Lorrie Frear Headshot

Lorrie Frear

Professor

School of Design
College of Art and Design
lorrie.frear@rit.edu
585-475-6904
Office Location
BOO-3434

Lorrie Frear

Professor

School of Design
College of Art and Design

Education

BFA, MFA, Rochester Institute of Technology

Bio

Lorrie Frear is a Professor in the School of Design in the College of Art and Design at the Rochester Institute of Technology, where she is committed to creating collaborative learning experiences for students representing different departments in the college, other colleges at RIT and other universities. In all of Lorrie’s classes, there is an emphasis on current design issues and challenges, creativity, critical thinking, individual development and a passion for life-long learning. Lorrie’s specific areas of expertise include typography, calligraphy, packaging design, design systems, design literacy and contemporary lettering.

lorrie.frear@rit.edu
585-475-6904
Personal Links
Personal Website
Curriculum Vitae
Areas of Expertise
Graphic Design
Calligraphy
Lettering
Typography
Packaging Design
Editorial Design
Systems Thinking

Currently Teaching

GRDE-201
Typography I
3 Credits
This course is an introduction to the fundamental principles of typography (the visual representation of language) to effectively convey information and ideas to specific audiences. Focus is on the communicative function and aesthetic nature of typographic problem-solving. Course content and lectures will cover typographic terminology, type anatomy, history of typography as well as type classification, type measurement, and issues of legibility and readability. Once students are introduced to the fundamentals of typography, they will include imagery as appropriate. Students will also refine their skills using relevant software.
GRDE-206
Typography II
3 Credits
Students will expand upon the principles of grid theory, text and display typography, sequence, page layout, and type and image integration as they relate to a range of design applications: posters, instructional materials, brochures, magazines, books, etc. Visual organization, message communication, and imaging and page layout software skills are integrated in the course.
GRDE-307
Design Systems I
3 Credits
This course will provide students with conceptual, organizational, and aesthetic problem-solving methods to create unified and effective design systems, such as corporate identity systems, icon sets, poster and/or packaging series. Students will have an opportunity to synthesize graphic design principles from their previous courses into more advanced and in-depth projects. Research, concept generation, and relevant aesthetic principles will be emphasized. Presentation, writing, and professional skills will be a focus to prepare students for senior year coursework . Teamwork strategies and skills are implemented throughout the semester.
GRDE-308
Experiential Graphic Design
3 Credits
This course will focus on design problem solving for three-dimensional spaces and environments. Design process, initial concepts, and final design solutions are developed to assist users in negotiating various interior and exterior environments. Areas of application may include: architectural graphics, signage systems, exhibit design, themed museum experiences, and dynamic environments. Two-dimensional, three-dimensional, and digital design attributes are incorporated using appropriate materials and software.
GRDE-418
Editorial Design
3 Credits
This course will explore the role of a graphic designer in developing effective and innovative communication for editorial design. Students will work on interdisciplinary teams (with photographers and/or illustrators) to create visual solutions for in-class projects and/or a magazine produced by the class. Design development processes and aspects of production methods will be implemented, and innovative techniques in digital publication design will be explored.
GRDE-421
Design Systems II
3 Credits
This course will provide an overview of branding and identity design. Processes, theories, design methods, brand strategies, positioning, touch-points, research, and management are introduced in creating comprehensive branding and identity systems. Case studies will provide students with historical context. Students will explore current and future trends related to branding.
GRDE-431
Packaging Systems Collaborative
3 Credits
This course focuses on the design of physical packaging for the protection and marketing of goods. Aspects of visual, structural, ergonomic and environmental issues are considered in the design of rigid and flexible containers. Taught as a team/collaborative course, students from graphic design, packaging science, and industrial design will work together to develop effective packaging design solutions.
GRDE-432
Packaging Systems Projects
3 Credits
This course will focus on the design of physical packaging for the protection and marketing of goods. Aspects of visual, structural, ergonomic and environmental issues are considered in the design of rigid and flexible containers, in order to develop effective packaging design solutions.
GRDE-498
Graphic Design Internship
1 - 6 Credits
This course exposes students to the professional environment through outside job opportunities in graphic design studios, advertising agencies, corporate communications departments, and other acceptable organizations. Students will work under the guidance of art directors, creative directors, senior graphic designers, or marketing communications managers and perform creative work that is educational and meaningful for their short-term academic goals as well as their long-range career preparation. Documentation of the experience is required and final review from employer is obtained. The appointed faculty adviser will meet with the student upon completion for final evaluation for a grade. Students must obtain pre-approval of their department and complete the Internship Approval Form. Credit earned is used toward elective credits.
GRDE-599
Graphic Design Independent Study
1 - 6 Credits
Graphic Design Independent Study will provide students with the ability to focus in a specialized area of graphic design with an individual faculty member. Students, with the assistance of a faculty adviser, will propose a course of study. The independent study student must obtain permission of an instructor and department by completing the Independent Study Proposal Form to enroll.
IDDE-501
Senior ID Studio I
3 Credits
This course will explore the application of design methods and skills to projects addressing large-community and global problems requiring team-based, trans-disciplinary collaborations.
IDEA-150
Topics in Art and Design
1 - 3 Credits
This course will introduce students to selected topics in the areas of art and design. The course content will vary according to topic. A topic course description will be published each term the course is offered. Students may take this course multiple times with different topics.
IDEA-216
Calligraphy
3 Credits
This course will introduce students to a calligraphic hand for the purpose of acquiring a comprehensive understanding of letterform design and application for personal and professional application. Students will learn to letter using traditional and current tools and techniques. This course is open to anyone who is interested in learning more about lettering, the historical evolution of calligraphy as a precursor to typography and about past, present and emerging styles and practitioners in the fields of lettering, calligraphy and typography.
ILLS-364
Editorial Illustration
3 Credits
Students will take an in-depth look at creating images for the newspaper and magazine publishing industry. Emphasis will be placed on creating a wide variety of finished illustrations. The course will focus on the visual interpretation of editorial subject matter. Critical thinking, visual criticism, and rhetoric will also be a required component of work generation and conceptualizing. Presenting thumbnails that explore a variety of concepts is emphasized. This course may be retaken one time.
VCDE-799
Visual Communication Design Independent Study
1 - 4 Credits
Visual Communication Design Independent Study will allow students to obtain instruction in specialized areas of interest to enhance their individual course of study. Working with a faculty adviser, students will propose a focused curriculum related to their academic and/or future career interests. Visual Communication Design Independent Study students must obtain permission of an instructor to enroll.**NOTE: Student must have a minimum 3.0 GPA **

In the News

More News  
More News  

Featured Work

Typography / GRDE 201 American City Posters

Sophomore Typography Students

The final project involved the research of an American city and the selection of a typeface that exuded the personality or energy of the city. Students wrote headlines and body copy to promote their...

View More about Typography / GRDE 201 American City Posters

Typography / GRDE 201 Twentieth Century Posters

Sophomore Typography Students

Students were given randomly a 12-15 year period of the 20th Century to research. Students edited this information to pursue a topic of interest related to an art style or period, typographer, or...

View More about Typography / GRDE 201 Twentieth Century Posters

Typography / GRDE 206 Various Projects

Sophomore Typography Students

The students were challenged this semester by diverse projects; a poster for a play on campus, a spread on a life-changing innovation of the 20th Century, book cover design, and playing cards using...

View More about Typography / GRDE 206 Various Projects
See All