CURRICULUM
GRADUATE PROGRAM
The Visual Communications emphasis area in the interdisciplinary MFA in Studio Art has five faculty members with diverse and innovative approaches to design, illustration and new media. Graduate students participate in courses, seminars and independent studies and develop a body of self initiated visual work that contributes to the broad interdisciplinary field of Visual Communications. The Graduate curriculum includes seminars in other areas in The School of Art providing students with the skills and inclination to combine individual artistic expression and authorship with the responsibility of communication in the visual realm. Students graduate with an understanding of visual communications as a complex profession, a medium of critical inquiry and a vehicle for community involvement. Most graduate students have the opportunity to teach and/or work as research assistants.
UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM
The Visual Communications area combines authorship and artistic expression with the responsibility of communication and visual problem solving. The sequence of courses fosters a balance between, theory, aesthetics, craft, concept development, communication, critical thinking, and digital technology. Student portfolios are reviewed for acceptance into separate tracks in design or illustration.
The Design Track provides a foundation in design principles and methodologies, creative problem solving and digital processes. As students advance in the program they gain knowledge and skills in professional practice including identity systems, web design, typography, motion graphics, history, contemporary criticism, and theory. Students graduate with a professional portfolio and a broad understanding of the business of design as well as it's potential as a medium of critical inquiry and community involvement.
The Illustration Track is known for its excellence in figurative studies as well as its focus on the development of each student's particular visual voice. Students get a rigorous education in constructive anatomy and learn to describe the human form realistically and expressively and find personal methodologies in traditional and digital media. Students graduate with a professional portfolio and knowledge of the history of Illustration as well as, the guidelines for ethical professional business practices in the field.
Course Descriptions
Art 265: Design Studio One
This beginning level design class focuses on the manual, digital, and creative thinking skills necessary to produce clear, thoughtful, and communicative designs. It introduces design processes and methodologies and semiotics as well as reinforcing composition and its relationship to content...:: 265 Web Site ::..
Art 266: Illustration Studio One
Exploration of techniques, styles and media for illustration.Art 361: Web Design
This course is an introduction to web design. Studio projects focus on the development of online graphics, systems, and information structures. This course covers the processes of developing a site, including methods of research, site maps, icons and interface design. This course is a combination of studio projects, research projects, lectures, readings, and class discussions...:: 361 Web Site ::..
Art 363a: Typography Studio One
This is an intermediate level course emphasizing the study of letterforms and their appropriate and effective use in visual communications. Topics include type classification and terminology, typeface identification, font design, book structures, the use of grids, type history and theory. This course is a combination of informal lectures, one on one discussions of concepts and preliminary sketches, and group critiques and discussions.Art 363b: Typography Studio Two
This is an intermediate level graphic design course emphasizing the use of the typographic grid, digital typesetting and production. The primary focus will be the use of typographic grids and information structures in multiple page projects.Art 365: Design Studio Two
This is an intermediate level course in identity design which will incorporate image management through the design of a particular company. Studio projects will focus on integrating traditional visual art principles while working to create a consistent look to a business branding/identity.ART 366: Illustration Studio Two
This is an intermediate level illustration course focusing on the cultivation of each student's particular point of view and the translation of that into a visual language that communicates to an intended audience. Projects foster the development of the skills required to tell stories, create fictions, relate lived experience, evoke emotion, and inspire contemplation in pictures and words in a particular and memorable way. This is predominantly a studio course.ART 368: Figure Illustration
One Study of constructive anatomy and basic drawing principles as a means to realistic and expressive depiction of the human form.Art 370: History of Visual Communications
This is a history course addressing the formal, technical, and conceptual aspects of the history of Design and Illustration. It is intended to assist students in developing an understanding of the field of Visual Communications from the invention of writing to the present day. This course is a combination of weekly lectures, research projects, readings, and class discussions.Art 461/561: Motion Design
This course explores issues in sequence, nonlinear systems, and typography as they relate to motion design. Studio projects focus on the development of storyboards, animation, digital video and time based presentations. This course is a combination of studio projects, research projects, lectures, readings, and class discussions.
Art 462a/562a: Figure Painting for Illustration
Study of the human form as a means of developing a personal aesthetic in painting/illustration.
ART 462b/562b Comics and Sequential Art
This is a studio art class designed to take students through the process of researching, creating, and producing work in the comic book genre for presentation within the comic industry. Advanced drawing students will have the opportunity to learn techniques and approaches to an art medium that has thoroughly penetrated contemporary culture.
Art 465/565: Design Studio Three
This is an advanced level course in project management which will incorporate image management through the design of project oriented class work with client based "real world" assignments. Studio projects will focus on integrating traditional visual art principles while working to create a consistent look to an existing organization or business identity or visual communication. Emphasis is placed on the designer's personal visual voice.
ART 466/566 Illustration Studio Three
This culmination of previous studio classes emphasizes the development of a visual voice for book, film, reportage and sequential illustration. Contemporary approaches to art and illustration as a means to finding personal methodologies in traditional and/or digital media.
ART 467/567: Experimental Illustration
Experimentation, interpretation and problem solving through illustration.
Art 496: Critical Issues in Design
This senior and graduate level seminar explores the role of the designer and the social and cultural functions of design in contemporary culture. Readings cover philosophical, historical, social, political, cultural, and ethical aspects of professional design practice. The objective is to introduce material that will encourage students to adopt an analytical and critical approach to design and gain a better understanding of the cultural impact of the profession. Visual projects and written papers reflect and reinforce an understanding of the readings.Art 496b/596b: Digital Illustration
This is an advanced level course in digital painting/illustration which will incorporate hands on painting, drawing and 3D form manipulation through digital imaging. Studio projects will focus on integrating traditional visual art principles with digital imaging while working back into these images with traditional media.Art 497w: Summer Design Workshop
This course examines ideas and methods in design process. Students develop an understanding of the breadth of design practice by working with a series of visiting designers in a hands on workshop setting. Students attend lectures, followed by readings and discussions, produce process books, summaries of lectures, and visual projects.