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.

Students will acquire and practice the skills necessary to initiate and complete the research phase for a comprehensive project on a topic of each student’s choosing. Students will identify a topic to research with the objective of bringing innovation or new knowledge to this area through this experience. Students will identify faculty and individuals to serve as expert consultants who will help guide the process and to evaluate the project in milestones throughout the semester. Students will write an abstract and submit this to the consultants for approval. Each milestone will be evaluated and graded. Emphasis will be on experimentation, exploration, and development of a wide range of ideas.

In this course, students’ working knowledge of graphic design will culminate in a comprehensive capstone project. The content of each capstone project will vary depending upon each students' focus/direction and approval from their instructor. The students will build on previous course work. Process and in-progress development is shared via class presentations and a final public exhibition for dissemination. A final formal presentation is required.

This course will explore the role of the graphic designer in developing communicative design for advertising. Emphasis will be placed on effective communication of the concept development and client’s message. Advertising will be addressed in a broad context, and the course will include the relationship and use of typography, photographic imagery and layout for advertising impact. At times, this course will collaborate with an upper-level advertising photography class to better understand and experience the working relationship between the photographer and the designer. Some projects will be with outside clients, such as non-profit organizations or the Ad Council.

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.