We begin with foundation level courses in design, typography, color theory, and of course the computer skills that are required these days. Later, students learn how to determine a visual voice and an appropriate form – print collateral, stationery system, posters, catalog, publication, packaging, signage, websites, apps, games, digital signage, motion graphics, you name it– whatever medium is for best connecting a brand to its audience.

Because most classes are taught by working professionals, student work is judged by professionally rigorous standards of success regarding deadlines, budgets, aesthetics, and concepts.

Here’s a small sample of the classes you’ll take as an Designer.

Creative Thinking
Techniques address the daily necessity for original thinking, facing the blank page, creative diversity, productivity and overcoming rejection.

Intro to Graphic Design
Develop a basic understanding of design principles and vocabulary for creative visual thinking

Type 1
Introduction to type as symbols, individual letter forms, shape and space

Trademarks
Students learn that a logo is a simple visual representation (a symbol!) of a brand and it’s personality – and it’s not as easy as it looks, even in black-and-white. Brands vary, some deadlines are weekly, others longer, but the clarity and development of the idea is most important – not the execution.

Design Concepts
This class addresses the strategy/concept/design process by assigning a variety of creative problems. Strategy, concepting, new media, logos, 3-D, type, color and layout are addressed to create a clear, cohesive, communicative, original end product.

User Experience
Incorporates principles from Information Architecture and focuses on how the design and design principles affect the user’s ability to experience interactive content and projects.

Packaging
Products still come in packages, so students will develop skills to create and design for a variety of 3D problems.

Interactive Design
Students concept and design for the web, apps, games, wearables, retail, embedded interfaces, IoT, and more.

Motion Graphics
Students learn the fundamentals of using After Effects for motion graphics.

Publications
Students create and design a publication (print and digital) that speaks about a subject with a clearly defined visual tone and personality. It’s like Creative Thinking and Type 3 had a baby.

Board Games
A designer and copywriter partner to create and develop a board game (associated with an existing brand). Throughout the process, the team works on game-play, packaging, all the pieces necessary, advertising and a digital component.

Deathmatch
Projects are diverse and, as in real life, deadlines are short – usually weekly. So students must learn to think and work quickly. There may be some situations where the weekly assignment involves a teammate – usually a writer who needs help. The work is judged weekly, which determines the grades for the class.