Courses

An introduction to the principles of two-dimensional design and color theory and their use as tools for effective visual communication. (3 units; Fall/Spring)

This course functions as the introductory drawing course for Art Majors and Minors. In it, the perceptual and technical skills, and the basic media of drawing are introduced and exercised. Drawing as an historic art form is studied and used to develop a sophisticated awareness of its current expressive potential. Credit cannot be earned for ART 204 and ART 208. (4 units; Spring)

This course is designed for professional nursing and general college students. Included are a general survey of human histology and the study of structure and function of organ systems of the human body, including the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, endocrine, and nervous systems. Structure and function of sensory organs are also included in the course. Should be taken with BIO 153L. (3 units; Fall, Spring, Summer, & Online)

This is an introduction to the essential computer software tools used in the modern production of information society, with a focus on the workflow and productions native to design oriented tasks utilized in design and allied design professions. Students will be introduced to foundational design software applications - including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign - and will be introduced to other workflow applications such as word processing, presentations, spreadsheets, databases, and email. Project-based learning activities will provide hands-on experiences for student to practice and apply skills to real-world situations. (3 units; Fall/Spring)

This course provides an introduction to creativity through discussion and project-based learning. The course provides overview and practice of creative processes (e.g. ideation, research, empathy, proto-typing, etc), in-depth discussion of the theological foundations for creativity, and practice for developing creative habits. (3 units; Fall/Spring)

This course builds a working knowledge of the historical and contemporary illustrators and various styles and approaches to the craft. Projects will build important skills in drawing painting, color theory, storytelling and typography. (3 units; Spring)

This course will introduce digital painting methods including conceptualizing, composing, refining and evaluating digital illustration. Additionally, the course will introduce digital illustration workflows and software applications for composition, color, contrast and value as a means to broaden skill sets in storytelling. Prerequisite: DES 101. (3 units; Fall)

A study of the muscle and bone structure of the human body and how they work together to create movement. Emphasis is on the function of specific muscles and bones in creating defined movement. Prerequisite: BIO 153. (3 units; Fall, Spring, & Online)

Projects introduce traditional painting methods in oils or acrylic paints. Applied studio work, slide lectures, group discussions, and field trips are possible. May be repeated one time for credit. Prerequisite: ART 201, 204 or 208. (3 units; Fall, even years)

This foundational course provides a broad introduction to the field of visual communication by exploring 2D design concepts, processes, techniques, and production methods. Students will gain experience in the ideation, research, execution, and presentation of design related projects. Additional course fee. (3 units; Fall/Spring)

Students will learn the fundamentals of typesetting and typographic layout by exploring the history, anatomy, vocabulary, design, and function of letterforms and the role it plays in the visualization of language. Additional course fee. (3 units; Fall/Spring)

This course surveys the conceptual underpinnings of the major movements in graphic design and digital art. Students will examine visual communication from the earliest human expressions of cave paintings to contemporary design movements to the software breakthroughs of the Digital Revolution. Students will interpret selected concepts and movements and then create their own designs using a variety of analytic methodologies. (3 units; Fall/Spring)

This course will introduce you to the major monuments of art and architecture across the globe beginning with medieval societies and ending with the modern world. As a survey, we will be covering a wide range of objects, concepts, terms, chronology and geography. (3 units; Fall, even years)

This course concentrates on developing a mastery of the two principle means for creating the illusion of space on a two-dimensional surface: arial and linear perspective.

This course is dedicated to developing facility at rendering the human form in a variety of dry media. The context for this is drawing from live models (clothed), augmented with anatomical drawing exercises. It will also introduce students to the metaphorical and expressive possibilities of the human form. Prerequisite: ART 204 or 208. (4 units; Fall)

This course builds on a foundational understanding of creativity's process and purpose. The aim of the course is for students to apply these foundations to the act of completing interdisciplinary creative projects in context. Additional course fee. Prerequisite: DES 110. (3 units; Fall/Spring)

This is an interdisciplinary course where CAVAD students will focus on their portfolios and final presentation specific to their industry. Standards in presentation and expectations will be examined to set guidelines for the student’s efforts in portfolio building. The goal of this course is for the student to finish with a strong, cohesive and compelling portfolio of student work. This course should focus on presentation beyond the capstone projects required for graduation. (3 units; Fall/Spring)

