Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Design

Course Descriptions and Syllabi

ART 100	Introduction to Creativity	(3) [H]
This course introduces students to a variety of art media including drawing, painting, collage, and sculpture through studio exercise and/or lectures. It focuses on the mental processes involved in the generation of ideas or concepts necessary to develop a student's ability to imagine and construct, that is, to create.
ART 101	Art History I	(3) [H]
A chronological survey highlighting the developments in Western Art from the prehistoric to the early Renaissance.
ART 102	Art History II	(3) [H]
A chronological survey highlighting the developments in Western Art from the Renaissance to the late 20th C. Prerequisite: ART 101.
ART 103	Arab and Islamic Art	(3) [H] [K]
A critical survey of the chronological development of Islamic Art. This course satisfies the General Education requirement for Arab Culture.
ART 104	Art Appreciation	(3) [H]
This is an introductory-level class that emphasizes understanding and aesthetic pleasure in the visual arts through the study of styles, materials, terminology, and techniques of the art world, as well as major artists and art movements.
ART 115	Color Theory	(3) [H]
This is an introductory studio course devoted to the development of the perception of color and its use as a tool for artists and designers. The exercises test the appearance of color relationships in complex structures, dealing with meaning and examining the appropriate use of color in the context of design problems.
ART 120	2-D Design	(3) [H]
This is an introductory studio course investigating the basic elements and principles of the visual arts in two-dimensional media and form.
ART 121	Drawing I	(3) [H]
A studio course that introduces drawing materials and methods. Students gain an understanding of the techniques of drawing, including perceptions, shading, line weight, and representation drawing.
ART 122	3-D Design I	(3) [H]
This course is a studio course investigating the basic elements and principles of the visual arts in three-dimensional media and form.
ART 201	Art and Society	(3) [H]
Focus on significant artists and artworks in the context of historical periods and requirements of the societies.
ART 205	Contemporary Art	(3) [H]
A study and discussion of current art practices around the world.
ART 211	Cities as Art	(3) [H]
An examination of various historic cities, with a discussion of their history and evolution, important artworks, landmarks, and buildings.
ART 221	Drawing II	(3) [H]
Drawing II is the second of two fundamental drawing courses. It continues the processes and concepts introduced in Drawing I, and introduces interpretive approaches to drawing with a growing emphasis on creativity and content. Prerequisite: ART 121.
ART 240	Water-Based Painting I	(3) [H]
This course provides a foundation in the practices and materials associated with water-based painting. Working from direct observation as well as expressive and conceptual approaches, students develop an understanding of formal concerns as well as paint manipulation to produce strong representational and/or non-representational painting. Prerequisite: ART 121.
ART 241	Oil Painting I	(3) [H]
This course provides foundation in the practices and materials associated with painting, and prepares students to work in oil-based media. Working from direct observation, students develop an understanding of formal concerns as well as paint manipulation to produce strong representational and/or non-representational paintings. Prerequisite: ART 121.
ART 340	Water-Based Painting II	(3) [H]
This course provides a continuing investigation of the materials, processes, and techniques of water-based painting. Students will develop an expanded vocabulary of paint language and increased skill in rendering volume, space, light, color, and movement in their work based on observation as well as expressive and conceptual approaches. Prerequisite: ART 240.
ART 341	Oil Painting II	(3) [H]
This course provides a continuing investigation of the materials, processes, and techniques of oil painting. Students will develop an expanded vocabulary of paint language and increased skill in rendering volume, space, light, color, and movement in their work based on observation. Prerequisite: ART 241.
ART 369	Short Course	(1-3)
Topic varies by semester. Classes are taught by a guest lecturer or lecturers. Can be repeated for credit with a different topic. Permission of instructor.
ART 388	Independent Study	(1-3)
Can be repeated for credit with a different topic. Permission of instructor.
ART 389	Special Topics	(3)
Can be repeated for credit with a different topic. Permission of instructor or junior standing.
GDES 102	Introduction to Visual Communication	(3)
This introductory studio course teaches students the creative skills they need to visually communicate ideas. Students will learn how to deal with spatial relationships between images and words, unlock and decode ideas, as well as how to research, brainstorm, edit and enhance their creative thoughts.
GDES 110	Digital Foundations	(3)
This course introduces students to fundamental principles and applications of design, emphasizing critical and cultural awareness of design issues and developing of technical skills. The notion of creative problem solving is particularly emphasized. Students develop expertise in major industry standard software packages. This course lays the foundation for further study of design. A lab fee may be required. [Cross-listed with COMM 110]
GDES 204	Digital Photography	(3)
This course provides an introduction to digital photography and digital camera operations, covering lighting, composition, exposure and the fundamentals of traditional photographic concepts. Students will use digital cameras to take photos that meet the requirements of a series of assignments designed to develop specific skills, and stimulate the students' creative capacities for personal expression, communication and self-understanding. Concurrent: GDES 110 or COMM 110.
GDES 208	Film Production I	(3)
Introduces students to basics of cinematic storytelling through narrative genres and documentaries. Examines the basics of scriptwriting, directing, cinematography, and editing. Develops skills in all areas of the craft, and explores both the creative and the technical aspects of production. Includes a short project. Familiarizes students with the nature of filmmaking through lectures and working experiments with traditional narrative filmmaking, documentary, and new media. [Cross-listed with COMM 208]
GDES 220	Graphic Design I	(3)
An introductory course to the field of graphic design and visual problem solving. Students will learn basic design principles and elements of design, composition, form, typography, and the historical context is introduced in this course. Provides practical experience in essential studio processes and procedures, critiques, and group discussions. Concurrent: GDES 110 or COMM 110, ART 121, ART 120 or ART 115 and GDES 102.
