Graphic Design Courses
AGD 1000 DESIGN PRODUCTION (3)
A freshman-level introduction to graphic design print production vocabulary and techniques, both traditional and digital. The course includes introductory tutorials on three of the Adobe Creative Cloud programs—InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator—to provide fundamentals of the software prior to the subsequent graphic design and imaging studio courses within the B.F.A. in Graphic Design curriculum.
Prerequisite: none
AGD 2000 GRAPHIC DESIGN STUDIO I (3)
Introductory studio in fundamental two-dimensional concepts of graphic design. Basic design principles and invention of form within contexts relevant to design of communication of information, concepts and/or emotions. Project assignments will coincide with lectures and tutorials and will enable students to develop critical thinking and visual problem-solving skills.
Prerequisites: AGD 1000, 2010, 2030, ARH 2530, ART 1010, 1020, and 2030, or permission of the instructor
AGD 2010 TYPOGRAPHY (3)
Typography is a medium of visual communication. Student exercises focus on type as image and the relationship between visual and verbal language, the expressive characteristics of letterforms, and type design classifications. Course covers type terminology, typographic design and production history, and current methods/tutorials for professional typography.
Prerequisites: AGD 1000, 2030, ART 1010, 1020, 2030, or permission of the instructor
AGD 2020 IMAGING FOR GRAPHIC DESIGN I (3)
Introduction to the technical and formal issues of photography and illustration processes as they relate to visual communications, terminology, and photographic history within the context of graphic design. Introduction to raster imaging/manipulation for print and screen.
Prerequisites: AGD 1000, 2010, 2030, ARH 2530, ART 1010, 1020, 2030, or permission of the instructor
AGD 2040 HISTORY OF GRAPHIC DESIGN (3)
Survey of the inventions, movements, designs, and individuals that have international historical significance and influence in the development of visual communications. Concentration on late 19th and 20th centuries.
Prerequisite: none; but ARH 2530 and 2540 recommended
AGD 2050 TYPOGRAPHY II (3)
Builds upon and relies on vocabulary, experimentation, and projects from AGD 2010 and thoroughly covers combining of typeface designs. More advanced, multi-page documents, kinetic type, motion graphics, and broadcast typography projects.
Prerequisites: AGD 1000, 2010, 2030, ART 1010, 1020, 2030, or permission of the instructor
AGD 3000 GRAPHIC DESIGN STUDIO II (3)
Intermediate course in the principles and vocabulary of graphic design and visual communications. Builds on AGD 2000 in project complexity and develops analytical and intuitive approaches to problem solving based on needs/ desires of audience. Oral presentation and design vocabulary reinforced with project critiques.
Prerequisites: AGD 1000, 2000, 2010, 2020, 2030, ARH 2530, ART 1010, 1020, 2030, or permission of the instructor
AGD 3020 MOTION DESIGN (3)
Extensive field and computer lab work with regular critiques. Advanced techniques–including but not limited to multi-exposure compositing, motion graphics techniques in digital audio, digital video, animation—while developing individual creativity.
Prerequisites: AGD 1000, 2000, 2010, 2020, ARH 2530, ART 1010, 1020, 2030, or permission of the instructor
AGD 3030 EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN (3)
Advanced design problems with emphasis on design systems and experimentation with various media/vehicles for the communication of creative solutions. Projects focus on appropriateness to specific audiences through the role of context in the interpretation of form.
Prerequisites: AGD 3000 and 3020, or permission of the instructor
AGD 3040 INTERNSHIP IN THE ARTS (3)
The internship is designed as a seminar while providing an experiential learning opportunity to integrate graphic design theory and practice through on-the-job experience. The intern will be placed in a professional setting for observation and supervised design-related duties during the summer term. The intern will work for a total of 90 hours. The seminar component of the course will provide opportunities to meet, discuss, and share topics of workplace experiences. This internship may be a non-salaried opportunity for students to observe, examine, and participate in the creative dynamics and procedural operations of an art organization, arts-related business, professional studio, agency, or with an expert crafts worker. Sponsor supervised. (4-8 hours per week.) Can be up to two sponsors.
Prerequisites: AGD 3000,3020, Junior status within B.F.A. major, 3.0 GPA or better, and written consent of the instructor, division head and the sponsor
Offered: as needed
AGD 3050 INTERACTIVE DESIGN (3)
Creative development, design, and structuring of interactive design projects. Topics include animation, motion graphics, web design and approaches to the organization of content.
Prerequisites: AGD 3000 and 3020, or permission of the instructor
AGD 4000 GRAPHIC DESIGN CAPSTONE (3)
Advanced level of graphic design problem solving that concentrates on the relationship between message and media, and the exploration of both digital and traditional production techniques. Studio projects include problems integrating typographic, photographic, and historical concepts in graphics communication for both print and interactive designs.
Prerequisites: AGD 2000, 2010, 3000, 3030, 3050, or permission of the instructor
Offered: spring
AGD 4010 GRAPHIC DESIGN WORKSHOP (3)
The primary mission of the Graphic Design Workshop is twofold: first, to provide students with professional experience and business knowledge, second, to perform community service to local and regional nonprofit organizations. Under the guidance of faculty, students are responsible for direct client contact, design, illustration, photography, market research, media placement, and/or production schedules. (In most cases, these organizations economically would be unable to utilize the resources of ad agencies and design firms.) This is an advanced-level studio requiring independent solving of “real- world” design problems, as well as other advanced, multi-component team-based class projects.
Prerequisites: AGD 3000 and 3020 or permission of the instructor
AGD 4020 B.F.A. SENIOR EXHIBIT (CAPSTONE) (1)
Candidates will prepare, install, and exhibit a body of work to fulfill the B.F.A. exit requirement.
Prerequisites: senior status, AGD 3030, 3050, and concurrently enrolled in the final courses in the major area. AGD 4020 and ART 4010 are taught with concurrent enrollment required.