Graduate Visual Communication Design (VCD)

The minimum prerequisite for 50000-69999 level courses is graduate standing. Additional prerequisites may apply and are listed in this catalog.

50000 Basic Computer Graphic Design/Illustration (2)
An introduction to the use of the computer as a tool in graphic design and illustration. Exploration of the relationship and integration of various hardware configurations and software solutions to meet the demands of today’s designers/illustrators. IP permissible.

50003 Intermediate Computer Design—Graphic Design and Illustration Various Software (3)
Addresses the issues of page layout and design, digital manipulation and vector graphic illustration for graphic design professionals. Prerequisites: visual communication design (VCD) majors. Special fee: $36 per semester.

50025 Professional Portfolio in Graphic Design and Illustration (1)
Development of a professional portfolio in graphic design and/or illustration through selection and refinement of previously completed classroom work and/or development of projects in areas of deficiency with emphasis on organization and presentation. Special fee: $12 per semester.

50052 Graphic Design—Travel and Field Experience (1-6)
Development of awareness and understanding in the practical application of graphic design and communication through directed field trip experience. Repeatable for a total of 16 credit hours.

50053 Graphic Design Studio—GLYPHIX (1-6)
Professional experience through an internal design studio. Involves responsibilities and procedures for the production of communication materials for off-campus clients including nonprofit organizations, charities, arts groups and selected on-campus
groups and departments. Repeatable for a total of 12 credit hours. IP permissible. Special fee: $12 per semester hour.

50092 Internship—Graphic Design and Illustration (1-6)
Experience in design studio, agency or company involving design responsibilities and procedures to broaden a student’s understanding of the profession through part-time employment. S/U grading; IP permissible.

50095 Special Topics: Graphic Design/Illustration (1-4)
To broaden the course offerings into specialized areas of study in graphic design and illustration taught by experts in the profession as guest faculty. S/U grading; IP permissible. Primarily used to fulfill electives in graphic design or illustration. Repeatable for a total of 16 credit hours. Special fee: $12 per semester hour.

50193 Variable Title Workshop in VCD (1-3)
Workshop setting dealing with intensive examination of special topics in VCD. May be repeated.

50195 Selected Topics: Graphic Design/Illustration (1-4)
(Repeatable). Variable topics related to GD&I.

52000 Advanced Illustration/Media (3)
Discussions and practice of media and grounds as they pertain to the illustration field. Discussion will also center around the problems in developing work of reproduction. Prerequisite: visual communication design (VCD) major.

52002 Editorial Illustration (3)
Exploration and discussion of various illustration techniques and their application in the publishing field. Emphasis is placed on client needs, concept and intended audience. Prerequisite: visual communication design (VCD) major.

52003 Advertising Illustration (3)
Exploration and discussion of various illustration techniques and their application in advertising. Emphasis is placed on client need, concept of solution and intended audience. Prerequisite: visual communication design (VCD) major.

52004 Computer Illustration (3)
An introductory course on the use of the computer as an illustration tool. The class will cover the necessary computer applications for advertising, editorial and book illustration. 

52051 Calligraphy and Layout (3)
Development of creative techniques and technical proficiency in calligraphy as applied to illustration and graphic design.

53000 Advanced Studio Skills/Graphic Design and Illustration—Electronic Prepress Production (2)
A technical lecture course designed to teach the fundamental techniques and processes of electronic prepress and printing production. This material is presented through a series of lectures, demos, written tests and field trips. Prerequisite: VCD 50003.

53001 Advanced Kinetic and Sequential Graphic Design (3)
The exploration of the use of the computer in kinetic and sequential graphic design, 3-D modeling and sound. Special fee: $28 per semester. Prerequisites: visual communication design (VCD) major.

53002 Typographic/Photographic Graphic Design (3)
The use of typography (rather than visual imagery) as the primary design form in solving graphic communication problems. Special fee: $32 per semester. Prerequisite: visual communication design (VCD) major.

53003 Corporate Identity/Graphic Design (3)
Use of graphic design forms (typography, photography and illustration) in the development of corporate identification for total advertising programs. Special fee: $28 per semester. Prerequisite: visual communication design (VCD) major.

53004 Issues for Graphic Design Businesses (3)
Designed to familiarize students with the basic business, marketing, legal and ethical standards in the graphic design industry. Prerequisite: visual communication design (VCD) major.

53005 3-D Graphic Design—Direct Mail/Packaging/Point of Purchase (3)
Use of typography and visual images, photography and illustrations, in the structure of information for communication on three-dimensional surfaces: direct mail, packaging and point-of-purchase display. Special fee: $28 per semester. Prerequisite: visual communication design (VCD) major.

