Graphic Design Courses

GRD1100 Graphic Design Principles I

Introduces two-dimensional design and color theory and their relational aspects. This course explores the elements and principles of design, color, and light in the creative process. Students learn about the design process, from concept to completion, and explore the fundamentals of Adobe Illustrator.

GRD1101 Photoshop and Digital Graphics I

In Photoshop and Digital Graphics I, students explore the role of designing visual graphics. With the introduction of Adobe Photoshop, digital concepts, processes, and creativity, the course focus is to create original graphics for promotion and marketing materials.

3 Credit Hours

GRD1105 Painting I

Approaches two-dimensional theory through the freeform and experiential painterly process. Students recreate and build on elements of design in a painterly manner through their own work. Subject matters range from the traditional painting genre of still life, interiors, and the figure, to the abstract.

3 Credit Hours

GRD1120 3D Design and Modeling

Introduces the principles and applications of design as it relates to the synthesis of three-dimensional form, space, light, shadow, relief, and motion. The relationship of material and form and its application to packaging are explored. Subjects range from man-made geometric forms to architecture and nature.

3 Credit Hours

Develops drawing skills for graphic design and the visual arts. Includes genres of fine art such as observation of the human figure in composition. Drawings will include three-dimensional objects, perspective, still life, and the landscape.

3 Credit Hours

GRD1190 Typography 1

Introduces the history, physical attributes, family classification, terminology, and structural aspects of type. Students explore typography as a medium that conveys aesthetic, emotional, and intellectual meaning. Students create effective marketing materials by incorporating type as an integrated and active element.

Prerequisite: GRD1100

3 Credit Hours

GRD2200 Graphic Design Principles II

Integrates the skills acquired in Graphic Design Principles I. Incorporates typography and graphics to create effective communication design from concept through completion. The course utilizes industry standard software.

Prerequisites: GRD1100

3 Credit Hours

GRD2210 Graphic Design in Visual Culture

Traces the development of visual communication from the first cave paintings to present-day digital marketing. This course examines how cultural and technological developments have affected our viewpoints of the relationship, and use of images and typography.

3 Credit Hours

GRD2226 Professional Development Seminar

Investigates career-development opportunities and strategies. This course focuses on entry-level job requirements and career research. Students learn resume writing and interviewing skills. Emphasis is placed on creating conceptual approaches for communicating ideas visually and project development and management.

3 Credit Hours

GRD2230 Digital Photography and Creative Media

Introduces the basic concepts, terminology, and applications of digital photography. This course explores the creative transformation of images for effective visual communication. Students develop critical thinking and technical skills needed to use photography in their work as designers.

3 Credit Hours

GRD2233 Web Design I

Explores the role of artists and designers in the web environment. Students are introduced to the concepts, process, and applications of programming code for creating and styling web pages, and preparing images and graphics for the web environment.

3 Credit Hours

GRD2234 Web Design II

Develops the skills acquired in Web Design I. Students continue learning programming code with an emphasis on interaction design, user-interface design, and front-end development.

Prerequisite: GRD2233

3 Credit Hours

GRD2235 Web Design III

Develops the skills acquired in Web Design II. Students explore design for both web and mobile apps incorporating multimedia, video, audio, and responsive design. Prototype development and testing are explored.

Prerequisite: GRD2234

3 Credit Hours

GRD2290 Typography II

Develops the skills acquired in Typography I. Projects incorporate type as a decorative element to produce creative marketable design results. Principles of selecting typeface, use of grids, and basic layout designs and formats are addressed.

Prerequisite: GRD1190

3 Credit Hours

GRD3320 Graphic Design Principles III and Game Development

Integrates the skills acquired in the foundation courses and conceptual abilities developed in Graphic Design Principles II. Emphasis is on developing design thinking and building visual problem-solving skills. Students are introduced to Motion Graphics and Game Design Graphics.

Prerequisite: GRD2200

3 Credit Hours

GRD3330 Digital Filmmaking

Develops the skills acquired in Digital Photography and Creative Media. This course includes advanced digital imaging techniques and introduces students to a wide range of styles in contemporary photography as well as video.

Prerequisite: GRD2230

3 Credit Hours

GRD3360 Packaging Design I

Incorporates the history, purpose, types, materials, environmental considerations, symbols, labels, and security measures of packaging. Students study packaging as a new-product development process, explore graphic design for marketing options, and produce models with industry standard specifications sheets.

Prerequisite: GRD2200

3 Credit Hours

GRD3395 Branding and Information Design

Explores various processes and the translation of information in a visual format for data visualization in current media. Marketing trends and strategies are explored in the development of creative solutions to design problems. Students create functional design solutions for identity systems across multiple points of contact.

Prerequisite: GRD2200

3 Credit Hours

GRD4400 Animation Foundations

Explores the foundation of animation, including the basic concepts of animation and what makes things move. This course covers X, Y, and Z planes; keyframes; animation paths; hierarchies; pivots and rotation; and the importance of timing.

Prerequisite: GRD2230

3 Credit Hours

GRD4410 Publication Design

Explores publication design procedures and techniques, from planning to production. Students research and analyze graphic design in multi-page publications and create their own multi-page publication designs. This course covers procedures and techniques for the successful printing of projects.

Prerequisite: GRD2240

3 Credit Hours

GRD4415 UI/UX Design

Explores aspects of user interface design engineering. The preparation of concepts will utilize the principles of design, typography, color, and problem solving skills. Concepts include wireframes, user testing, personas, scenarios and storyboards, applied to front-end and back-end web and app development.

Prerequisite: GRD2235

3 Credit Hours

GRD4420 Game Design

Introduces the theory and practice of game creation and design for interactive home entertainment, arcade games, education, and multiplayer online environments. Students study the history, genres, technology, organization, psychology, and story of games. Students will then gain mastery over the Unity 3D engine.

Prerequisite: GRD2200

3 Credit Hours

GRD4460 Capstone Project

Requires students to utilize cumulative skills acquired in advanced course studies to work on an individual research project for their portfolio with the help of a faculty mentor. This course is taken in a student's senior year.

Prerequisite: GRD3360

3 Credit Hours

GRD4470 Special Topics in Graphic Design

Focuses in depth on a particular period area of interest within graphic design to further develop conceptual and technical skills and create professional work for portfolio development.

Prerequisite: GRD3320

3 Credit Hours

GRD4481 Portfolio

Provides a studio and critique workshop. Students edit, create, add, highlight, and refine projects to meet industry standards and promote individual graphic design skills in their specialized area. This course is taken in a student's senior year.

Prerequisite: GRD3395

3 Credit Hours

GRD4483 Internship

Provides a field-based internship experience where students acquire career/professional skills within the graphic design industry. This course is taken during a student's last semester of study.

Prerequisite: Departmental permission