25 courses with the subject GDES, each shown exactly as we captured it from the college's catalog, with every element we hold. Where the wording looks broken, that is our reading of the catalog, not the college's text.
GDES 101Introduction to Graphic Design1.5
45.0 hours 100 level undergraduate course An elective course introducing the student to the profession of graphic design and its working processes. The classwork begins with directed formal studies and leads to an introductory communication project. Emphasis on the craftsmanship and working methods of the students as well as the breadth and depth of the student’s individual investigative process. Studio lecture/demonstrations focus upon professional case studies to supplement the course assignments. This course offers the student the opportunity to measure his or her suitability to the Graphic Design major. This course is not repeatable for credit.
90.0 hours 200 level undergraduate course An intensive laboratory where the formal aspects of composition, organic and geometric form, color, symbolic drawing, craftsmanship, and the processes of conceptualizing are investigated. All of the assignments are founded on directed goals and playful investigation to train the student in the areas of selection, set theory, and visual logic. Prerequisites GDES*201 Open to majors in the College of Art, Media, and Design only. This course is not repeatable for credit.
90.0 hours 200 level undergraduate course Students develop and apply critical thinking and curatorial skills as they learn how to use photography and illustration effectively in design work. The relationship of communication design and imagery is considered through a historical lens exploring the power and impact of images to drive narrative and create meaning. Theoretical and practical applications of imagery in graphic design will be introduced and reinforced through lectures, in-class exercises, and assignments in creating, curating, selecting, and combining images with text. The use of found or researched imagery will be contrasted with commissioned or self-generated imagery. Prerequisites DESN*117 or complete 12 credits from subjects ENVI, IMAG, OBJT, TIME Priority enrollment to Graphic Design majors. This course is not repeatable for credit.
GDES 214Typography I: History, Theory and Process3
90.0 hours 200 level undergraduate course Building on the fundamentals of typographic form and function introduced in previous coursework, students take a deep dive into the history, theory, and vocabulary of typography and written language systems including terminology, nomenclature, and typeface classification. Printing and digital reproduction processes are examined as Latin-based, Arabic, and Asian type families are explored through a focused series of exercises. Students will practice letterform drawing by hand and on the computer, generate posters, and develop sequential page-based narrative typographic projects. Guest lectures by prominent type designers provide background and depth of knowledge. Prerequisites DESN*117 or complete 12 credits from subjects ENVI, IMAG, OBJT, TIME Priority enrollment to Graphic Design majors. This course is not repeatable for credit.
undefined hours 200 level undergraduate course This course allows for the presentation of one-time, unique studio experiences involving either specialized themes, media, classroom structures, or teaching and learning formats, for the development of projects relevant to contemporary Graphic Design issues. Prerequisites Complete 12 credits from subjects IMAG, TIME, OBJT, ENVI, or COMP*102, COMP*102D, COMP*102E, COMP*112, COMP*112H This course may be completed 2 times for credit.
90.0 hours 200 level undergraduate course Extend and apply principles of basic typographic vocabulary and usage to multi-part design problems. Students explore how typography behaves in different media as they develop increasingly complex type systems for sequential page and time-based projects. The narrative and communicative qualities of type are studied through a focused series of in-class exercises exploring texture, mood, and typographic refinements such as tracking, kerning, optical alignment and more. Ways to combine typefaces and pair them with project content based on aesthetic and historic criteria will be introduced. Readings, lectures, in-class workshops and assignments supplement professional feedback provided by guest lecturers and critics. Prerequisites GDES*214 Priority enrollment to Graphic Design majors. This course is not repeatable for credit.
90.0 hours 200 level undergraduate course Experiment with the overlap of traditional editorial systems and emerging technologies by shifting and translating printed content such as books, magazines, and posters into 2/D and 3/D digital environments. Building on skills acquired in previous coursework, increasingly complex editorial content across multiple formats is researched, analyzed, and responded to in an iterative process. Increase proficiency in prototyping, typography, and layout by exploring the way format, scale, and sequence affect user experience in print and digital systems and formats. Readings, lectures, in-class workshops, and assignments supplement professional feedback provided by guest lecturers and critics. Prerequisites DESN*206 Priority enrollment to Graphic Design majors. This course is not repeatable for credit.
