Graphic Design Courses
GRAPH 352G-01
GRADUATE TYPOGRAPHY STUDIO III
SECTION DESCRIPTION
Typography III is the culmination of RISD's typography sequence, with an emphasis on typography and contemporary display platforms. Advances in software and hardware have created new opportunities for how language is written, sequenced and accessed. Projects in this semester depend on altered states, where the content, composition, and context all are potentially at play. Students will continue to develop proficiency in designing for static compositions while extending the meaning and voice of that work across multiple platforms. Students will have ample opportunity to further shape their perspective and individual voice in relation to contemporary typography. This is a studio course, so some class time will be used for discussions, most of the time we will be working in class, often on a computer. There is an expectation that students work both individually and in groups and be prepared to speak about their own work and the work of their peers in supportive and respectful ways. A laptop and relevant software are required.
Please contact the department for permission to register; registration is not available in Workday.
Major Requirement | MFA Graphic Design (3yr)
GRAPH 3859-01
TYPE DESIGN
SECTION DESCRIPTION
This elective is an opportunity for students to immerse themselves in the process of designing a serif text typeface; to consider all the design decisions that are a part of this creative exercise, and to learn the finer points of bezier wrangling, serif and sans, spacing, kerning, and all the other details of execution which turn a roughly-formed idea into a more complete, rigorous and polished type design. This course will provide a fundamental understanding of how typefaces work in addition to accessing a new design tool that can find practical use. This is a Mac only course.
Open to Junior, Senior or Graduate Graphic Design Students.
Elective
GRAPH 3859-01
TYPE DESIGN
SECTION DESCRIPTION
This elective is an opportunity for students to immerse themselves in the process of designing a serif text typeface; to consider all the design decisions that are a part of this creative exercise, and to learn the finer points of bezier wrangling, serif and sans, spacing, kerning, and all the other details of execution which turn a roughly-formed idea into a more complete, rigorous and polished type design. This course will provide a fundamental understanding of how typefaces work in addition to accessing a new design tool that can find practical use. This is a Mac only course.
Open to Junior, Senior or Graduate Graphic Design Students only. Please contact the instructor to be added to the waitlist.
Elective
GRAPH 4110-01
GAME DESIGN WITH UNITY 3D
SECTION DESCRIPTION
This course will lead students through the entire game design process, from sketch to publishing, in both 2D and 3D. Students will be introduced to Unity 3D, software that creates interactive designs and publishes them as desktop, web, and mobile applications. The course will also consider media theory and address video games' influence on our culture. Topics to be covered will include: analog and digital history of games; their ritualistic and symbolic origins; their use in contemporary art; an analysis of gaming subcultures; an analysis of the male gaze, hyper masculinity and violence in commercial gaming; a critique of the lack of diversity in the game development workforce; video games' influence on other mass media; and their role in how we perceive the world around us. There will be special focus on the graphic designer's role in a professional game development team. Once familiar with the Unity environment, the course will open up to other kinds of interactive software including AR and VR mobile applications. Unity 3D is free to use. There are no prerequisites but experience with 3D modeling is desired.
Open to Senior or Graduate Graphic Design Students only.
Elective
GRAPH W210-101
THE TACTILE BOOK: PAPER, PRINTING, BINDING
SECTION DESCRIPTION
This is a vibrant time for book makers. The designer encapsulates numerous roles in the creation of a publication: content generator, typographer, printer, binder, editor and publisher. Gutenberg may have started the revolution in the 1400s, but the form of the book is anything but antiquated. With ever-changing technologies and sophisticated materials, the potential for the book and its distribution has only expanded. Through a series of exploratory exercises including hybrid forms of printing and binding, students will continually use content as the primary consideration as they challenge historical precedents and traditions. Artists including Clarissa Sligh, Julie Chen, Leon Ferrari, Mira Schendel, Amos Paul Kennedy, Tauba Auerbach, Sara DeBondt, Irma Boom, and others provide differing models, and perspectives on the form of the book. Students will visit special collections for inspiration, experiment with both traditional and experimental materials and bindings to position the book into contemporary hands.
Estimated Cost of Materials: $100.00
Elective
GRAPH W320-101
GRADUATE OPEN RESEARCH
SECTION DESCRIPTION
This course is for graduate students in graphic design to work independently on research. The instructor serves an advisory role in all projects. Students must submit a written proposal for work planned and criteria for evaluation. Course meetings are arranged individually, or with the group as needed.
Course may be repeated due to new research projects each semester.
Majors are pre-registered for this course by the department. Enrollment is limited to Graduate Graphic Design Students.
Elective
GRAPH W321-101
GRADUATE THESIS RESEARCH
SECTION DESCRIPTION
This course is for graphic design graduate students in their final year to work independently on their graduate thesis. The instructor serves an advisory role in all projects. Students must submit a written proposal for work planned and criteria for evaluation. Course meetings are arranged individually, or with the group as needed.
Majors are pre-registered for this course by the department. Enrollment is limited to Graduate Graphic Design Students.
Major Requirement | MFA Graphic Design
GRAPH W322-101
TYPOGRAPHY ELECTIVE
SECTION DESCRIPTION
The objective of this course is to introduce the student to the basic concepts, skills and processes of typographical design. Design problems will be assigned to investigate fundamental aspects of typography (organization; proportion; composition; space; texture; rhythm and meaning). Projects may include the design of such objects as letterhead, packaging and poster.
Elective
GRAPH W322-103
TYPOGRAPHY ELECTIVE
SECTION DESCRIPTION
The objective of this course is to introduce the student to the basic concepts, skills and processes of typographical design. Design problems will be assigned to investigate fundamental aspects of typography (organization; proportion; composition; space; texture; rhythm and meaning). Projects may include the design of such objects as letterhead, packaging and poster.
Elective
GRAPH W336-101
INTRO TO GRAPHIC DESIGN
SECTION DESCRIPTION
An in-depth investigation of the principles and possibilities of graphic design. Through a series of experimental exercises incorporating drawing, collage, and the computer, students will learn the fundamentals of graphic form, sequencing, image making, communicating visually, and integration of type. Slide presentations and lectures will introduce students to both the history of graphic design and contemporary designers.
Elective
GRAPH W336-102
INTRO TO GRAPHIC DESIGN
SECTION DESCRIPTION
An in-depth investigation of the principles and possibilities of graphic design. Through a series of experimental exercises incorporating drawing, collage, and the computer, students will learn the fundamentals of graphic form, sequencing, image making, communicating visually, and integration of type. Slide presentations and lectures will introduce students to both the history of graphic design and contemporary designers.
Elective