General Course Listing

ADD-1010

Principles of Visual Language I

One semester: 3 studio credits

This studio course will explore the fundamental principles of two-dimensional design and how these principles relate to visual communication. Through hands-on assignments and independent projects, students will work toward developing their own visual language. Experimentation with composition, visual hierarchy, typographic design, color interaction and visual narrative will be stressed. A wide range of visual concepts will be explored, including abstraction, symmetry and asymmetry, contrast, figure/ground relationships, rhythm and harmony. Class time is used for the creation and execution of design work, along with critiques and discussions. Assignments are paper-based: supplies include construction paper, drafting and cutting tools, and gouache paint. The primary technique will be collage.

ADD-1015

Principles of Visual Language II

One semester: 3 studio credits

Building on ADD-1010, Principles of Visual Language I, students will explore the relationship between 2D and 3D composition, refine and expand their understanding of color theory, and develop a more advanced understanding of "the frame." Throughout the course, attention will be paid to craft and process. Analog projects will be created along with digital projects.

ADD-1030

Foundations of Drawing I

One semester: 3 studio credits

Focusing on the perceptual skills involved in image-making, this course will examine drawing as an act of producing independent works of art and as a preparatory process in organizing a finished work. Assigned projects will explore the formal elements of art, such as line, space, scale and texture. Materials will include pencil, charcoal, pen-and-ink and wash. Projects range from the figure and still life, for example, to mapping and storyboarding.

AHD-1010

European Painting: Late Gothic to Romanticism

One semester: 3 art history credits

The history of European painting from the late Gothic and pre-Renaissance eras to the early 19th century will be examined in this course. We will focus on the major movements and key figures during the 700-year period and include such topics as the varieties of Renaissance painting from the North of Europe to Italy, the development of mannerism and baroque art, and the emergence of neoclassical and Romantic painting. The aim throughout will be to understand the art of each time and place within the historical and political transformations taking place in Europe.

AHD-1021

History of Art and Design In New York: Capital of the World

One semester: 3 art history credits

New York City’s history of art and design has been defined by its role as an important international hub in the exchange of perspectives, ideas and influences. This course will explore the artistic communities and movements—along with their broader reverberations in popular culture—that have come to make the city the dynamic and endlessly inspiring place it is today. You will be introduced to a variety of artworks, subjects and histories, including the migration of modernism from Europe to America, David Alfaro Siqueiros’s Experimental Workshop, Andy Warhol’s Factory, the beginnings of minimalist and conceptual art, the East Village Art scene of the 1970s and ’80s, and beyond—inspiring you to see yourself as part of the city’s ongoing creative history. You’ll never look at NYC the same way.

DSD-1005

Thinking Design

One semester: no credit

This overview of advertising and design in the greatest city in the world offers students a chance to get acquainted with NYC’s creative resources. Listen to guest BFA Design and BFA Advertising alum discuss their various career paths—and learn about what it’s like to have NYC as your campus.

DSD-1040

Fabrication and Innovation

One semester: 3 studio credits

A study of visual perception through the use of three-dimensional media is the focus of this course. A conceptual approach toward problem solving, technical skills and utilization of various media will be emphasized.

DSD-1050

Visual Computing in the Studio I

One semester: 3 studio credits

This course is an introduction to design techniques using the Adobe Creative Cloud applications as tools for visual creation in design and advertising. We will explore the essential components of Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. Other applications that can assist students in creating multifaceted visual solutions will be included.

DSD-1055

Visual Computing in the Studio II

One semester: 3 studio credits

Building on the material covered in DSD-1050, Visual Computing in the Studio I, this course will focus on the essential components of Adobe InDesign. Related applications that can assist students in creating multifaceted visual solutions will be covered.

HCD-1020

Writing and Thinking NYC

One semester: 3 humanities and sciences credits

This New York City-themed course helps students become critical and independent writers. To help establish a solid foundation in writing, the course introduces different types of writing using persuasive rhetoric in three writing genres—narration, description, and cause and effect. Course readings are drawn from a variety of New York-based texts, including historical documents, short stories, drama, poetry and essays, which will be used as discussion and writing prompts. By the end of the course, students will have an enhanced understanding of writing as a means to think and better communicate their ideas.

