors are pre-registered for this course by the department. Enrollment is limited to Graduate Graphic Design Students.
Major Requirement | MFA Graphic Design
GRAPH 3237-01
GRAPHIC DESIGN FOR THE WEB
SECTION DESCRIPTION
This course will explore the possibilities of design online from a conceptual, historical, and programmatic perspective. The class celebrates the Internet as a space for social exchange and independent expression, while questioning the cultural contradictions embedded in online discourse and the motivations of individuals and entities behind online platforms. Through projects, readings, workshops, and presentations we will explore the relevance of network technologies in the context of contemporary art and design practices. Students will learn basic HTML, CSS, and JavaScript along with methods for conceptualizing, designing, and developing websites. Outcomes won't necessary be practical, nor pragmatically functional. Instead we will strive for a poetic understanding of design and the Internet as mediums for critical research and action.
Open to Junior, Senior and Graduate Graphic Design Students only. Please contact the instructor to be added to the waitlist.
Elective
GRAPH 323G-01
GRADUATE STUDIO I
SECTION DESCRIPTION
This studio course, as groundwork for the graduate thesis, will emphasize inquiry as a primary means for learning. Through making, reflection, collaboration, and critique, we will explore the underlying principles that design objects require, and synthesize theory and practice as necessary partners in graphic design. We will look at the designer's role in the process of revealing and making meaning - as an objective mediator, and as an author/producer, integrating content and form across projects as visual expressions of the preliminary thesis investigation.
Please contact the department for permission to register; registration is not available in Workday.
Major Requirement | MFA Graphic Design
GRAPH 324G-01
GRADUATE STUDIO II
SECTION DESCRIPTION
This studio course is based on the premise that the narrative shaping of information is fundamental to human communication. As active participants in cultural production, graphic designers naturally collaborate within varied areas of expertise, assuming a documentary role in how society views itself. Narrative methods enable us to speak to (and through) any content with a sense of the story it has to tell - visually representing historical, curatorial, scientific, and abstract ideas and events. Students will explore design as a process of storytelling that includes linear and non-linear relationships, with an emphasis on developing formal strategies for multiple approaches to shaping a narrative experience from given as well as self-generated content. Particular emphasis is on sequence, framing, cause and effect, the relationships between elements, and the synthesis of parts into wholes. With text and image, and across media, we employ narrative methods to make sense of complex content meant to be shared and understood.
Majors are pre-registered for this course by the department. Enrollment is limited to Graduate Graphic Design Students.
Major Requirement | MFA Graphic Design (2yr)
GRAPH 3262-01
PACKAGE GRAPHICS
SECTION DESCRIPTION
This is a course in designing and identifying graphic communication for packaging structures. We will experiment with different 3D templates, examining their structures and then using type, color and images on these prototypes in three dimensions. Experimentation with different materials is also explored while addressing the client's brief and the design rational; being conscious of the target market, place of sale and the price.
Open to Junior, Senior or Graduate Graphic Design Students only. Please contact the instructor to be added to the waitlist.
Elective
GRAPH 3271-101
WEB DESIGN
SECTION DESCRIPTION
This course will cover the fundamentals of UX design, primarily focusing on the interface and aesthetics of digital products and their influence on the user experience. Starting with understanding the user needs, behavior and habits, we'll look at principles and laws in UX alongside digital trends and patterns, interface guidelines, their application, and usage. Students will design responsive interfaces on topics of their choosing, practice research methodologies, and create a design system for their proposed solution. Requirements: Students must be comfortable with Adobe Photoshop. Students must provide their own laptop (Mac or PC) loaded with Photoshop and an HTML editing program (Dreamweaver, BBEdit, GoLive, etc.).
Elective
GRAPH 3271-102
WEB DESIGN
SECTION DESCRIPTION
This course will cover the fundamentals of UX design, primarily focusing on the interface and aesthetics of digital products and their influence on the user experience. Starting with understanding the user needs, behavior and habits, we'll look at principles and laws in UX alongside digital trends and patterns, interface guidelines, their application, and usage. Students will design responsive interfaces on topics of their choosing, practice research methodologies, and create a design system for their proposed solution. Requirements: Students must be comfortable with Adobe Photoshop. Students must provide their own laptop (Mac or PC) loaded with Photoshop and an HTML editing program (Dreamweaver, BBEdit, GoLive, etc.).
