Visual Communications Course Listing

BUS 3234 Design Conference (3)
This course allows students to gain the experience of attending high-profile design conferences such as those offered by HOW magazine, the AIGA, and AAF.
Prerequisite: Approval of the Chair

BUS 4280 Business for Visual Communications (3)
This course deals with the business procedures related to the visual communications industry such as the client relationship, creating estimates, time management, contracts, and general business management skills.
Prerequisite: VC 2553

HIS 2603 History of Graphic Design (3)
A survey of pivotal achievements in graphic design. Students explore creative thinkers and communication technologies which have shaped visual communications throughout history through lectures, video, research, and studio projects.
Prerequisite: None

VC 1505 Typography I (3)
A study of type design, identification of styles, and typographic history. Students learn the use of type as a basic element of visual communications to create a desired effect. Students learn about kerning, x-height, point size, and type specification.
Prerequisite: None

VC 1506 Intro to Visual Communications (3)
This introduction course will teach the creative process and help students understand how people process 2-D elements. Design principles are taught along with the basics of typography and color. Students learn how to solve communication problems combining elements in the most creative and precise form.
Prerequisite: None

VC 2505 Typography II (3)
The emphasis of this course is on developing the skills of advanced digital type design and manipulation. Students will develop their own typefaces and work with projects that implement extensive use of typography. Students will study various forms of experimental typography that occur throughout its history and will develop solutions for advanced typographic challenges.
Prerequisites: VC 1505 and 2517

VC 2517 Adobe Illustrator (3)
This class will focus on the use of the program Adobe Illustrator to produce illustrations and manipulate typography. Students will explore potential applications in the context of mastering both the technical and artistic aspects of the program.
Prerequisite: None

VC 2518 Adobe Photoshop (3)
This class will focus on the use of the program Adobe Photoshop to produce images. Special techniques will be taught which will aid students in designing graphics for both print and web application. Emphasis is placed on both technical application and aesthetic judgments.
Prerequisite: None

VC 2520 Adobe InDesign (3)
An in-depth study of Adobe InDesign which will teach students how to create single and multi-page documents for print. Emphasis will be placed on furthering typographic skills.
Prerequisite: None

VC 2545 Illustration I (3)
Students will learn the purpose and impact of illustration in visual communication as a means of communicating ideas. It will give an overview of the history of this art form and will allow experimentation in a variety of different traditional mediums.
Prerequisites: ART 1102 and 1110

VC 2553 Advertising Design I (3)
An overview of the history of advertising and the key aspects of the industry including art direction, strategy, copywriting, media, and research. A study of advertising's impact on culture, society, and economics is included in this course with an emphasis on identifying the needs of a product or service and creating concepts which address them.
Prerequisites: VC 1506, 2518, 2520, and HIS 2603

VC 2656 Video Design (3)
This course is designed to teach students how to use video as a creative means of communication. Students learn camera and lighting techniques and non-linear video editing. Rigorous formal studies into the history of video art prepare students to create aesthetically competitive and thought-provoking work. The thesis of this course is to develop works of art-in-motion that deal with concepts in a narrative and time-based format.
Prerequisites: VC 2518 and ART 2140

VC 3500 Flash Design I (3)
Students are exposed to the basic principles and challenges of creating a cohesive interactive, human-centered experience for electronic media. The class explores interactive information, presentation, electronic books, magazines, and more via Adobe Flash.
Prerequisites: VC 2517 and 2518

VC 3515 Interactive Design I (3)
Students explore and learn the basic principles of web site design using Adobe Dreamweaver. Emphasis is on understanding fundamental HTML and issues such as search engines, bandwidth, browsers, and site management. Students develop creative solutions for interface designs for a variety of clients. 
Prerequisites: VC 2517 and 2518

VC 3517 Interactive Design II (3)
Students explore and learn advanced techniques to design and communicate via the web using Adobe Dreamweaver. Students also explore a variety of programming languages, dynamic content management, and web management issues while implementing the principles of human computer interaction and information architecture. 
Prerequisite: VC 3515

VC 3519 Flash Design II (3)
This class gives students the opportunity to bring together their knowledge of interactive multimedia and web design. Emphasis is on concept and creating a complete "experience" for the viewer via the screen using Adobe Flash.
Prerequisites: VC 3500 and 3515

VC 3525 Motion Graphics I (3)
This course introduces fundamental concepts for motion graphics, including graphics and promos for television and movies. It includes a foundation for visualizing and understanding motion using a variety of applications such as Adobe AfterEffects.
Prerequisites: VC 3500 and 3515

VC 3535 Motion Graphics II (3)
Students continue their work with motion graphics using advanced techniques which allows the construction of graphic elements and typography while addressing issues of motion and dynamic relationships.
Prerequisite: VC 3525

VC 3540 Animation I (3)
Students explore the foundational principles of animation to develop an understanding of screen space and fundamental film language skills. This class gives students the opportunity to experiment with basic animation techniques along with various animation software programs.
Prerequisite: VC 2545

VC 3545 Illustration II (3)
Students continue to experiment with different mediums, both traditional and digital, and are encouraged to develop individual styles and techniques through a variety of illustration assignments.
Prerequisite: VC 2545

