This program consists of nine required courses. An optional introductory theory course is available for beginner students. Course descriptions are as follows:
Photoshop Basics
Acquire a thorough grounding in Adobe Photoshop, the premiere digital imaging program for graphic designers. Hands-on projects show how to select, enhance, distort, color, scale, and manipulate scanned images and artworks—or create them from scratch. Every designer must tame this creative powerhouse of a program.
Illustrator Basics
Build a working knowledge of Adobe Illustrator, the graphic designer's vector program of choice. Course projects explore selection tools, drawing tools, layers, the pen tool, transformations/ distortions, type tools, and modifying paths and shapes. Tapping into the power of vector software allows you to produce detailed and scalable art for almost any application.
PowerPoint Design
Tackle techniques for designing effective PowerPoint presentations: ones that are clean, clear, visually appealing, and engaging in their delivery of content. You’ll learn how professional presentation designers develop custom slideshows with impact and edge, avoiding common design pitfalls.
Color Theory
Focus on developing appropriate color systems for graphic design projects. Projects explore the principles, terminology, and applications of color theory, with an emphasis on manipulating color. A working knowledge of the expression and perception of color, and color interaction, lends credibility and sophistication to a designer's work.
Fundamentals of Typography
Explore the critical role of typography in graphic design. Course projects build an understanding of the anatomy of the letterform, the distinguishing features of different typefaces, and creative applications of type. An assured grasp of typography is essential in any visual communication project.
Fundamentals of Logo Design
Explore the philosophy and process behind designing a logo. Students learn the importance of corporate identity and the different stages in a typical logo design project. The course establishes a solid conceptual and practical grounding for anyone interested in pursuing a career in visual identity, from a design or a marketing perspective.
Design and Composition
Discover the principles of effective composition in print design and advertising. Composition, literally the assembly of elements, is the artful arrangement that guides the eye and unifies a design work. Case studies and hands-on projects address closed/open space, negative space, movement, and more.
Advertising Design
Learn the rules of advertising design from both a creative and a business perspective. Case studies from print, Web, and TV media showcase advertising concepts at work: persuasion, color psychology and composition, copywriting and typography, and brand communication. Course projects include ads for newspapers, magazines, subways, and transit/outdoor applications, and a multi-part ad campaign.
Branding and Identity
Develop essential skills for designing logos, marketing materials, and advertising programs to establish and promote corporate identities. Case studies focus on giant corporations such as CBS, BMW, and Sony, and how they established their corporate images and business strategically. Course projects require designing or redesigning corporate identities for both existing companies and newly established businesses.
Marketing Design Certificate
GES 502 -- 420 hours
Course Outline
This program consists of nine required courses. An optional introductory theory course is available for beginner students. Course descriptions are as follows:
Photoshop Basics
Acquire a thorough grounding in Adobe Photoshop, the premiere digital imaging program for graphic designers. Hands-on projects show how to select, enhance, distort, color, scale, and manipulate scanned images and artworks—or create them from scratch. Every designer must tame this creative powerhouse of a program.
Illustrator Basics
Build a working knowledge of Adobe Illustrator, the graphic designer's vector program of choice. Course projects explore selection tools, drawing tools, layers, the pen tool, transformations/ distortions, type tools, and modifying paths and shapes. Tapping into the power of vector software allows you to produce detailed and scalable art for almost any application.
PowerPoint Design
Tackle techniques for designing effective PowerPoint presentations: ones that are clean, clear, visually appealing, and engaging in their delivery of content. You’ll learn how professional presentation designers develop custom slideshows with impact and edge, avoiding common design pitfalls.
Color Theory
Focus on developing appropriate color systems for graphic design projects. Projects explore the principles, terminology, and applications of color theory, with an emphasis on manipulating color. A working knowledge of the expression and perception of color, and color interaction, lends credibility and sophistication to a designer's work.
Fundamentals of Typography
Explore the critical role of typography in graphic design. Course projects build an understanding of the anatomy of the letterform, the distinguishing features of different typefaces, and creative applications of type. An assured grasp of typography is essential in any visual communication project.
Fundamentals of Logo Design
Explore the philosophy and process behind designing a logo. Students learn the importance of corporate identity and the different stages in a typical logo design project. The course establishes a solid conceptual and practical grounding for anyone interested in pursuing a career in visual identity, from a design or a marketing perspective.
Design and Composition
Discover the principles of effective composition in print design and advertising. Composition, literally the assembly of elements, is the artful arrangement that guides the eye and unifies a design work. Case studies and hands-on projects address closed/open space, negative space, movement, and more.
Advertising Design
Learn the rules of advertising design from both a creative and a business perspective. Case studies from print, Web, and TV media showcase advertising concepts at work: persuasion, color psychology and composition, copywriting and typography, and brand communication. Course projects include ads for newspapers, magazines, subways, and transit/outdoor applications, and a multi-part ad campaign.
Branding and Identity
Develop essential skills for designing logos, marketing materials, and advertising programs to establish and promote corporate identities. Case studies focus on giant corporations such as CBS, BMW, and Sony, and how they established their corporate images and business strategically. Course projects require designing or redesigning corporate identities for both existing companies and newly established businesses.