The class represents a close examination of select graphic novels from a variety of genres and styles. It focuses on literary interpretation and analysis of individual texts, utilizing a variety of historical and contemporary critical approaches to reading, understanding, and researching the graphic novel within an interdisciplinary context. Prerequisite: ENG 123. ENG 201 is recommended. (3 units; Fall, odd years)

This course concentrates on developing a mastery of rendering the human figure in motion via live studio drawing sessions. Repeatable: May be repeated for a maximum of eight (8) units. Prerequisite: ART 204 or 208. (1 unit; Fall/Spring)

This course will build a working knowledge of ideation, story building, technique and experimentation with media. Projects will build important art execution skills, as well as technical knowledge in the publishing industry. Prerequisites: ILL 210 and 350. (3 units; Fall)

This course is an advanced digital painting methods course that moves beyond basic digital workflows and software into advanced digital illustration techniques for composition, color, contrast, and value as a means to effective storytelling. Prerequisite: GDM 235 or ILL 250. (3 units; Spring)

This course will explore and present selected topics in illustration. May be repeated with change in topic for a maximum of nine (9) units of credit. (1-3 units; As offered)

This studio-based course is expected to be the culmination and synthesis of skills acquired in prior courses leading to the development of an refined illustration style development through the completion of multiple advanced illustration portfolio projects. Prerequisite: ILL 310. (3 units; Spring)

An introduction to philosophical aesthetics, which has been marginalized and often ignored in philosophical discourse during the past four hundred years. During the last few decades the questions posted by aesthetics have moved back into the center of the philosophical discussion, including the use of the concept by "post-modern" thinkers. The course seeks to bring the student into the longer conversation concerning beauty, "retrieve" important elements that have been lost, and provide a basis for further study. Prerequisite: ARC 210, ART 242, DES 310, FLM 250, GDM 310, HON 101, ILL 210, PHI 213, PHO 330, or WLD 181. (3 units; Spring)

Projects introduce traditional painting methods in oils or acrylic paints. Applied studio work, slide lectures, group discussions, and field trips are possible. May be repeated one time for credit. Prerequisite: ART 201, 204 or 208. (3 units; Fall, even years)

This is a combination studio and lecture course that focuses exclusively on issues of color, its aesthetic, symbolic and psychological dimensions, as related to visual expression. This content is applicable to both fine art and design-related fields. Prerequisite: ART 201 or ARC 122. (4 units; Spring)

An essential course for the serious art student. Projects in painting, drawing and digital media. Emphasis on developing skills and concepts. Course is designed to be repeated for credit. Section (a), emphasis in painting and drawing; section (b), emphasis in digital media using the Macintosh platform; section (c), Senior Exhibit preparation. Section (c) must be taken during student's graduating semester. Prerequisite: ART 201, 204 or 208. (4 units; Fall, even years)

Projects further develop skills learned in Painting 283. Applied studio work, slide lectures, group discussions, and field trips are possible. Prerequisite: ART 283. (4 units; Spring, odd years)

This foundational course provides a broad introduction to the field of visual communication by exploring 2D design concepts, processes, techniques, and production methods. Students will gain experience in the ideation, research, execution, and presentation of design related projects. Additional course fee. (3 units; Fall/Spring)

This course will explore how to develop, conceptualize and craft effective design solutions in the form of a visual identity system. Students will design a variety of branding elements and strategy guidelines to visually communicate a core message across an array of products, services, and environments. Additional course fee. Prerequisite: GDM 215. (3 units; Fall/Spring)

This course teaches students the fundamental skills and processes used in the motion design industry. Students will learn about storyboards, style frames, sound development, and rendering and they will use industry-standard time-based software such as Adobe After Effects to learn 2D animation principles. Prerequisite: DES 102. (3 units; Fall, odd years)

This upper-level course teaches advanced motion theory, as well as pipeline workflow concepts, strategies and common industry trends and practices. The emphasis is on showing the full motion design workflow in a studio-like environment from concept to final output. Prerequisite: GDM 342. (3 units; Spring, even years)

This course teaches students the primary skills and processes used in the visual effects (VFX) industry. Students will learn basic compositing and how to integrate computer graphics and 3D components with live action in a methodology that simulates standard VFX production pipelines. Prerequisite: EGR 121 or FLP 170 or GDM 215. (3 units; Fall)