HCD-1025

Writing and Literature

One semester: 3 humanities and sciences credits

This course emphasizes reading, critical thinking and essay writing. Students will build on their skills acquired in HCD-1020, Writing and Thinking NYC, in order to work on more complex essays. Students will learn how to research, use proper citations, and continue to work on their grammar and essay development. Readings are drawn from a selection of literary works, including drama, poetry and the narrative, as well as the critical essay.

DSD-2005

Design Thinking

One semester: no credit

What is design and how can it be used to create, engage and even drive social change? You are entering the profession at an exciting time. Design is everywhere, and designers now have opportunities that were unimaginable even a few years ago. Design is an ever-expanding industry where the role of the designer is highly valued both as arbiter of taste and creator of systems that educate, entertain and impact consumer behaviors. This course will provide an overview of the contemporary design industry in both traditional and emerging media. Through guest lectures, presentations, writing and selected readings, you will come away with a fuller understanding of the designer’s expanding role.

DSD-2020

Graphic Design I

One semester: 2 studio credits

This course introduces and establishes a foundational understanding of, and skills relating to, the practice of design. Students will create work in various media that utilizes and encourages exploration in design research techniques, design discourse, basic gestalt principles, composition, typography and best design practices.

ADD-2030

Advertising Fundamentals I

One semester: 3 studio credits

As human interaction with products, services, environments and systems has changed, so have approaches and strategies in advertising. In this course students will focus on identifying and solving big problems, concept ideation, designing for human interaction, branding digital spaces, iterative refinement, prototyping and communication of novel solutions. At each stage of the design process students will practice conveying their ideas through presentations and by leading critiques.

ADD-2035

Advertising Fundamentals II

One semester: 3 studio credits

This course builds on ADD-2030, Advertising Fundamentals I, with students focusing on ideation and execution. Emphasis will be given to finishing work for portfolio inclusion.

ADD-2036

Fearless Branding I

One semester: 2 studio credits

Successfully building and selling a new brand takes a certain amount of fearlessness. This course will examine today's most renowned brands, putting their popularity in context, to introduce core concepts in advertising. Students will integrate their foundational design skills with creative problem solving, strategic thinking and presentation techniques to create their own brand. The further exploration of brands through real-world contemporaries such as influencers, content creators and independent artists will offer strategies for collaboration, cross-promotion and brand integration.

ADD-2037

Fearless Branding II

One semester: 2 studio credits

Students will incorporate the skills developed in ADD-2036, Fearless Branding I, and apply them in a team-based project in which they create a brand collab. How to develop pitch decks and related digital campaigns will be included. The course culminates in a competition for the best brand mashup.

ADD-2040

Creative Problem Solving

One semester: 2 studio credits

Behind most exceptionally crafted and culture-breaking creative advertising ideas is insight, which has the ability to put a brand on the map, change the world, or affect the way you look at an industry. This course focuses on how to start developing creative ideas and the insights from where they originated. Students will acquire the ability to concept and present ideas with a creative hook, based on strategies and insights. Understanding how to generate ideas is essential for anyone learning to use their creativity, whether for a brand or themselves.

HWD-2042

Copywriting Fundamentals

One semester: 3 humanities and sciences credit

The ability to communicate visually and textually sits at the center of the practice of design and advertising. In this course students will further their short-form writing skills, learn to utilize research and writing strategies, and be introduced to best practices for effectively writing for a variety of project types and media, including advertisements, branding, social media, taglines and product descriptions. Projects will include writing-specific assignments along with the study and analysis of notable existing campaigns and products.

DSD-2050

Fundamentals of Typography I

One semester: 2 studio credits

This course introduces and establishes an understanding of the crucial skills and concepts that connect typography within the practice of design. Typographic history, terminology and core compositional principles will be explored through projects of varying media and complexity.

DSD-2055

Fundamentals of Typography II

One semester: 2 studio credits

Serving as a continuation of DSD-2050, Fundamentals of Typography I, this course will focus on expressive typography, grid systems and working with extensive texts in different formats. A portion of the course will concentrate on portfolio building.

DSD-2060

Intermediate Drawing I

One semester: 2 studio credits

This course will explore drawing techniques using concepts of design, form, action, space, scale, texture and systems inherent to cohesive compositions.

DSD-2090

Click, Touch, Move: Designing for Interactive Experiences I

One semester: 3 studio credits

As we increasingly encounter design in our digital experiences, the contemporary designer must not only learn new tools to better shape these experiences, but also master them to create entirely new ones. This course will explore contemporary design trends, best practices and the tools needed to create websites, apps, wearable technology and interactive prototypes.

