Graphic Communications

Advanced visual communication problems within the context of graphic design, advertising design, and a variety of media.

This course covers the history of graphics and media from the dawn of writing until today, including the development of typography and books; Arts & Crafts and the private press; posters, printing history, history of advertising; the Bauhaus and 20th century design; and new media into the 21st century.

This course is designed for advanced students to pursue work in a specific area of graphic communications. Students must submit a written proposal which becomes a contract for the course of study. Students must meet with a faculty advisor on a regular basis. Course may be repeated up to 6 credits.

Introduction to 3-Dimensional (3D) modeling, texturing techniques within many CGI industry production processes. Topics include basic to intermediate geometric polygonal and organic 3D modeling, creating CGI environments, creating and applying 2D textures to 3D models, creating and applying CGI lighting techniques and basic rendering process.

Intermediate Web page design using industry-standard applications. Topics include planning and design, programming, interactivity, behaviors, animation, page weighting, meta tags, databases, Web hosting and site management.

The historical context of letterforms, introducing the theories and technologies of typographic communication, design and execution. Studio-based projects focus on practical analysis, visual and conceptual interaction of type and image, and the creative exploration of type as a formal element.

Intermediate course that will build upon skills and processes learned in GRC 116. Students will broaden their techniques for ideation and effective design thinking and analysis. Students will produce studio design exercises and projects that will increase technical fluency in industry-standard software applications. This class will prepare students for lower and upper division GAMT courses, and will increase conceptual thinking and improve their technical skillsets.

Various short courses and experimental classes covering a variety of subjects. The class will be a variable credit of one-half to six credits depending upon class content and number of hours required. The course may be repeated for up to six credits.

Introduction to the basic principles and practices of digital video production. The course covers every phase of introductory digital video preproduction, production and post-production processes from "concept to final output", including story and concept development, lighting, recording and capturing footage, importing and managing clips, editing methods, transitions, special effects, titles, and credits, sound design and output to different formats.

Introduction to authoring for the World Wide Web using industry standard software applications. Topics covered include planning, designing and building a Web site, aesthetics, creating and optimizing computer graphics for Web, information architecture, navigation and interactivity, Web publishing, Web hosting and site management.