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Graphic Design Courses

GRDE300 Thematic Workshop I

[0–3, 3 cr.]

This is a studio workshop that provides the students with specialized skills and techniques in the production of their projects. The theme of this workshop will vary and will be set depending on the visual communication mainstream trends and the market demands. Current themes for this course will be relevant to students within their first year of studies in graphic design courses.

Prerequisite: FND236A Design Studio II - Visual Dynamics, FND236B Design Studio II - Formal Tectonics, FND236C Design Studio II - Anatomy and Space, or or FND237 Studio II Visual Dynamics

GRDE310 Illustration

[2–2, 3 cr.]

This studio course teaches illustration by exposing students to a diverse range of both traditional and digital techniques. A brief history of illustration is introduced creating a platform for critical analysis. Emphasis is placed on concept development and experimentation. Student projects evolve towards refined works.

Prerequisite: ART222 Figure Drawing

GRDE311 Illustration II

[2–2, 3 cr.]

This advanced studio course places emphasis on developing authorship in illustration. Various genres of illustration in the professional field such as comics, editorial illustration, character design, infographics and children’s books are examined through exercises and projects. Narrative qualities are addressed.

Prerequisite: GRDE310 Illustration

GRDE313 Advertising Design

[2–2, 3 cr.]

This studio course addresses the role of the graphic designer in the creative process of advertising. The course offers a comprehensive understanding of this process, spanning market research, communication strategy, briefing, concept development, ideation, copywriting and production. Projects are driven by clear business objectives, and communication messages crafted around valuable consumer insight. The role of media integration within the context of an advertising campaign is also explored.

Prerequisite: ENG102 Academic English II

GRDE314 Silkscreen Printing and Binding

[2–2, 3 cr.]

This studio course introduces students to silkscreen printing and book binding methods. A brief history of silkscreen printing and binding techniques serves as a platform for discussions. Emphasis is placed upon the conceptualization of projects, experimentation and design sensitivities in production. Using hand-drawn and digital separations as well as photographic stencils, a range of silkscreen techniques are explored through different projects on paper. Various book binding techniques including accordion folds as well as Japanese and single signature binding are addressed.

Prerequisite: ART222 Figure Drawing

GRDE315 International Studio

[1–4, 3 cr.]

This course involves a study abroad experience in which students explore contemporary graphic design on an international level. The course is supported by a preparatory series of discussions on the subject of study. Observation, documentation, analysis and design are each integral to the course. The outcome of this learning experience is first compiled into a sketchbook and then designed as an interactive interface or a book project. The course is taught primarily through studio, gallery and exhibition tours.

Pre-requisite: FND237 Studio II Visual Dynamics

GRDE316 Designing for Social Change

[2–2, 3 cr.]

This studio course actively engages students in the design of a community-based project. The aim of this course is to facilitate collaborations between student designers and the community to achieve a positive social change. In this class students work as a group of active citizen designers that guide and shape critical aspects of their community. The course addresses the ethical implications, role of visual communication and cultural integrity of design in society.

Prerequisite: GRDE340 Branding

GRDE317 Design Management

[2–2, 3 cr.]

This course aims to develop strategic management skills with a focus on the role of design in the creation and management of strategic and sustainable business practices. Classes are structured to replicate real-world industry scenarios providing a hands-on experience in designing, managing, and improving design intensive and creative firms. The course integrates research with design-centered studio work. Perspectives on business, operations, sustainability, management, leadership, entrepreneurship, design innovation, and design research are explored. Students develop their capacity to inspire and lead creative teams.

Prerequisite: FND281 Design Culture

GRDE320 History of Graphic Design

[3–0, 3 cr.]

This course serves as a comprehensive survey of the history of visual communication from the late 19th Century to the present including material beyond the Western canon. It addresses the evolution of communication design through the impact of political, social and technological events and innovations by historical Western and non-Western figures in the field. Emphasis is placed on critical analysis linking historical styles to current design debates and practices. The material is delivered in the form of presentations, and requires additional visual research and readings.

Prerequisite: ENG102 Academic English II

GRDE330 Introduction to Type

[2–2, 3 cr.]

This studio course introduces students to the history and principles of typography. Through presentations, demonstrations and projects students will explore the fundamentals of Latin and Arabic typography. This course investigates the anatomy of letters, basics of type design, typographic terminology, history of type and printing, hierarchy of information and layout systems.

