Plan of Study – Graphic Design for Fine Arts Majors

Note: A Semester Hour (s.h.) is a unit of academic credit representing an hour of class (such as lecture class) or three hours of laboratory work each week for an academic semester. Most courses are two, three or four semester hours.

Graphic Design for Fine Arts Majors: Minor

Minor Courses (Minimum of 21 semester hours required.)

GDA 1710 Graphic Design I (GDA*/JRN) (3 s.h.)

Overview of the field of graphic design, with emphasis on basic terminology, process, and procedure. The elements and principles of successful graphic design are introduced and practiced through hand-rendered and digital projects. Corequisite: GDA 1720, GDA 1730.

GDA 1720/1730 Option (Choose from: GDA 1720 or GDA 1730.)

GDA 1720 Digital Imaging (3 s.h.)

An introduction to the uses of Adobe Illustrator. Students master key Adobe Illustrator program functions, including tools and palettes, in creating digital images. In this course students create projects that demonstrate a clear understanding of these digital visual communication tools.

GDA 1730 Digital Layout (3 s.h.)

An introduction to and use of Adobe InDesign for creating clear, creative layouts of visual communications. Students master key program functions, including tools and palettes, in creating digital layouts using Adobe InDesign.

GDA 2710 Graphic Design II (3 s.h.)

Exploration of the printing process and formats for graphic design. The elements and principles of successful graphic design are developed to an intermediate level of proficiency through projects that include editorial design, book design, identity branding, environmental design, and packaging design. Prerequisite: GDA 1710; corequisite: GDA 1720 or GDA 1730.

GDA 3740 Graphic Design III (3 s.h.)

Examination of advanced terminology, processes, procedures and collaborative work in graphic design. Special emphasis on advertising design formats, including ad campaigns, guerilla advertising, and promotional advertising. Prerequisite: GDA 2710.

GDA 4740 Graphic Design IV (3 s.h.)

Advanced-level exploration of processes and procedures in graphic design. Special emphasis on branding and identity design is achieved through individual and collaborative projects using research and conceptual skills. Development of professional quality student portfolio. Prerequisite: GDA 3740.

Minor electives (Minimum of 6 semester hours required. Choose from: GDA 2050, GDA 2100, GDA 3150, GDA 3800, JRN 3130, and JRN 3140.)

GDA 2050 Typography (3 s.h.)

An exploration of the history and current use of typography within the graphic design community. With introduction to terminologies, letterforms, and the uses of typography as an art form, these aspects are explored through the creation of hand-rendered and digital projects. Students are encouraged to use typography to meet specific graphic needs for specific target audiences. Recommended prerequisite: GDA 1720 or GDA 1730.

GDA 2100 Illustration (3 s.h.)

An overview of the field of Illustration, with introduction of the use of research and reference materials. Projects explore composition and use of different media. Students are encouraged to develop conceptual solutions to specific needs and visually communicate those solutions to target audiences. Prerequisite or corequisite: ART 1010, ART 1030.

GDA 3150 Photoshop (BCA/GDA*/JRN) (3 s.h.)

Introduction to a variety of image processing capabilities, with an emphasis on the development of original raster images related to art, design and motion graphics. Students learn various components of Adobe Photoshop including, image conversion, compositing, color correction, manipulating layers, working with paths, and print preparation.

GDA 3800 Web Design for Graphic Designers (3 s.h.)

Students build on previous computer and design skills to master key program functions, including tools and palettes, in constructing websites. Course addresses uses of specific web-design programs such as Flash or Dreamweaver. Recommended prerequisite: GDA 1720, GDA 1730, GDA 3150.

JRN 3130 Photography I (ART/JRN*) (3 s.h.)

Basic digital photography; principles of light, lenses, and composition; participation in all phases of digital work flow from initial composition to final image. Required for students seeking teaching certification with a Journalism minor.

JRN 3140 Photography II (ART/JRN*) (3 s.h.)

Further exploration of photography including digital and chemical-based imaging. Digital and chemical printing, negative development, archival and fine art black-and-white printing. Class culminates with a portfolio project in either print or digital media. Prerequisite: JRN 3130.