Courses

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

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 a 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 208. (4 Units)

Projects introduce traditional painting methods in oils or acrylic paints. Applied studio work, slide lectures, group discussions, and field trips are possible. Prerequisite: ART201 or ART204 or ART208 (4 Units)

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)

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 build on a knowledge of graphic design production software (e.g. Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator) to consider time-based graphic production through the introduction of software applications - including, but not limited to, Adobe After Effects, Premiere, C4D, and Midjourney. Project-based learning activities will provide hands-on experiences for students to practice and apply skills to real-world situations. (3 Units)

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)

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. (3 Units)

This course builds a working knowledge of the historical and contemporary illustrators and various styles and approaches to the craft. Projects will build important illustration skills utilizing traditional media. (3 Units)

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: DES101 (3 Units)

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)

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)

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. Prerequisite: ART204 or ART208 (4 Units)

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: ART204 or ART208 (4 Units)

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. Prerequisite: DES110 (3 Units)

This course bridges the gap between creative practices and business principles, empowering students to navigate their careers as filmmakers, illustrators, designers, and other creative professionals. It provides essential knowledge and skills for freelancing, entrepreneurship, and thriving within organizations. Topics include business strategy, financial management, marketing, intellectual property, client relations, and contract negotiation, all tailored to the diverse needs of creatives across disciplines. (3 Units)

This is an interdisciplinary course where 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)

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: ENG123 (3 Units)

This course explores the tools and implementations of Adobe Premiere Pro through assigned projects and exercises. Techniques will be explored and explained. Best practice work-flows will be taught. The goal of this course is for the student to have a working knowledge of the Adobe Premiere Pro editing software. (3 Units)

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: DES102 (3 Units)

This course concentrates on developing a mastery of rendering the human figure in motion via live studio drawing sessions. Prerequisite: ART204 or ART208 (1 Units)

This course will build a working knowledge of ideation, story building, and technique for visual development. Prerequisite: ILL350 (3 Units)

This course develops advanced techniques for the development of environments and concept art. Students will be using a combination of 2D and 3D tools to create environments, props and vehicles for games, film, and animation. The course will focus on creating full design kit bash sets for new world development over single image production. (3 Units)

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: ILL310 (3 Units)

This course will introduce process and techniques of character and costume design. Focusing on ideation, anatomy, animation and illustration, the course utilizes the design process to develop character design including silhouette, color variation and shape language. (3 Units)

This course will introduce digital sculpting via contemporary software. Projects will build important skills in the essentials of 3D digital sculpting including anatomy, form, structure, lighting, and posing through the design of original characters, 3D digital modeling, 3D printing, and 3D rendering. (3 Units)