53006 Environmental Graphic Design (3)
Aims at coordinating architectural planning, interior design, systems analysis and graphic communications. Special Fee: $3.33/Cr. Hr. - Subject to change. Includes an independent research-based component.

53007 Information Graphics (2)
(Cross-listed with JMC 56001) Introduction to shapes, color, type and combinations of these for computer-designed news graphics; maps, charts, graphs and diagrams.

53051 Experimental Typography (3)
Investigation of form, pattern and texture in typographic usage. Emphasis on linking traditional letterform technology and computer-generated forms. Special fee: $24 per semester. Prerequisite: visual communication design (VCD) major.

55000 Graphic Design Perspectives (3)
Comprehensive exploration of design through history. Topics include the early alphabet, print processes, illustration, phototgraphy, corporate design, modern design, and digital processes. Prerequisite: visual communication design (VCD) major.

56000 Web Design and Programming I (3)
Course focus is on Web concepts and high-quality Web design: computer science and visual communication design principles,  tools, architecture, presentation, design and creation of Web sites through teamwork. Course is jointly taught by computer science and visual communication design. Special fee: $10 per credit hour (subject to change). Prerequisites: visual communication design (VCD) major.

56001 Web Design and Programming II (3)
Advanced course in Web technologies and multimedia Web design: Web servers, security, advanced design, Java servlets, applets, database connectivity, site maintenance, relation of actual Web sites by teamwork. Course jointly taught by computer science and visual communication design. Special fee: $10 per credit hour (subject to change). Prerequisites: visual communication design (VCD) major.

56003 Digital Typography (2)
Applying typographic rules in digital environments. Organizing large amounts of text in complex architectures.

56005 Visual Form and Kinetics Graphics (2)
Visual communication design course on intermediate to advanced layout techniques focusing on kinetic graphics and video. Emphasis on creating specific messages with form; typography, color, space and sound.

56053 Web Design and Programming Studio (3)
A joint project course (Department of Computer Science and School of Visual Communication Design) exploring advanced aspects of Web design and programming. Student may pursue individually defined projects or team projects for real clients. Limited enrollment. Prerequisite: visual communication design.

60009 Candidacy Review/Graphic Design and Illustration (1)
A formal review of the work completed in the first 12 semester credit hours of graphic design and/or illustration courses for both M.F.A and M.A. S/U grading; IP permissible.

60053 Graphic Design Studio Management—GLYPHIX (1-6)
Professional studio management experience through internal design studio GLYPHIX. Involves responsibilities for coordinating undergraduate student designers, clients and vendors. Oversight of scheduling, production and quality control. Repeatable for a total of 12 credit hours. Special fee: $12 per semester hour.

60094 College Teaching in Visual Communication Design (3)
For VCD student teaching or who anticipate teaching in higher education. This experience also supports future careers in management, art direction and instructional roles in industry. Discussions include grading, critiques, classroom management and evaluation techniques.

60095 Special Topics in Graphic Design/Illustration (1-4)
To broaden course offerings into specialized areas of study in graphic design and illustration taught by experts in the profession as guest faculty. Used to fulfill primary studio requirements in graphic design and/or illustration. Repeatable for a total of 16 credit hours. May use S/U or letter grade depending on orientation of course (lecture or studio). IP permissible. Special fee: $12 per semester hour.

60096 Individual Investigation in Graphic Design and Illustration (1-16)
Individual investigation related to topics of graphic design and illustration approved and under the direction of a faculty member. IP permissible. Special fee: $12 per semester hour.

60098 Research (1-15)
Independent research under the direction of a faculty member in the division of Design/Illustration. Prerequisite: special approval.

60099 M.A. Project Graphic Design and Illustration (4)
A research project for nonthesis-option M.A. students approved in consultation with the faculty advisor that culminates in a visual project, exhibition and formal presentations. IP permissible.

68199 M.A. Thesis I (2-6)
Thesis students must register for a minimum of 6 hours, 2-6 hours in a single semester or distributed over several semesters if desired. S/U grading; IP permissible.

68299 M.A. Thesis II (2)
Thesis students must continue registration each semester until all degree requirements are met. S/U grading; IP permissible. Prerequisite: VCD 68199.

69199 M.F.A. Thesis I (2-6)
Thesis students must register for a minimum of 6 hours; 2-6 hours in a single semester or distributed over several semesters if desired. S/U grading; IP permissible.

69299 M.F.A. Thesis II (2)
Thesis students must continue registration each semester until all degree requirements are met. S/U grading; IP permissible. Prerequisite: VCD 69199.