DSD-2095

Click, Touch, Move: Designing for Interactive Experiences II

One semester: no credit

This course builds on DSD-2090, Click, Touch, Move: Designing for Interactive Experiences I, with students focusing on motion graphics, augmented reality, mixed reality and virtual reality. Topics of future study will be introduced, such as creative coding, generative design and artificial intelligence. A portion of this course will also concentrate on portfolio production.

AHD-2121

History of Advertising: From the 19th Century to the Present

One semester: 3 art history credits

This course traces the history of advertising in the United States and how it increased from a $200 million industry in the 1800s to a $3 billion industry in the 1900s. Through field trips, guest lectures and documentaries, this course will survey the art directors, writers, photographers, agencies and campaigns that helped to shape American culture from the war-raddled 1930s and ‘40s to the prosperous ‘50s to the Mad Men era that continued into the early 1970s and its impact on the ‘80s. In addition to exploring product and service campaigns, we will discuss several topics as they relate to advertising, such as political ideology, energy conservation, deforestation, public service and military recruitment.

ADD-3207

Advanced Advertising I

One semester: 3 studio credits

This is a course about creative problem solving—from integrated campaigns to business design. We’re not just going to be making ads. We’re going to be using design and creativity to reimagine what brands can do in a range of ways that are relevant today. Most importantly, we will be getting you ready to go out there and start an awesome career where you get paid to do something most people only dream of. It’ll be lots of work, this isn’t an intro class . . . but it’ll be worth it.

ADD-3217

Advanced Advertising II

One semester: 3 studio credits

The second part of a two-semester course, Advanced Advertising II digs deeper into research, making ads and collaboration. We will further examine the inner workings of agencies and campaigns, exploring creativity in ways that will be both challenging and exciting (and maybe even change the way you think!).

DSD-3219

Introduction to Motion Graphics

One semester: 3 studio credits

This immersive course is the perfect starting place for any student interested in learning the foundations of 2D motion design. Covering the essential tools, techniques and best practices, this course will empower students to utilize Adobe After Effects, Illustrator and Photoshop in the creation of their motion projects.

DSD-3222

Motion Graphics I

One semester: 3 studio credits

Motion graphics is used not only to generate impactful animations, but is also commonly applied at various stages of the design process. In the past few years, outgrowing its traditional role, motion graphics has become an essential and powerful tool that forms and informs the core of interaction design and user experience, as well as graphic design at large. This course will familiarize students with the tools, techniques and practices that lie at the core of motion design, including Adobe After Effects and Premiere. Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop will also be employed in the creation of motion projects.

DSD-3223

Motion Graphics II

One semester: 3 studio credits

This course builds on DSD-3222, Motion Graphics I. Through self-directed projects, students will explore more advanced properties of Adobe After Effects, including VFX/compositing tools and AE expressions. With a focus on real-world motion design, all projects will be geared toward portfolio building.

DSD-3241

Design in Motion I

One semester: 3 studio credits

From the screens in our hands to immersive digital displays, motion design is everywhere and only expanding. This course will cover the foundational skills and understandings of motion design and provide students with the tools needed to experiment with and create practical and real-world quality motion projects. Students will use Adobe After Effects and Adobe Premiere, and work with audio libraries and sound design throughout the course. The history and evolution of motion design will be discussed, from pioneering designers in the field to production houses and agencies specializing in motion design today.

DSD-3242

Design in Motion II

One semester: 3 studio credits

A continuation of DSD-3241, Design In Motion I, in this semester students will focus on advanced motion design techniques while taking on more ambitious and difficult projects. Work will continue in Adobe After Effects while also exploring different tools and new technologies, including Cinema 4D, p5, AR and extended reality, projection design and projection mapping.

DSD-3247

Motion Design for Entertainment Media I

Wednesday 3:20-6:10

One semester: 3 studio credits

In this course students will experiment with title, credit sequence and lens-based media to explore design and motion techniques to convey emotion and tone. Practical tools (pen and paper, stop-motion with iPhone cameras and household objects) will be used to create exercises that will form the basis of future assignments. Students are encouraged to experiment with color and form while also getting exposed to more textural elements of motion design. We will hear from industry professionals in the title and broadcast motion design fields to learn crucial skills pertaining to storyboarding, design, type choice, animation styles, color correction, audio/sound design, and more.

