Courses
Visual Media Design
This course offers an overview of visual communication fields and the programs of study in the Visual Media Design Department. The class introduces students to professional practice in fields such as graphic design, illustration, imaging, publication design and web front end development. Students will identify potential career options, explore the necessary skills to succeed in these fields, and outline a future program of study.
ADVISE: Readiness for college-level English or ESL 188
Foundational design course, covering the theories, processes, vocabulary, and techniques common to visual design disciplines. Students will develop and apply their knowledge through analysis, critique and individual and collaborative exercises and projects.
VMD 101 = DSGN 101 = PHOT 100
Design thinking is an iterative process of discovery, ideation, and experimentation to gain insight and produce innovative experiences, processes, and products. This course will introduce design thinking models and processes through historical and contemporary practice. Hands-on exercises will provide practice with design thinking activities for visual artists, designers, engineers, makers, and others.
A foundational hands-on Mac computer class for all Visual Media Design students. Topics of instruction will include computer hardware and OS software, networks, type and text formatting, raster and vector graphics, time-based media, layout for print and web, and best practices. Topics will be covered through lecture and practical exercises.
ADVISE: ESL 186 or placement in ESL 188 or readiness for college-level English
A study of the development of visual communication in art, graphic design, illustration and popular culture from the prehistory to the present. The influence of political, social technological and commercial forces will be discussed and analyzed, with an emphasis on the use and interpretation of imagery, symbols, and type in design.
Formerly GRPH 110
ADVISE: ESL 186 or placement in ESL 188 or readiness for college-level English
A practical course to familiarize design students with processes and workflows involved in producing digital and offset printed materials. Students complete in-class exercises for the stages of print production - prepress, press, and finishing - using digital and traditional equipment.
Formerly GRPH 27
ADVISE: (DSGN 101 or VMD 101 or PHOT 100) and (Readiness for college-level English or ESL 188)
Quick sketching methods for ideation and visual problem solving for designers, animators, illustrators and makers. Terminology, techniques and conventions of rapid visualization are covered, with hands-on practice with line, shape, form, perspective, lighting, shade and shadow.
VMD 112=DSGN 110
The art and craft of letterpress printing, hand set type and use of proofing presses.
Emphasis is placed on skills development in hand set type, layout, proofreading, makeup, shop safety and press operations.
Formerly GRPH 92A
PREREQ: 114A
Continued study of the art and craft of letterpress printing using the platen jobbing press.
Further development of skills in the letterpress printing processes, polymer plate
production and usage, stock selection and calculation, and presswork.
An introduction to the various practical methods of contemporary book design and production within the historical development of book structures.
Formerly GRPH 153
PREREQ: VMD 116A
Intermediate study of the various practical methods of contemporary book design and production, including codex structures, tunnel, and accordion books, using both adhesive and sewn binding techniques.
PREREQ: VMD 116B
Advanced study of contemporary book design and production including pop-ups and box structures using both traditional and non-traditional materials.
ADVISE: completion of or concurrent enrollment in: (DSGN 101 or VMD 101 or PHOT 100) and VMD 105
An exploration and application of the historical, cultural symbolic personal and professional uses of color through individual and collaborative projects. Topics include the properties and theory of color; creating color relationships and harmonies; and
optical, psychological and spatial uses of color in various media and design disciplines.
VMD 118 = DSGN 150
PREREQ: VMD 105 and (VMD 101 or DSGN 101 or ART 125A or PHOT 100) ADVISE: Readiness for college-level English or ESL 188
A beginning graphic design course focusing on fundamental visual problem-solving skills for print and screen. Principles of visual communication, iterative design process, introduction to typography, page layout, grids, identity, and branding.
PREREQ: VMD 120 and VMD 140 and VMD 152
Continued study of visual communication design, covering both interactive (web/mobile) and print projects. Topics of study include research, design processes and deliverables for a range of interactive and print projects.
PREREQ: VMD 122
An exploration of the visual design and presentation of numeric or objective data through exercises and a design project. The pace and scope of the class is intended for advanced design students looking to expand their skills and design portfolio.
VMD 124A, VMD 124B, and VMD 124C are not sequential and may be taken in any order.
PREREQ: VMD 122
An exploration of package design through practical exercises and a design project. The pace and scope of the class is intended for advanced design students looking to expand their skills and design portfolio.
VMD 124A, VMD 124B, and VMD 124C are not sequential and may be taken in any order.
PREREQ: VMD 122 and VMD 127
The exploration of user interface design through exercises and projects. The pace and scope of the class is intended for advanced students looking to expand their skills and portfolio.
VMD 124A, VMD 124B, and VMD 124C are not sequential and may be taken in any order.
PREREQ: VMD 140
This course focuses on industry-standard User Experience (UX) concepts and processes including user-centered design, information architecture, interaction design and prototyping used in digital product design and development. Students explore key topics through a series of hands-on exercises and projects.
PREREQ.: (VMD 101 or ART 125A) and VMD 105 COREQ: VMD 152
Introduction to typography as key element of visual communication. Exploration of the fundamental aspects of typographic form and use. Students will develop the ability to see, select and use type in meaningful ways through exercises and assignments.
Formerly GRPH 53A
PREREQ: VMD 130 and VMD 152
Continued study of typography with emphasis on the development of an awareness of typographic form and structure. The role of typography in communication will be explored through practical exercises in typesetting and typographic design.
Formerly GRPH 53B
ADVISE: VMD 130
Instruction in calligraphic tools, materials, and techniques. Study and practice of various historical and contemporary calligraphic styles and techniques, creative exercises in calligraphic layout, and discussion of contemporary lettering art and artists.
