Graphic Design - GDES
Courses
GDES 1110 FOUNDATION DRAWING (4) STU. 8. Coreq. GDES 1210. PGDE majors only; school approval. Representational drawing with various media. Emphasis on accurate observation, pictorial organization, depiction of space as well as on concept development and creativity.
GDES 1210 FOUNDATION DESIGN I (4) LEC. 1, STU. 6. Coreq. GDES 1110. PGDE majors only; school approval. Elements and principles of basic two-dimensional design. Emphasis on composition, color theory, and craftsmanship.
GDES 1220 FOUNDATION DESIGN II (4) LEC. 1, STU. 6. Pr. GDES 1210. Elements and principles of design with emphasis on basic three dimensional design. Emphasis on spatial organization, color, and media exploration, planning and craft.
GDES 2210 GRAPHIC PROCESSES (4) LEC. 1, STU. 6. Pr. GDES 1110 and GDES 1220 and (ARTS 2100 and ARTS 2150). Coreq. GDES 2220. This course introduces foundational design software, principles, and production workflows for print and digital media. Emphasis is on the application of design principles to projects with specific communication goals, using industry-standard software, and integrating traditional and digital processes.
GDES 2220 TYPOGRAPHICS I (4) LEC. 1, STU. 6. Pr. GDES 1110 and GDES 1220 and (ARTS 2100 and ARTS 2150). Coreq. GDES 2210. Introduction to the fundamental history, principles, and applications of typography as a core competency for the practice of graphic design.
GDES 2230 INTRODUCTION TO GRAPHIC DESIGN (4) STU. 8. Pr. GDES 2210 and GDES 2220. Students analyze design problems, apply research and conceptual strategies to develop creative solutions, and demonstrate technical proficiency with industry-standard software while refining visualization and presentation skills.
GDES 3110 ELEMENTS & PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN I: FORM AND COMPOSITION (3) LEC. 3. Pr. INDD 1120. This course will expose students to a variety of design methods, and their applicability to non-design disciplines, highlighting the parallel between critical thinking and design thinking.
GDES 3120 ELEMENTS & PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN II: TYPOGRAPHY AND IMAGE (3) LEC. 3. Pr. INDD 1120. This course will teach the basic concepts and vocabulary of typography with an emphasis on the expressive potential of typography when combined with imagery in layout form.
GDES 3130 GRAPHIC DESIGN LITERACY: MESSAGE, CONTEXT, MEANING (3) LEC. 3. Pr. INDD 1120. This course is a seminar that prepares students to participate actively and confidently in conversations about visual communications. Students investigate the historical bases of graphic design as well as examine contemporary issues informing the practice of graphic design. Seminar members read and discuss case studies and design criticism, and apply analytical approaches to examples of contemporary design through oral presentations and written arguments.
GDES 3140 DESIGN THINKING: INTRODUCTION TO DIGITAL SCREEN MEDIA (3) LEC. 3. Application of design thinking (focus on experience of the user) in the context of screen-based (computers, web applications, phones) design. Projects may include the redesign of an existing website, design concept for a new mobile application, and a new video game concept.
GDES 3147 HONORS DESIGN THINKING: INTRODUCTION TO DIGITAL SCREEN MEDIA (3) LEC. 3. Application of design thinking (focus on experience of the user) in the context of screen-based (computers, web applications, phones) design. Projects may include the redesign of an existing website, design concept for a new mobile application, and a new video game concept.
GDES 3210 PHOTO DESIGN (4) STU. 8. Pr. GDES 2210 and GDES 2220. Introduction to black and white film photography. Covers technical aspects of the 35mm camera for film exposure, and darkroom procedures for film and print. Emphasis on the aesthetics and semantics associated with photographic imagery.
GDES 3220 PHOTO COMMUNICATIONS (4) STU. 8. An advanced exploratory studio course that investigates photography as generative design process. Emphasis on experimentation with analog and digital techniques, photographic abstraction, and the use of purposeful play to develop conceptually driven communication outcomes.
GDES 3240 INTERACTIVE MEDIA (4) STU. 8. Pr. GDES 2230. Exploration of the core theories and principles of user interface and user experience design (UI/UX). Emphasis on research, visual strategies, and design methodologies to develop interactive experiences for a variety of contexts.
