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 use page layout (desktop publishing) applications to design and produce pages and documents to given specifications. Skill development will include importing and placing text and graphic files, the application of style sheets, templates, snippets, libraries, and color specifications. The application of design and typographic principles, industry terminology, measurement systems, font management, and file management are also covered.

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 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.