Art 202 Typography I
An introduction to the fundamentals of typography and the study of letterforms: history of the modern alphabet, type classification, effects of printing technology (i.e. letterpress) on typography, drawing letterforms, constructing letterforms, designing a page with type. Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Visual Communications Degree Program

Art 203 Typography II
Further development in use of typography for communication: grid systems, effects of context on legibility and readability, type in sequence (i.e. books, animation, interactivity), typographic systems and modernist grid compositions in publications, use of computer as tool for typographic projects, introduction to design theory (i.e. semiotics) as it applies to typography. Prerequisite: Art 202

Art 300 Typography III
Further development of Type as expression and experimental contexts of typography: type as experience, type as art object, symbol and cultural element, type as personal voice, type as an interactive experience, experimental and post-modern typography. Prerequisite: Art 203

Art 206 Form & Communication I
Focus on hand created illustrative image-making processes as communication elements in the context of graphic design. Development of techniques and processes, with the intention to communicate visual elements in conceptual contexts. Processes are introduced and implemented in assignments that push basic representation into complex designed systems. Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Visual Communications Degree Program

Art 207 Form & Communication II
Further development of image-making techniques and processes with the intention to communicate: graphic translation and representation, digital and analog processes, semiotics, design systems. Further utilization of design fundamentals for composition and communication of visual form. Prerequisite: Art 206

Art 308 Form & Communication III
A concentrated focus of image-making techniques and processes within the practice of communication design. Students are introduced to a more refined use of materials and challenged to utilize personal methods to express a point of view and communicate ideas through visual form. Direction of study is determined by student’s selection of one of two sections of this course. Prerequisite: Art 206

Art 204 Media/Design/Culture
This course looks at current and historical media processes and their impact on art, design and culture. Image making and manipulation, video, audio, interactivity, and connectivity are discussed and demonstrated. Course content includes critically viewing fine art and design projects, the historical aspects of design and digital media, basic media theory, and universal principles of software and digital media. Projects include writing, creating visual media, and making presentations. Reading, research and critical thinking are integrated into assignments. Students will experience unfamiliar media firsthand through exhibitions, screenings, lectures, online exploration and consumer media devices. Course format: Lectures and discussions, student presentations and independent projects. This course is an approved elective for the Interactive Media Minor.

Art 301 Graphic Design Studio
An integrative course designed to bring together typographic and image-making skills in the context of graphic design projects: identifying individual strengths, team building, collaboration, development of personal creative practice and methods, introduction to clients (commercial and non-commercial). This course is designed to guide students to implement a self-motivated creative methodology in the context of complex communication design projects. Prerequisites: Art 300 and Art 308

Art 400 VC Practicum
This course is designed to introduce 3rd year students (seniors) to various aspects of a career in the applied arts. Various faculty, community members and visiting designers are invited to present topics to the class in an informal discussion format. Field trips to printing presses, artist/designer representatives and many other professional services are included. Prerequisite: Art 301

Art 401 VC Portfolio Preparation
Directed toward production of body of work (portfolio), which accurately and effectively portrays the student’s proficiencies in media and ability to communicate ideas and point of view in their work. Prerequisite: Art 301

Art 408 VC Internship
Field experience in an advertising agency, design studio, illustration studio, or commercial photography studio in the student's discipline concentration. This is typically done in winter session or spring semester of 4th year. Note: This course satisfies the College of Arts and Sciences Discovery Learning Requirement.

Art 417 BFA Exhibition
All students graduating with a BFA in Visual Communications degree must participate in a group exhibition of their work. This is typically the spring semester of the senior year.

VC Studio Elective Courses

Art 307 New Media Design
The class focuses on effectively communicating content and ideas using multiple media through a digital media format. Media can include visual images, text, sound, animation, and video. Students research, plan and produce complete media projects, including web sites. Learning to use appropriate media for the project’s goals is always emphasized. Students use contemporary content creation tools (including authoring technology, programs and languages) to think creatively about media and its possibilities. Course format includes short lectures and demonstrations, discussions, critiques and supervised work time in class. Facility with Adobe’s Creative Suite programs Photoshop and Illustrator is required and must be demonstrated through previous coursework or interview and submitted work samples.

Art 310 Photographic Design Methods
This course encourages students to use photographic imagery in a communication design context and to understand the creative relationship between image and text. Students develop conceptual and technical skills emphasizing both studio and location assignments for graphic and advertising design projects including editorial, print advertising, posters, collateral materials, books and packaging. May be repeated fro up to six credits.

Art 312 Illustration Methods
This course introduces illustration methods through color mediums such as watercolor, gouache, acrylic, oils, and dry color media. Emphasis is on various approaches to illustrated visual imagery in editorial, book, institutional and advertising contexts. May be repeated for up to six credits. Prerequisites: Art 308 or instructor approval

Art 322 Advertising Design Methods
This course introduces basic tools and techniques of modern advertising along with an overview of industry history and practices. Students develop an ability to create advertising strategies and to use various media to communicate ideas effectively. Students strive for clarity of message, excellence of craft (execution) and a high level of design (visual interest and composition) in all their work. Assignments include semester-long and weekly assignments to build strategy, copywriting, and art direction skills. May be repeated for up to six credits. Prerequisites: Art 301 or instructor approval

Art 346 Letterpress Printing
This course explores the process and product of printing through various media, technology and conceptual approaches. Instruction focuses on text and image relationships by integrating letterpress, woodcut, linoleum blocks, and digital systems in an experimental context. This course begins with an exploration of processes and results in the creation of an edition that is conceptually centered around individual interests. This course is designed for self-motivated upper-level students from all art and design disciplines. May be repeated for up to six credits.
Restricted to Junior-level Art majors or instructor approval

Art 406 Artist’s Machine
This course is intended as an exploration of artist-constructed machines (i.e. micro-electronics, robotics, kinetic sculpture and interactive installation) as media for artistic expression. The curriculum is a balance of theory and practice with specific emphasis on the making of electronic objects and positioning these in various contexts. No prior knowledge of electronics is required. Prerequisites: Senior-level Art major or instructor approval

Art 407 Advanced New Media Design
Continuing from New Media Design this course focuses on time-based or “dynamic” media, incorporating text, moving image, and sound. Non-motion based projects (such as web sites) may be produced but must use advanced scripting, databases, or other specialized applications. Aesthetics and innovation are emphasized in creating media projects. In addition to other assignments, students work in groups to complete one client-based project. Course format includes short lectures and demonstrations, discussions, critiques, independent research and supervised work time in class. This course is an approved elective for the Interactive Media Minor. Pre-requisite: ART 307 or instructor approval

Art 422 Advertising Design Topics
Through assignments and critiques students learn the broader application of advertising strategies to include new media, motion design, and integrated campaigns. Students continue to develop skills in oral, written and visual communication. An ongoing study of contemporary issues in the advertising industry including profiles of current companies, individuals and student competitions. May be repeated up to six credit hours. Prerequisites: Art 304 or instructor approval

Art 412 Illustration Topics
Application of creative illustration concepts to more advanced editorial, book, institutional and advertising projects. Specific focus of course dependent on instructor’s topic of choice. May be repeated for up to six credits. Prerequisites: Art 321 or instructor approval

Art 414 Photographic Design Topics
This course develops the student’s understanding of how images can be created using a variety of photographic processes related to the student’s interest in graphic and advertising design and fine art. This course encourages students to use photographic imagery at an advanced creative level for in a communication design context and to understand the creative relationship between image and text. Projects including editorial design, print advertising, posters, collateral materials, books, packaging and printmaking projects. May be repeated for up to six credits. Prerequisites: Art 310 or instructor approval