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Visual Communication Design

Elective Courses in Visual Communication
  • HER-A 261 Introduction to Computer Imagery I (3 cr.) P: Foundation Program. 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.)

    P: F 121 or permission of instructor
    Intended for non-VCD majors but may be taken as a studio elective by VCD majors. Introductory web design course examines web design from the perspective of a visual designer. Topics covered include web page layout and conventions, web typography, user interface, and responsive visual design. Impact of visual design on usability, user experience, and basic front-end development also introduced. Open to all Herron degree-seeking students; other students by permission. Must have computer experience or completion of A 261.

  • HER-Y 201 Designing for Hybrid Spaces (3 cr.) P: F121 or permission of instructor

    Intended for all Herron major and is encouraged as a studio elective for VCD majors. 

    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.

Graduate Courses in Visual Communication
  • HER-V 501 Introduction to Design Thinking (1.5 cr.) Seminar. Theorizing and evaluating design as a specialized way of thinking. Examining collaborative, cross-disciplinary innovation processes requiring skills for identifying and framing challenges and generating and optimizing solutions. Surveying essential processes and process skills to deploy design thinking for the development of creative solutions to complex systems level challenges.
  • HER-V 502 Introduction to Human Factors in Design (1.5 cr.) Seminar. Investigating knowledge and theories to support people-driven innovation as an inclusive co-creative process. Identifying, analyzing synthesizing and evaluating many characteristics of audiences and contexts. These include physical, cognitive, cultural and social human factors as well as the economic, technological and environmental issues that inform and shape design responses.
  • HER-V 510 Collaborative Action Research in Design I (3 cr.) Studio. Application and integration of theory, methods and skills for designing as a cross-disciplinary collaborative process for innovation. Focusing on human-centered design research to support problem finding and fact finding phases of methodology for formulating problems/opportunities, formulating solutions and implementing solutions. Team approach to translation action research.
  • HER-V 511 Design Method: People-Centered Design Research (1.5 cr.) Methods. Foundation in design research. Application and integration of theory, methods, and skills for initiating people-centered (and participatory) design research activities. Performing generative, evaluative, and experimental research to inform designing. Accounting for audiences and contexts including recognition of physical, cognitive, cultural, and social human factors that shape design responses.
  • HER-V 520 Collaborative Action Research in Design II (3 cr.) Studio. Application and integration of theory, methods and skills for designing as a cross-disciplinary collaborative process for innovation. Focusing on analytical techniques including mapping challenges to support the problem defining phase of a methodology for formulating problems/opportunities, formulating solutions and implementing solutions. Team approach to translational action research.
  • HER-V 521 Methods for Design Analysis (1.5 cr.) Methods. Application and integration of theory, methods and skills for design analysis in the context of cross-disciplinary collaborative process for innovation. Identifying patterns and framing insights. Emphasis on defining problems in fuzzy situations. Surveying, performing and evaluating design analysis methodologies from multiple disciplinary perspectives. Techniques include challenge mapping and card sorting.
  • HER-V 530 COLLABRTV ACTN RSRCH IN DSGN 3 (3 cr.) Studio. Application and integration of theory, methods and skills for designing as a cross-disciplinary collaborative process for innovation. Focusing on techniques for synthesizing design research to support the idea finding phase of a methodology for formulating problems/opportunities, formulation solutions and implementing solutions. Team approach to translational action research.
  • HER-V 531 Design Methods for Design Synthesis (1.5 cr.) Application and integration of theory, methods and skills for design synthesis in the context of a cross-disciplinary collaborative process for innovation. Emphasizing divergent thinking, active deferral of judgment and ideation. Surveying, performing and evaluation design synthesis methods for exploring and conceiving plans. Techniques include lateral thinking, brainstorming and synetics.
  • HER-V 540 COLLABRTV ACTN RSRCH IN DSGN 4 (6 cr.) Studio. Application and integration of theory, methods and skills for designing as a cross-disciplinary collaborative process for innovation. Focusing on techniques for evaluating proposals to support the optimizing and implementing phases of a methodology for formulating problems/opportunities, formulating solutions and implementing solutions. Team approach to translational action research.
  • HER-V 541 Methods for Design Evaluation (1.5 cr.) Methods. Application and integration of theory, methods, and skills for design evaluation, optimization and implementation in the context of a cross-disciplinary collaborative process for innovation. Emphasizing techniques to support decision-making. Surveying, performing, and comparing design evaluation and implementation tools including user studies, criteria grids, paired comparison analysis and action planning.
  • HER-V 601 Leadership in Design Practice (1.5 cr.)

    Seminar. Examining design leadership as a specialized set of action logics and behaviors. Surveying established frameworks of leadership. Analyzing design thinking in terms of organizational leadership. Evaluating design thinking as a guiding principle to initiate change and to facilitate creative solutions within complex and ambiguous systems level challenges.

  • HER-V 602 Leadership in Design Education (1.5 cr.)

    Seminar. Examining application of design thinking as a strategy for leading change in the context of higher design education. Surveying principles and purposes of higher education and frameworks of scholarship. Analyzing design thinking for integrative learning and civic innovation. Evaluating principles of collaborative design for educating citizen professionals.

  • HER-V 650 Collaborative Action Research in Design 5 (1.5 cr.)

    Studio. Initiating basic application and synthesis of Design Leadership. During the fifth semester in the program, students further develop and apply their skills for design leadership by facilitating cross-disciplinary, collaborative design projects.

  • HER-V 660 Collaborative Action Research in Design 6 (1.5 cr.)

    Studio. Initiating intermediate application and synthesis of Design Leadership. During this course, students further develop and apply their skills for design leadership by facilitating cross-disciplinary, collaborative design projects.