DSD-3248

Motion Design for Entertainment Media II

One semester: 3 studio credits

A continuation of DSD-3247, Motion Design for Entertainment Media I, this course will focus key ideas and techniques from straightforward editing to experimental processes. Students will complete the course with at least four portfolio-ready pieces of work across mediums.

DSD-3351

Design for Social Change

One semester: 3 studio credits

We’ll use design to call out new ideas and a new ethos of truth-telling. We’ll create ads, posters, books and logos to present alternatives to mind-numbing consumer culture. The focus of this course will be on subjects that affect our lives—such as owning our own time, corporate impact on the physical environment and the human psyche, issues of economic fairness and alternatives to money obsession, gender, food, voting and animal rights. You will be able to choose subjects that concern you and communicate your views. We’ll explore and develop various means for making ideas for social change public. Work from this course is in the poster collection of the U.S. Library of Congress; on the website of the Center for Constitutional Rights; has been produced for the Washington, DC subways; and distributed throughout the New York City public school system, as well as in exhibitions, conferences, book fairs and guerilla contexts.

DSD-3371

Storytelling in the Metaverse I

One semester: 3 studio credits

Brands need to think of themselves symbolically, beyond purely the visual, if they are to succeed in the Metaverse. Creatives in this space must foresee hybrid collaborations between audio, visual and experiential human-centered design and emerging technology to incorporate all of our senses to truly merge the digital realm with our physical world. This course instills how principles of interdisciplinary new media provide spaces for the exchange of multisensory ideas. Students will be introduced to the industry’s lexicon and best practices before they engage with award-winning case studies and paradigm-shifting digital innovations that shape the industry’s promise. They will also gain hands-on experience with technologies and tools that will contribute to their portfolio project.

DSD-3372

Storytelling in the Metaverse II

One semester: 3 studio credits

This course builds upon DSD-3371, Storytelling in the Metaverse I, with students delving deeper into experimentation with technology and social messaging to produce high-impact campaigns and art products that contribute to the metaverse industry’s discourse. Utilizing multiple senses (sight, sound, touch, and more) students will create projects that serve to both tell a story and solve a problem, which can be realized in the phygital sphere.

DSD-3380

Graphic Design x Fashion

One semester: 3 studio credits

The relationship between fashion and graphic design exists where style, aspiration and storytelling converge. This course offers students the opportunity to learn about, create and apply design skills and thinking to the needs of the fashion industry. With an emphasis on research, market identification and positioning, students will develop fashion-based design projects focused on creative direction, merchandising and retail environments combined with strategic marketing and business considerations. Throughout this course, projects will encourage students to consider their work across a variety of media, including traditional branding materials, exhibition design, social media ads, TikTok videos, AR and even NFTs. Opportunities for outside, real-world collaborations will also be explored.

DSD-3426

Branding

One semester: 3 studio credits

This course will explore identity design and the development of leading identity design programs. Researching, naming and designing an identity system will be assigned, including design explorations, presentation techniques, refinement and the application of a logo. Typographical, color standards and the design of a graphic standards manual will also be covered, as well as the application of systems—stationery, packaging, signage, and collateral materials. The study of identity and logo design will focus on the works of designers and design firms such as Paul Rand, Saul Bass, Chermayeff and Geismar, Pentagram, Landor and Charles Anderson.

DSD-3529

Environmental Design: Spatial Branding

One semester: 3 studio credits

The built environment is no less an opportunity for design and branding than the page or the screen. In this course students will learn to study, develop and create work in a three-dimensional and architectural space. They will be challenged to imagine, develop and execute branding-specific design work on a large scale. Core concepts, technical skills and essential knowledge required for bringing three-dimensional work to life in the real world will be introduced.

DSD-3531

Multimedia Storytelling for Designers

One semester: 3 studio credits

This course will examine how to create engaging and dynamic visual narratives and user experiences for digital environments. Fundamental design principles such as composition, color, contrast and perspective will be combined with new tools and concepts, including audio, editing, sequencing, flow and rhythm, resulting in projects that are enriching and engaging experiences. Students will explore the primary tools of graphic design as part of a broader practice that includes space and time—and which, when used together, tell a visual story that has the power to connect with audiences on an emotional level. Projects include visual exercises, short video projects and the creation of a short documentary film.

