Visual Communications
A minor in Visual Communications will provide experiences directed toward the development of visual literacy: creative problem-solving and the design process, graphic techniques, visual language systems and the organization of visual elements. Especially useful to those students majoring in Marketing or Professional Writing, the Visual Communication minor will provide a practical mix of experiences complementing both verbal and visual communication.
The minor must be completed within the student's graduation timetable.
The Visual Communications minor is available to all students except those pursuing the Graphic Design Major.
A minimum of 18 credits, 6 courses, must be chosen from either of the following two sequences of art/design studio courses and MAC-based digital courses.
Summary of Requirements
Sequence A: Design Studio - Choose 9 credits
GCDN1023DRAWING I (IDSN1023)
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
A study-workshop in the language of drawing, including practice in expression and communication in various media utilizing principles of line, tone, gesture, exaggeration and lighting. Cross-listed with IDSN1023
GCDN1060FOUNDATION DESIGN I (IDSN1060)
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
An introductory course in design process, the principles of design and their application to studio projects. This course establishes a framework form which to explore the connection between the foundations of design and complex discipline-specific design problems. Cross-listed with IDSN1060
GCDN1062FOUNDATION DESIGN II (IDSN1062)
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
This course builds upon Foundation Design I, as an introductory course in design process, the principles of design and their application to studio projects, with a focus on color theory through both two- and three-dimensional design. This course continues to establish a framework from which to explore the connection between the foundations of design and complex discipline-specific design problems. Cross-listed with IDSN1062
GCDN2016DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
This course will explore digital capture and handling of photographs enabling the student to master the technical aspects of digital image capture. Students will learn techniques for editing and enhancing photographs, become familiar with photography's various roles: art form, journalism, advertising and will produce a portfolio of quality color and black and white prints from digital files. This course is for design majors only.
Sequence B: MAC-based digital courses - 9 credits
GCDN1025FUND. OF ELECTRONIC PUBLISHING
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
This course will prepare students not majoring in graphic design to work in a creative team environment toward the production of digital communication materials and graphics, and will introduce students to the web as a design vehicle for publishing and advertising.
GCDN1070COMPUTER GRAPHICS I
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
This course will explore the theories and techniques presented in Foundation Design I, build upon that knowledge, and apply it to traditional graphic design projects. The course will be an introduction to raster image creation, manipulation and production using professional, industry-standard software. Students will use the computer as a tool to render and create original imagery. The projects will introduce students to the process and professional practice of graphic design.
GCDN1071COMPUTER GRAPHICS II
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
This course will explore the theories and techniques presented in Foundation Design II, build upon that knowledge, and apply it to traditional graphic design projects. The course will be an introduction to vector image creation, manipulation and production using professional, industry-standard software. Students will use the computer as a tool to render and create original imagery. The projects will introduce students to the process and professional practice of graphic design.
GCDN2029INTERACTIVE I
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
Students will be introduced to design fundamentals and practices as they relate to digital mediums. This course will focus on HTML/CSS standards-based design. Students will learn to separate content (using Hypertext markup language) from appearance (using Cascading Style Sheets) in order to design effective communication that enhances the user experience. Importance will be placed on evolving technologies and languages, site compatibility on a variety of devices and browsers and effective design fundamentals for digital mediums.
GCDN3026DIGITAL PREPRESS AND PRINTING
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
This course investigates the electronic preparation of images and files for print publications.
PREREQUISITES:
GCDN3031 & GCDN3041