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 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.

This course reinforces the students' skills learned in their Visual Communications Studies technical courses. Students are introduced to procedures that are used in an actual graphic communications production environment, including the cost of doing business, estimating procedures, and production and quality control requirements. This course enables the student to develop and apply individual and team-building problem-solving skills as they are guided through integrated activities from creation to final product in both print and non-print media production workflows. Students work in a simulated design and production environment where they can develop their technical skills, work habits, and customer relations.

This course will give students from all areas of study in the Visual Communications Studies Department an opportunity to prepare and submit portfolios of their work for final review by a jury composed of department faculty members and professionals. The course will emphasize professional procedures, work habits, and demonstration of creative and technical skills, depending on the students' areas of expertise, as well as appropriate communication with clients, presentation techniques, and ability to work as a fully contributing member of a team.

This course gives students an introduction to the tools, techniques and terminology of digital photographic imaging through a series of hands-on activities that will permit each student to investigate the applications of digital photography. Students will be expected to capture images using digital cameras, process digital images using the appropriate software, create quality picture files and prints, and participate in project-related critiques.

This course provides students with a general understanding of the graphic production industries, its techniques, tools, and standards. A range of production technologies and deliverables will be examined and experienced first-hand. Exemplar workflows will be analyzed based on reverse engineering from the desired product. Students will gain a basic understanding of the design process, develop a critical awareness of good design and its value in the workflow, and explore the variables impacting the quality and cost of the production process.

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.

The students will study the Portable Document Format (PDF) file format including defining and applying specifications for color management, file optimization and file security; recognizing and editing PDF documents; and using PDF files in a variety of print and non-print media production workflows. Topics include procedures for making PDF files, and adding interactive features including bookmarks, action button, hyperlinks to internal anchors, and hyperlinks to other documents and Web content. Emphasis is given to file optimization for interactive display size formats, color, and resolution.