GC 111 Basic Graphic Design

This course is an introduction to the elements and principles of design including basic compositional theory, graphic design methodology and production and presentation skills. Emphasis is placed on technical proficiency in the handling of tools and materials and the mastery of a visual language via basic problem-solving. more information

• Unit One: Introduction to the creation, analysis and documentation of a sample composition, using the attributes of value, scale, proportion, size, texture, dimension and depth within a specific format. Emphasis of this exercise is to help students develop observation, visual documentation and visual vocabulary skills.
• Unit Two: Introduction to the concepts of form generation and the visual language beginning with point, line and plane. Students learn the difference between point, line and plane (shape) as theoretical elements in our visual language, as well as using point, line and plane as compositional elements.
• Unit Three: This is a continuation of studies of the relationship between compositional shape and format, as well as an introduction to the basic organizational concepts in two-dimensional visual organization such as balance, proximity, similarity, repetition and good continuation. Students learn to simplify and abstract images of objects, then apply visual organization principles to their two-dimensional solutions. ^ top of page
  

GC 125 Color & Design

This course is a study of the application and importance of color to graphic design. Emphasis is placed on the symbolic, aesthetic and psychological aspects of color. Experimentation and flexibility of approach are stressed as are both two-dimensional and three-dimensional applications. Color Theory, subtractive color mixing and additive color mixing will be explored. Prerequisites: GC 111 Basic Graphic Design and GC 121 Digital Typography. Computer Supply Fee.

This is a studio course supported by lecture, presentation, discussion and critique. Often lecture and discussion begin the class session, followed by class time to work on assignments under the direction of the professor. Graphic Exercises and reading or research is assigned through out the term, and students require time outside of class to complete assignments. Generally there are 3 or 4 main units of instruction during the semester. more information

• Unit One: Introduction to basic theories of color harmony and contrast such as compliments, split-compliments, triads, tetrads, analogous, and warm/cool relationships. Compositions for this exercise build on compositional concepts learned in GC 111 Basic Graphic Design.
• Unit Two: Introduction to the concept of form, light and space with the application of color. Students explore the relationship of color harmonies in three-dimensional space. Emphasis is placed on understanding the terminology associated with polygons and polyhedra, as well as illustration of the geometric forms as they appear in the natural and man-made environment.
• Unit Three: Shape transformation techniques and the creation of pattern utilizing basic isometric symmetry operations are used to create compositions for simultaneous contrast studies. Emphasis is placed on simultaneous contrast of value, simultaneous contrast of hue, and simultaneous contrast of saturation. ^ top of page
  

GC 210 Creative Typography

This course is an introduction to creative applications of typography. Students will build upon the vocabulary they have already learned by mastering a series of visual problems typographically. Historic and contemproary applications will be demonstrated. In executing their graphic solutions, students will work in both traditional and digital media. Prerequisites: GC125 Color & Design and GC141 Digital Illustration. Computer Supply Fee.

This studio course is supported by lecture, presentation, discussion and critique. Often lecture and discussion begin the class session, followed by class time to work on assignments under the direction of the professor. Graphic Exercises and reading or research is assigned through out the term, and students require time outside of class to complete assignments.Commonly the semester is divided into 3 or 4 main units of study. more information

• Unit One: A continuation of compositional studies emphasizing concepts such as scale, proportion, depth, pattern and figure/ground reversal from previous courses. Solutions are purely typographic; any supportive imagery must be created with typographic elements. Students are exposed to various American authors, poets and philosophers via this project.
• Unit Two: Students use type to create a figure/ground fluctuation composition. Emphasis is placed upon the development of visual skills, and a review of basic color harmony and contrast schemes from GC 125, Color and Design. Depth cues such as linear perspective, transparency, blurring, gradients, overlap or interposition, attached shadow and cast shadow are applied to the original black and white composition to create an interesting variation.
• Unit Three: Students develop contrasting compositions using the same historical, current event, or not-for-profit organization topic [as assigned]. Emphasis is placed on the development of an informational hierarchy and its application to a grid-structured composition as well as to a non-structured composition employing perceptual principles of organization. ^ top of page

GC 213 Graphic Design for the World Wide Web

Students explore design concepts for the World Wide Web (WWW) while developing expertise in web-based typography, image file formats and sizes, hexidecimal color, frames, cascading style sheets, tables and site interactivity. Emphasis is placed on the understanding of browser constraints, hypertext mark-up language (HTML) site planning, and site structure. Prerequisites: GC141 Digital Illustration and either GC142 Digital Imaging or PT207 Digital Typography. Computer Supply Fee.

This studio course is supported by lecture, presentation, discussion and critique. Often lecture and discussion begin the class session, followed by class time to work on assignments under the direction of the professor. Graphic Exercises and reading or research is assigned through out the term, and students require time outside of class to complete assignments. more information

There are commonly 4 main units of instruction during the semester, such as:

• Unit One: Introduction to the creation of a simple two or three page site using html by hand-coding, including absolute and relative links, and images.
• Unit Two: Introduction to the concept of cascading style sheets [css] through the design of a single page site that includes images and absolute links. Emphasis is placed on the development of compositional ideas and implementation of basic css concepts and universal design concepts.
• Unit Three: This is a continuation of studies of the html and css technologies through hand-coding with an emphasis on navigation schemes, site map development, and composition in a multiple page site. Emphasis is placed on the correct use of typographic principles, site design consistency and universal design concepts.
• Unit Four: This is a continuation of studies of the html and css technologies using a popular WYSIWYG editor with an emphasis on navigation schemes, site map development, and composition in a 15-20 page site. Emphasis is placed on the correct use of typographic principles, site design consistency and universal design concepts. more information