Prerequisites: FND231 Studio IA

GRDE340 Branding

[2–2, 3 cr.]

This studio course investigates visual identity systems applied to printed and digital contexts. It explores the conceptualization and design of brand identities from market research, logo development to the execution of a fully cohesive and comprehensive bilingual visual identity. The roles of brands in society are addressed. Students are encouraged to explore the creation and application of a unique visual identity system, through research and concept development.

Prerequisite: FND237 Studio II, FND251 Digital Media, GRDE330 Introduction to Type

GRDE341 Editorial Design

[2–2, 3 cr.]

This studio course is an in depth study in publication design. The role of the designer as author is approached as projects evolve from the students’ voice and experimentation. Emphasis is placed on grid system development and the challenges of visually structuring and communicating dense textual informational. Systematic design methods towards text and image relationships are addressed. The visualization and sequencing of bilingual information and narratives are explored in printed and digital context.

Prerequisite: GRDE340 Branding

GRDE352 Internship

[0–200, 7 cr.]

Internship formally introduces students to the professional world of communication design. Students choose industry-related organizations to complete the required hours over the course of a year. The hours may be split between different organizations.

Prerequisite: GRDE341 Editorial Design

GRDE365 Visual Storytelling

[2–2, 3 cr.]

This course examines the fundamental concepts and techniques of animation. The expression of storytelling concepts is central to this course through visual methods and the use of proper terminology, labeling and presentation. Classes initiate with the development of drawing and sketching skills particular to the practice animation. Emphasis is placed on drawing the human figure in motion. The course then leads into a study of storytelling principles through drawing, composition and perspective in order to create a mood in a scene or emotion in a character. Storyboards are used as a tool to work out story problems, further develop ideas and as comprehensive communication devices in teamwork.

GRDE366 Character and Composition

[2–2, 3 cr.]

This course focuses on the development of shot designs, characters, props, locations and digital color application for animation. The course begins with examinations into drawn environments for animated sequences. It then leads into character design principles, professional techniques, procedures and terms used in the creation of characters and model sheets. Emphasis is place on turnarounds; silhouette; the use of different proportions to visualize archetypes; poses that define action and personality; character design analysis; the development of complementary and contrasting characters; and different character design styles. The course concludes with visual research, color theory studies and digital painting techniques toward the expression of mood and theme of a script.

Pre-requisites: FND251 Digital Media

GRDE367 Principles of Animation

[2–2, 3 cr.]

Pre-requisites: FND251 Digital Media, GRDE365 Visual Storytelling, GRDE366 Character and Composition

GRDE400 Thematic Workshop II

[0–3, 3 cr.]

Prerequisite: GRDE340 Branding

GRDE410 Motion Design

[2–2, 3 cr.]

This digital studio course explores the concepts, methods, creation and applications of graphic design in motion. The course includes lectures, screenings, critiques and lab studio. Visual narration and storytelling processes are addressed through concept development, storyboarding and animatic. Emphasis is placed on time-based media combining bilingual typography, image, sound and video. Projects cover best practices in animation and visual effects in classical and interactive broadcast, motion branding, film titles, mobile platforms, Data visualization and infographic animation.

Prerequisite: FND237 Studio II, FND251 Digital Media, GRDE330 Introduction to Type

GRDE411 User Experience

[2–2, 3 cr.]

This digital studio course explores effective visual communication through human interaction with designed interfaces. The course is designed to equip students with behavioral theory, design practice and technological know-how that are necessary for interaction design, gaming, usability and user researcher. UX/UI are taught as the course addresses complex concepts and techniques of user experience design. Focus is on the analysis, design, prototyping and evaluation of multimedia, multi-modal, and multi-platform user interfaces. A history of user centric interactive media and its evolution serve a basis for the course.

Prerequisite: GRDE440 Interactive Media

GRDE412 Package Design

[2–2, 3 cr.]

This course examines the multi-faceted problem-solving methodologies of three-dimensional graphic design. Importance is placed on the development of innovative, economical, sustainable, functional and aesthetic package design. This course is taught through exercises, demonstrations, projects, discussions and critiques.

