Major Courses

This course explores the tools and implementations of Adobe Illustrator through assigned projects and exercises. Techniques will be explored and explained. Best practice work-flows will be taught. The goal of this course is a working knowledge of Illustrator for the student. (3 units; Fall, Spring, and Online)

This course explores the tools and implementations of Adobe InDesign through assigned projects and exercises. Techniques will be explored and explained. Best practice work-flows will be taught. The goal of this course is a working knowledge of InDesign for the student and for the student to be able to identify key typography concepts. (3 units; Fall, Spring, and Online)

This course explores the tools and implementations of Adobe Photoshop through assigned projects and exercises. Techniques will be explored and explained. Best practice work-flows will be taught. The goal of this course is a working knowledge of Photoshop for the student. (3 units; Fall, Spring, and Online)

This course introduces students to the primary languages of web design, HTML and CSS. The course is designed to provide students with a foundational knowledge in the way that web pages are designed and coded. Tools and techniques needed to design and create web pages will be explored. (3 units; Online)

History of Graphic Design is a study of the causes and effects of critical design movements. This course explores the political and social environments that shaped the creation and evolution of graphic design. This course will give students insight into different movements, such as the Medieval Era, Graphic Renaissance, Industrial Revolution, Art Nouveau, Modernism, Postmodernism, and the Digital Revolution. Students will also evaluate how the history of graphic design influences current design philosophies and strategies. (3 units; Online)

This course is an intermediate design course in which project work is used to study work flow, pre-press techniques and practices, idea generation, and other concepts that arise from the process of creativity. Prerequisites: GDM 110 and 130. (3 units; Fall, Spring, and Online)

This course is an intermediate typography course in which more complex typography concepts, best practice type generation and project work challenge the student. Prerequisites: GDM 110, 120, and 130. (3 units; Fall, Spring, and Online)

This course is an intermediate image course in which more complex photography and photoshop techniques will be taught. Students will learn how to manipulate photography using photoshop to create complex ideas and messages. Prerequisite: GDM 130. (3 units; Fall, Spring, and Online)

This course expands on students accrued HTML and CSS knowledge. Principles of content strategy will be integrated with visual design to create compelling web experiences. Popular as well as up and coming CMS solutions such as WordPress, Ghost, and others will also be explored. Prerequisite: GDM 140. (3 units; Online)

This course is an advanced design course in which project work is used to build a professional portfolio for employment or advanced studies. Complex design issues and problem solving challenge the student throughout the creative process. May be repeated one time for credit. Prerequisite: GDM 310. (3 units; Fall, Spring, and Online)

This course is an advanced typography course in which complex real-world typography concepts are now explored to build projects for a professional portfolio of work for employment or advanced studies. Prerequisite: GDM 320. (3 units; Fall and Online)

This course is an advanced image course in which professional, complex image generation is explored and expert techniques in color correction, masking and compositing are implemented. Professional portfolio projects are built to prepare students for employment or advanced studies. Prerequisite: GDM 330. (3 units; Spring and Online)

This advanced course exposes students to real world web design problems through projects and case studies. Client side scripting with JavaScript will be introduced. Web standards and best practices will be studied in depth, as well as project workflow. May be repeated one time for credit. Prerequisite: GDM 340. (3 units; Online)

This course is designed as a capstone showcase of the student's accumulated body of work while in the program. The Graphic Design Senior Show will consists of 10 portfolio pieces from the student's portfolio. This is an effort to keep the student on task and focused on the portfolio. Prerequisites: Senior status and permission of the Department Chair. (3 units; Fall, Spring, and Online)