Graphic Design Courses
GRD1100 Graphic Design Principles
Introduces foundational concepts of two-dimensional design and color theory. Students examine the elements and principles of design and their role in visual communication. Emphasis is placed on the graphic design process, concept development, and thumbnail sketching. Students also study influential designers and movements to understand how theory informs contemporary design practice.
3 Credit Hours
GRD1101 Photoshop and Digital Graphics
Investigates the principles of visual design using Adobe Photoshop, emphasizing creative expression, technical proficiency, and critical thinking to produce professional-grade visual assets.
3 Credit Hours
GRD1102 Illustrator and Digital Graphics
Surveys the world of vector-based design and illustration using Adobe Illustrator. Students will explore the unique capabilities of vector graphics, enabling them to create original, scalable, and high-quality graphics for print and digital applications. Emphasis will be placed on mastering the tools and techniques specific to Illustrator and applying design principles effectively in vector-based projects.
Prerequisite: GRD1101
3 Credit Hours
GRD1105 Painting
Approaches two-dimensional theory through the freeform and experiential painterly process. Students recreate and build on elements of design in a painterly manner through their own work. Subject matters range from the traditional painting genre of still life, interiors, and the figure, to the abstract.
3 Credit Hours
GRD1106 Survey of Graphic Design
Traces the development of visual communication from early image making to contemporary graphic design practice. Emphasizes how cultural, social, and technological developments shape the use of images and typography.
3 Credits Hours
GRD1170 Drawing
Develops drawing skills for graphic design and the visual arts. Includes genres of fine art such as observation of the human figure in composition. Drawings will include three-dimensional objects, perspective, still life, and the landscape.
3 Credit Hours
GRD1190 Typography I
Introduces the history, physical attributes, family classification, terminology, and structural aspects of type. Students explore typography as a medium that conveys aesthetic, emotional, and intellectual meaning. Students create effective marketing materials by incorporating type as an integrated and active element.
Prerequisite: GRD1100
3 Credit Hours
GRD2205 Three-Dimensional Design
Focuses on spatial organization, transforming two-dimensional ideas into three-dimensional experiences. Students will explore balance, form, and volume while experimenting with various construction methods and materials. Hands-on projects enable students to create, represent, and respond to form in physical space. The course combines lectures, guided assignments, and critiques to offer a well-rounded understanding of three-dimensional design.
Prerequisite: GRD1170
3 Credit Hours
GRD2210 Graphic Design in Visual Culture
Traces the development of visual communication from the first cave paintings to present-day digital marketing. This course examines how cultural and technological developments have affected our viewpoints of the relationship, and use of images and typography.
3 Credit Hours
GRD2211 Modern Art History
Surveys the development and methodology of art from the late 19th through the 20th century within its historical, social, political, and technological contexts. This course emphasizes aesthetics, art appreciation, and the global perspectives that contributed to the Modernist movement.
3 Credit Hours
GRD2216 Interactive Design I
Explores fundamental interactive design issues, focusing on psychological frameworks and design thinking methodologies. Students apply user experience (UX) principles and research strategies to develop empathy-driven design concepts.
3 Credit Hours
GRD2220 3D Design and Modeling
Introduces 3D design as a key method for visual communication. Students explore form, space, scale, lighting, and materials by creating 3D objects and typographic elements. The course emphasizes transforming two-dimensional design concepts into three-dimensional outcomes for real-world graphic design applications, such as branding, packaging, environmental graphics, and static campaign visuals.
3 Credit Hours
GRD2226 Professional Development Seminar
Investigates the landscape of career opportunities within the design industry, from freelance to agency roles. Through this course, students gain practical skills in resume writing, interviewing, and job searching, including navigating creative job platforms. Additionally, students will establish their online presence and personal brand across various social media platforms, crucial for career success in today's digital world.
3 Credit Hours
GRD2230 Digital Photography and Creative Media
Introduces the basic concepts, terminology, and applications of digital photography. This course explores the creative transformation of images for effective visual communication. Students develop critical thinking and technical skills needed to use photography in their work as designers.
3 Credit Hours
GRD2231 History of Film and Animation
Examines the technological and narrative development of film and animation across diverse cultures and eras. This course explores the evolution from early optical devices to contemporary digital media, emphasizing the influence of major milestones on modern motion-based design practice
3 Credit Hours
GRD2233 Web Design
Introduces foundational web technologies and languages, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Learn to create responsive websites, optimize images and graphics for speed and aesthetics, and ensure accessibility across diverse platforms.
3 Credit Hours
GRD2240 Digital Publishing
Explores the integration of type and images in digital page layouts and multiple-page projects. The emphasis will be on the application of industry standard software for both print and digital output.
Prerequisite: GRD1102 or GRD1190
3 Credit Hours
GRD2290 Typography II
Develops the skills acquired in Typography I. Projects incorporate type as a decorative element to produce creative marketable design results. Principles of selecting typeface, use of grids, and basic layout designs and formats are addressed.
Prerequisite: GRD1190
3 Credit Hours
GRD3305 Design Production
Emphasizes a comprehensive exploration of design production techniques. Students will learn the intricacies of pre-press operations, mastering color separations, file formats, and color modes. Through rigorous study, they will gain proficiency in font management and develop a nuanced understanding of paper types, including crops and bleeds.
