254 courses
Interactive Design I
DES-681 | 3 CR This course is an introduction to the
designer’s role in planning and producing non-linear
media such as websites, interactive installations, DVDs,
and CD-ROMs. Using web layout and animation soft-
ware, students learn to conceive, develop, design, and
produce websites and related media. The similarities
and differences with traditional media are discussed as
they pertain to typography, color, branding, and layout.
This course is of interest to students in all design and
image-related disciplines (computer graphics, photog-
raphy, film, video, and the visual arts).
Interactive Design II
DES-682 | 3 CR This course focuses on the
advanced planning, conceptualizing, designing, and
building of an interactive project. Students review
contemporary designers’ solutions to complex media
projects and, using this knowledge as a foundation,
develop their own innovative solutions. The emphasis
is on developing an individualized approach to new
media. Examples of potential projects include interfaces
for mobile devices, electronic books, and interactive
branding. Prerequisites: take DES-681.
Motion Design I
DES-683 | 3 CR This course aims to develop stu-
dents’ fluency in working with motion and time-based
media. This class deconstructs the concept of motion
byreferencing how things move in the real world, as well
as by exploring elements, such as space and time, that
create motion. The traditional design attributes—color,
composition, shape, depth, tension, and contrast—are
used and combined with time-based attributes such
as pace, rhythm, sequence, and repetition to evaluate
work. Prerequisites: take DES-680.
Motion Design II
DES-684 | 3 CR This course focuses primarily on
storytelling and narrative as well as on the different
aesthetics of animation and video. Having gained a
comfortable technical level in Motion Design I, students
begin to develop longer format pieces exploring
personal and commercial dimensions of their work.
Assignments become broader as students gain more
confidence in the medium. Prerequisites: take DES-683.
Thesis Resource
DES-698 | 0 CR This non-credit course provides stu-
dents with opportunities to work with faculty members
with specific areas of expertise who serve as additional
thesis advisors to their Thesis I and II teachers.
Thesis I
DES-699A | 6 CR Independent research based on
individual thesis proposals, submitted by the candidate
and approved by the thesis advisor, is undertaken. Proj-
ects must represent a meaningful contribution to the field
of design and show a mature correlation between design
and supportive documentation. Communications and
packaging design students must have a portfolio review
before entering Thesis. Prerequisites: take DES-660.
Thesis II
DES-699B | 3 CR Independent problems based on
individual thesis proposals, submitted by the candidate
and approved by the thesis advisor, are undertaken.
Projects must represent a meaningful contribution
to the field of design and show a mature correlation
between design and supportive research. Communi-
cations and packaging design students must have a
portfolio review before entering thesis. Prerequisites:
take DES-699A.Thesis in Progress
DES-700 | 0 CR If the thesis is not completed in two
semesters, students can continue working in DES-700
for no more than five semesters (not including sum-
mers). Prerequisites: take DES-699B; minimum grade
IP, CR.Graduate Studio: Visual Language A
DES-710A | 3 CR This studio will focus on strate-
gies to utilize design as a means for communication.
Students will apply self-directed creative design
strategies employing typography, image, and sound to
explore the principles and methodologies associated
with the development of communication design as a
visual language. Students will utilize design process:
how form, function, and content interrelate to create
meaning in the communication of ideas, messages, and
information through print and digital media, artifacts,
information, environments, and systems. 710A is the
first semester and 710B is the second semester of this
two semester studio course.Graduate Studio: Visual Language B
DES-710B | 3 CR This studio will focus on strate-
gies to utilize design as a means for communication.
Students will apply self-directed creative design
strategies employing typography, image, and sound to
explore the principles and methodologies associated
with the development of communication design as a
visual language. Students will utilize design process
how form, function, and content interrelate to create
meaning in the communication of ideas, messages, and
information through print and digital media, artifacts,
information, environments, and systems. 710A is the
first semester and 710B is the second semester of this
two semester studio course. Prerequisites: take DES-741
DES-751.Graduate Studio: Technology A
DES-720A | 3 CR Students will critically analyze
and explore the tools, skills, and production meth-
ods of current and emerging technologies in design
media, with an emphasis on effective and appropriate
creative visualization, analysis, and utilization. Students
will investigate technology trends within a historical
context, in order to better understand and extrapo-
late emerging technology systems. 720A is the first
semester and 720B is the second semester of this two
semester studio course.Graduate Studio: Technology B
DES-720B | 3 CR Students will critically analyze
and explore the tools, skills, and production meth-
ods of current and emerging technologies in design
media, with an emphasis on effective and appropriate
creative visualization, analysis, and utilization. Students
will investigate technology trends within a historical
context, in order to better understand and extrapo-
late emerging technology systems. 720A is the first
semester and 720B is the second semester of this two
semester studio course. Prerequisites: take DES-741
DES-751Transformation Design A
DES-730A | 3 CR This studio will focus on strategies
to utilize design as a means for transformation. With an
emphasis on a human-centered, holistic, and empathic
approach, students will apply “design thinking”
methodologies to problems and issues in an attempt to
transform the behaviors of individuals in desirable and
sustainable ways, while creating meaningful experi-
ences and interactions for people with communications
media, artifacts, environments, organizations, services,
systems, and each other. Emphasizing that people are
participants rather than simply users, students will study
ergonomics, usability, and human factors—cognitive,
physical, linguistic, social, and cultural behaviors. 730A
is the first semester and 730B is the second semester of
this two semester studio course.Transformation Design B
DES-730B | 3 CR This studio will focus on strategies
to utilize design as a means for transformation. With an
emphasis on a human-centered, holistic, and empathic
approach, students will apply “design thinking”
methodologies to problems and issues in an attempt to
transform the behaviors of individuals in desirable and
sustainable ways, while creating meaningful experi-
ences and interactions for people with communications
media, artifacts, environments, organizations, services,
systems, and each other. Emphasizing that people are
participants rather than simply users, students will study
ergonomics, usability, and human factors, cognitive,
physical, linguistic, social, and cultural behaviors. 730A
is the first semester and 730B is the second semester
of this two semester studio course. Prerequisites: take
DES-741 DES-751.Cross-Disciplinary Studio
DES-741 | 3 CR This course introduces the student
to communications design as it interfaces with, and is
influenced by, other design disciplines. It will emphasize
collaboration and cross-disciplinarity while encourag-
ing students to seek and solve design problems and
issues that focus on community and social outreach.
The studio will typically be team taught by a faculty
member from within the department and a professional
from another discipline. Prerequisites: take DES-710A
DES-720A DES-730A.