Elective
GRAPH 3273-01
EXHIBIT DESIGN
SECTION DESCRIPTION
This course will study the presentation of information in a designed environment: the exhibit. The theme, context, and conditions of this exhibit will be assigned. Study emphasis will be on integrative communication activity of all elements involved, e.g., time, space, movement, color, graphics, 3-D forms, objects, instructions, text, and constructions.
Open to Junior, Senior or Graduate Graphic Design Students.
Elective
GRAPH 327G-01
GRADUATE THESIS I
SECTION DESCRIPTION
The MFA degree requires completion of a graduate thesis. The thesis, as a major undertaking for advanced study and personal development, also assists the student to direct a program of study for an experience that best serves that individual's interests and needs. The thesis is an inquiry into the process, expression and function of the visual in graphic design. Visual search is the primary means by which to develop and substantiate original work which provides proof of concept for the thesis argument, critique, or point of view. The graduate student is encouraged to go beyond established models and to project his/her unique character in the thesis rather than to evidence vocational training, which is implicit. The productions can involve any medium suitable to need and content. Ultimately the thesis is submitted as a written document supported by a body of visual work that is a meaningful synthesis of the visual and verbal, and a lasting contribution to the field of graphic design. Two copies of the document remain, one for the Library and one for the department. Completion is required before graduation as stipulated by the College.
Please contact the department for permission to register; registration is not available in Workday.
Major Requirement | MFA Graphic Design
GRAPH 3280-101
OPEN RE/SEARCH
SECTION DESCRIPTION
This course offers individuals the opportunity to pursue a project or topic of personal interest related to visual design and communication. This may be an interest or activity not offered in other courses, a personal ideal, a unique circumstance, a collaboration of two or more individuals, the preliminary work for the Degree Project, or to supplement Graduate Thesis work, etc. The work can involve a broad range of curiosities like sustainability, sociocultural activism, public service, criticism, spirituality; the nature of theory; practice and experiment; methodology; technology; interactivity. While similar to an ISP or CSP this course differs in its objectives to also offer a dynamic learning experience:
- to meet as a class (and in small groups and privately) to facilitate interaction and share work and ideas
- to discuss topics of interest and relevance to the group
- to stimulate interdisciplinary and inter-level interaction among students (all levels and non-majors are welcome!)
Elective
GRAPH 3282-01
MAPPING INFORMATION
SECTION DESCRIPTION
The visualizing of information into graphic form is one of the oldest forms of graphic design, and is one of the essential areas of professional design engagement. This course deals with the organization and analyzation of data, and the concepts and methods of visualizing information. Using information structure and visual systems of form, color, and typography, students will work projects which communicate complex information through the use of maps, graphs, charts, and diagrams. These projects will explore issues of mapping, hierarchy, location, time, comparison, motion, format, and the use of symbolic visual language.
Open to Junior, Senior or Graduate Graphic Design Students.
Elective
GRAPH 3286-01
IDENTITY DESIGN
SECTION DESCRIPTION
Designing an identity and identity system is a critical skill practiced by today's designers. In this course, students will create two identity systems: one for an arts organization and one for a socially constructive campaign. While a traditional identity system is defined as a logo and a set of rules for governing that logo's application across a range of media, the goal of this class is to expand upon the ways an identity can be conceived through the manipulation of language, materials, and audience expectation/participation.
Open to Junior, Senior or Graduate Graphic Design Students only.
Elective
GRAPH 3286-01
IDENTITY DESIGN
SECTION DESCRIPTION
Designing an identity and identity system is a critical skill practiced by today's designers. In this course, students will create two identity systems: one for an arts organization and one for a socially constructive campaign. While a traditional identity system is defined as a logo and a set of rules for governing that logo's application across a range of media, the goal of this class is to expand upon the ways an identity can be conceived through the manipulation of language, materials, and audience expectation/participation.
Open to Junior, Senior or Graduate Graphic Design Students only. Please contact the instructor to be added to the waitlist.
