courses 253
Marketing
DES-634 | 3 CR This course covers marketing
strategies in areas of packaging and graphic design,
multi-media, industrial design, and urban environmen-
tal systems management. Lectures deal with consumer
need evaluation; media research; pre-testing and
product development; advertising; product distribution
methodology; and environment for product merchan-
dising. Guest speakers include leaders in marketing,
advertising, and media. Prerequisites: take 18 credits;
from Level 600.
Typographics
DES-635 | 3 CR This course seeks to promote
problem-solving concepts, emphasizing the use of
type and the letter forms as visual communications
tool—prompting the student to think as opposed to
producing mere layout. It encourages students to work
in terms of client-designer relationships, simulating
actual working conditions. Assignments are critiqued
using professional standards. Upon approval of ideas,
students follow through with client presentations,
developing portfolio pieces as the ideal final result.
These pieces are due for review at the end of each
semester. Prerequisites: take DES-619.
Visual Communications III
DES-636 | 3 CR This is an advanced course for
students who successfully complete Visual Com-
munications I & II. It offers students an opportunity to
develop, analyze, and research specific problems and to
devise a graphics programs on topics of public concern.
A case study approach is used, allowing each student
to select eight to ten projects matching his/her field of
interest (i.e. corporate identity, advertising, packaging,
or editorial design). Prerequisites: take DES-621.
Design Management
DES-640 | 3 CR This course deals with manage-
ment methods within large corporations, design
consulting firms, advertising agencies, and multi-media
production companies. Each student receives a broad
perspective as a manager and employee within the
context of the professional world. Guest lectures
include management experts from the worlds of busi-
ness and design. Prerequisites: take 18 credits; from
Level 600.
Internship
DES-654 | 1–6 CR The internship makes it pos-
sible for students to receive on-the-job experience in
their field of study prior to completing their graduate
programs. This class bridges the gap between the
academic and professional worlds. Prerequisites: take
24 credits; from Levels 600 700.
Special Projects
DES-656 | 1–6 CR Coursework and/or special proj-
ects are assigned on an individual basis with the approval
of and in consultation with the department chair.
Special Projects
DES-657 | 1–6 CR Coursework and/or special
projects are assigned on an individual basis with the
approval of and in consultation with the department
chair.Special Projects
DES-658 | 1–6 CR Coursework and/or special
projects are assigned on an individual basis with the
approval of and in consultation with the department
chair.Special Projects
DES-659 | 1–6 CR Coursework and/or special
projects are assigned on an individual basis with the
approval of and in consultation with the department
chair.Directed Research
DES-660 | 2 CR This course involves individual
or team investigations related to the thesis project.
Problem-solving and research techniques are explored.
The objective of the class is to identify a subject and to
formulate a viable hypothesis, bibliography, and plan of
action for the final thesis. Prerequisites: take 24 credits;
from Levels 600 700.Illustration
DES-662 | 3 CR Through weekly sessions that
combine drawing exercises, critiques, and fieldtrips to
professional workplaces, this course teaches students
how to work as illustrators. Thoughtfully solving assign-
ments and discovering one’s own visual vocabulary will
be the primary aims. Students develop skills in any style
or medium they choose, including the computer. The
course emphasizes the importance of the collaboration
between the illustrator and the designer/art director.
Prerequisites: take 9 credits; from Level 600.Creative Thinking
DES-664 | 2 CR This course explores a number of
practical approaches to the purposeful and systematic
enhancement of the creative process. Beyond gaining
a new mastery over creativity, the techniques help
students delve more deeply into the realm of visual
opportunities. Students are engaged in a number of
creative thinking exercises and projects.Electronic Imaging
DES-665 | 3 CR This course explores the advanced
techniques and options available within today’s
necessary imaging software with a focus on Adobe’s
Photoshop and Illustrator programs. In addition, the
incorporation of basic student-generated 3-D imagery
and stock imagery is also covered. Project work
includes professionally-rendered artwork based on real
world assignments. A strong emphasis on conceptual
development accompanies the advanced technical
material. Prerequisites: take DES-620 DES-676.Publishing
DES-667 | 3 CR Understanding how the business of
publishing functions is required in order to determine
the feasibility of publishing projects. This course wil
provide the students with a basic understanding of the
publishing process. Prerequisites: take DES-620.Advertising Design
DES-668 | 3 CR This course is a rational approach
to the creative process in advertising design. Students
develop concepts with “roughs” and explore the use of
copy, typography, photography, and illustration. Stu-
dents carry assignments from concept to conclusion.
Prerequisites: take DES-619 DES-620.Design in Motion
DES-674 | 3 CR Designing for film and other kinetic
media has grown from underground artists’ efforts in
the 1950s to a major role for both directors and design-
ers. The look of a film, video, or digital presentation’s
opening sequence sets the tone for what follows. This
course will examine how and why this look is achieved.Computer Graphics Systems
DES-676 | 3 CR This introductory course explores
the practical applications of today’s computer hardware
and graphic design software. The focus of the class will
beon gathering critical knowledge and gaining basic
mastery of a powerful suite of design visualization and
creative production tools. The course will cover the
field’s essential design applications: Adobe, Photoshop,
Illustrator, GoLive, Imageready, and QuarkXPress on the
Macintosh platform.Electronic Pre-Press
DES-677 | 3 CR This course provides students
with exposure to advanced concepts and procedures
that are required in preparing art and designs for
professional printing. Topics include color calibration
and control, color management, advanced electronic
layout, digital color separation, project management
and file preparation, digital proofing, process printing,
and coverage of emerging trends in digital printing and
variable-data printing. A particular emphasisis placed
on the relationship between the desires of graphic
design and the realities of print production.Digital Design
DES-680 | 3 CR The course introduces graduate
Communications Design students to the core ideas and
technologies surrounding image-making, sound, and
time-dependent media. To form challenging visual nar-
ratives there is an emphasis placed on broadcast quality
image compositing, typography, and audio. The primary
focus in this class is on the learning process, which puts
more emphasis on the conceptual thinking behind each
assignment than on the finished products.