Graphic Design

In this course, students learn introductory design fundamentals and the basics of professional practice for graphic designers. Learners explore the visual forms used to create design compositions as well as approaches to ideation and iteration as components of the design thinking process. This studio course uses hands-on projects and incorporates terms and techniques that are taught in other courses including typography, colour theory, and writing. Course content is delivered using a lecture/discussion format and develops the student's critical thinking/analysis skills through group critique sessions. Fundamentals of professional practice are also explored, including the language of design, time management, and self-care.

In this course, students are introduced to the basic principles of colour theory and perception. Learners use industry-standard concepts and terms to explore the use of colours in a variety of media and how colour and colour format selections impact the audience. Learners apply concepts and terminology to achieve project objectives and the needs of the client/audience.

In this course, students learn typography and typesetting as they apply to graphic design problems and solutions. Learners develop the ability to identify the visual characteristics of letterforms and to manipulate basic typesetting variables through the study of type anatomy, history, composition, and basic typesetting. Students develop skills required for more complex typographic compositions in subsequent project work within the program.

In this course, students learn fundamental software skills necessary for the graphic design industry. Learners strengthen their use of graphic design principles through the application of software skills and techniques for the creation of detailed layout specifications and digital illustrations for both interactive and print media. Students develop a fundamental knowledge of file management and organization that is critical to successful professional graphic design practice. Learners experience demonstrations in the lab and work in the lab to develop their competence in each skill.

This course is designed to help students develop and practice the communication skills needed to succeed in college and workforce environments. Emphasis is placed on improving foundational communication strategies-reading, writing, listening, and speaking—and on developing research and critical thinking skills. 

In this course, students apply practical business theory and skills to both written and verbal communications in the field of graphic design. Students refine their ability to write with clarity, conciseness, completeness, accuracy, and precision. Learners also develop public speaking and interpersonal skills.

In this course, students continue to develop their basic design fundamental skills towards competence as professional graphic designers. Students explore how various conceptual approaches communicate meaning to an audience by completing hands-on projects. Learners focus on research, ideation and iteration as components of the design thinking process, the development of design layouts, and the role of the critique process. Further topics of professional practice are also explored, including communicating design to other designers, self-direction, and self-care.

In this introduction to the discipline of interaction design, students evaluate forms of digital communication and creative design solutions for various types of user interfaces. Students develop usable, functional designs based on evolving interaction design and usability principles.

In this course, students gain an understanding of basic typographic composition and foundational typesetting as they apply it to graphic design problems and solutions. Learners develop a greater command of typographic form and meaning through projects based on the formulation of display types, phrases, sentences, and paragraphs. Students develop their skills through increasingly complex projects that require the application of multiple levels of typographic hierarchies. Learners develop the ability to use typography to communicate intended messages in more applied design project work in multiple media.

In this course, students develop increased proficiency in technical software skills. Learners use industry-standard software to focus on production, layout, and typesetting. Learners experience demonstrations in the lab and work in the lab to develop their competence in terminology and in technical skills.

In this course, students learn to document the process of creating design solutions. Learners focus on client objectives and audience needs as an integral part of the design process and learn to document findings in strategic briefs and written rationales. Students also learn to plan out the scope of their projects resulting in effective presentations of their final design solutions. Exploration of professional practice includes industry expectations and strategies for communicating to clients.

In this course, students apply their knowledge of interaction design and usability principles to create digital interfaces for the web. Learners use industry standard coding languages to create a website and apply the fundamentals of designing for multiple devices.

In this course, students explore the context and development of the field of visual communication as an important part of their journey to becoming graphic designers. Course content focuses on the communication, production, reception and intention of the design. Students explore the political, social, and ideological, factors involved in the history of design and consider their role as a designer within it. Students use visual analysis skills to understand what meaning their work might convey and how to produce inclusive, professional, and ethical designs.

In this course, students are introduced to the field of information design. Learners explore the process of making complex information understandable and transforming data into meaningful information in a variety of media. Students learn specialized discipline knowledge such as how people read and the impact of various media on communication. Learners apply this knowledge and the information design principles they learn to a variety of project types to create successful information design solutions.

In this course, students enhance their knowledge of and skills in typography through the completion of several investigative intermediate-level projects. Learners explore typographic principles of accessibility, hierarchy, grids, and organizational structure and how they can be manipulated to meet different audience needs and project objectives. Students develop strategic documents such as project briefs and rationales as the basis to inform design decisions and refine their skills through critiques.

In this course, students develop increased proficiency in technical software skills. Learners use industry-standard software to create professional-quality, accessible media for print and interaction design. Students experience demonstrations in the lab and work in the lab to develop their competence in terminology and in technical skills.

In this course, students learn to develop design solutions with a focus on research, client objectives, and audience needs using the Design Thinking process. Learners continue to develop design skills and knowledge while using critical thinking skills when evaluating personal design work and the work of others. Students develop a creative and personal approach to design solutions through the incorporation of a range of visual designs which will form the basis of their personal portfolios. Professional practice topics include project management, communicating design to clients, and self-care for designers.

In this course, students develop increased proficiency in the principles of interactive design and usability. Learners structure and plan websites using information architecture strategies and user-centred design methodologies. Students learn techniques for interactive media and the fundamentals of designing for multiple devices and for gestural interfaces.

In this course, students are introduced to the field of brand identity and logo design and examine the strategic, conceptual, and technical processes of creating professional-level logos and identities. Learners explore a variety of conceptual and graphic approaches to logo design as well as techniques for stylization and refinement, colour application, and typographic considerations. Students design logos for assigned clients and extend design decisions into policies that apply across different media.

In this intermediate-level course, students concentrate on investigative projects intended to enhance their knowledge and skills of typography in relation to the practice of graphic design. There is an emphasis on choosing typefaces, constructing effective hierarchies, and applying accessible and responsive typesetting conventions for screen-based and interactive media. Students focus their efforts on developing a greater command of typographic form and meaning through projects of greater complexity, across media, and with multiple levels of hierarchy.

In this course, students are introduced to current web technologies and software used to produce basic web applications. Learners create working prototypes and visual designs that meet industry standards for web applications.

This course introduces students to the processes, workflow and software used in the design and development of motion graphics. By learning the foundational principles of animation, and the technical and creative considerations for designing for time-based media, students create a number of motion projects using industry-standard software. Course content is delivered using a lab-based demonstration and workshop format.

This course introduces students to design research methods and processes. Students learn how to identify and define a design problem via research. They learn a variety of research methods including literature review and empirical research to create successful design solutions. In addition to learning how to select appropriate research strategies, students learn testing methods to evaluate the success of their design solutions.

In this course, students work independently and with clients to solve a specific problem. Learners collaborate through the entire design thinking process, including research, ideation, user testing and iteration. Students present their research and final design solutions to the client's selection committee, building on professional practice skills such as project management, communicating design to clients, and industry expectations for designers. Documentation of the design process in written documents such as research reports, briefs, competitive audits, schedules, rationales, and presentations, will form the basis of the student's final design portfolio, in addition to the final design solution.