GRPH 1050 — 3 UNITS DIGITAL IMAGING

In this introduction to digital graphics using Adobe Photoshop, students learn how to use programs, tools, layers, and palettes to enhance and manipulate photo composites and original art into conceptual designs. Prerequisite: GRPH 1300

GRPH 1150 — 3 UNITS TYPE & LAYOUT

This course introduces students to page layout using Adobe InDesign. Students learn the tools, menu bar, and palettes as they begin designing single and multipage layouts. Through design exercises, students examine how grids serve as a structure for combining type and image.

GRPH 1300 — 3 UNITS COMPUTER ILLUSTRATION

This class introduces the students to digital illustration. Students learn the Adobe Illustrator software with its many tools, palettes, and menu bar. Illustrator is used to assist the students in rendering original sketches into high-resolution vector images.

GRPH 1420 — 3 UNITS 2-D DESIGN

This course introduces the formal elements of line, shape, color, texture, and composition as well as the graphic principles of balance, scale, emphasis, repetition, and unity. Students also explore all aspects of two-dimensional design and imagery, which is essential to achieve a solid design. Prerequisites: GNST 1230, GRPH 1300

GRPH 1500 — 3 UNITS CRITICAL CONCEPTS

Students are introduced to conceptual thinking and the role of a graphic designer as a visual problem solver. Students identify a design problem, develop a visual solution, and present ideas through thumbnail sketches for group critique. Brainstorming sessions and teamwork are integrated as part of class participation. Prerequisite: GNST 1080

GRPH 1720 — 3 UNITS TYPOGRAPHY

This course explores the fundamental traditions of typography combined with computer technology. It provides the foundation from which students can develop both an understanding of typography and a personal aesthetic. Prerequisite: GRPH 1150

GRPH 2050 — 3 UNITS BRAND X

Students investigate the visual and physical personality of a current brand and develop an effective visual identity for it, utilizing all applicable marketing materials. Prerequisite: GRPH 1720

GRPH 2080 — 3 UNITS PHOTO RENDERING

Using Photoshop, students employ a wide range of skills to produce smooth, detailed, and eventful computer-rendered environments and characters. They also learn how to avoid problems commonly inherent in signature poses of a character, creative movement, and rough planes. Prerequisite: GRPH 2420

GRPH 2120 — 3 UNITS PUBLICATION DESIGN

This course helps students craft a variety of image and text-based content into harmonious and legible designs in catalog and magazine formats for both print and digital delivery. Prerequisites: GRPH 1720, GRPH 2780

GRPH 2130— 3 UNITS CONCEPTUAL DESIGN

This course explores the role that concept, a dominant creative idea, plays in entertainment design from thumbnail sketch to final product. Students learn industry-specific techniques (or entertainment isms) for achieving the WOW factor for full marketing campaigns.

GRPH 2230 — 3 UNITS UX DESIGN

This introductory class offers a practical introduction to UX (user experience) design emphasizing the importance of research in the design process. Using web design applications, students are introduced to the steps involved in creating a functional website using multifaceted applications. Students analyze existing websites to further their understanding of interface design and image optimization. Basic HTML and CSS are also introduced.

GRPH 2300 — 3 UNITS PREPRESS PRODUCTION

A fundamental class in preparing art files for print reproduction, this course covers desktop publishing, printing techniques (conventional and digital), paper, color, inks, imposition folding, and finishing. Students prepare a design from concept to final reproduction. Prerequisites: GRPH 1720, GRPH 2780

GRPH 2380 — 3 UNITS PACKAGING DESIGN

Students develop creative packaging solutions that attract attention while communicating visually through the use of three-dimensional form, packaging materials, typography, color, and graphics. Prerequisites: GRPH 2400, GRPH 2500, GRPH 2540, GRPH 2630

GRPH 2400 — 3 UNITS GRAPHICS/LICENSING

This course introduces students to product licensing through the development of original characters and their related products. The students create their own intellectual property and present it as a Style Guide. Includes a three (3) hour lab. Prerequisites: GRPH 2050, GRPH 2120

GRPH 2420 — 3 UNITS DEVELOPING ASSETS

This class equips students to convert thumbnail sketches into original, finished art. By developing strong Adobe Photoshop skills, students learn how to rebuild figures, add extensions, and build comps. Students gain experience in preparing these elements whether computer-generated, illustrated, or photographed so that they can be loaded onto the server for designers developing a theatrical campaign.

GRPH 2480— 3 UNITS SPECIALTY DESIGN

This course is designed to teach students how to adapt key art creative to a variety of media outside of the traditional one-sheet format. Thinking creatively about composition, color, and design consistently is stressed through all campaign-advertising formats. Prerequisites: GRPH 2840

GRPH 2500 — 3 UNITS LOGO/SYMBOL DESIGN

Students create a logo for a company or product using the elements of design and the psychology of color. They demonstrate understanding through application and usage of identity to create a brand and public awareness. Thumbnails, participation, class critiques. Prerequisites: GRPH 1520, GRPH 1720

GRPH 2540 — 3 UNITS APPLIED BRANDING

This course takes students through the entire graphic design process of creating a professional retail brand. Students define a target audience, invent a fictitious store name, and write a mission statement. For their final presentation, they create a conceptual store brand delivered through a visual marketing plan. Prerequisites: GRPH 2050, GRPH 2120, GRPH 2300

