B.S. IN GRAPHIC DESIGN

The Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design is a career entry degree program that also will serve as preparation for graduate study in graphic design or related disciplines.  The purpose of the Graphic Design program is to enable students to “plan and execute the design of visual communication according to the needs of audiences and contexts for which communication is intended”.  The program is designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and concepts essential to the professional life of a graphic designer.  Students enrolled in the 120 hours Bachelor of Science Graphic Design degree program will pursue a four-year program consisting of general studies, courses that will provide a common body of knowledge and skills that constitute a basic foundation for work and continuing growth as a design professional and courses in graphic design.  Students also will acquire a working knowledge of technologies and equipment applicable to graphic design throughout the degree program.  The Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design program will provide students with experiences in progressively intensive studio projects and opportunities for independent study culminating in a senior capstone course and project.

The Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design program is an interdisciplinary and collaborative degree that will serve the needs of traditional and nontraditional students seeking to become proficient in graphic and web design to compete successfully in the expanding graphic design industry and related industries.

The goal of the program is to produce highly professional artists for industry, for entrepreneurial activities, and further study in graduate school.  

Core Course Offerings

GRD100 Basic Design – 3 Credits
The materials and processes of design are considered in conjunction with the principles which influence form and function.  Design is explored through hands-on application with a variety of media.

GRD110 Internet Literacy – 3 Credits
This course is an introduction to the key components, common applications, and information resources of the internet.  It teaches the skills of accessing and navigating through information.  All the basic requirements for understanding and utilizing the Internet for business, education, and entertainment are covered, and an overview of the basics of building simple web sites is presented.

GRD205 Digital Image Manipulation – 3 Credits
This course evaluates photographic image digitizing and manipulation of software and hardware.  It introduces the potential of the computer as a tool in the photographic process.  Students will learn the techniques of retouching and manipulating photographic images.

GRD322 Desktop Publishing – 3 Credits    
This course introduces the student to the theory and operation of electronic publishing technology, emphasizing the integration of software programs such as page layout, word processing, and graphics.  Prerequisites: GRD100

GRD301 Fundamentals of Animation – 3 Credits      
This introductory course covers the history and evolution of animation, as well as the theory and principles behind it.  The basic skills of cell animation will be explored through the mechanics of pencil roughs, cell composition, ink, and paint.  Students will practice timing, rhythm, and movement while exploring their design implications.  Digital technology and basic computer animation software will be introduced through demonstration and practice.  Prerequisites:  HAR220, GRD100

GRD310 Concept Development – 3 Credits
Students are introduced to media production by identifying the components of good production design, emphasizing the importance of problem solving, planning, and design functionality.  The process of creative team dynamics is explored along with its principles and practices.  Production planning, software, word processors, and desktop publishing software will be used to develop a preproduction file.  Prerequisites:  GRD100

GRD312 History of Graphic Design – 3 Credits
This course studies the artistic trends and how developing technologies have influenced creative work through the 19th to 21st Century Europe and America.  This course focuses on the relationship between design and art, the artist’s role and influence on Western Culture and Society.

GRD314 Computer Graphics I – 3 Credits        
This course covers the fundamental concepts for creating a multimedia web page.  Students will be expected to learn the differences in creating graphics by using shapes versus vector formats and then converting these formats to symbols, using these elements to further explore a 2-dimensional environment.  When the basic skills are acquired, students will use these elements to create their own multimedia project, whether it is for CD or the web.  Prerequisites:  GRD100, HAR220

GRD315 Computer Graphics II – 3 Credits       
This course looks at the theory, technology, and preparation needed for a publication layout, print separation, print production, and a print bureau file.  The focus will include typographical design, design layout, scanning and importing files, file choice, and color.  Logos and other symbolic images will be examined in historic and contemporary context.  Prerequisites:  GRD314

GRD330 Introduction to Web Page Design – 3 Credits                      
This course will develop the scripting skills necessary for web page design and introduce students to the basics of HTML.  Prerequisites:  GRD110, GRD205

GRD401 Human Computer Interface Design –3 Credits      
This course looks at the information architecture and discusses usability vs. aesthetic visuals.  Students will learn how to implement man/machine interfaces via design principles.  Prerequisites: GRD314