ADD-3561

Hacking for Attention: Creative Advertising

One semester: 3 studio credits

We live in a world where brands, people and ideas all compete for the most demanding currency—our attention. This course is focused on how you can hack your audience’s attention to deliver purposeful work. Real-world scenarios will be examined to gain an understanding of strategic development, insightful design and executing a visual idea across multiple disciplines within an advertising agency.

DSD-3611

Intermediate Typography I

One semester: 3 studio credits

This course explores how to produce typographic-dominant work that is media and user specific. We will examine how to build and work with typographic grid systems, and students will develop a solid understanding of informational hierarchy as it relates to font selection, type treatment and composition. Projects encourage students to develop a deeper knowledge and appreciation of typography and letterforms.

DSD-3612

Intermediate Typography II

One semester: 3 studio credits

Building upon DSD-3611, Intermediate Typography I, this course will continue to focus on hierarchy, font selection and media/user-specific considerations, with added attention to expressive and contemporary typography. Students will also explore typography through new and mixed media. All projects will focus on portfolio building.

DSD-3637

Creative Computing for Interactive Experiences I

One semester: 3 studio credits

The basics of computer programming as a tool for visual communications and user experiences will be introduced in this course. With no programming experience required, students will study computer graphics programming through hands-on sessions. We will use p5.js (JavaScript library) to illustrate the fundamentals of computation. The course includes lectures and presentations with a short assignment after each session, culminating in a developed project in the second semester. We will also look at techniques to build generative designs, image manipulations and digital interactions.

DSD-3638

Creative Computing for Interactive Experiences II

One semester: 3 studio credits

Building on the foundational knowledge gained in DSD-3637, Creative Computing for Interactive Experiences I, this semester focuses on programming techniques for generative design and digital interactions. The mathematical principles that underlie our physical world to create natural simulation in the digital world will be introduced. Additionally, we will examine machine learning (ML) techniques to understand how models are trained. Pre-trained models will be used to explore the potential of emerging ML technologies.

DSD-3653

Design Synthesis

One semester: 3 studio credits

Design today requires the ability to work across a variety of mediums and disciplines. This course provides students with the opportunity to synthesize their passions for design, advertising, image-making, motion/video, typography, etc., and apply them in exciting, hybridized and interdisciplinary ways. Students will learn to combine their understanding of design fundamentals and tools with video-editing software through projects that include short videos, experimental editorial, 3D typography and stop motion. Embodying the interdisciplinary spirit, this course will include special presentations and projects that collaborate with dynamic guest speakers.

DSD-3667

Honors: Visual Identity and Multimedia

One semester: 3 studio credits

Today’s constantly evolving multimedia world demands that a successful graphic identity be simple, bold, memorable and flexible. Held in the Chermayeff & Geismar & Haviv studio, this course will teach students how to create powerful, concept-based identities that thrive in the multimedia realm. Chermayeff & Geismar & Haviv has developed an idea-driven methodology for identity design that has resulted in identities for hundreds of major clients like Chase Bank, NBC, Museum of Modern Art and the Library of Congress. Affording students the opportunity to design directly for real-world clients, the course will lead students through the firm’s problem-solving approach to graphic design as they work with an organization or small business to develop a visual identity from start to finish. Students will be encouraged to explore opportunities for identity expression in new media.

DSD-3693

Honors: Many Types of Creativity

One semester: 3 studio credits

This one-of-a-kind honors course will ask students to bring the many—and sometimes varied—passions and skill sets they have but rarely get to use together, including contemporary typography, hand-drawn letterforms, illustration, photography, 3D, motion, and more. With an emphasis on narrative, students will be challenged to create original and, at times, extremely experimental work in varying scale, application and media that will culminate in a motion project.

DSD-3733

Introduction to Interaction Design

One semester: 3 studio credits

The fundamentals of user-centered interaction design are introduced in this course through design-thinking techniques and UX/UI design methodologies. Sessions will cover applications of interaction design, research and prototyping techniques, and digital design theory. Students will create user journeys across media and touchpoints while developing their UX/UI craft. The broad scope of the course provides a springboard for future study and career opportunities.

DSD-3741

Interaction Design and Communication I

One semester: 3 studio credits

Working in today’s digital world encompasses both the usability and aesthetic of a product, service, brand, or strategy that relies on technology. In this course you will learn how to tackle the challenges and opportunities that will be encountered on the job. Sessions will cover user interface design principles, information hierarchy and navigation, context, and human-technology interactions, and how these elements combine to create a compelling experience. The course format will include lecture, discussion, exercises, interim presentations, and a thorough documentation of the research and design processes.

