Graphic Design Course Descriptions

GD103 History of Graphic Design – 3 Credits

Beyond Type, Image and Layout, what does being a “Graphic Designer” mean? This course describes the foundation and history of the industry from “then to now”. Students will gain a thorough knowledge and a clear understanding of their chosen field. Students will learn how to become communications experts, problem solvers, and result-oriented professionals. By developing a timeline and course plan; students will set goals for a successful college career in
Graphic Design.

GD104 Typography 1: Foundations of Typography – 3 Credits

An in-depth examination of the role typography plays in design. As a designer, it’s our job to create the best solution for the job at hand. Knowing how to use type as the starting point in the development of a concept, using hand-drawn type, computer-generated type to create page elements and an understanding of typesetting principles will ensure good readable results.

GD105 Concept Development: Print – 3 Credits

It’s about creating options, recognizing the possibilities, solving the issues and making the right choices. Learn and apply the creative process to conceptualize and design unique, practical solutions to an assignment. Interpret, visualize and design assignments for maximum potential.

Prerequisite: GD103, History of Graphic Design, GD104 Typography 1: Foundations of Typography

GD106 Typography 2: Information Architecture – 3 Credits

A more in-depth examination of typography as the foundational building block of great design. Understanding the laws that govern great typographic choices will enhance a designer’s ability to deliver a message that is impactful, focused, and easy to understand. In addition, mastering the art and science of visual hierarchy will help a designer deliver the right message in its intended order of importance.

Prerequisite: GD104 Typography 1: Foundations of Typography

GD114 Design & Layout 1: Advertising Design – 3 Credits

An overview of the principles, processes, and procedures that govern great advertising design. Students will focus on the design and execution of an original ad campaign.

Prerequisite: GD105 Concept Development: Print

GD115 Design & Layout 2: Business Graphics – 3 Credits

An overview of the principles, processes, and procedures that govern great business graphics design. Students will focus on the design and execution of an original business stationary system, media kit, and process graphic.

Prerequisite: GD105 Concept Development: Print

GD116 Design & Layout 3: Product & Packaging – 3 Credits

An overview of the product label and package design process. Students will focus on the design and execution of original product labels and package designs.

Prerequisite: GD105 Concept Development: Print

GD141 Principles of Illustration – 3 Credits

An overview of the basic principles of illustration and a variety of traditional illustration tools and techniques. Students will learn the foundations of illustration, going from concept to completion. They will learn how to import those illustrations into Adobe^® Photoshop to edit, enhance, or add content or additional graphic elements.

Prerequisite: GD105 Concept Development: Print

GD205 Concept Development: Web – 3 Credits

An overview of the user experience (UX) design process. Students will learn how to design a website and/or mobile site based on the needs and preferences of the intended user.

Prerequisite: GD105 Concept Development: Print

GD211 Writing for Web – 3 Credits

An overview of key content development techniques specifically designed for the web. Students will focus on the creation of dynamic, engaging, and user-focused content to enhance SEO of the websites that they design.

GD212 Principles of Motion – 3 Credits

This course introduces students to the industry-leading motion graphics software Adobe^® After Effects^® CS6. This course will teach students how to create motion graphics and visual effects for digital video projects using effects, filters, presets, scripts, plug-ins, particle generators, and text/object animation.

Prerequisite: GD105 Concept Development: Print

GD213 Digital Motion Design – 3 Credits

This course covers basic video compression and formatting choices used in the graphic design industry using Apple^® Compressor^® and Adobe Encoder. Students will also be introduced to more advanced motion graphics techniques using Adobe^® After Effects.

Prerequisite: GD105 Concept Development: Print

GD221 Portfolio Lab 1: GD Portfolio Preparation – 3 Credits

Explore, analyze and prepare a professional portfolio. A portfolio is essential to meet with future employers. It will promote student’s talents and skills as a Graphic Designer. Students will learn methods and techniques that create a polished presentation of their work. Decisions will be made on content selection, strategy, and structure of individual print design pieces.

Prerequisite: GD114 Design & Layout 1, GD115 Design & Layout 2, GD116 Design & Layout 3

GD224 Design & Layout 4: Logos, Symbols & Icons – 3 Credits

An overview of the logo, symbol, and icon design process. Students will focus on the design and execution of a series of original symbols and icons, and an original logo design.

Prerequisite: GD105 Concept Development: Print

GD225 Design & Layout 5: Strategic Design – 3 Credits

An overview of the strategic marketing planning process from the designer’s perspective and the designer as the product. Students will focus on the design and execution of their own personal strategic marketing plan.

Prerequisite: GD105 Concept Development: Print

GD226 Design & Layout 6: Design Adaptability – 3 Credits

An overview of environmental design and the environmental design process. Students will focus on solving a series of original environment design challenges.

