Course Name / Description: GRA-420 Advanced Digital Imaging / This hands‐on computer graphics Course combines skills from previous design Courses to explore the history, process and essential skills required to develop successful brand identity systems. Topics such as logo design, selection of fonts and colors, and the development of branded marketing materials are covered in depth. In addition, the important techniques of imaging software integration and file format compatibilities are discussed and applied while preparing images for print, video and Web. At the conclusion of this Course, students will have developed a complete branded identity system and assembled a portfolio presentation for public viewing.
Project Description: Develop a comprehensive brand identity package that incorporates the elements and principles of design into print and multimedia components. Create a cohesive professional branding suite that reflects your style, voice, personality, and professional goals and includes a logo for your business card and letterhead, digital résumé, and leave-behind piece. These pieces should be included in the portfolio website platform and must link to a social media page that includes content and communication aligned to your personal brand.
Course Name / Description: GRA-410 Adv. Digital Graphic Design/Web / This Course engages upper-level design students in current industry standards used in designing content for multimedia and interactive communication. Emphasis is placed on designing for computers, tablets and phones. The Course is divided into teaching modules emphasizing the integration of several software packages for design problem solving. Emphasis is placed on conceptualization and the mastery of professional site mapping and wire framing techniques. Exercises and projects provide challenging design problem-solving experience. Project themes involve self-promotion and client-based work. All projects rely on the student's ability to integrate previously mastered techniques in a broad range of software.
Project Description: Implement appropriate wireframe templates for enhancing website design workflow. Construct page layout design and visual mock-ups utilizing industry-standard layout tools. Implement a fully functional bootstrap website through the application of appropriate principles of responsive web design. Creating a Wireframe From Breakpoints. Digital Mock-Ups of Web Design. Testing Functionality and File Transfer Protocol. Responsive Personal Portfolio Website.
Course Name / Description: GRA-310 Digital Graphic Design for Web / This Course focuses on digital graphic design theory and its application to web design. Students learn about the technical requirements of professionally created digital web documents. Students will be focused on designing communication and marketing applications for the World Wide Web all the while considering user experience and functionality. Differences in designing for the desktop computer and mobile internet appliances will be a topic for discussion and incorporated in hands-on exercises and projects. Each student will develop several minisites and by the end of the semester will have produced at least one deployable site. Topics include design strategies, web authoring/editing environments, color calibration and aesthetics, web typography, style sheets, template use, graphics format selecting and optimization, and HTML coding and debugging.
Project Description: With the principles of design as your guide, you will plan, design, create, and deliver a HTML5 and CSS3 compliant multipage website.
Course Name / Description: GRA-332 Digital Publishing / In this Course, students will be introduced to the creative and practical aspects of digital publishing. Students will identify and explore differences between designing for the iPad, smartphone, tablet, laptop, and desktop computers. This Course shows students how to step outside of print design and learn about interactive design, and the differences and similarities between the two. Through targeted assignments students will develop an understanding of the variety of tools used to create publications for electronic media. Students will capture key insights to improve content and deepen reader engagement.
Project Description: Design interactive marketing and communication materials using a variety of tools for digital publication in electronic media. Analyze the shift in user experience (UX) needs when transitioning from traditionally printed materials to electronic format. Utilize digital publishing workflows to convert print layouts into digital designsfor building applications. Determine appropriate information architecture (IA) for interactive touch design to meet target audience needs. Creating an interactive magazine publication package. "You have been hired to create a digital layout of your selected magazine. The magazine would like to improve its brand patronage by engaging readers with an optimized and content-focused tablet application. The publisher needs you to develop an interactive experience for their magazine featuring a variety of content to increase advertising exposure, inform audiences, and entertain readers. You will create a graphical layout and design interactive pop-ups and graphical elements. Your design should have the appropriate information architecture for interactive touch design to meet the magazine’s audience needs."
Course Name / Description: COM-232 Desktop Publishing / This Course is an introduction to the software application Adobe InDesign designed for the novice user. Students are introduced to the creative and practical aspects of the desktop publishing program that is considered indispensable in the contemporary communications and design industries. This Course is based on a series of introductory exercises and a regimen of hands-on practice that teaches software and design skills; students learn how to combine the use of professional graphic design and word-processing software applications.
Project Description: Your client intends to open a restaurant and is looking to develop a variety of materials in order to advertise; a table tent, menu, and a brochure. "For the client, Pasta Amore (provides a casual dining experience), you will utilize InDesign to design a table tent, menu design, and brochure using specifications from the client-provided Brand Style Guide. You will use the same design elements throughout all of the design pieces by changing the format and layout of the various elements of the design (logo, text, graphics, and photographs) into different sizes for various media. You will then assemble all the finished design pieces into a client presentation using Adobe InDesign."
Course Name / Description: COM-230 Graphics and Layout Print Media / This Course is an introduction to the principles and practices of graphic design. Students are introduced through lecture, demonstration and hands-on computer work to the basic elements of graphic visual communication. Adobe Illustrator is used as a primary tool in exploring visual perception through a variety of creative exercises that familiarize the student with basic visual principles such as figure/ground manipulation, shape grouping, letterform shape creation, and grid and system creation. Formal elements of graphic design such as line, shape, color, texture, pattern, balance, symmetry, rhythm, space and unity are thoroughly explored by example and hands-on computer exercises; special topics included are: designing with type, layout strategies, logo design, symbol and pictogram development and stationery systems.
Project Description: Create Letterhead, business card, logo, branding style guide, envelope. Creation of a portfolio of a designed logo and brand identity for a client from the provided client design briefs. "For the final project, you will create a logo and brand identity for a client, taking into consideration the needs and requirements of the client as well as applying the psychology of design to communicate the message you intend to the client’s audience. You will utilize a variety of tools, including Illustrator, and scale your logo for use on different stationery items. The final deliverable will be a portfolio, created in Illustrator and saved as a multi-page PDF document, and will include your logo, the brand identity you created, the logo appearing in different formats, and, finally, a written rationale to explain your decisions.