DSD-2005

Design Thinking

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 / DSD-2025

Graphic Design I and II

2 studio credits per course

These courses will introduce various aspects of graphic communication and will cover concepts, typography, layout and general graphic techniques.

ADD-2030 / ADD-2035

Integrated Advertising and Communication I and II

3 studio credits per course

Whether you aspire to work at a digital agency, studio, or start-up, the “new normal” is influencing everyday human behavior as we interact with products, services, environments and systems. In these courses 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 by leading critiques and through presentations.

DSD-2050 / DSD-2055

Typographic Design I and II

2 studio credits per course

The applications of typography and color to a variety of graphic design projects will be explored in these courses. Assignments will also address the general rules of design and students will be encouraged to develop a personal vision within the framework of successful design solutions.

DSD-2060 / DSD-2065

Intermediate Drawing I and II

2 studio credits per course

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

DSD-2080

Presentation Skills Seminar

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 work—a skill critical for all creatives. From the development of decks to preferred software, this asynchronous online seminar will examine best practices, key techniques and terminology, and critical considerations needed to get a job, sell a pitch, be part of a team, and more. Each student will produce a video for review prior to completion of the course.

DSD-2090 / DSD-2095

Click, Touch, Move: Designing for Interactive Experiences I and II

3 studio credits per course

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. Over the course of a year these courses will explore contemporary design trends, best practices and the tools needed to create websites, apps, wearable technology, interactive prototypes, motion graphics, augmented reality, mixed reality and virtual reality, as well as introduce topics of future study such as creative coding, generative design and artificial intelligence.

AHD-2121

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

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.

AHD-2127

History of Graphic Design: A Survey of Styles from the Late 19th Century to the Present

3 art history credits

This course will focus on various graphic design movements from art nouveau and Jugendstil to De Stijl and Dada; from the impact of the Bauhaus to the fervor of the streamlined 1930s; from the Swiss International style of the ’50s to the psychedelia of the ’60s and on to the punk ’70s and postmodern ’80s. We will also examine the subjects, themes and relationship of the designer to the period. Using examples of the period as a focal point, the evolving design styles and their relationship to politics, commerce, social mores, technology and pop culture will be explored. From the beautiful to the ridiculous, the ephemeral aspects of design will be studied. Guest speakers will feature individuals who have created important design work of the periods discussed.

AHD-2128

The International Typographic Style

3 art history credits

The course will explore the development of the International Typographic Style from its constructivist origins and postwar Swiss Style design roots of the 1950s to its rapid expansion across Europe, the United States, Canada, South America, Japan, and beyond. We will examine the evolving design style and the role of the pioneer designer in society, with an emphasis on notable works, subjects and themes, and their cultural, political and social connections. Together we’ll investigate the international design pioneers who explored and expanded upon the movement until the mid-1970s (including many lesser-known and unrecognized figures), their evolving ideologies and principles, distinctive visual vocabularies, technological advancements, landmark exhibitions, publishing programs and institutional pedagogies, as well as the development of the emerging field of corporate identity and cultural communications. Slide lectures, primary readings, discussions will be complemented with research and writing assignments.

AHD-2129

History of Type: Stories, Secrets, Experiments and Accidents

3 art history credits

The history of type is a mix of stories, secrets, experiments and accidents. In this course students will explore why letters have thick-and-thin strokes, why the tail of the Q is on the right side, why some types are called “Fat Faces” and others are grotesque, why some people refuse to use Gill Sans, who Mrs. Eaves was, and much more. Everyone has a typeface they love (Helvetica)—and one they don’t (Helvetica). This course will explain why people love certain typefaces and hate others—and why they should love the ones they hate and hate the ones they love. If you have a question about type, this is where you can find the answer.

DSD-2168

Designer as Image Maker

3 studio credits

From the cave wall to the computer screen, the desire to communicate one’s unique vision has always existed. A great concept combined with the right technique, be it finger painting or Adobe Photoshop, can produce extremely powerful images. This course will focus on exploring style in design through experimentation with various mediums such as collage, rubbings, image transfers, use of found objects, and many other techniques. Students will be encouraged to think and create in unconventional ways. Projects for this course will include book covers, CD packages, editorial illustrations, food packaging and poster designs. Field trips are included.

DSD-2169

Experimental Book Art

3 studio credits

The widespread availability of electronic communications has given the physical book an important place in our lives through its tactile three-dimensional quality. In this course students will produce a term project of their choosing, which can be expressed in an experimental and/or practical way; the book will be reviewed regularly throughout the semester. In addition, weekly exercises in a variety of materials will allow students to hone their bookbinding techniques. Typography, architecture, and the history of bookmaking and fine arts will come into play. The objective of the course is for students to explore their full potential and learn to trust their creative sensibilities.