Formerly GRPH 151
ADVISE: VMD 130
Instruction in hand lettering tools, materials, and techniques. Practice with various lettering styles, creative exercises in lettering design, and examination of contemporary lettering art and artists.
PREREQ: VMD 105 ADVISE: VMD 130
Hands-on experience in creating digital fonts. Practice in all aspects of the process, from concept to execution. Discussion of the standards and techniques of type design, and of the current state of the type design profession.
Formerly GRPH 152
PREREQ: VMD 105
This course will provide students with an overview of web site planning, development and production through a hands-on approach. Topics include web pre-production, design and production techniques. Assignments will focus on pre-production planning and production of web sites.
PREREQ.: VMD 140; Completion of or concurrent enrollment in: VMD 120
This is a hands-on intermediate course covering responsive web design processes and production. Students will learn the requirements of responsive design and how to plan and create responsive assets and pages.
Formerly MMSP 135A
PREREQ.: VMD 105
An introductory course in Adobe Illustrator, covering concepts of vector-based image creation. Students will reproduce existing images to learn the various tools available within the application. Document construction and accuracy with vector tools are emphasized.
PREREQ.: VMD 150 ADVISE: VMD 120
Continued study and use of Adobe Illustrator for print and screen with emphasis on advanced features and creative projects.
PREREQ.: VMD 105
An introduction to Adobe InDesign for page layout and design. Topics include the interface, typesetting, styles, master pages, creating objects, importing graphics, layers, transparency, preflight and packaging. Emphasis on best practices.
Formerly GRPH 101A
PREREQ.: VMD 152 ADVISE: VMD 120; VMD 130
Continued study and use of Adobe InDesign for print and screen with emphasis on advanced features and design projects. Introduction to tables, books, and interactive documents.
Formerly GRPH 101B
PREREQ.: VMD 105
An introduction to Adobe Photoshop for digital image editing. Topics include interface, layers, painting, compositing, color correction, retouching, asset optimization and prototyping. Emphasis on best practices.
Formerly GRPH 98A
PREREQ.: VMD 154 ADVISE: VMD 120, 130 and 140
Continued study and use of Adobe Photoshop with an emphasis on advanced features. This course focuses on complex document construction, smart objects, masking, compositing, color correction, retouching, and screen workflows.
Formerly GRPH 98B
PREREQ.: VMD 105 and (VMD 101 or DSGN 101 or PHOT 100 or ART 125A) ADVISE: ART 130A
An overview of the techniques and principles of 2D animation as well as the specific tools used and roles found in the animation industry.
Formerly VMD 162.
PREREQ.: VMD 162A
An advanced course in the techniques and principles of 2D animation using digital tools, including emphasis on advanced visual effects and developing original visual narratives.
PREREQ: VMD 101 or DSGN 101 or PHOT 100 ADVISE: ART 130A
Referencing and using traditional storytelling methods, the student will explore multiple ways to generate and script content for digital animation projects. Emphasis on development of skills and techniques of storyboarding.
PREREQ.: ART 130A; VMD 105 ADVISE: ART 132A or ART 139; VMD 112 or ARCH 20
An overview of techniques of visual development for animation. Students will be exposed to developmental stages including character development, layout design, props, concept art, and story boarding.
PREREQ9: VMD 105 and ART 130A
This course covers techniques in Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator for illustrators. While gaining technical knowledge, students will also begin to explore stylistic options and build a body of work. Sketching and other techniques for developing concepts are also covered.
PREREQ: VMD 170
An advanced course in digital illustration focusing on the development of conceptual and narrative skills as they apply to a range of illustration projects.
Formerly GRPH 110B
PREREQ.: VMD 105 and (VMD 101 or ART 125A or DSGN 101 or PHOT 100) ADVISE: VMD 122; VMD 152
Portfolio development for visual media design students. The course will cover design strategies, content editing and sequencing, format options for print and interactive media, and portfolio presentation. Students will design and produce an online portfolio, sequenced portfolio, marketing materials and résume. A group of at least 10 high-quality pieces as determined by the instructor for portfolio development are strongly recommended for success in this course.
Formerly GRPH 149. VMD 190 is intended for advanced design students preparing to enter the field or transfer to a four-year program. Third semester standing recommended.
PREREQ.: VMD 105 or BCST 119 ADVISE: VMD 140, CNIT 129, BCST 135 and BCST 136
This course teaches students how to use social media tools such as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn and YouTube to develop, integrate and leverage social networks. Students will learn how to create personal and professional brands and critique current social media practices.
PREREQ: Approval of the Visual Media Design Department
This is an advanced course focusing on visual media design professional practices such as pricing methods, taxes, copyright, contracts, freelancing, running a small design business, and working with subcontractors.
PREREQ: Approval of Visual Media Design Department
Application of visual media design skills and development of proficiency in a supervised work environment. One unit of credit is earned for 54 hours of unpaid or paid work.
PREREQ: VMD 120 and VMD 130 and VMD 140 and VMD 150 and VMD 152 and VMD 154
Application of visual media design skills and development of proficiency in a supervised work environment. One unit of credit is earned for each 60 hours of unpaid work or 75 hours of paid work.
PREREQ: VMD 120 and VMD 130 and VMD 140 and VMD 150 and VMD 152 and VMD 154
Emerge Studio, an in-house visual media design studio, provides an environment for students to gain real-world skills creating and producing projects for actual clients. Students will gain practice with client communications, iterative design process, technical problem-solving, and project management for individual and collaborative design projects including websites, posters, marks, brochures, and other communications projects.
PREREQ: VMD 200A
Continued experience in Emerge Studio, the VMD Department's in-house visual media design studio. Students take on greater responsibilities in project management, client relations, critiques, and overall project planning and implementation. Students will also encounter larger and more complex communications projects and work with greater autonomy and independence.