VC 3547 3-D Modeling for Design (3)
This course teaches the skills to create 3-D objects for use in print design, interactive design, and game development applications. The class focuses on how 3-D modeling can be used in representing innovative design solutions. Students learn to create 3-D models for a variety of applications such as interactive tours, poster designs, websites, architectural walkthroughs, and digital gaming. Through hands-on learning with industry-leading 3-D software, students gain exposure to the tools and processes used in 3-D modeling, texturing, and lighting workflows.
Prerequisites: VC 2517, 2518, and 2545 

VC 3550 Animation II (3)
Students continue to experiment with different animation techniques with Animation Master and Autodesk Maya. Skills are developed which may include sound synchronization, use of animation online, and 3-D character animation.
Prerequisite: VC 3540

VC 3552 Corporate Design I (3)
Students explore the planning, execution, and design of corporate logos which are used in marketing, packaging, stationery, advertising, etc. The emphasis is on creating a desired identity and image geared to a targeted demographic.
Prerequisites: VC 2505, 2518, and 2520

VC 3553 Advertising Design II (3)
Through lectures, research, and studio work, students develop an advertising campaign using all phases of research, concept, planning, and execution. Emphasis is placed on goals, objectives, problems, opportunities, and creative strategy.
Prerequisite: VC 2553

VC 3555 Print Design I (3)
Emphasis is placed on the layout and design of text-heavy design such as magazines, brochures, and annual reports. Students produce several different types of print design using the elements of layout, typography, and images. 
Prerequisites: VC 2505, 2518, and 2520

VC 3562 Corporate Design II (3)
Students further their knowledge and experience working with corporate identity and branding with an emphasis on type and symbols. Students will research concise strategies in depth to implement and apply across multiple branding areas.
Prerequisite: VC 3552

VC 3565 Print Design II (3)
Students further their skills in producing a variety of multi-page print materials with an emphasis on using advanced typographic skills. Projects produced will demonstrate sophisticated design decisions and a high level of expertise and achievement.
Prerequisite: VC 3555

VC 3570 Package Design I (3)
Students apply design principles in a 3-D form by creating containers for a variety of products. Emphasis is placed on promotion, impact, construction, display, and function of the design.
Prerequisites: VC 2517, 2518, and 2520

VC 3580 Package Design II (3)
Students further their knowledge of packaging design as it applies to various segments of the industry. Emphasis is placed on understanding market studies on design impact and effectiveness through the production of 3-D prototypes.
Prerequisite: VC 3570

VC 3585 Book Design (3)
An in-depth studio course exploring the unique requirements of book design. Emphasis will be placed on typography, hierarchy of information, legibility, and target audience. Students will work together to complete the interior layout and cover for an actual book which will be published through O'More Publishing.
Prerequisite: VC 2520

VC 4270 Field Internship I (4)
Students work outside of the College with an experienced designer in an established design-related business setting. Emphasis is on gaining practical, real-world experience as well as networking opportunities for possible employment upon graduation.
Prerequisite: Approval of the Chair

VC 4280 Field Internship II (3)
Students obtain a second internship with an experienced designer in an established design-related business setting in order to gain further industry-related experience.
Prerequisite: VC 4270

VC 4340 Advanced Print Design (3)
This course expands on previous print design knowledge and skills, offering students the opportunity to work on a major self-initiated print design project. The course emphasizes research and analysis, and the design processes that lead to creative conceptualization and final design solutions. Students are expected to demonstrate sophisticated design decisions and appropriate design solutions that demonstrate a high level of expertise and achievement.
Prerequisite: VC 3565

VC 4350 Advanced Interactive Design (3)
This course builds upon previous web courses by introducing two key technologies: PHP and JavaScript. From a holistic study of core language investigation, to direct practical application, students will learn to effectively implement JavaScript to control browser objects as well as integrated DHTML. Students also explore server-side techniques with PHP/mySQL scripting. Experience with database integration into HTML and Flash is also covered through a final content management system project.
Prerequisites: VC 3500 and 3517

VC 4465 Portfolio Studies I (3)
Under the guidance of the Department Chair, students will develop a job-seeking portfolio. Existing projects are refined and gaps are filled with new projects. All projects must meet the most professional of standards with emphasis on quality in concept, design, and technical ability.
Prerequisites: Senior status and approval of the Chair

VC 4520 Portfolio Studies II (3)
Under the guidance of the Department Chair, students expand their portfolio with custom projects to show a range of graphic skills with emphasis on their desired career choice. All projects must meet the most professional of standards with emphasis on quality in concept, design, and technical ability.
Prerequisites: VC 4465 and approval of the Chair

VC 4521 Senior Presentation (3)
Under the guidance of the Department Chair, students collaborate to plan, design, and host an exhibit or create a self-promotion project which features their work to members of the design community with the goal being to gain post-graduation employment.
Prerequisites: Senior status and approval of the Chair

VC 4555 Design Honors (3)
This class gives students the opportunity to focus on a specific area within visual communications beyond other courses offered. Emphasis is on developing specific skills in a student's chosen area.
Prerequisites: Senior status and approval of the Chair

VC 4563 Design Studio (3)
This class creates the environment of a design studio on campus. Students work with actual clients to solve their visual communication needs. Emphasis is placed on students learning presentation skills and effective project management.
Prerequisite: Approval of the Chair