GDES 221	Typography I	(3)
An introduction to typography as both language and tool, one through which a graphic designer can communicate visual hierarchy, verbal information, form, and meaning. This course explores type design, the study of letterforms, an introduction to the historical and modern development of the alphabet, and the study of grid structures. Prerequisites: ART 101, ART 121, GDES 110 or COMM 110, ART 120 or ART 115 and GDES 102.
GDES 242	Digital Imaging I	(3)
This course enhances student capabilities in digital image manipulation, vector graphics creation, layout design, and time-based media. A lab fee may be required. Prerequisites: GDES 110 or COMM 110.
GDES 315	History of Design	(3)
This course explores the evolution of graphic design from past to present. Prerequisite: ART 102.
GDES 320	Graphic Design II	(3)
This intermediate studio course is a comprehensive study of graphic design through the integration of typography and imagery; from topic selection to research; and from concept building to the visualization of content. Students will enhance layout skills, and work with alternative materials. Class time will be devoted to lectures, projects, and critiques will be developed. Permission of instructor (E-Portfolio mid-review). Prerequisite: GDES 220 and GDES 221, and Permission of Instructor (E-Portfolio mid-review).
GDES 321	Typography II	(3)
This intermediate studio course is a comprehensive study of graphic design through the integration of typography and imagery; from topic selection to research; and from concept building to the visualization of content. Students will enhance layout skills, and work with alternative materials. Class time will be devoted to lectures, projects, and critiques will be developed. Prerequisites: GDES 220 and GDES 221.
GDES 330	Print Production	(3)
This course explores the various printing technologies currently available for graphic designers, with an emphasis on the Offset printing process. Pre-press, printing, post-production, and all the supporting services offered by printing houses will be thoroughly investigated throughout this course. Prerequisites: GDES 220 and GDES 221.
GDES 337	Environmental Design	(3)
A studio course that explores way finding, storytelling, exhibit, and information design in built and natural environments. Students will learn how to use the blend of two- and three-dimensional design to move people and/or vehicles through spaces. Projects may include the study of zoos, museums, sport complexes, hospitals, or airports. Junior standing. Prerequisite: GDES 320.
GDES 342	Digital Imaging II	(3)
Inspiration and storyboard are challenged to push the envelope of the traditional parameters expected during image production. The students blend different styles to produce aesthetically sound pieces. Different image tracks may be chosen to focus on for the majority of the semester. A lab fee may be required. Prerequisite: GDES 242.
GDES 351	Web Design	(3)
This course explores the process of designing and building web sites, as well as creating graphics, animations, and rich content for the web. It also incorporates lectures relating to Internet issues and the different web-based media forms being utilized those days. Prerequisite: GDES 110 or permission of instructor.
GDES 369	Short Course	(1-3)
Topic varies by semester. Classes are taught by a guest lecturer or lecturers. Can be repeated for credit with a different topic. Permission of instructor.
GDES 388	Independent Study	(1-3)
Can be repeated for credit with a different topic. Permission of instructor.
GDES 389	Special Topics	(3)
Can be repeated for credit with a different topic. Permission of instructor.
GDES 404	Professional Practice	(3)
The course is designed to prepare students for professional practice in graphic design. It is a guide to business aspects of design including best practices in business processes, self-promotion, negotiation and pricing, ethical standards, and the designer's responsibility of practice. Prerequisite: GDES 320.
GDES 420	Graphic Design III	(3)
This advance course further investigates system design, research analysis and development of a brand. Students will work in a collaborative environment, in an intense investigation of visual communication, critique session, group discussions, presentations and field trips. This is a studio course. Senior standing. Prerequisites: GDES 320 and GDES 321.
GDES 421	Typography III	(3)
This advance course further investigates typographic form, history, hierarchy, context, and sequence of information using image and type relationships. Lectures, critiques, and individual in-class explorations are used to further these ideas. This is a studio course. Senior standing. Prerequisites: GDES 321 and GDES 320.
GDES 452	3D Modeling and Animation	(3)
This course will introduce principles and techniques used for creating three-dimensional content in virtual space. Students will learn principles of model creation, texture manipulation, scene rendering, and animation to enable them to conceptualize and produce meaningful and artistic visualizations. The class will also explore the implications of the work produced as students engage in mutual critique. A lab fee may be required. Junior standing.
GDES 453	Motion Graphics	(3)
In this advance level course, students experiment their learning outcomes on form and content through manipulation of movement, time, sequence, and sounds. Students will learn and create visual effects, wide range of application in broadcast, film, and video based communication. This is a studio course. Prerequisite: GDES 242.
GDES 470	Internship in Graphic Design	(1-3)
The GDES Internship provides students the opportunity to work in career-related fields for academic credit. A creative paper submission is expected upon the completion of the internship. Students are limited to a maximum of 6 internship credit hours of which only 3 count toward the degree requirement. This is a pass/fail course. Junior standing and permission of instructor.
GDES 490	Capstone	(3)
The Capstone course is designed to teach GDES students how to visualize the complex intersection between personal voice, conceptual understanding, and the use of research for a graphic design exhibition. The course is largely self-directed and students are expected to select and investigate a topic using design as a means to present their findings. Prerequisite: GDES 420.