HAR320 Commercial Graphic Design I – 3 Credits  
An introduction to the history of hand lettering, typography, layout design, and illustration for commercial use.  Students will utilize state-of-the-art technologies for placement in today’s fast paced and demanding careers.  Emphasis will be placed on the creation, manipulation, and design of typography and images using Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, MS Word, and PowerPoint.  Students will learn the basic work area including tools, layers, pallets, paths, images formats, typographic enhancing, image manipulation, scanning techniques, importing text and images, and filters as well as basic page layout and design.  Prerequisites:  HAR220

GRD360 Motion Graphics –3 Credits     
This course covers multimedia, with the emphasis on web production, is one of the fastest growing areas of the technology field.  This course focuses on the use of advanced graphic display techniques in multimedia-enhanced web design, including animation.  Software tools used throughout the course will include the latest version of Macromedia Flash; emphasis is on the use of tools and their relationship to compelling web designs.  This a “hands on” course, involving extended amounts of computer lab time, and covers the fundamentals of Action Script, the scripting language of Flash.  As part of this course, the students will work with variables, data-types, operators, statements, conditions, functions, objects, events, arrays, movie clips, and other applicable elements.  Students will use these elements to create his/her own interactive multimedia project for a CD or the web.  Prerequisites:  GRD301

GRD400 Senior Capstone Project –3 Credits   
Senior students use their skills and creativity to gain experience in an area of concentration or interest.  Seniors show and complete portfolio—portfolio presentation.  Prerequisites:  GRD215

GRD410 Internship – 3 Credits  
Formal arrangements designed to provide opportunities for students to study and experience professional career interests outside the university but under supervision by the appropriate academic department or program.  All internships must have faculty and departmental approval.  An internship must be at least 90 hours per term outside of class.  Prerequisites:  GRD215

GRD420 Advanced Web Page Design - 3 Credits         
This course builds on Introduction to Web Page design to develop student skills at an advanced level.  With this knowledge, students will be able to design, create, and maintain web sites (webmasters) at the corporate level.  Topics will be covered in a theoretical and practical way.  The course includes a large component of hands-on computer work.  Prerequisites:  GRD330
 

Required Related Courses

HAR 111, Elements of Art – 3 credits.  (Writing Intensive Course)
A rudimentary investigation of color, form, space, and history in fine arts.  Creative art is introduced through experiences with color and design in two and three-dimensional forms.  An introductory survey of the history of art.

HAR 200, (G) Art History I - 3 credits.
Surveys major contributions from the Italian Renaissance to Contemporary European, and
North American Art.  Special emphasis placed on African American artists.

HAR220 Fundamentals of Drawing I – 3 credits  
This is a course in basic concepts and principles of drawing, and emphasizes accurate representation.  It is open to beginners as well as students with some previous formal instruction in drawing.  Individual instruction and individual critique will be given as well as class lectures and demonstrations.  Topics include: drawing materials, composition, perspective, proportion, tone, space, and volume and modeling.  Drawing assignments include still life setups, cast drawing, and landscape.

BCA 210 Management Concepts and Strategies – 3 credits
Principles that form the basis of modern management methods, application of behavioral theory to management problems, introduction to quantitative methods as applied to managing business operations.

BCA 212 Principles of Marketing – 3 credits
Structure and processes of marketing; major marketing policies concerning the product, market distribution channels, field selling, advertising promotion, and pricing.

IAV311 Photography – 3 Credits
Black and White photography, processing, image manipulation, enlarging, studio techniques, negative and print corrections.  The history and development of the camera will be studied.  Picture composition and lighting will be presented.  Students must supply their own camera and film.  The basic camera used is the SLR 53mm. Digital photography and computer technology will be demonstrated.

HAR302 Printmaking – 3 Credits
The art of visual expression with etching, lithography, the woodcut, and linoleum block. Hands on applications will focus on linoleum block printing, monotype, and silkscreen printing. A history of printing will be included as part of the process of printmaking techniques and principles. Various processes and techniques will be explored in printmaking. This is primarily “an art making” course.