GRPH 2630 — 3 UNITS WEBSITE DESIGN 

This intermediate web design course continues to build HTML and CSS skills. Dreamweaver is used to create various websites while students continue to emphasize design and functionality. Prerequisite: GRPH 2230

GRPH 2680 — 3 UNITS GRAPHIC DESIGN PORTFOLIO

This is an advanced class in portfolio development. Students design, produce, and gain experience presenting their work in a professional working environment. They also write a comprehensive resume and present their portfolios before the class. Prerequisites: GRPH 2400, GRPH 2500, GRPH 2540,GRPH 2630

GRPH 2780 — 3 UNITS INTRODUCTION TO DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY

This course enhances students' appreciation of the skill and creativity of photography by challenging them to produce their own photographic art. Course discussions include terminology, innovations in digital photography, and various experimental processes. The course illustrates the practice of buying commercial photography for fashion, graphic design, and general marketing purposes, including negotiating with art reps, buyout of stock photography, and coordinating photo shoots. Prerequisite: GRPH 1050

GRPH 2840 — 3 UNITS TITLE DESIGN

This course explores the potential of iconic imagery and demonstrates the power of a title-with-a-concept in ad campaigns where space is at a premium.

GRPH 2930 — 3 UNITS ADVANCED WEBSITE DESIGN

Working with Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, and other web design applications, students create a complete interactive site with animation, video, and advanced UX (user experience) & UI (user interface) from concept to final development. Prerequisite: GRPH 2630

GRPH 3150 — 3 UNITS PHOTO DIRECTION This course enhances th

This course enhances the leadership and collabo- ration skills essential to students in art directing a product shot, developing concept photography, creating assets, and preparing a double-body shoot. Each student assumes the role of art director for one entire photo session. Students also explore the Adobe Photoshop techniques employed for glamour retouching in fashion media, both film and print.

GRPH 3380 — 3 UNITS KEY ART DESIGN: THEATRICAL

Students explore the creation of key art and its application to theatrical marketing. They analyze the elements essential to developing a central image for the major film genres—Comedy, Drama, Thriller, Horror, Action, and Epic—as they progress from rough tissue concepts to full-color comps.

GRPH 3550 — 3 UNITS ADVANCED TYPOGRAPHY

Students engage in advanced study of typographic principles, usage, and expression, with an emphasis on headlines, content, and title design. They explore the potential of classic styles, such as 3-D typography, animated type, informative type, and advertising typography for resolving complex design challenges. At the end of the course, they demonstrate their new insights and skills by type-setting a credit block.

GRPH 3780 — 3 UNITS KEY ART DESIGN: TELEVISION

Students expand their understanding of key art development, production, and marketing in broadcasting and cable networks such as HBO, Showtime, and the Movie Channel. Working under tight deadlines similar to those they will encounter in the professional world, students become adept at creating compelling advertisement materials quickly.

GRPH 3800 – 3 UNITS LIFESTYLE BRAND STRATEGIES

Working in teams, students will conduct in-depth consumer, market, and trend research on two brands. The teams will identify opportunities and develop a unique brand positioning plan for a partnership between the two companies. A final presentation of brand strategies, marketing plan, consumer activation, and creative execution will be presented to a panel of experts for feedback.

GRPH 4080 — 3 UNITS KEY ART DESIGN: HOME ENTERTAINMENT

This course explores key art techniques as they apply to home entertainment and 24/7 entertainment access. Using contemporary modes of communication, students create specialty designs for collector edition packaging, presale sheets, point-of-purchase displays, banner ads, and online collateral.

In Apparel Process I and Apparel Process II, students make 100 muslin tote bags for the Las Pueblo de Familias annual children's Christmas Party.

GRPH 4110 — 3 UNITS OUTDOOR MARKETING

In this course, students develop or adapt advertising materials for nontraditional media formats, including guerilla marketing, social media content, and online viral advertising. Emphasis is on consistency of concept and design throughout the advertising campaign.

GRPH 4480 — 3 UNITS MOTION GRAPHICS I

In this introduction to digital composition through Adobe After Effects software, students extend their knowledge of design by creating motion graphics and visual effects—including a 30-second promo, on-air station identification, and storyboards—for a wide range of media.

GRPH 4780 — 3 UNITS ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING

In this close examination of the techniques of licensing and branding studio properties (such as Disney, Marvel, and DreamWorks), students use the results of marketing research, creative brainstorming, and collaboration with fellow students to develop a style guide specifying the fonts, colors, and visual features that establish a distinctive brand identity.

GRPH 4880 — 3 UNITS MOTION GRAPHICS II

A continuation of Motion Graphics I (GRPH 4480), this intermediate course focuses on communication that is intended for the end user. Students use advanced levels of Adobe After Effects to storyboard a title animation into a creative title sequence. Prerequisite: GRPH 4480

GRPH 4980 — 3 UNITS INDUSTRY PORTFOLIO

In this capstone course, students compile a comprehensive portfolio of their work in the Graphic Design program, which they present to a professional agency creative team for critique. They also create a resume and a DVD that captures their work digitally as a statement of their personal brand identity.