Are you looking to augment your visual communication skills? A Minor in Graphic Design will teach you graphic design foundations, typography, history, and your choice between several key studios. Integrate these courses into your major coursework to expand your expertise.
The information below is based on the Undergraduate Catalog for the 2025 – 26 academic year. View our Course Catalog page for more information about our individual courses.
An introduction to formal and process principles that underlie all design disciplines. The course explores both fundamentals of visual interpretation as well as conceptual processes and tactics that are involved in building more complex methodologies. The focus of the course is on visual literacy, formal principles and the identification of relevancies as building blocks in design project significance and meaning.
DES1213
3
Advanced application of basic principles in dynamic situations that include multiple disciplinary interests and priorities. Students are introduced to working methodologies that are used in design contexts practice to ideate, generate, explore, propose, and finalize works of design. Disciplinary-specific contexts are introduced within larger project-based delivery. (Studio)
DES1223
3
This course is an introduction to digital media and technology used in Graphic Design, Game art, including all design and media related curricula. Emphasis is placed on industry-standard practices, workflow, organization, design systems, media integration, and appropriate terminology.
GRA2813
3
-OR-
Advanced representational theory and practice within an architectural context. This coursework will deeply examine contemporary tools, application strategies, representational formats, and presentation methods with increasing complexity and consequence regarding design, technology, and practice. Students will utilize an advanced hybrid of digital and physical tools in the analytical representation of existing works of architecture. Coursework visualizes architecture comprehensively as three-dimensional constructs and environments which become organized into two-dimensional visual information.
ARC1223
-OR-
The ability to draw complex concepts, objects, and environments from the imagination is absolutely essential to the industrial and transportation design professions. Visual communication of physical objects is exemplified throughout this course. The students will be introduced to the basic tools and methodologies of sketching, both free-hand and digitally. Extensive information is presented on the correct usage of tools, basic perspective, composition, light and shadow, and line dynamics. Basic geometrical 3-view drawings and 3D CAD software will be introduced, as well, that will support and validate the reality of expressed ideas. This class requires extensive and repetitive practice to develop the skills of sketching and visual communication.
IDD1813
The exploration of how graphic design is affected by, and also influences, social, cultural and political world events. This course will encompass all aspects of graphic communication from the inventions of writing and alphabets, the origins of printing and typography, the influences of world art movements, and the revolution of computer graphics. Through a series of lecture and assignments, students will experience the universal development of graphic design through its history.
GRA3563
3
This course introduces students to foundational typographic principles, ranging from the anatomy of the letterform, grid systems, typesetting, hierarchy, as well as the formal terminology related to type. Through project work and critiques, students gain an understanding of how typography can enhance verbal, visual, and conceptual meaning.
GRA2413
3
This course is a comprehensive introduction to the study of visual communication. Projects develop visual communication techniques that explore the relationship between type and image, information graphics (infographics), composition, sequencing, and design systems. Students develop a vocabulary to engage with project workflow, as well as a working process that is rooted in design thinking.
GRA2523
3
This course expands on one’s understanding of visual communication, exploring the influences of technology, history and theory. Projects emphasize divergence and experimentation as part of the design process.
GRA3513
3
This course teaches students how to create professional motion graphics using Adobe Photoshop, After Effects, and Premiere Pro. Students will learn animation, typography, and compositing techniques to enhance their digital media skills.
Key Learning Outcomes:
GRA2623
3
This course focuses on visual communication as a means for social innovation at a local as well as a global level. Emphasis is placed on research methods, design thinking, information management, and design systems. Design solutions are informed by research, guided by critique, and magnified by dissemination.
GRA3523
This course is profession-focused and operates as a real-world design studio. Students work with professionals who act as clients, providing feedback and guidance throughout the project work. Team-work, research, presentation techniques, and industry-standard processes and practices are emphasized.
GRA3533
This course builds on the typographic principles covered in Typography 1. Students explore various aspects of typography including historical background of the inventions of writing and alphabets, the impact of typography on the origins of printing, the development of typeface design, books and other complex typographic systems, and the transformation of typography to digital and time-based media.
GRA3413
Total Credits:
24