GDES 3250 TYPOGRAPHICS II (4) STU. 8. Pr. GDES 2230. An advanced studio course that expands on the principles and practices introduced in Typographics I. Emphasis on concept development, expressive typographic form, and relationships between form and meaning.
GDES 3260 KINETIC TYPOGRAPHY (4) LEC. 4. Pr. GDES 2230. Focuses on how motion affects meaning and how new meaning can be developed through time, space, and sound.
GDES 3330 BIODESIGN, SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES & VISUAL COMMUNICATION (4) STU. 8. Pr. (GDES 2230). Students will explore how biological and ecological processes can be communicated through visual design. The course focuses on translating research about living systems and sustainability into compelling visuals and narratives. By experimenting with biomaterials, motion, interactive media, and print, students develop prototypes and designs, integrating biology, environmental science, and material research to connect graphic design with biodesign and the intersection of nature and design innovation.
GDES 3710 GRAPHIC DESIGN HISTORY (4) LEC. 4. Pr. GDES 2210 and GDES 2220. History of graphic design, with emphasis on social and cultural contexts, symbolic application, formal characteristics, and significant movements.
GDES 3910 GRAPHIC DESIGN INTERNSHIP PRACTICUM (2) LEC. 2. Pr. GDES 2210 and GDES 2220. Prepares students for pursuing internships and professional practice through portfolio and resume development, networking practices, presentation skills, and individual mentoring with design professionals.
GDES 3920 GRAPHIC DESIGN INTERNSHIP (4) INT. 4. Pr. GDES 2230. A program prepared and monitored on an individual basis. Internship sponsor must be program approved and provide supervising direction by a design professional. Students gain practical experience in professional graphic design settings.
GDES 4240 GRAPHIC DESIGN I (4) STU. 8. Pr. GDES 3240. Exploration of identity design through a systems-based approach to visual communication. Emphasis on research, strategy, and audience insight to develop cohesive, multi-platform design solutions.
GDES 4250 GRAPHIC DESIGN II (4) STU. 8. Pr. GDES 4240. An advanced studio that expands on system-based approaches introduced in Design I. Emphasis on research, strategy, audience insight, and design methodologies across print and digital formats.
GDES 4270 ADVANCED INTERACTIVE MEDIA (4) STU. 8. Pr. GDES 3240. Explores advanced design thinking strategies, design processes, and research methods to develop appropriate interactive experiences for digital media.
GDES 4640 IMAGE I (4) STU. 8. Pr. GDES 2230. Exploration of digital and analog illustration techniques with an emphasis on discovery, concept development, and stylization.
GDES 4650 IMAGE II (4) STU. 8. Pr. GDES 2230. Emphasis on exploratory image-making through analog and digital processes, the development of a personal image-making methodology, and the conceptual development of images for a wide range of contexts and formats.
GDES 4900 DIRECTED STUDIES FOR GRAPHIC DESIGN (2-3) AAB. Pr. GDES 2210 and GDES 2220. Directed Studies in Graphic Design focuses on individualized study in Graphic Design. Student must have a 3.0 average in GDES course curriculum and departmental approval. Topics may include Graphic Design, Imaging, Web Design. Course may be repeated for a maximum of 9 credit hours.
GDES 4970 SPECIAL TOPICS FOR GRAPHIC DESIGN (4) LEC. 1. Pr. GDES 2230 and GDES 3710. Special Topics in Graphic Design focuses on topics in graphic design that are additional to the regular curriculum. Specific course topics are developed by the instructor. Student must have a 3.0 average in GDES GDES course curriculum. Course may be repeated for a maximum of 12 credit hours.
GDES 4990 SENIOR PROJECT FOR GRAPHIC DESIGN (5) STU. 10. Pr. GDES 4250. Coreq. GDES 4991. A capstone course that provides students the opportunity to conceive, develop, and execute a comprehensive, self-directed design project. Emphasis on articulating a clear design problem and producing a body of work that demonstrates advanced technical skill, conceptual depth, and professional execution. Students participate in regular critiques, progress reviews, and formal presentations, culminating in a final thesis exhibition with written documentation. Must be taken in student's final semester.