DSD-2172

Zines

3 studio credits

In this course we will explore the craft, history and contemporary culture of zines and artists’ books. Students will complete a series of projects that work through various zine and book forms (from quick folded pamphlets to larger bound objects to digital publications and beyond). Emphasis will be placed on exposing students to a wide range of tools and techniques (both physical and digital), with the goal of exploring how various forms and methods of production can influence content (narrative, typography, image, experience). We will learn from historical processes and tools, while leaning heavily on contemporary production methods (such as Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, web- based content management tools, Risograph printing). Occasional visits to museum library collections (Printed Matter, The Met, MoMA) will be included. This is a course of rigorous making and experimentation with demonstrations, workshops and critiques. Students will complete the semester with a collection of publications they have designed and produced.

DSD-2174

Visual Storytelling: Autobiography Through Visual Language

3 studio credits

Providing an overview of autobiographic storytelling through visual language, in this course we will examine the evolution and history of documentary storytelling, from the early cave paintings to The New York Times Op-Docs. Through interviews, documented research, travel (virtual or physical) and an examination of physical archives, students will complete a 15-week project that explores how they connect to the world with a unique voice and perspective. Any medium can be used for the project, including collage, drawing, rudimentary digital video (iPhone), graffiti and performance art, even a blog.

DSD-2179

Digital Photography for Designers

3 studio credits

The basics of digital photography will be covered in this course to provide a fundamental understanding of image capture. Technique will be practiced through a series of creative photographic assignments where the focus is on creative image-making. Assignments will be designed to explore a range of photographic genres including portraiture, still life and documentary.

DSD-2186

Originality

3 studio credits

Oscar Wilde said, “Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else’s opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation.” How can we make our work stand out as distinctly ours in the midst of the many thousands of visual and verbal messages that we absorb each day? Are we able to be visible in the ocean of images produced by artists and designers around the globe? For decades this course has been successfully helping students to remove the obstacles that block their unique identity in their work. New ideas do not come from thinking in the same old way. By bringing to attention the preconceptions, unconscious assumptions and beliefs, and the multitude of influences that shape us, we will open a path toward your personal, creative identity.

DSD-2863

Basic Typography Letterpress Workshop

3 studio credits

Once considered a doomed technology, letterpress printing is experiencing a renaissance. This course will increase each student’s basic knowledge of typography by getting back to basics—designing with movable wood and metal type and printing by hand. Students will learn to approach design and typography in a new way and create beautiful portfolio pieces. While the course will cover printing techniques and the use of the Vandercook presses, the focus of the class will be on hand typesetting and typographic details. Exercises will address type layout, letter spacing, leading, justification and type hierarchy, and overall page composition.

DSD-3010 / DSD=3015

Communication Graphic Design I and II

3 studio credits per course

These courses develop an understanding of visual relationships and how to use them to create visual impact and clarity while solving communications problems. Invention, intuition and discovery are combined with logical thought and thorough preliminary research. Special attention is given to refining the student’s perceptual abilities, hand skills and the integration of various media. Use of both traditional and computer technologies will be addressed.

ADD-3207 / ADD-3217

Advanced Advertising I and II

3 studio credits per course

These courses are 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.

DSD-3222 / DSD-3223

Motion Graphics Workshop I and II

3 studio credits per course

Motion graphics is used not only to generate impactful animations, but 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. These courses 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-3306

Toys and Games

3 studio credits

The toy industry is a trendy business where many innovative designs are introduced every year. In this course, we’ll analyze successful products from different categories (games, plush, action figures, novelties, etc.) and explore what great toy concepts are and how to originate them. Various tools, techniques and materials will be demonstrated and utilized by students to create renderings and prototypes. By taking part in brainstorming sessions, hands-on workshops and play testing their own designs, students will develop their concepts into finished products. Manufacturing, marketing and career opportunities in the toy industry will be discussed. Although weekly projects will be assigned, students are encouraged to work on any product they wish, limited only by their imagination. The goal of this course is to create at least one finished product suitable for presentation to a toy company or for inclusion in a portfolio.

