Required Courses
Graphic & Web Design Courses
Comprehensive curriculum, with high-quality content, expert professional instruction, and hands-on project based learning with actual clients, enables students to develop a graphic design portfolio reflecting their creative design skills.
Fall Quarter
| Title |
Course Number |
Units |
| Visual Communication I |
ART-40455 |
4.5 |
|
Designers are faced with the challenge of visual-problem solving and utilizing a wide variety of graphic elements. How they organize these elements in layout can determine the success of a project. In this introduction to InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop, students will develop a broad range of skills to effectively bring a project from concept to completion. Students will learn to evaluate audience response, determine appropriate aesthetic sensibilities, identify effective spatial relationships, and explore color theory, typography, and effective page layout concepts.
|
| Visual Communication II |
ART-40456 |
4.5 |
|
Build upon design processes and skill sets acquired in Visual Communications I. Use Adobe Illustrator to develop design projects based on specific aesthetic and goal requirements. Students will also learn about file management principles and branding, and advance their understanding of color theory, typography, and spatial relations.
|
| Visual Communication III |
ART-40360 |
4.5 |
|
Graphic design projects are not complete until a high quality product with acceptable output or reproduction clarity is accomplished. Whether it is printed collateral, screen presentations, or projected digital media, the visual designer must be familiar with the technical requirements associated with a variety of output methodologies. Using Adobe Photoshop, students will learn to identify key technical requirements such as color definitions, file formats, and resolutions, and understand how to implement these requirements into design projects.
|
Winter Quarter
| Title |
Course Number |
Units |
| Digital Photography |
ART-40429 |
4.5 |
|
Learn the fundamentals of the digital photographic process. In this course, students will gain a basic understanding of photography concepts such as lighting, composition, digital processing workflow, scanning, outdoor photography, architectural photography, product photography, portraits, studio set ups, filters, and more.
|
| Visual Communication IV |
ART-40359 |
4.5 |
|
Students will immerse themselves in the professional project development sequence by completing a series of design projects. Using Adobe InDesign, students will develop collateral material such as brochures, posters, packaging, labeling, corporate identities, and signage. From concept through output, each project will engage a specific production process.
|
| Advanced Digital Design I |
ART-40362 |
4.5 |
|
Students will learn contemporary practices of web design using top web design software and Adobe Creative Suite. Students will develop and refine their portfolio websites by demonstrating thoughtful integrated media presentations and intuitive design and navigation structures.
|
Spring Quarter
| Title |
Course Number |
Units |
| Advanced Digital Design II |
ART-40363 |
4.5 |
|
Apply the advanced principles of design to real-world projects, taking on your first client work as introduced by your instructors. Clients may come from varying disciplines and backgrounds and present a variety of specific requirements and visual challenges. More in-depth work will enhance and sharpen your skills in Design.
|
| Web Design I |
ART-40333 |
4.5 |
|
Familiarize yourself with the fundamentals of web design. Students will discuss basic terminology, and identify internet components. In an intense overview of site planning, students will explore techniques of effective design and layout. Students will learn how to create web graphics, optimize them for website usage, and build their first websites using current web tools and best practices.
|
| Web Design II |
ART-40334 |
4.5 |
|
This course is designed to further students' understanding of the principles of web design, including user experience and responsive design for viewing content on multiple devices. Emphasis will be placed on expanding HTML and CSS skills. Website projects will be introduced, challenging students to accommodate a variety of specific marketing-related requirements.
|
Summer Quarter
| Title |
Course Number |
Units |
| Web Design III |
ART-40335 |
4.5 |
|
Students will continue to develop the skills necessary to design websites. Adhering to the contemporary practices of web design, and using top web design software, students develop and refine their portfolio sites to demonstrate thoughtful integrated media presentations and intuitive design and navigation structures.
|
| Portfolio Development |
ART-40347 |
4.5 |
|
Learn how to position yourself for a career in the creative industry. Review careers and jobs in the field. Address the issues of starting and running a successful design business, including working in the field and as a freelancer. Become skilled at marketing and self-promotion, budgeting, purchasing, manage documentation, and copywriting in the communications industry, as well as a comprehensive portfolio and the development of marketing materials.
|
Portfolio Development
In the unique field of digital arts, what matters is being able to show what you can do. You can show your skills most effectively through your portfolio.
In the final quarter of the program, in addition to your normal course load, you'll work on your portfolio. Using what you've learned and projects developed in the program to date, you'll develop a portfolio, which covers print, web, and interactive DVD projects. Combine that with UC San Diego's brand-name certificates and doors will open.
Business and Marketing
Following successful completion of the Graphic & Web Design, Mobile Applications Development, or Video & Editing Program, students will have acquired extensive design knowledge and applied it to numerous professional-level production projects. Throughout the program, instructors and guest speakers will teach basic business principles and techniques for marketing and self-promotion. Business strategies, copyright and legal issues, marketing, and job placement strategies are covered. The ongoing evolution of portfolios, reels, and presentation skills continue to be refined while interfacing with various circles of the design community.
Upon successful completion of these certificates, students will:
- Possess professional level skill sets and be prepared for employment with the refinement of portfolios and presentation skills
- Understand business/marketing practices as uniquely applied to the digital designer
- Take part in internships / externships (optional)
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