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Department of Art, Design and Art History

B.A. in Art: Graphic Design Option

Our Graphic Design program places emphasis on two main areas: the concept of design as information organization, and the integration of computer technology into visual communication. By focusing on standards and skills employed in the profession of graphic design, our program prepares graduates to seamlessly enter the field. We encourage and assist students in finding internships in the profession.

Senior Portfolio Show
Senior Portfolio Show

Mandatory Advising

All students should meet with an advisor when they begin as a freshman or transfer from another school. Meeting with an advisor provides students with an explanation of how our program functions. The university has instituted a mandatory advising policy blocking registration of students who have not met with an advisor. It is in the best interest of all students to meet with an advisor as soon as possible.

Graphic Design advising has been divided into alphabetical categories based on students' last names. Contact information is available by clicking on each name:

Course Descriptions and Degree Requirements

Go to the General Catalog website.

Option Sheet for Earlier Years

Course Descriptions and Degree Requirements

Go to the General Catalog website.

Courses

All courses are not offered every semester. See the Schedule of Courses for the current offering.

GD 35 - Visual Communications Fundamentals

Foundational visual and cognitive organizational processes for the practice of visual communication, presented through lectures and applied through studio exercises. Includes visual perception and organization, visual ideation, and visual problem-solving processes, techniques, and principles.

GD 37 - Graphic Design: Computer Imaging

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Prerequisites: ART 13, GD 35. Emphasis on basic skills, theories, and principles of graphic design including photo manipulation and illustration software applications as related to the graphic design field. (6 lab hours). (Formerly GD 40) (Course fee, $30).

GD 39 - Graphic Design: Computer Layout Design

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Prerequisite: Art 13 and GD 37 (Note: GD 37 and GD 39 can be taken concurrently). Exploration and application of layout design and prepress software as related to the graphic design field through projects encompassing the basic skills, theories, and principles of graphic design.

GD 41 - Typography

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Prerequisite: GD 37. Explores the enhancement of communication by the employment of sophisticated typographic skills. Places emphasis on the historical development of type styles and appropriate contemporary usage. Utilizes Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.

GD 42 - Graphic Design

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Prerequisite: GD 41 (Note: GD 41 and GD 42 can be taken concurrently). Initial exploration into the complexities of visual communication. This course focuses on the importance of the organization of information and the usage of basic design skills to enhance communication. A computer course.

GD 50 - Internet Design

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Prerequisite: GD 42 (Note: GD 50 and GD 42 can be taken concurrently). A projected-oriented course, emphasizing the design of World Wide Web sites that effectively organize information and connect with an intended audience. The final project in this class is the design of a personal web site by each student. This is not an HTML class, the focus is on the aesthetics of web site design using Adobe Dreamweaver and other design-based software. (Formerly GD 140).

GD 60 - Illustration Techniques

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Prerequisite: Art 20 or ID 43. Focuses on illustration techniques (the capture of real world three-dimensional objects on two dimensional media), applicable to interior and graphic design projects. (Formerly GD 143)

GD 135 - History of Graphic Design

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Prerequisites: Art History 10 and 11. Combines lecture and projects to examine the historical context of graphic design styles.

GD 150 - Advanced Internet Design

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1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Prerequisites: GD 41, GD 42, and GD 50. Design of complex, multi-layered and visually rich Web sites. Emphasis on professionally designed, visually integrated sites incorporating interactive and motion graphics.

GD 163 - Illustration

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Prerequisites: Art 116 and GD 60. Places emphasis on rendering techniques as they apply to visual communication. Practical illustration assignments reinforce the importance of establishing connections with a targeted audience. (Formerly GD 146)

GD 165 - Digital Illustration Techniques

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Prerequisites: GD 42 and GD 163. This computer-based course focuses on the employment of advanced visual communication skills in combination with sophisticated graphics software techniques. (Formerly GD 147)

GD 170 - Typographic Design

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Prerequisites: GD 41 and GD 42. Emphasizes the exploration of typography as a pure design form. Focuses on the deconstruction of type forms into essential elements and reconstruction of alternative typographic models. Students work with Fontographer software to design and construct computer font files. (Formerly GD 141)

GD 174 - Graphic Systems

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Prerequisites: GD 41 and GD 42. This course focuses on the importance of consistency in information systems to reinforce recognition and brand/service identity. This class presents a group of guest lectures and assignments by professional designers, art directors, and creative directors from the local community, affording students the opportunity to interact on a professional, real-world problem solving level. Computer assignments. (Formerly GD 142)

GD 178 - Professional Advertising Design

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Prerequisites: GD 170 and GD 174. This advanced course brings graphic design professionals from the area into the classroom to assign and then critique a variety of real-world projects. (Formerly GD 148)

GD 179 - Professional Practices in Graphic Design

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Prerequisites: GD 170 and GD 174. (Note: GD 178 and GD 179 must be taken concurrently). This advanced course examines the professional standards and practices common to the field of graphic design. Emphasis is placed on examining employment opportunities and enhancing interview skills. A combination of lecture and projects, students create personal identity systems and materials for small business development. (Formerly GD 149)

GD 190 - Independent Studies in Graphic Design

GD 198 - Internship in Graphic Design

Campus Links

Course Descriptions and Degree Requirements

Go to the General Catalog website.

Current Course Offerings

Consult the class schedule.