Elective
GRAPH 328G-01
GRADUATE THESIS II
SECTION DESCRIPTION
This course is a continuation of the work begun in fall semester's Graduate Thesis I (GRAPH 327G). The 6-credit studio component is complemented with a 3-credit thesis writing seminar, together guiding the synthesis of independent visual and verbal investigations into a coherent thesis body of work. The MFA degree requires completion of a graduate thesis. The thesis, as a major undertaking for advanced study and personal development, also assists the student to direct a program of study for an experience that best serves that individual's interests and needs. The thesis is an inquiry into the process, expression and function of the visual in graphic design. Visual search is the primary means by which to develop and substantiate original work which provides proof of concept for the thesis argument, critique, or point of view. The graduate student is encouraged to go beyond established models and to project his/her unique character in the thesis rather than to evidence vocational training, which is implicit. The productions can involve any medium suitable to need and content. Ultimately the thesis is submitted as a written document supported by a body of visual work that is a meaningful synthesis of the visual and verbal, and a lasting contribution to the field of graphic design. Two copies of the document remain, one for the Library and one for the department. Completion is required before graduation as stipulated by the College.
Majors are pre-registered for this course by the department. Enrollment is limited to Graduate Graphic Design Students.
Major Requirement | MFA Graphic Design
GRAPH 3298-01
DEGREE PROJECT
SECTION DESCRIPTION
The degree project is an independent project in graphic design subject to the department's explicit approval, as the final requirement for graduation for the BFA Degree. Visiting critics will be invited to review the completed project. Students are only eligible to enroll in this course if all credit requirements for the degree are complete in this final semester and the student is enrolled with full-time status. Graphic Design students on advanced standing who wish to be considered for Degree project in the Fall of their senior year must apply to the department head.
Majors are pre-registered for this course by the department. Enrollment is limited to Senior Graphic Design Students.
Major Requirement | BFA Graphic Design
GRAPH 3298-01
DEGREE PROJECT
SECTION DESCRIPTION
The degree project is an independent project in graphic design subject to the department's explicit approval, as the final requirement for graduation for the BFA Degree. Visiting critics will be invited to review the completed project. Students are only eligible to enroll in this course if all credit requirements for the degree are complete in this final semester and the student is enrolled with full-time status. Graphic Design students on advanced standing who wish to be considered for Degree project in the Fall of their senior year must apply to the department head.
Majors are pre-registered for this course by the department. Enrollment is limited to Senior Graphic Design Students.
Major Requirement | BFA Graphic Design
GRAPH 3298-02
DEGREE PROJECT
SECTION DESCRIPTION
The degree project is an independent project in graphic design subject to the department's explicit approval, as the final requirement for graduation for the BFA Degree. Visiting critics will be invited to review the completed project. Students are only eligible to enroll in this course if all credit requirements for the degree are complete in this final semester and the student is enrolled with full-time status. Graphic Design students on advanced standing who wish to be considered for Degree project in the Fall of their senior year must apply to the department head.
Majors are pre-registered for this course by the department. Enrollment is limited to Senior Graphic Design Students.
Major Requirement | BFA Graphic Design
GRAPH 3298-02
DEGREE PROJECT
SECTION DESCRIPTION
The degree project is an independent project in graphic design subject to the department's explicit approval, as the final requirement for graduation for the BFA Degree. Visiting critics will be invited to review the completed project. Students are only eligible to enroll in this course if all credit requirements for the degree are complete in this final semester and the student is enrolled with full-time status. Graphic Design students on advanced standing who wish to be considered for Degree project in the Fall of their senior year must apply to the department head.
Majors are pre-registered for this course by the department. Enrollment is limited to Senior Graphic Design Students.
Major Requirement | BFA Graphic Design
GRAPH 3298-03
DEGREE PROJECT
SECTION DESCRIPTION
The degree project is an independent project in graphic design subject to the department's explicit approval, as the final requirement for graduation for the BFA Degree. Visiting critics will be invited to review the completed project. Students are only eligible to enroll in this course if all credit requirements for the degree are complete in this final semester and the student is enrolled with full-time status. Graphic Design students on advanced standing who wish to be considered for Degree project in the Fall of their senior year must apply to the department head.
Majors are pre-registered for this course by the department. Enrollment is limited to Senior Graphic Design Students.
Major Requirement | BFA Graphic Design