  • HER-V 670 Collaborative Action Research in Design 7 (1.5 cr.)

    Studio. Mastering advanced application and synthesis of Design Leadership. During this course, students further develop and apply their skills for design leadership by facilitating cross-disciplinary, collaborative design projects.

  • HER-V 680 Collaborative Action Research in Design 8 (1.5 cr.)

    Studio. Evaluating mastery of advanced Design Leadership. During this course, students evaluate their skills for design leadership by conducting critical reflection on experiences and learning from the facilitation of cross-disciplinary, collaborative design projects.

  • HER-V 690 Thesis writing 1 (3 cr.)

    Studio. Introduction to the theory, methods and skills for developing and framing a researchable question. Focusing on techniques for analysis and syn­thesis of concepts and theories into a clear and actionable research question including a comprehensive literature review that supports the question.

  • HER-V 691 Thesis Studio 1 (3 cr.)

    Studio. Introduction to the theory, methods and skills for developing and con­structing a research project plan. Focusing on techniques for the integration and application of concepts and theories into a concise project plan including a clear methodology and research design.

  • HER-V 692 Thesis Writing 2 (6 cr.)

    Studio. Application and integration of theory, methods and skills for assessing project outcomes. Focusing on techniques for analysis of design activities and synthesis of research findings including project documentation and theoretical analysis of designed outcomes.

  • HER-V 693 Thesis Studio 2 (6 cr.)

    Studio. Application and integration of theory, methods and skills for execut­ing a research project according to plan. Focusing on techniques for managing a research process including the conceptualizing, generating, optimizing and implementation phases of a project.

Required Courses for Visual Communication Majors
  • HER-V 211 Typography (3 cr.)

    Studio course. Intermediate skills development for visual communication design majors. Exploring visual communication design through the application of text type and typographic technology. Focusing on congruency between visual and verbal hierarchies, formats for information organizational problems, and technical details of typographic layout. Includes an introduction to professional terminology, typographic history and technical issues.

  • HER-V 214 History of Visual Communication (3 cr.) P: Eng w131 or equivalent

    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 VC 2: Design Methodology (6 cr.) P: v210, v201, v214 Studio. Introductory course in Visual Communication. Assigned projects allow students to develop skills in concept generation and concept 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 210 VC 1: Elements and Principles (4 cr.)

    P: Foundation Program. C: V211, V212. Studio course. Introductory skills development for visual communication design majors. Emphasis placed on design process and the development of ability to engage in iterative exploration. Exploring varied means of graphic representation utilizing formal elements and principles of visual communication design. Identifying, contrasting, and analyzing techniques for the invention of two-dimensional form with the purpose of communicating information, concepts, and emotions.

     

  • HER-V 310 Identifying Problems (5 cr.) P: v220, v211 C: v311 Studio course. Application and integration of knowledge and skills for visual communication design majors. Methods of managing complex communication design needs within a broad spectrum of applications. Directing inquiries in unstructured situations with undefined problems. Managing expressions and impressions. Integrating professional service for civic communication with reflection on personal values.
  • HER-V 311 Type & Image (3 cr.) P: v220, v211

    Studio course. Advanced skills development and applied research for visual communication design majors. Course builds on the skills and knowledge developed in Making Meaning and in Typography; students will use typography and imagery as modes of visual communication design.

     

  • HER-V 320 VC 4: Facilitating Solutions (6 cr.) P: V310. Studio course. Application and integration of knowledge and skills for visual communication majors. Methods to facilitate solutions to unframed community issues. Exploring social roles of designers as researchers, reporters, and editors in collaborative teams. Integrating professional service for civic communication with reflection on personal values.
  • HER-V 410 VC 5: Design Methods for Innovation (3 cr.) P: V320 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 VC 6: Portfolio (3 cr.) P: V410.

    Studio.  Application, integration, synthesis,  and evaluation of knowledge and skills for visual communication design majors. Utilization of tools and knowledge for managing complexity to develop professional career plans. Reflecting on personal, academic, pre-professional experiences. Analyzing and evaluating transferable skills. Developing portfolios that demonstrate depth, breadth, adaptiveness of knowledge, and critical thinking in preparation for beginning a professional career.

  • HER-A 453 Professional Practice Internship (3 cr.) P: v310, v311, a341 and approval of instructor

    Program offers students the opportunity to learn by working with professionals in a design studio or corporate design office. Students must participate in seeking suitable opportunities.  Internship settings must be coordinated with faculty and are subject to approval by faculty to ensure a valid educational experience. Students must document their work experience as required by the faculty for grading and to receive credit.

  • HER-V 201 Making Meaning (3 cr.)

    Theory. Survey study of a range of theories about visual communication design to inform studio practice relative to broad issues of representation and interpretation within contextual frameworks

  • HER-V 421 Service Experience Design ((3) 8w2 cr.) P: v400

    As the service industry continues to dominate the US economy in public and private sectors, there have been increasing demands for design thinking to address the opportunities and challenges faced by the shift to a knowledge-based service-centered society. Responding to the current design context and practice, Service Experience Design 1 focuses on a totality of service experience that considers people, products, places and procedures in a designerly way.

     

  • HER-V 422 Service Experience Design II (6 cr.) P: v421

    This is the second in a series of two courses which focus on service design. This course builds on the prerequisite course, Designing People-centered Services I. Students in this course will apply research methods to seek better understanding of human factors (issues of audiences and contexts); students will apply strategic design tools for generating and integrating solutions. Within this course these skills, tools and methods will be applied to a collaborative project situated in the real world in order to develop people-­‐centered solutions.