College: Fine Arts

The Graphic Design major focuses on creating visual content to effectively communicate messages. Students develop skills in design principles, typography, digital media, and branding. Graduates are prepared for careers in advertising, marketing, web design, and various creative industries.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the basics of graphic design and visual communication.
• Develop skills in design principles, typography, and digital media.
• Learn techniques for creating effective visual content and branding.
• Explore user experience (UX) design principles, interactive design, and animation.
• Analyze and interpret design trends and client needs.
• Develop critical thinking, creativity, and artistic skills for effective graphic design practice.

Core Curriculum:

1. Introduction to Graphic Design
   • Overview of key concepts, principles, and practices in graphic design.
   • Fundamentals of visual communication, design elements, and design principles.
2. Design Principles and Elements
   • Design principles, including balance, contrast, emphasis, rhythm, pattern, and unity.
   • Techniques for applying design principles to create effective visual compositions.
3. Typography
   • Typography principles, including fonts, typesetting, and typographic hierarchy.
   • Techniques for creating and utilizing typography in design projects.
4. Digital Media and Software
   • Principles of digital media and software, including Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).
   • Techniques for creating and editing digital graphics, illustrations, and layouts.
5. Branding and Identity Design
   • Principles of branding and identity design, including logo creation, brand guidelines, and corporate identity.
   • Techniques for developing and implementing effective brand strategies.
6. User Experience (UX) Design
   • Principles of UX design, including user research, information architecture, and usability testing.
   • Techniques for designing user-focused products and digital interfaces.
7. Interactive Design and Animation
   • Principles of interactive design and animation, including web design, animation, and multimedia.
   • Techniques for creating interactive and animated visual content.
8. Practical/Applied Training
   • Real-world experiences in graphic design settings, including internships at design agencies, marketing firms, or creative studios.
   • Application of acquired skills in practical graphic design scenarios.
9. Graduation Project in Graphic Design
   • A comprehensive project applying skills in design principles, typography, digital media, or branding.
   • Production of a polished project, portfolio, or graphic design campaign.

Assessment Methods:

• Analysis of design principles, typography projects, digital media and software assignments, branding and identity design, UX design projects, interactive design and animation projects, internship reports, graduation projects, group projects, and presentations.

Recommended Textbooks:

• "Graphic Design" by various authors.
• "Principles and Elements of Design" by various authors.
• "Typography" by various authors.
• "Digital Media and Software" by various authors.
• "Branding and Identity Design" by various authors.
• "User Experience (UX) Design" by various authors.
• "Interactive Design and Animation" by various authors.

Pre-requisites:

Basic knowledge of art and design, interest in visual communication, and digital media.

Duration of the Major:

The Bachelor’s degree typically takes 4 years, including coursework, design projects, internships, and graduation projects. For advanced practice, a Master's degree in Graphic Design or a related field can be pursued, usually requiring an additional one to two years.

Certification:

Graduates can earn a degree in graphic design and pursue higher education or obtain professional certifications, such as those offered by the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) or specialize in areas like digital media or UX design.

Target Audience:

Aspiring graphic designers, art directors, creative directors, and professionals seeking to work in advertising agencies, marketing firms, design studios, and creative industries. This major equips students with the creative, technical, and problem-solving skills necessary for excelling in graphic design, supporting careers across various visual communication and design roles and industries.