Prerequisite: GRDE340 Branding

GRDE413 Introduction to 3D for Animation

[2–2, 3 cr.]

This course explores concept development and techniques in 3D modeling and rendering. The course begins with the examination of different genres, styles and formats in 3D animation. Likewise, 3D graphics styles in film, commercials and various visualizations are studied. Virtual designed environments, imaging for animation and 3D character mechanics are each addressed. Lastly, emphasis is placed on camera positioning, movement, lighting, timing and editing in creating 3D animated movements.

Pre-requisite: FND251 Digital Media

GRDE420 Visual Culture

[3–0, 3 cr.]

This studio course approaches the study of visual culture and its theoretical frameworks. How designers decode visual information and audiences encode them is fundamental to the discipline of graphic design. This course approaches the study of visual culture and its theoretical framework. It investigates the production, form and reception of images as well as introduces theoretical strategies to understand how meaning is produced by and through images within their historical context. This course is taught through presentations, discussions, projects and critiques.

Prerequisite: ENG102 Academic English II

GRDE421 Design Research

[2–2, 3 cr.]

In this course students develop an in-depth thesis proposal for their senior project. Diverse topics and research methodologies are addressed. Discussions on students’ findings regularly take place through the semester. Emphasis is placed upon the articulation of research process and results within written and presentation forms. Diverse sources of information and research potentials both in and outside the classroom context are addressed.

Prerequisite: GRDE341 Editorial Design, GRDE430 Type Design and GRDE410 Motion Design

GRDE430 Type Design

[2–2, 3 cr.]

This advanced level studio course explores the intricacies of typography. It focuses on bilingual typeface design through typographic experimentation. Emphasis is placed upon a thorough understanding of nuances in structure and proportion in relation to Arabic and Latin typefaces.

Prerequisite: GRDE340 Branding

GRDE431 Graphic Design in the Middle East

[3–0, 3 cr.]

This lecture course is divided into two parts. The first component addresses the development and use of Arabic letterforms and the way typography functions as visual language. Through field trips, lectures, guest speakers and documentaries, the second part examines traditional and contemporary graphic design work in or about the Middle East and North Africa region. It includes works by graphic designers, illustrators and typographers from the region. One of the main objectives of the course is to look at design practices that attempt to deepen our understanding of visual communication in print and digital media from varied cultures. Topics discussed are visual vernacular, posters and other publications that respond to socio-political major events in the region such as the Arab-Israeli conflict, activism in times of instability and war, the politics of gender and sexuality in the Arab world, and the recent rise of archival material that prompts us to rethink the past. This course is taught through presentations, discussions and requires additional visual research and readings.

Prerequisite: ENG102 Academic English II and GRDE320 History of Graphic Design

GRDE440 Interactive Media

[2–2, 3 cr.]

This digital studio course explores the design of online interactive platforms, website navigation and web structures for bilingual user experiences. Research and concept development support the design and development of web spaces. Students are introduced to HTML and CSS through an integrated lab. Teamwork and collaboration tactics with developers are encouraged within the course.

Prerequisite: GRDE341 Editorial Design

GRDE442 Senior Project

[3–6, 6 cr.]

In this rigorous course students develop their final year project based on their approved proposal. Emphasis is placed on students’ ability to translate their cumulative knowledge into an effective design solution. Senior projects are expected to highlight student individual strengths in an original, multifaceted, explorative and cohesive final design. This course culminates in an exhibition.

Prerequisite: GRDE421 Design Research, GRDE440 Interactive Media

GRDE452 Portfolio Design

[2–2, 3 cr.]

This course provides students with the guidance and advising necessary to transition into careers in design industries or entry into graduate studies. Focus is placed upon the development of an individual portfolio, CV, cover letter, references sheet and business card. Emphasis is placed on the development of a cohesive, well-presented printed and online portfolio as a personal marketing tool. Business, legal and ethical practices in graphic design are also addressed. The class cumulates in a final portfolio review.

Prerequisite: GRDE440 Interactive Media

GRDE461 2D Animation

[2–2, 3 cr.]

In this course animation principles are applied toward the making of a short animated 2D film. The course explores from start to finish: concept development, character design, storyboarding and sound application in the completion of a final cohesive and comprehensive 2D animated piece.

Pre-requisites: GRDE367 Principles of Animation