90.0 hours 300 level undergraduate course This studio course explores and analyzes the rhetoric of images and how meaning is constructed and used in applied communication contexts. Students challenge assumptions, explore stereotypes, and manipulate perceived meaning framed within contemporary visual culture. The behaviors of inquiry, research, collaboration, presentation, and reflection are practiced in defined contexts. Prerequisites GDES*202 and DAAT*202 This course is not repeatable for credit.
GDES 305Visual Communication I: Design in Context3
90.0 hours 300 level undergraduate course This studio course explores and analyzes the rhetoric of images and how meaning is constructed and used in applied communication contexts. Students challenge assumptions, explore stereotypes, and manipulate perceived meaning framed within contemporary visual culture. The behaviors of inquiry, research, collaboration, presentation, and reflection are practiced in defined contexts. Prerequisites GDES*206 Prereq. Override Available This course is not repeatable for credit.
90.0 hours 300 level undergraduate course This studio course examines issues involved with making important information accessible and understandable to its intended audience. Real world problems of poorly presented or obscured information (communication breakdowns) are identified, analyzed and redesigned. Working with real clients, teams of two-to-four students redesign existing information for greater clarity or develop entirely new visualizations for new and useful data. A principal component of this course is to bridge the gap between the academic world and the real world. Prerequisites GDES*305
90.0 hours 300 level undergraduate course This course investigates and defines the principles of typography in a communication context. Directed research based upon typographic norms addresses the issues of informational hierarchies achievable through visual form and structure as well as the editorial and expressive potentials of typography. Coursework is completed both using traditional and computer technologies. Students must have working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite, be concurrently enrolled in EMDI 202, or receive instructor approval. Prerequisites DAAT*202 and GDES*212 This course is not repeatable for credit.
90.0 hours 300 level undergraduate course This course focuses on the communication of continuous text through the development and design of flexible and relevant typographic systems. Students are introduced to the fundamental steps in conceiving, designing, and implementing structures for print and multimedia reading experiences. This media will range from print- to screen-based solutions with attention paid to the particular contexts of each. Through a process of analysis, research, exploration, evaluation, and design, students gain an understanding of how to integrate and harness the potentials of editorial and expressive typography. Prerequisites GDES*212 Prereq. Override Available This course is not repeatable for credit.
90.0 hours 300 level undergraduate course Apply design principles for interactive media and utilize motion, interactivity, augmented and virtual reality and experience as essential processes of human-centered design. Students will develop tangible interfaces, screen-based products and services, and immersive multimedia systems as additional methods for communication design. The use of emerging media is considered within a framework of cultural, critical, historic, and aesthetic issues. Course content is reinforced through readings, lectures, in-class workshops and assignments. Prerequisites GDES*230 Priority enrollment to Graphic Design majors. This course is not repeatable for credit.
90.0 hours 300 level undergraduate course The emphasis of this course is on the design and production of an entire alphabet or limited set of letters to form distinct word picture as in a logotype. The work process seamlessly integrates hand and computer skills. Students rely on, expand, and also question existing conventions of the Roman alphabet. The course uses specialized type design software to make the new typefaces available in word processing or page layout environments. The course provides highly applicable professional skills. Prerequisites GDES*203 This course is not repeatable for credit.
90.0 hours 300 level undergraduate course This elective course emphasizes the analytical understanding, purposeful structuring, and clear visual presentation of information-rich content. Issues of data display, including audience accessibility, transparency, credibility, quantity, density, dimensionality, and utility, as well as language independence are investigated. Applications, including maps, guides, diagrams, instructions, timelines, charts, graphs, and tables, are explored using both traditional and electronic media. Prerequisites BOOK*304, DAAT*201, GDES*212, IDES*222, or ILUS*220 This course is not repeatable for credit.
