Visual Communication

3 semester credits. This course focuses on the creation of projects in advertising campaigns from the initial research and creative strategy to the final execution of a comprehensive commercial project. Students will learn the principles of art direction and layout as well as the marketing aspects of an advertising campaign, working with a copywriter, learning techniques for idea visualization, and structuring the campaign to the requirements of the client. Prerequisites: Visual Communication Design Fundamentals Studio I, Introduction to Digital Graphic Illustration, or equivalent.

3 semester credits. This course centers on visual communication design as a human communication problem and focuses on essential aspects of the profession and of the education of designers. The visual communication designer works on the interpretation, organization, and visual presentation of messages. Sensitivity toward form should go hand in hand with sensitivity toward content. Visual designers concentrate their work on the effectiveness, appropriateness, beauty, and budget of the messages. Through a series of tasks and exercises, the ubiquitous presence of visual communication principles will let the student see the many aspects of shape, color, space, typography and movement more compellingly as manifestations of one coherent medium. Topics include the study of space, color, frame, layout theory through the principles of Gestalt Psychology and other fundamentals concepts. The course will focus primarily on the basic computer programs for visual communication from the Adobe Suite. Prerequisites: A basic knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite, or other similar software is highly recommended.

3 semester credits. The aim of this course is to provide the students with a strong base for designing effective visual communications that are able to inform and motivate the viewer. The main purpose of this course is for students to develop a research and experimentation approach in order to understand the diverse aspects of visual design. Through a series of exercises, students will be able to master basic design principles, conceptual problem-solving methods, and critical thinking skills. This will allow them to evaluate the effectiveness of their work. Topics also include content in typography, layout, logo design, and poster design. This course includes Fab Lab studio hours and experiential learning with CEMI. Prerequisites: Visual Communication Design Fundamentals I or equivalent. Basic knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite required.

6 semester credits. The aim of this course is to provide the students with a strong base for designing effective visual communications that are able to inform and motivate the viewer. The main purpose of this course is for students to develop a research and experimentation approach in order to understand the diverse aspects of visual design. Through a series of exercises, students will be able to master basic design principles, conceptual problem-solving methods, and critical thinking skills. This will allow them to evaluate the effectiveness of their work. Topics also include content in typography, layout, logo design, and poster design. This course includes experiential learning hours with our Community Engagement Member Institutions (CEMI).

3 semester credits. The course explores illustration as an instrument of communication (i.e. advertising) and narration (i.e. comic books). It aims at improving drawing and design skills by teaching image making with an emphasis on edge, shape, color and value. Students will learn how to apply composition and design, color, and conceptualization to a wide range of materials and techniques. Students will use illustration software to enhance traditional work and acquire important knowledge in the digital domain. Idea development within real-world parameters, originality, aesthetics, and technical proficiency are emphasized. This class includes experiential learning with CEMI. Prerequisites: Knowledge of Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator highly recommended

3 semester credits. This course trains students in the comprehension and development of effective graphic web design interfaces. Focus is attributed to the importance of human interaction, as well as visual properties, layout, and wayfinding to ensure the quality of a web page or site. The theoretical part of the course seeks to expound upon the significance of web design as a discipline, together with its main sociological implications. The course, however, places its main emphasis on the practical aspects relating to the topic/field, allowing students to acquire the skills necessary for the creation of basic, functional, and aesthetically pleasing websites.

Cross-listed from Experiential Learning