Course Description
Special or advanced topics related to contemporary media, platforms, and techniques in visual communication design. Topics may range from emerging areas of design research, practice, digital media, and technology, or to niche areas of specialization in typography.
Athena Title
Special Topics Graphic Design
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
This course is designed to allow students to engage in specialized topics or emerging issues related to contemporary graphic design practice, technology, and media that are not offered as part of the core curriculum. The course will allow in-depth focus on niche areas of visual communication practice, emerging digital media and platforms, or contemporary trends in graphic design such as—but not limited to—custom typeface design, branding design, human-centered design practices, participatory design processes, co-design strategies, exhibition design, etc. Readings, discussions, lectures, guest presentations, and applied design assignments will expose students to the concepts and skills related to the course topic as well as relevant techniques and platforms utilized in creating and executing related design deliverables in relevant media. Emphasis in the course will be on the design, research, and implementation of applied projects with a focus on portfolio development. In presenting and discussing their design outcomes, students will be expected to deliver work orally as well as through various modes and visual media, including the use of any related technology or software. Students will be expected to engage other students' work with disciplinarily appropriate dialogue. Group discussion will hone students’ skills in communicating in professional design contexts.
Topical Outline
Topics will vary based on the specialization of the instructor and may range from contemporary trends in visual communication design to niche areas of graphic design practice such as typeface design, human-centered design, participatory design, or experimental typography, or may relate to particular emerging areas of design practice, digital media, and technology. A supervised studio/lab format will include lectures, demonstrations, group discussions, readings, and applied assignments and projects.
Syllabus
Public CV