This course introduces students to the skills needed for the successful production and manipulation of raster and vector images using image creation and production software. Students will work in bitmap and vector applications, producing and editing with the tools and techniques offered by the software programs such as selection techniques, basic layer controls, digital masking, image correction and enhancement. Additional topics will include the relevance of image size, resolution and file format specifications when working with raster and vector images. Comprehension and correct usage of terminology and concepts are emphasized.

Students will learn how to work through steps of the graphic design process, starting with the identification and research of design problems, and the intended message and the target audience, to development of basic graphic design solutions presented visually through clear, well-executed layouts created by both traditional and electronic means. Fundamental graphic design and typographic principles, elements, techniques and vocabulary used in design problem solving will be introduced. Students in this course will also learn about areas/categories of graphic design, creating examples such as posters, book/CD covers and logos. Topics covering selecting appropriate printing papers, professional practices, psychology of color, and critique methods will also be introduced.

Students will develop advanced design solutions presented visually through clear, well executed layouts created by both traditional and electronic means. More advanced design and typography principles will be discussed. Students in this course will learn about and will create examples of various areas/categories of graphic design, including corporate graphic design, information design, advertising design, editorial design and packaging design. Topics such as using creative briefs, folding/finishing/binding methods, professional graphic design business practices and self-promotion will also be covered.

In this course, students will learn about various classifications and areas of identity design and will develop identity symbols and systems of identification and branding for businesses and organizations as well as individuals, including components such as business cards, letterheads, envelopes and invoices. Focus will be on identifying client need, budget and target audience in order to develop appropriate identity design solutions with components that are compatible, consistent, and practical to use. In addition, students will be familiarized with current brand identification system designers and current design trends in identity design. Students are expected to find a real client for at least one of the assignments for this course.

In this course, students will learn how to create illustrations, create animation, and develop animated elements for web-based and stand-alone interactive media. Course content includes concepts of staging, timelines, frame rates, keyframes, transitions, and object attributes. Writing and storyboarding for animation will be addressed. Both vector and raster animation applications will be used.

This course builds on topics presented in Page Layout I. Students will define and apply techniques and procedures for optimizing document design and production efficiency. Topics include defining paragraph, character, and object styles; making and using templates; saving and accessing object snippets and libraries; accessing and using database information to create documents, recognizing and applying proofreaders marks and notations; defining and applying advanced typographic techniques, advanced page layout procedures, object transparency and other image effects; building and editing tables; and, defining and applying color specifications and effects; and using document output procedures. Students will continue to develop knowledge and skills in the industry leading page layout software applications.