DSD-3336 / DSD-3337

Three-Dimensional Design I and II

3 studio credits per course

These courses will deal with design and illustration solutions to problems that involve making 3D structures. Discussions about methods and materials will include everything from fiberglass to hubcaps: whatever conveys the designer/illustrator’s ideas. There will be demonstrations of various techniques like mold-making, paper and cardboard construction and casting in plastic. Although problems will be given in class, students may bring in assignments from other courses to be completed in this one. You will produce finished pieces that may be photographed for your portfolio. Guest lecturers will include professional designers and illustrators who have careers based on 3D work.

DSD-3351 / DSD-3352

Design for Social Change I and II

3 studio credits per course

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 these courses 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-3378

Information Graphics: How to Present Information Visually

3 studio credits

Did you use a map today? Did a chart help you understand something? How many diagrams do you see each day, if you really looked? Did you think about the color choices or the typography of those graphics? Information graphics surround us. And this course will focus on how to tell a story with maps, charts and diagrams. We take shapes seriously, we give them meaning, and we focus on how design can bring order and structure to information and make it easier for people to understand. This course will put your design principles to good use. We’ll make our own maps, collect and chart our own data, and further explore this field.

DSD-3380

Graphic Design x Fashion

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-3392

Drawing Inside Out for the Designer: Intuitive Drawing

3 studio credits

Drawing can be a very intimate exercise of personal freedom, and a lifelong source of inspiration. Intuitive drawing is the foundational theme of the course. We will concentrate on the self as the reservoir of creative energy from which to produce original drawings. We’ll work on hand-heart rather than just hand-eye coordination. Our purpose isn’t to compete with scanners, cameras, copiers and computers to reproduce the realities around us. Instead, attention will be shifted to our individual experience of our “inner” energy. Drawing from it intuitively, you’ll develop a personal style that becomes an organic part of your creative repertoire. Originality is nurtured in this course.

DSD-3426

Branding

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-3426

Branding

3 studio credits

Understanding the fundamentals of brand identity and how to create exciting and engaging brand experiences through design will be the focus of this course. Through exposure to a variety of visual identity issues, students will be challenged to create unique ideas and solutions that meet real-world concerns. An emphasis will be placed on understanding and capturing the essence of a chosen brand (corporation, product, service, organization, personality, etc.) to ultimately develop visual identities that target all platforms on which the brand has to perform (packaging, editorial, environmental design, online, advertising, etc.). We will begin with specific visual branding exercises and students will choose topics to approach them. These exercises will then be extended into a visual identity development that encompasses several branding challenges.

DSD-3431

Book Design for Today

3 studio credits

Someone once said, “Everything old is new again”—and book design is no exception. As digital design has become more ubiquitous, interest in the book as object has been rediscovered and revitalized by a new generation—resulting in work that is more rarefied, lust-worthy and, of course, well designed. This course will examine how to conceptualize, design and, ultimately, produce books while challenging students to push their skills in typography, art direction and product design to the next level. Coursework will include a deep dive into the enduring and irreplaceable importance of the medium from a variety of historical and cultural viewpoints. Students will be encouraged to make use of the tools and technologies offered within the BFA Design Department, including bookbinding machinery, production tutorials and Risograph printing. Guest speakers/critics and field trips can be expected.

DSD-3433

Package Design: Appetite Appeal Food Packaging

3 studio credits

Food packaging is not just clear plastic. The best package demands superb typography and startling graphic design in two and three dimensions. Type is unlimited and color must challenge the senses. In this course you will design an array of packages for specialty and fancy foods—from olive oil to pastas, candy and wine. You will understand the unique restrictions involved in producing functional package designs. And you will learn that good package design can make a product taste better.

DSD-3436

Poster Design

3 studio credits

Think big! Think graphic! Think simple! These are the elements that make a great poster. Achieving that goal, through traditional or digital means, is unimportant. Whether for indoor or outdoor use, for a subway station or a bus stop, for a billboard or a brick wall, a poster is a unique form of communication with often only a moment to grab someone’s attention and get the message across. This course will focus on simplifying concepts, illustration and typography to create a powerful, unified design. Students will use their design sensibilities to create illustrations as well as type treatments. Assignments will be in the form of real-world jobs and may include WPA posters, art deco posters, propaganda posters, counter-culture posters, protest posters, entertainment posters, and more. We will also be exploring the Riso printing process, including instruction on the machine. The course consists of group critiques, in-class exercises and a field trip.

DSD-3521

Editorial Design

3 studio credits

In this course you will conceptualize and create a magazine, newspaper, or zine of your choice, honing your layout skills and developing your editorial style. A strong focus will be on typography, from large, impactful type solutions to the fine-tuning of information on the page—a must in the job market today. There is also a strong branding component to the course, one that can be carried forward in the rest of your design work. You will share your pages each week and will be encouraged to be verbal, insightful and helpful in critiques of your classmates’ work. We will begin by focusing on how to design features and the general look of a magazine, and then concentrate on finessing your magazine for a beautiful product to add to your portfolio.