DSD-3771

Interaction Design and Communication II

One semester: 3 studio credits

Following DSD-3741, Interaction Design and Communication I, this course will focus on learning advanced prototyping as students refine their understanding and use of typography for interactive systems. Presentation skills will be developed by emphasizing clear explanations of complex ideas and design solutions. Students can also expect to craft strong, portfolio-ready IXD projects and case studies.

DSD-3779

Interaction Design: Product Design Theory and Application I

One semester: 3 studio credits

In this comprehensive interaction design course, you’ll gain essential skills for today’s digital world. Lectures and hands-on exercises will reinforce your understanding of foundational theories. You’ll also embark on IBM’s first-level Design Thinking journey, mastering a problem-solving approach that’s highly relevant industry-wide. Practical application is also emphasized through real-world challenges in group projects aimed at design solutions that matter. Whether you aspire to specialize in UX/UI/IX product or service design, this course equips you with the skills needed to excel in the digital landscape.

DSD-3780

Interaction Design: Product Design Theory and Application II

One semester: 3 studio credits

Interaction Design: Product Design Theory and Application Il is an immersive exploration of the theories and practical skills required for success in the dynamic world of user experience and interaction design. It is designed to equip students with the expertise needed to excel in this exciting field. Each student will create a portfolio that demonstrates skills in user interface design, user experience design and user experience research.

DSD-3790

Interaction Design: Beyond the Rectangle I

One semester: 3 studio credits

In this course you will approach user experience design from a perspective that looks beyond the confines of a screen. Topics covered will include user interface design principles, information hierarchy and navigation, context and human-technology interactions, and how these elements combine to create a compelling experience in both 2D and 3D environments. You will gain a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities that are encountered on the job. The course includes lecture, discussion, exercises, interim presentations, and a comprehensive documentation of the research and design process.

DSD-3791

Interaction Design: Beyond the Rectangle II

One semester: 3 studio credits

This course builds on DSD-3790, Interaction Design: Beyond the Rectangle I, with students focused on advanced prototyping and refining their understanding and use of interactive systems in 2D and 3D environments. Presentation skills will be developed by emphasizing clear explanations of complex ideas and design solutions. Students can also expect to craft strong, portfolio-ready IXD projects and case studies.

DSD-3803

Honors: Yearbook I

One semester: 3 studio credits

Every year a team of SVA’s designers creates and conceptualizes a book for the College’s graduating class. Submitted portraits are combined with custom elements like lettering, illustration, student surveys and infographics. Social media and video elements are also included, making the “yearbook” a one-of-a-kind visual experience. Third-year students will concept and design the book in the spring semester. The following fall semester, fourth-year students gather student photos and complete the production of the book.

ADD-4101 / ADD-4111

Advertising Portfolio I and II

Two semesters: 3 studio credits per semester

These courses pull back the curtain to demystify what it takes to make award-winning work. You’ll learn techniques, cheat codes and shortcuts for pushing your concepts—from merely good to brilliantly insightful, conceptually insane and tactically epic. You’ll develop a clear and specific understanding of what award juries look for, so you can engineer and craft your concepts beyond their wildest expectations. You’ll learn how to quickly generate tons of prolific creative thinking, cull the stuff that doesn’t work and push the ideas that do work in the right direction. In these courses you’ll dive head first into becoming the kind of creative force that creative directors beg to have on their teams.

ADD-4106 / ADD-4116

Advertising Portfolio I and II: Agency

Two semesters: 3 studio credits per semester

These courses bring real-world agency experience directly into the classroom. Over the course of the year, students will work in different roles—but as a single teamKevi—to bring their concepts to life under the guidance of their instructors and in collaboration with real clients. Students will build an advertising portfolio focused on concept and craft, and showcase their creative strengths and experiences—with the ultimate goal of getting hired.

DSD-4300

Real World 101

One semester: no credit

Even the best work needs to be presented clearly and convincingly. This course will introduce students to industry standards and norms for constructing and presenting both themselves as well as their work—skills critical for all creatives. From the transformation of selling a story in the development of a deck to public speaking and personal representation, this partially asynchronous online seminar will examine a plethora of approaches and considerations when preparing to get a job, selling your ideas, being part of a team and, ultimately, navigating the waters on your way to success.

