Visual Communication Design
- HER-A 261 Introduction to Computer Imagery I (3 cr.) An introductory course providing hands-on learning experiences in using the Macintosh computer and Adobe Photoshop, a pixel-based paint and image-editing software package, to create, scan, and manipulate images. A studio elective open to all Herron degree-seeking students with little or no computer experience who have completed the foundation year.
- HER-L 210 Visual Communication Design for the Web (3 cr.) Intended for non-Visual Communication Design majors, this introductory web design course looks at web design from the perspective of a visual designer. Topics covered will include: web page layout and conventions, web typography, user interface, and responsive visual design. The impact of visual design on usability, user experience, and basic front-end development will also be investigated.
- HER-U 201 Design & Type Basics: Look Smarter with Good Type (3 cr.)
Introduction to basic design principles and typography for students who are not design majors. Focus is on typographic fundamentals and the use of typography to improve outcomes like resumes, presentations, posters. Students will gain the ability to create more effective and professional visual communication built on functional and clear typography.
- HER-V 101 Design Thinking 101 (3 cr.) Design Thinking is a leading framework that enables people from any background to harness creativity and promote innovation. This course works in a lecture-studio format where students learn foundational principles and elements of Design Thinking and then work in interdisciplinary teams to utilize creative problem solving with peers across disciplines.
- HER-V 200 Design, Media, and Culture (3 cr.) An introduction to design in popular western culture. Students develop a sense of design aesthetic through the review and critique of contemporary and historical cultural artifacts.
- HER-V 210 Foundations of Graphic Design (3-6 cr.)
An introduction to form-making in graphic design through the exploration of the elements and principles of design. This course emphasizes using the iterative design process to develop unique and appropriate graphic design solutions.
- HER-V 211 Typography I (3 cr.)
An introduction to typography as an art form and element of visual communication. Topics include letterform design, the fundamentals of typesetting, and typographic composition.
- HER-V 214 History of Visual Communication (3 cr.) This course examines the cultural, social, political, economic, and technological forces that shape visual communication. Course begins with an introductory survey of visual communication activities from the Middle Ages through the renaissance. Following the impact of technology on visual communication the course will focus more thoroughly on a Western European and American perspective from the impact of the Industrial Revolution through the explosive changes that continue to take place in contemporary visual communication.
- HER-V 220 Visual Communication Design Studio 2 (1-6 cr.) P: V210
Introductory Visual Communicaton Design course. Assigned projects develop student skills in concept generation and visualization. Students learn to make relevant, meaningful and appropriate visual form in response to contexts and communication problems. Class focus is on integrating visual and verbal messages intended to communicate to a clearly defined audience.
- HER-V 225 Designing for Hybrid Spaces (3 cr.) Hybrid spaces partake of both physical and digital worlds. This hands-on studio introduces digital fabrication (laser cutting and 3D printing) and microcontroller skills (working with sensors, actuators and coding) that students will use together to activate spaces to support and measure experiences of place. Includes theory, survey of practices and hands-on work.
- HER-V 230 Brand Identity Design (3 cr.)
An overview of the theory and practice of creating brand identity marks and systems. Topics include logo development, systems of visual branding, and the design of branded assets.
- HER-V 240 Information Design (3 cr.)
An overview of the theory and practice of constructing compelling narratives through the data visualization. Students learn to communicate with an audience by controlling the visual presentation of quantitative and qualitative data.
- HER-V 250 Professional Preparation (1 cr.) This course provides students an overview of career options in the field of design and prepares them to create the materials necessary to enter the field. Through a variety of projects, students will hone their skills in job searching, interviewing, and professional presentation.
- HER-V 251 Typography II (3 cr.) P: V211
An intermediate-level course on typography and type systems. Students learn to combine image and type in novel ways to meet defined communication goals, create imagery with type, and utilize complex grid systems in typographic layouts.
- HER-V 308 Design Labs (1.5 cr.) P: Various. Studio course. Course provides students with an opportunity to engage in focused study of a substantive area of Visual Communication Design. This course will address specific topics of relevance to contemporary design practice. Designed as an 8-wk intensive, each topic offering will provide students an opportunity to develop deeper knowledge and understanding of one aspect within visual communication design.
- HER-V 311 Typography III (3 cr.) P: HER-V311
An advanced exploration of typographic form and style. Students learn to design new typefaces and construct advanced typographic systems that bridge analog and digital channels.
- HER-V 325 Kinetic Design (3 cr.)
An introduction of time as an element of visual design. Students learn how to manipulate visual elements in time-based media to meet communication goals. Topics covered include kinetic typography, animated logo development, and animation as a part of digital branding.
- HER-V 330 Visual Communication Design Studio 3 (1-3 cr.) P: HER-V 220
This course builds on the introductory course work of the first year. VCD Studio 3 expands the students knowledge of people-centered design, introduces basic design research methods, and skills for data visualization. This course emphasizes practical application and experiential learning.
- HER-V 340 Design in Context (3 cr.) P: HER-V 330 Studio course. Course introduces design research methods and practices used in facilitating design solutions when problems are less “framed” that don't have defined constraints and objectives. Develop skills working collaboratively and directly on behalf of local organizations and community partners. Course outcomes vary across multiple design channels and formats to target specific audiences and communication needs.
- HER-V 350 Professional Practice Internship (3 cr.) This course offers VCD students the opportunity to learn through a supervised experience in professional work settings. In addition to activities associated with their internship, students participate in a series of dissuasions and writing prompts to reflect on their on-the-job learning.
- HER-V 408 Advanced Design Lab (1.5 cr.)
This course provides students with an opportunity to engage in focused study of a substantive area of Visual Communication Design. This course will address specific topics of relevance to contemporary design practice. Designed as an 8-wk intensive, each topic offering will provide students an opportunity to develop deeper knowledge and understanding of one aspect within visual communication design. Topics will address subjects such as: User interface design, service design, advanced design research methods, design for hybrid spaces, portfolio development, and exhibition design.
- HER-V 410 VC 5: Design Methods for Innovation (3 cr.) P: HER-V 320 or permission of instructor. Studio course with cross-disciplinary team collaboration. Application, integration, and synthesis of knowledge and skills for visual communication majors and subject matter experts. Advanced methods for designing for innovation. Discovering and shaping opportunities for socially relevant innovations. Integrating professional service for civic communication with reflection on personal values.
- HER-V 420 Design Lab: Portfolio (3 cr.) P: HER-V 410. This course facilitates the transition of students as they move toward their career, either beginning as a design intern or seeking their first professional position in a design field. Students examine the scope of professional opportunities and reflect on professional practice. They will research professional roles and organizations where designers work and will present their findings. Students will design and produce a professional level portfolio and related self-promotional materials. Students will develop an individual plan for a viable academic-to-career path.
- HER-V 430 Cross-Cultural Design (1-6 cr.) An advanced investigation of design practices in external cultures. Students will collaborate on projects that expand on design practices through research, typography, and experiences catering to local and global perspectives. Learning opportunities will facilitate critical and cross-cultural conversations regardless of location, language, or identity.