DSD-3528

Experiential Design

3 studio credits

Brands are no longer defined by what they say, but ultimately their actions. Experiential marketing is about finding the emotional connection between a message and people. This course will examine how to create lasting memories and natural brand advocacy by using facts, instinct and creativity to reveal the power of simplicity. Unlock your potential to reshape cultural behaviors and experiment beyond traditional boundaries that can redefine human interactions.

DSD-3529

Environmental Design: Spatial Branding

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

World in Motion: Storytelling for Social Media

3 studio credits

What does it take to create a visual story that captures the attention and imagination of your viewers? We will explore creative storytelling approaches to develop engaging narratives and propel your expertise through hands-on, assignment-driven practice and critique sessions. Industry insights from guest lectures by practicing creatives will be included. Learn clever ways to acquire expert production techniques for art direction, shooting, lighting and sound to help translate your work into a captivating, powerful and authentic online—or offline—viewing experience.

ADD-3561

Hacking for Attention: Creative Advertising

3 studio credits

We live in a world where brands, people and ideas all compete for the most demanding currency—our attention. To reach people in the most disruptive ways possible, many brands, nonprofits, and others turn to advertising and creative ideas to capture one’s attention, wherever it is currently. Anywhere you spend your time can be hacked for attention—whether it’s an emerging social media channel, a streaming video or video-game platform, a trending meme, messaging app, the drop of a new shoe or music track, or wherever your “screen time” says you spend your time. This course is focused on where you and others expend your attention and how you can hack it to deliver culture-shattering ideas. Current brands and agencies are looking to hire creative talent that understand these platforms and trends, inside and out. That’s where you step in.

ADD-3562

Authenticity in Advertising

3 studio credits

Many of life’s culture-shaping ideas, products, businesses and brands were developed from personal problems and a bit of passion. This course is focused on identifying problems that you have (or may have) faced and finding culture-breaking creative solutions. Whether miniscule in scale (like waking up in the morning) or daunting life-altering issues (such as climate change)—you’ll find innovative ways to tackle the issue and turn your passion into creative ideas that can get you noticed and eventually hired.

DSD-3611 / DSD-3612

Designing with Typography I and II

3 studio credits per course

How can type be used to communicate? These courses will help you answer that question through using and creating type for both experimental and practical application. Through these courses, you should gain a greater understanding of how to think about typography and how to see typography.

DSD-3626 / DSD-3627

Advanced Type I and II: The Perfect Paragraph

3 studio credits per course

In these courses students will examine the principles of typographic design and color theory, as well as the fundamentals of traditional typesetting. Experiments with letterform design will include an exploration of color theory as applied to typographic design. Typographic books, original type treatments, word marks and logos for digital display and print will be created. Students will be encouraged to work with their own content, including original typeface designs.

ADD-3652 / ADD-3653

Honors: Pop-Thinking x ACLU I and II

3 studio credits per course

Together, with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), we will explore ways to use advertising to defend human rights. In order to do so students will cultivate the ability to persuasively communicate with an audience in a digital world. Our primary goal is to explore and understand topical moments in pop culture, current events, social media and technology to effectively aid the ACLU with their campaign efforts. This will enable us to think, act and create like our audience—that is pop-culturally obsessed, digitally savvy and constantly consuming content. However, unlike other courses, we will be working with an actual client and presenting ideas. This is a hands-on experience of what it’s like to work with a real-world client.

DSD-3653

Interdisciplinary Design

3 studio credits

In this course students will synthesize their study of design, typography, image-making and visual storytelling. We will depart from a simple overlapping of different disciplines and push further toward combining different disciplines into a single interdisciplinary language. Through exposure to deep connections among varying subjects, students will be encouraged to think outside the box and develop fresh, unexpected ideas. Projects will include typographical assignments, animated infographics, visualizing music, visual storytelling (both graphic and video), image projection on the wall, documentation/promotion of the creative process, and more. In addition to using familiar tools and applications, students will be introduced to video editing software for video project execution. Through this course students will discover how much seemingly distant media and techniques have in common, and how these practices are at the designer’s disposal to create a powerful message.