Prerequisite: GD105 Concept Development: Print

GD231 Apparel Design 1: Concept Development & Production Process – 3 Credits

An overview of screen–printing fundamentals, processes, procedures, tools, and design set up. Students will learn about the apparel design business from some local screen–printing heroes, such as: Jeff Finley (Author of Thread Is Not Dead) and Mike Kubinski (Founder of CLE Clothing and The North Coast College Graphic Design Alumni)

Prerequisite: GD105 Concept Development: Print

GD232 Apparel Design 2: Advanced Design & Production – 3 Credits

A continuation of Apparel Design 1. Students will learn advanced apparel design, printing, and production techniques. Students will apply learned skill in the creation, branding, and marketing of an original line of printed tees.

Prerequisite: GD105 Concept Development: Print

GD241 Digital Illustration – 3 Credits

An overview of the basic principles of digital illustration and a variety of digital illustration tools and techniques. Students will learn the foundations of computer illustration, going from concept to completion. They will learn how to use Adobe^® Illustrator, Adobe^® Photoshop, and a Wacom^® Tablet, to conceptualize, develop, edit, enhance, and finalize a variety of original digital illustrations.

Prerequisite: GD105 Concept Development: Print

GD291 Web Design 1: The Anatomy of a Web Page – 3 Credits

What is different about designing for the web? In this course, we will look beneath the surface of a web page to get a better understanding of its underlying code structure.

Prerequisite: GD205 Concept Development: Web

GD292 Web Design 2: Designing for Interaction – 6 Credits

A deeper dive into techniques and considerations for designing across multiple devices.

Prerequisite: GD291 Web Design 1

GD302 History of Film and Digital Video – 3 Credits

This course covers the evolution of the Film and Digital Video Industry which includes the history of animation, film, special effects, communications, computers and the internet. We will observe Digital Media’s role in the modern culture as an expressive, educational and communicative medium.

GD303 Digital Video Gear & On–Set Fundamentals – 3 Credits

This course will prepare students to function effectively on a film set. Students will learn key roles on a film set as well as the responsibilities associated with each role. They will also learn proper on-set etiquette, familiarity with the tools associated with each department.

GD310 Principles of Animation – 3 Credits

An overview of cartoon character development and the basic principles of animation. Students will learn the foundations of drawing cartoon characters for animation, going from sketch to full-color drawing. They will learn how to import those character drawings into Adobe^® Flash, digitize, and make them come to life.

Prerequisite: GD105 Concept Development: Print

GD311 Digital Animation – 3 Credits

A continuation of Principles of Animation. Students will create an animation short from start to finish.

Prerequisite: GD105 Concept Development: Print

GD331 Portfolio Lab 2: Final Graphic Design Portfolio – 3 Credits

Your Graphic Design presentation book and online portfolio is an extension of your brand. In this course, Students will take the concepts learned in Portfolio Development: Print, add on to and complete their final branded Graphic Design presentation book, and finalize their personal portfolio website.

Prerequisite: 8th quarter requirements of an 84 credit hour minimum

GD363 Designing for Personal Brand – 3 Credits

An overview of the personal brand identity design process. Students will learn the importance that a strong personal brand plays in their career success. Students will design and develop a brand mark that communicates the unique creative vision and professional values. Finally, students will learn and develop the personal and professional character attributes consistent with and supportive of their vision and values.

Prerequisite: 8th quarter requirements of an 84 credit hour minimum

GD393 Web design 3: Beyond the Web – 6 Credits

Digital design involves more than the web. In this class, we will explore interface design for other platforms, including mobile and tablet applications and emerging devices.

Prerequisite: GD292 Web Design 2

GD405 Concept Development: Video – 3 Credits

Covers techniques and approaches for developing original documentary, narrative and commercial media projects. With an emphasis on narrative theory, documentary theory, and story structure, students will learn the various approaches, steps, and processes that go into story development.

GD435 Sound Design – 3 Credits

This course introduces students to audio production using Adobe^® Sound Booth CS5 software. Students will create loop-based music, learn how to fix and enhance audio, record dialogue and create dynamic audio podcasts using professional software.

GD436 Digital Video Production – 3 Credits

This course is an overview of Video/Film Recording, framing and studio lighting techniques within the context of Corporate and Commercial Media productions. Students will learn both in-studio techniques and on-location lighting strategies.

Prerequisite: GD437 Cinematography/Lighting, GD435 Sound Design

GD437 Cinematography & Lighting – 3 Credits

This course will teach advanced lighting and video techniques in the context of Digital Video/Film production. Students will learn techniques to solve challenging lighting scenarios as well as create art inspired lighting and cinematography. Students will also learn the green screen video process and will conclude this course by producing a multi-layered digital composite.

Prerequisite: GD303 Digital Video Gear & On-Set Fundamentals

GD438 Digital Video Editing – 3 Credits

This course introduces students to the art of editing using Adobe Premiere Pro^® CS6. Students will learn to communicate concepts effectively through video via the practice of arranging media clips on a timeline using transitions, filters, effects, motion, sound, and rhythm.

Prerequisite: GD436 Digital Video Production

GD450 Digital Video Capstone – 6 Credits

This course will guide students as they prepare their body of work for the purpose of seeking a career in the Video Production field. Students will develop a personal brand identity, create a logo, business cards, and create a Demo Reel or Portfolio Website. Students will develop and complete their Capstone Projects. All aspects of production will be reviewed and assessed for each phase of development.

Prerequisite: Final quarter standing