Prerequisite GRD2240
3 Credit Hours
GRD3315 UI/UX Design
Explores aspects of user interface design engineering. The preparation of concepts will utilize the principles of design, typography, color, and problem-solving skills. Concepts include wireframes, user testing, personas, scenarios and storyboards, applied to front-end and back-end web and app development.
Prerequisite: GRD2233
3 Credit Hours
GRD3316 Interactive Design II
Focuses on systems thinking and collaborative design-to-development processes used in professional teams. Students synthesize research into high-fidelity products using AI-assisted workflows and usability validation to create scalable digital solutions.
Prerequisite GRD2216
3 Credit Hours
GRD3220 3D Design and Modeling II
Builds on foundational three-dimensional design skills with an emphasis on applied visual communication. Students develop refined 3D assets and scenes focusing on composition, narrative, and integration across media. The course emphasizes how 3D design supports graphic systems, storytelling, and contemporary design practice.
Prerequisite GRD2220
3 Credit Hours
GRD3360 Packaging Design
Covers the practical and creative aspects of packaging from concept to completion. Students learn to design and construct packaging using industry-standard methods, including 3D modeling and physical prototype creation. An emphasis is placed on the critical integration of typography, color, and branding in developing functional and aesthetically pleasing packaging solutions.
Prerequisite: GRD1102
3 Credit Hours
GRD3395 Branding
Acquaints students with the various aspects of branding and brand identity design. Students explore brand values, storytelling, tone, and other components of the brand development process. Through hands-on projects, they craft authentic brand identities for consistent representation across platforms.
Prerequisite: GRD2240
3 Credit Hours
GRD4400 Animation Foundations
Explores the foundation of animation, including the basic concepts of animation and what makes things move. This course covers X, Y, and Z planes; keyframes; animation paths; hierarchies; pivots and rotation; and the importance of timing.
Prerequisite: GRD2290
3 Credit Hours
GRD4405 Motion Graphics
Provides a foundational introduction to Adobe After Effects and the core principles of motion design. Students explore timing, spacing, and kinetic typography for digital platforms. The course emphasizes software proficiency and the aesthetic requirements for creating short-form brand assets through movement.
Prerequisites GRD2290
3 Credit Hours
GRD4406 Motion Graphics II
Explores advanced motion workflows for multi-platform campaigns, focusing on the production standards required for digital out-of-home, broadcast, and streaming media. Students synthesize 2D and 3D assets into a comprehensive production pipeline, integrating media storytelling.
Prerequisites GRD4405
3 Credit Hours
GRD4410 Publication Design
Explores publication design procedures and techniques, from planning to production. Students research and analyze graphic design in multi-page publications and create their own multi-page publication designs. This course covers procedures and techniques for the successful printing of projects.
Prerequisite: GRD2240
3 Credit Hours
GRD4411 Emerging Technology in Design
Explores how creative assistants like AI, interactive media, and smart systems are transforming the design world. Students will learn to use emerging tools to accelerate brainstorming, automate repetitive tasks, and create designs that interact with the physical world. Topics in copyright, ethics, and human-centered responsibility within contemporary graphic design practice contexts are also covered.
Prerequisite: GRD3315 or GRD3316
3 Credit Hours
GRD4420 Game Design
Introduces the theory and practice of game creation and design for interactive home entertainment, arcade games, education, and multiplayer online environments. Students study the history, genres, technology, organization, psychology, and story of games. Students will then gain mastery over the Unity 3D engine.
Prerequisite: GRD2220
3 Credit Hours
GRD4425 Social Media Design
Introduces students to design applications and implementation of social media concepts from the lens of a UI/UX designer. The course will include Web/Mobile design tools, video, and other light 2D graphics software for final project campaigns.
Prerequisite: GRD3395
3 Credit Hours
GRD4430 Contemporary Issues in Art & Design
Investigates contemporary art and design issues and their application to professional creative practice. Students utilize research and writing methodologies to examine the social, economic, ethical, and technological forces that shape the modern design landscape.
3 Credit Hours
GRD4455 Capstone Research
Offers students an opportunity to conduct independent research on a topic of their choosing while concurrently devising a strategic plan for their upcoming Senior Showcase project. Successful completion involves the presentation and defense of the project proposal, affirming their expertise in their chosen area of concentration.
Prerequisite: GRD3360
3 Credit Hours
GRD4460 Capstone Project
Engages students in the hands-on production of their creative endeavors. Successful completion marks the pinnacle of their academic journey, showcasing their design expertise in a public exhibition.
Prerequisite: GRD4455
3 Credit Hours
GRD4470 Special Topics in Graphic Design
Explores diverse subjects in graphic design. It aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of concepts presented, culminating in the creation of polished, portfolio-ready projects.
Prerequisite: GRD3395
3 Credit Hours
GRD4481 Portfolio
Provides a studio and critique workshop. Students edit, create, add, highlight, and refine projects to meet industry standards and promote individual graphic design skills in their specialized area. This course is taken in a student's senior year.
Prerequisite: GRD3395
3 Credit Hours
GRD4483 Internship
Provides a field-based internship experience where students acquire career/professional skills within the graphic design industry. This course is taken during a student's last semester of study.
Prerequisite: Departmental permission
3 Credit Hours