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GRAPHIC DESIGN

MODULE 1 - MODULE 2 - MODULE 3 - CAREER INFORMATION

Everywhere you look, you'll see the work of a graphic designer. It's the layout of your favorite magazine, the recognizable mark that identifies brands and companies, the annual reports and Web sites of public corporations, the labels on your choice of wine, and the products you buy in the supermarket.

MODULE 1

A. GRAPHIC DESIGN BASICS - Introduces the basic concepts of graphic design, including design elements and principles. Emphasizes the design process, developing an idea from thumbnail sketch, through tight roughs, to a comprehensive design. Focuses on the importance of presentation, industry standards and professional tools and techniques. Emphasizes color, including color theory, vocabulary, color schemes, and the effects of color. Focuses on identifying graphic styles, brainstorming techniques, and introduces 3-dimensional design. In-Depth study on design process, presentation, and industry standards.

B. TYPOGRAPHY - the study of type as a design element. Concentration on typographic composition, hierarchy, type identification and typographic systems. Traditional and digital methods of production will be used. Student required to use some page layout software.

C. INTRODUCTION TO DRAWING - Presents various ways of seeing and drawing to become more visually literate. Examines basic drawing techniques and materials, conceptual references for critical analysis of visual forms and basic theories of art within the historical context. Tools used in traditional and digital drawing. Contour drawing. Positive and negative space in a drawing, light and dark tones, and structure of basic forms: sphere, cube, cylinder, and cone.

D. DIGITAL PAGE DESIGN - Explores beginning level graphic design and publishing using professional page layout software. Introduces typography design, basic page layout, computer file management, professional methods of design organization, keyboard work and the foundations of computer use in single-page layouts.

E. DIGITAL ILLUSTRATION - Course explores the basic tools and techniques of Adobe Illustrator and its use in creating appropriate solutions to graphic design problems.

F. MACINTOSH FOR GRAPHIC DESIGNERS - Course covers current Macintosh operating system computer fundamentals and techniques used to increase efficiency and productivity for professional Graphic Designers. Topics include and in-depth study of system desktop features, search and navigation, advanced file management, font organization and essential shortcuts specific to the Graphic Design industry.

G. ENGLISH COMPOSITION - Develops skills in analytical reading, critical thinking, and expository and persuasive writing. Students compose several essays using a variety of strategies.

H. COMPUTER INFORMATION SYSTEMS – Word processing applications, object oriented programming, A study of the Systems Development Life Cycle, with emphasis on the application of the concepts, methodologies, and tools related to the analysis, design, and implementation of successful information systems. Multimedia in business reports and meetings, Overview of application programming, Data communications and networking.

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MODULE 2

A. GRAPHIC DESIGN BASICS – Emphasizes research, identifying specific graphic design needs for a business, symbol design, and maintaining continuity while working with multiple colors, sizes and materials. Studies in-depth the relationships of type, layout and color in two- and three-dimensional graphic design projects. Focusing on Publication Design. Single-page and multiple-page projects will emphasize hierarchy, eye flow, structure and organization. Projects, lessons and exercises are intended to build on skills in typography and design using professional page layout software. Advanced computer production techniques. 

B. COLOR THEORY – Color harmonies based on color wheel, color value and saturation to create moods. 

C. DIGITAL ILLUSTRATION - Course explores advanced tools and techniques of Adobe Illustrator, and its use in creating solutions to complex graphic design problems.

D. DIGITAL PAGE DESIGN - Course covering professional layout and design of multi-page documents. Focuses on using creativity to solve design projects. Additional course topics include basic prepress and output, file management and industry standard design processes.

E. DIGITAL IMAGING - Using professional software to explore digital image editing, photo manipulation and layer composition. File formats; techniques and tools most used by graphic designers are emphasized. Projects are designed to achieve basic understanding of the software.

F. GRAPHIC PROGRAMS IN COMBINATION - Create graphic elements in multiple programs and explore importing, exporting and assembling in other programs. Advanced techniques are used to study cross- application issues.

G. PREPARING FILES FOR PRINT - Presents the process graphics for print go through after the design phase. From correctly preparing design in the digital environment for successful printing on commercial presses to the business roles of the designer, the printer and the service bureau.

H. GRAPHIC DESIGN STUDIO - Exercise graphic design theory in actual client-directed projects. Course is set up to simulate a working design studio providing the opportunity to experience the requirements and roles of a designer in the field, as well as the administrative tasks. Emphasizes client communication and professional practices.

I. ADVERTISING BASICS - Covers the basics of planning, creating, using, and placing advertising in the business world. Reviews entire field of advertising as basis for students who select advertising as a career or as an integral part of a marketing program. Basic proof reading, over view of copy editing and effective copy writing.

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MODULE 3

A. GRAPHIC DESIGN - focusing on Logo Design and Identity Systems. Create design solutions to communicate client and product image through logos, logotypes, icons, and symbols. Projects, lessons and exercises draw on previous coursework in typography and design. Create graphic design projects combining hand built structures and computer generated graphics. Prepare self-promotion resume packages, visit graphics businesses and receive industry insights from guest speakers.

B. ILLUSTRATION FOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER - Covers basic spot illustration techniques used by graphic designers in print and web. Emphasizes generating illustration from photo references. Color, and black and white illustration include traditional as well as technology-enhanced techniques. Production issues focus on the illustration's eventual placement in the computer environment.

C. DIGITAL IMAGING - Introduces advanced techniques in color correction and image manipulation for print and web-based graphics. The study of masks, channels and advanced selection methods will be incorporated in professional-level design projects. Export formats and cross-application issues are covered.

D. BEGINNING WEB SITE CREATION – Introduces basic elements of web site creation using Dreamweaver. Includes web terminology, basic X/HTML, uploading pages to a server, site management, tables, layers, styles sheets, rollovers, optimizing graphics, and accessibility. 

E. PORTFOLIO PREPARATION - Develop a professional portfolio comprised of design work that may be revised, redone or created. Define employment goals and participate in practice interviews and critiques.

F. LIFE DRAWING - Covers studying and drawing the human form, using professional models. Presents the structure, form and proportions of human figure, applying various drawing techniques and concepts. Emphasizes personal artistic growth with attention to composition.

G. DIGITAL PRE PRESS PRODUCTION PROCESS – Creative development, Design considerations, color reproduction, pre press input, photography and scanning, CTP, halftone imaging, compression, metadata, creative retouching, digital tracking system, multiple disk storage system, page planning, pre flight checks, file creations, Adobe Acrobat in pre press (pdf files), digital proofing, production QC, final file output, common output file types and formats, final file transmission, film output, Macintosh based pre press workflow.

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