This course is designed to immerse students in visual 
communication design through field experience, allowing them to 
consider graphic design artifacts as both viewer and creator. 
Students will research and create a series of thought-provoking 
graphic design assignments that ask them to engage in and 
consider the field, the experience of new surroundings, and 
perhaps a different culture.

Class discussions and excursions will also examine visual 
communication in the field by study and documentation of 
vernacular graphics and other non-language-based visual 
communication which might transcend language and cultural 
difference. 

—To learn about international and/or urban design culture and 
the impact of global design
—To broaden design thinking through cross-cultural experiences
—To develop a working knowledge of relevant software appropriate 
to introductory concepts in design media
— To consider new visual surroundings and incorporate 
experiences as traveler/visitor
— To consider the relationship of text and image in message 
communication
— To understand concept development and narrative structure in 
graphic design
— To expand knowledge of terminology, methodologies, and 
techniques used in contemporary print and digital graphic design 
practice

This course will focus on the exploration of creating 
information/sign graphics and site-specific design and 
typography by understanding cross-cultural visual languages, 
structures, and by creating graphic systems. It also introduces 
students to the brief design history, productions, methods, and 
aesthetics of contemporary visual communication design practices 
in international and global contexts. Students will visit 
various museums and cultural sites and/or design firms/studios. 
They will learn various techniques used in message building and 
gain increased competency with digital tools relevant to the  
development of assigned projects.

The course will explore vernacular design, such as event 
promotional communication, urban sign systems, wayfinding, 
branding design, and informative maps.

Workload
There are two or three projects throughout the course. Students 
will spend time researching, developing, producing each project 
which will be accompanied by supplemental mandatory readings, 
tutorials, daily exercises, and process methods.

These projects will ask students to:

— execute design problems that consider new surroundings and 
incorporate experiences as traveler/visitor

— understand concept development and narrative structure and 
consider the relationship of text and image in message 
communication

— create images through digital photography within the context 
of solving visual communication problems.

— explore, document, and discuss vernacular design artifacts