DSD-4400

Intellectual Property and the Law

One semester: no credit

The general concepts of law and intellectual property law as they apply to the practice of design will be examined, including basic legal issues of contract and property law within the creative context. Among the topics explored will be the work-for-hire agreement, the consignment agreement and the agency agreement. The law of copyright, trademark and patents will also be explored. Issues such as registering a copyright, copyright infringement, registering a trademark and trade dress infringement and patents (in particular, design patents) will be examined from the perspective of the professional designer. In addition, design and information issues presented by current technology, such as the web, will be included throughout the course.

DSD-4701

Production Studio for the Graphic Designer

One semester: 3 studio credits

Today’s graphic artist is required to have technical knowledge and production ability. This course offers an opportunity to work on projects in the classroom and then watch the final production on-site at A2A Studio, a full-service production studio. Complete instruction in the skills necessary to produce and manufacture finished portfolio pieces will be given. Using Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign, we’ll examine all aspects of production as they relate to print, including correct document construction, color space and color systems, separations, trapping, preflighting, print production and paper considerations. Assignments will be produced in the studio using various output devices, from inkjet proofers and large-format digital printers to high-resolution film imagesetters. Students will be able to produce their work combining digital output, transfers, direct imaging, laser cutting, UV printing, plotter cutters, embossing and three-dimensional packaging construction. The opportunity to experiment and work with digital and analog print production tools will be an invaluable experience.

DSD-4703

Fashion: The Campaign

One semester: 3 studio credits

Fashion and beauty are creative playgrounds for creative expression, experimentation and play in service of commercial needs and application. This course offers students the opportunity to develop and apply their voice and aesthetic style by taking on the role of creative director for a fashion/beauty project. Throughout the semester we will explore techniques and best practices for creating memorable and thought-provoking concepts, building a simulated creative team and formulating a production plan—culminating in the creation of a 360º campaign presentation deck. Visual creatives, hair and make-up artists, prop stylists and producers will be invited to the class as guest speakers and critics. Opportunities for real world, industry-based projects will also be explored.

DSD-4706

3D Graphics and Motion in Cinema 4D I

Whether your field of work is creative direction, design, film, AR/VR/XR, or motion graphics, Maxon Cinema 4D has all the tools you need to make your ideas reality. In this course students will utilize Cinema 4D for 3D image creation of storyboards, animations, designs and the “metaverse.” The software's intuitive interface and logical workflow make it possible for those new to 3D artistry to dive right in. The foundations of the application, including motion and design workflows between C4D and Adobe After Effects will be addressed. We will begin with the basics of modeling, lighting, materials and animation, laying the groundwork for more advanced work in the second semester. Assignments cover a wide range of real-world projects, such as 3D type and animated logos to bumpers and title sequences.

DSD-4707

3D Graphics and Motion in Cinema 4D II

One semester: 3 studio credits

This course builds on DSD-4706, 3D Graphics and Motion in Cinema 4D I. The spring semester covers more advanced topics, such as physical simulation, advanced particles (X-Particles), Redshift, and gaming/VR using Unreal. Real-time rendering as well as real-time executions (like in-browser programs webGL/three.js) will also be covered.

DSD-4711

Experimental Coding

One semester: 3 studio credits

This course provides an introduction to experimental coding for design through a series of hands-on technical exercises and projects. During the semester HTML, CSS and p5.js (JavaScript library) will be used to illustrate the fundamentals of computational design. We will learn techniques to build for responsive web design, generative design and digital interaction. This course is designed for students with no prior coding experience.

DSD-4713

Metaverse: Augmented and Virtual Reality

One semester: 3 studio credits

From communication to commerce, much of our daily life has been defined by major shifts in technology. The latest major shift in technology is here, and it is the metaverse—immersive worlds and virtual objects augmenting the real world. All delivered on Web 3 via new protocols on the blockchain. In this course you will create for the metaverse by making 3D art, augmented reality and virtual reality through a series of hands-on exercises. Using visual prototyping tools, projects may include a blockchain NFT drop, memorable campaign, digital product, innovative service, or art installation. Knowing how to code is not necessary; the only prerequisites are an imagination and creative drive.