90.0 hours 200 level undergraduate course Construct advanced typographic systems for 3/D, virtual, and time-based and space-based multimedia systems. Students will develop typography for multiple dimensions and nonlinear visual strategies, learn how type behaves in immersive environments and experimental media, and devise effective cross-media type systems for creating structure and narrative. The role of human factors in interactive typography will be considered along with factors affecting legibility, composition, and meaning. Historical and contextual background are introduced through a study of films, lectures, and readings. Guest lecturers and critics provide professional background and feedback. Prerequisites GDES*224 This course is not repeatable for credit.
90.0 hours 400 level undergraduate course A wide-ranging exploration of the connections between image and text, and symbolic and narrative imagery. These studies are supported by inquiries into semiotics, information theory, and research methodology. This course uses both traditional and computer technologies within a thorough research process. Preliminary research and definition of a self-generated degree project is undertaken by Graphic Design majors in this course. Students should have expertise in Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, and authoring and scripting skills in time-based software or receive instructor approval. Prerequisites GDES*302, GDES*312, and DAAT*204 This course is not repeatable for credit.
GDES 405Design Strategies: Non-linear Narratives and Audience-Based Design3
90.0 hours 400 level undergraduate course This studio course focuses on advanced interactive communications. The behaviors of research, collaboration, and presentation are practiced within problems involving complex systems. Students investigate the increasingly collaborative relationship between designer and user, author and collaborator. Students may also be involved in creating experiences in which the audience can participate in developing and evolving content. Prerequisites GDES*305 or GDES*307 This course is not repeatable for credit.
90.0 hours 400 level undergraduate course This course focuses on the creation of a brand identity system. Students are introduced to the fundamental steps in conceiving, designing, and implementing an effective brand identity. Through a systematic process of inquiry and analysis, research, competitive evaluation, strategy and design, students gain an understanding of how brand identities are constructed, disseminated, and reinforced in the marketplace. Prerequisites GDES*305 and GDES*307 Prereq. Override Available This course is not repeatable for credit.
90.0 hours 400 level undergraduate course Develop a complete creative portfolio to prepare for professional practice. Building on skills learned through previous coursework, students finalize digital and real-world portfolios and personal brand identities through projects requiring research and content generation. The creation of physical as well as digital artifacts encourages full expression of the student’s personal design voice. An additional comprehensive branding project will supplement existing work for inclusion in the final portfolio. Visiting critics provide professional feedback and advice. Prerequisites GDES*350 This course is not repeatable for credit.
90.0 hours 400 level undergraduate course This elective course addresses typography as a primary vehicle to communicate information and as a support to images. Assignments range from informational design to expressive, content-based problems, to intuitive investigations and formal experiments. Although traditional methods of conceptualizing are used within a thorough visual process, extensive computer work is involved. Students should have expertise in Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe Photoshop. Prerequisites GDES*224 This course may be completed 2 times for credit.
90.0 hours 400 level undergraduate course Work in teams with real-world clients to frame and define design problems through an understanding of content, audience, context, and human factors. Students respond to client briefs, develop design proposals, prepare presentations, and learn the collaborative process of responding to feedback while meeting deadlines and providing effective, practical, and creative design solutions. Prerequisites GDES*410 Priority enrollment to Graphic Design majors. This course is not repeatable for credit.
undefined hours 400 level undergraduate course Independent Study offers a matriculated student the opportunity to initiate individual research or advanced projects that are beyond the limits of the standard curriculum. This course may be repeated for credit. This course requires permission by the offering program office. This course may not be audited. This course cannot be taken pass/fail.
undefined hours 600 level graduate course Independent Study offers a matriculated student the opportunity to initiate individual research or advanced projects that are beyond the limits of the standard curriculum. This course may be repeated for credit. This course requires permission by the offering program office. This course may not be audited. This course cannot be taken pass/fail.
undefined hours 600 level graduate course Graduate students may register for upper-level undergraduate liberal arts courses and studio electives for graduate credit. Graduate students are expected to contribute at a higher level in the classroom and have additional assignments (readings, papers, etc.) in order to be granted graduate credit. Students are advised to select an area of study that broadens or intensifies their background in the arts, education, and related disciplines. Often this work contributes directly to the preparation of the graduate project proposal. In order to register for an upper-level undergraduate course and receive credit, the student must submit a completed special topics/independent study form to the Office of the Registrar. This course may be repeated for credit. This course requires permission by the offering program office.