DSD-3667

Honors: Visual Identity and Multimedia

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-3681 / DSD-3682

Honors: Finding Your Voice as a Graphic Designer I and II

3 studio credits per course

With the splintering of the discipline, it is more important than ever to have a specific point of view as a graphic designer. These courses will focus on the journey each student has taken as a designer up to this point, and we will work toward identifying and developing each student’s unique process, ideas, typography, form making and approach. They will consist of a combination of lectures, field trips and individual (and group) design projects and in-class critiques. Projects will be geared toward empirical explorations to gain an understanding of each student’s design process, whether working individually or in groups. The development of a critical judgment and unique “design voice” is encouraged.

DSD-3741 through DSD-3784

Interaction Design and Communication I and II

3 studio credits per course

Working in today’s digital world encompasses both the usability and aesthetic of a product, service, brand, or strategy that relies on technology. In these courses you will learn how to tackle the unique 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 process.

DSD-4003

Graphic Design Portfolio I and II

3 studio credits per course

Entering the design profession is more demanding than ever. Your portfolio needs to reflect not only your own conceptual voice, but also communicate your values, strengths, interests, skills and ambitions. Whether your design discipline is traditional, motion graphics, interactive, 3D or alternative, this course will be a thorough and intense investigation of what your portfolio needs to be to meet your personal needs and professional goals. Students will develop their own ideas, define content and ultimately design the type of projects they want for their portfolio, as well as hone their communications skills for presenting themselves and their work in a professional environment.

DSD-4300

Presentation Skills Seminar

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 work—a skill critical for all creatives. From the development of decks to preferred software, this asynchronous online seminar will examine best practices, key techniques and terminology, and critical considerations needed to get a job, sell a pitch, be part of a team, and more. Each student will produce a video for review prior to completion of the course.

DSD-4400

Intellectual Property and the Law

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 new technology, such as the web, will be included throughout the course.

SENIOR PROJECT COURSES

These courses are intensive one- and two-semester offerings in specialized areas. Projects are geared toward additional diversity for student portfolios.

DSD-4706

MoGraph Essentials—CINEMA 4D and After Effects I

3 studio credits

Whether your field of work is print, advertising, graphic design, film, or motion graphics, MAXON CINEMA 4D gives you all the tools you need to make your ideas reality. Students can create 3D elements for storyboards, animations and designs. The software’s intuitive interface and logical workflow make it possible for those new to 3D artistry to dive right in. In this course CINEMA 4D will be used for enhancing animation to go hand-in-hand with Adobe After Effects. Students will start by learning the application and working on real world projects ranging from a logo animation to a full television promo spot.

DSD-4707

MoGraph Essentials—CINEMA 4D and After Effects II

3 studio credits

This is the second part of a two-semester course. See DSD-4706 for course description.

ONE-SEMESTER SENIOR PROJECT COURSES

DSD-4701

Production Studio for the Graphic Designer

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-4711

Creative Computing for Interaction Experiences

3 studio credits

This course will introduce the basics of computer programming as a tool for visual communications and user experiences. With no programming experience required, students will study computer graphics programming through hands-on experiences. During the semester p5.js (JavaScript library) will be used to illustrate the fundamentals of computation. The course will consist of lectures and presentations, with a short assignment after each session. We will also look at techniques to build the generative design, image manipulation and digital interaction.

DSD-4713

Metaverse: Augmented and Virtual Reality

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-4716

Designing and Prototyping for Immersive Media (XR/AR/VR)

3 studio credits

To understand XR, spatial computing for immersive media, you need to understand the technologies that enable it, how they are used and what their future holds. In this course an introduction to XR will be introduced, using a broadly chronological approach—from historical milestones to the wide ranges of mainstream applications today. As you learn about the technology you will develop hands-on experience in the field. The course is structured to strengthen your knowledge of human-centered design principles and offers a dive deep into the design patterns of spatial computing. Lectures are directly tied to hands-on workshops, and you will be building small applications and prototypes across the entire mixed-reality spectrum; from Instagram AR filters and VR interfaces to social VR avatars, and even creating your own personal VR portfolio showcase. How to translate your artistic voice and style into the spatial context of the entire spectrum of immersive media will be included. This course is designed for beginners with very little practice in XR/AR/VR coding as well as those with experience who want to expand their practice. Although no coding knowledge is required, there is an element of coding HTML, CSS and JavaScript that will be taught and practiced in class and home assignments.

DSD-4744

Designing a Business

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

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-4754 / DSD-4755

Honors: Yearbook I and II

3 studio credits per course

Students will create the concept and design of the SVA undergraduate yearbook. Independent Study: Design 3 studio credits Junior and senior design 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 have earned a grade point average above 3.50 at SVA and 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

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.

Curriculum