DSD-4715

Coding for Designers

One semester: 3 studio credits

Using a visual environment that provides immediate feedback, students are taught the basic principles of programming and guided to apply the skill to a semester-long design project. Lectures focus on key aspects of programming and how working designers and artists use code creatively in their practice, ranging from dynamic typography, to animations, to interactive storytelling on websites. Lectures will also discuss how creative use of code can be used as a tool for critical inquiry into social, political and economic systems. The class will look at examples of work by designers, artists, and journalists created using such a medium and engage in discussions..

DSD-4721

Game Design Fundamentals: From Paper Prototype to Virtual Reality

One semester: 3 studio credits

This course provides a comprehensive and structured introduction to both the theoretical background and practical skills needed in the field of game design and development. Students will dive into the intricacies of the game design process by engaging with paper prototyping, iterative design methodologies and rigorous playtesting. From there, they will explore the dynamic realms of digital 2D and 3D game design by learning how to code and develop projects with the powerful Godot game engine. Finally, students will be introduced to virtual reality (VR) within the context of game development. By the end of the semester, students will have the tools and techniques to create compelling games in any dimension, and have a polished and sophisticated game to feature in their portfolio, reflecting their depth of knowledge, skill, and creative passion. Coding will be taught in this course; no prior coding knowledge is necessary.

DSD-4723

Advanced Typography I: The Perfect Paragraph

One semester: 3 studio credits

Traditional and experimental forms of typesetting will be introduced in this course. Through a series of exercises, students will practice how to set basic paragraph formats: flush left, centered, justified and free-form. Major assignments are focused on the typographic design of books, including covers, end sheets, half-title, title and contents pages, headers and footers, callouts, captions, text and bibliographies, using provided content. In addition, we will explore color theory as applied to typographic design.

DSD-4724

Advanced Typography II: The Perfect Paragraph

One semester: 3 studio credits

In the second semester of The Perfect Paragraph, students will apply the traditional and experimental typesetting forms from the fall semester through new assignments for a variety of graphic design products, including zines, websites, apps, packaging and typefaces. Students will be encouraged to develop original content for their projects.

DSD-4744

Designing a Business

One semester: 3 studio credits

If you have an entrepreneurial spirit, this course is for you. It will be a comprehensive experience for anyone who wants to learn the skills it takes to make a business idea become a business reality. We will cover the steps to bring an idea to the marketplace: defining the concept for a business or product of your choice, designing the prototype and corporate identity for your company, writing a business plan and the basic legal requirements to open a business and protect your intellectual property. The final step will be the art of the pitch. Guest speakers will offer their guidance and input.

DSD-4746

Differentiate or Die: How to Get a Job When You Graduate

One semester: 3 studio credits

You are about to graduate, and you might not have relatives that work at Apple or Google. You need to know how to sell, present, cold-call and talk about money to get a job. This course will address how to make a presentation with conviction and meaning; write a project proposal and how to talk about compensation; develop a unique point of view about design or advertising; craft a powerful résumé; sell your design services in the “real” world with more confidence and success; create persuasive, honest, and effective design presentations, and set yourself up to succeed after graduation.

DSD-4755

Honors: Yearbook II

One semester: 3 studio credits

The Yearbook II team launches a media campaign to create student engagement and solicit graduating students to participate by submitting selfie images. The book design, started in the previous spring semester, is refined and finalized using the submitted images and other content. Files are then prepared for the printer. All stages of the process are executed by student designers with support from the instructor. A “digital” asset is created to supplement the book (e.g., a video highlighting the book content.) The final book is distributed to graduating students at the end of the school year. The video is also released at this time.

Independent Study

One semester: 3 studio credits

Junior and senior advertising majors who wish to pursue a special project not covered by the parameters of their department’s curriculum are eligible to apply for an independent study course. Students must submit their study goals as a detailed proposal for approval by the department chair. Proposals for an independent study must be made prior to the course adjustment period for that semester. Please contact the department advisor for specifics.

Internship

One semester: 3 studio credits

Students can gain valuable experience and broaden their professional network through an internship with an employer. Internships-for-credit are available to juniors and seniors who have earned a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 or better. To receive credit, students must apply online during the designated application period, be approved by the Career Development Office, and registered for the internship by their academic advisor. Students need to work 150 hours during the semester (usually 10 to 15 hours per week), participate in a weekly online course with other SVA interns, and complete midterm and final self-evaluations. Elective studio credit is awarded for the successful completion of an internship. For more information go to sva.edu/career.

BFA Advertising Curriculum