Graphic Design and Digital Media at NWFSC

Graphic Design and Digital Media Course Descriptions

The courses in both A.A.S. degrees offered fall into three broad categories with the prefixes: ART, GRA, and PGY (art, graphics, photography). There are other courses that may be taken as electives by special arrangement with an advisor. Students are encouraged to communicate with a faculty member in the department before creating a program of study. General programs of study may be produced with a campus-wide counselor in student services. Special programs containing course substitutions must be approved by department faculty. Click the course title to download the current syllabus to learn more about a course. Requires Adobe Acrobat® Reader software.

ART2602C: Digital Imaging I (4 credit hours)
A digital illustration production course with a strong emphasis on concept development and image making skills. Students will create complex imagery based on manipulations of photographs or traditional drawings and paintings with an industry standard image editing/manipulation software. Access to an appropriate high quality digital camera is required. It is recommended that students take PGY1801C at the same time or prior to taking this course.

ART2603C: Digital Imaging II (4 credit hours)
A continuing course which expands upon the technical and conceptual foundation laid in Digital Imaging I. Students will explore advanced software techniques and greater challenges of personal or commercial expression in digital media. Access to an appropriate high quality digital camera required. Prerequisites: ART2602C, PGY1801C.

GRA1151C: Illustration I (3 credit hours)
A beginning course to develop basic technical and conceptual skills with a focus on an industry standard vector based drawing program. Students will create logos and illustrations typical of graphic design challenges.

GRA1152C: Illustration II (3 credit hours)
An advanced graphic design course building upon the skills covered in Illustration I; the course includes increased challenges relating to conceptual skills and multi-software integration associated with typical print-based design problems. Access to an appropriate high quality digital camera required. Prerequisite: GRA1151C.

GRA2140C: Multimedia I (4 credit hours)
An advanced course covering the development of multimedia projects incorporating a variety of digital media elements. Students will learn an industry standard digital video editing application and the aesthetic and technical considerations involved in content acquisition. Access to a miniDV camcorder suggested. Prerequisites: ART2602C, GRA1151C, and PGY1801C.

GRA2141C: Multimedia II (4 credit hours)
An advanced course covering principles of design and information architecture surrounding interactive multimedia presentations. Students will learn an industry standard interactive DVD authoring software application. Students will produce a finished interactive DVD. Prerequisite: GRA2140C.

GRA2142C: Web Design I (4 credit hours)
An introductory course covering the development of websites using XHTML and CSS. Students will study the aesthetics and technical considerations involved with information architecture and basic interface design. Access to a high quality digital camera required.

GRA2143C: Web Design II (4 credit hours)
An advanced course where students will study an industry standard website development software application. Students will learn advanced techniques and aesthetics involved in information architecture and advanced interface design. Access to a high quality digital camera required. Prerequisite: GRA2142C

GRA2164C: Advanced Graphics Projects (4 credit hours)
An advanced Graphic Design course addressing common Graphic Design problems. Students will explore advanced software application functionality and creative, aesthetic, and portfolio development. Access to a high quality digital camera required. Prerequisites: ART2602C, ART2603C, GRA1151C, GRA2190C, PGY1801C.

GRA2173C: Projects in Graphic Design (3 credit hours)
An advanced course utilizing the student’s full compliment of skills and abilities. The student will work under the advisement of the faculty member to produce a large multifaceted project of their own design. Prerequisites: ART2602C, GRA1151C, GRA2190C, and PGY1801C.

GRA2190C: Graphic Design I (3 credit hours)
An intermediate Graphic Design course that focuses on using an industry standard page layout software application. Students will be exposed to the ideas and aesthetics involved in the production of print publications. Access to a high quality digital camera required. It is recommended that students take PGY1801C at the same time or prior to taking this course.

GRA2191C: Graphic Design II (3 credit hours)
An advanced graphic design course covering the aesthetics and challenges associated with producing complex multi-page printed communications. Access to an appropriate high-quality digital camera required. Prerequisites: GRA1151C, GRA2190C, PGY1801C.

GRA2905: Independent Study Graphic Design (1 credit hour)
The student will initiate independent computer related work, utilizing various software and hardware. The course may be taken four times for credit. Prerequisite: GRA2190C.

PGY1220C: Commercial Photography I (4 credit hours)
A beginning course that introduces students to the procedures and aesthetics of developing photographic illustrations for industrial and advertising use. Students will gain experience using a high quality digital studio camera, electronic lighting, and digital applications of their work. It is recommended that students take PGY1801C prior to or at the same time as this course.

PGY1801C: Digital Photography I (4 credit hours)
A beginning course in photography with an emphasis on digital darkroom production techniques. Students will be exposed to procedures and aesthetic concerns relating to photography and digital image production. Access to an appropriate high-quality digital camera required.

PGY2221C: Commercial Photography II (4 credit hours)
An advanced course that allows the student to expand their skill set in producing photographic illustrations for industrial and advertising use. Students may explore product, portrait, and on-location commercial photographic projects. Prerequisites: PGY1220C, PGY1801C.

PGY2802C: Digital Photography II (4 credit hours)
An intermediate level photography course where creative idea generation and composition in photography are emphasized. Students research more deeply the history of photography and apply new skills to creative digital photographic work. Access to an appropriate high quality camera required. Prerequisite: PGY1801C.

PGY2803C: Digital Photography III (4 credit hours)
An advanced level photography course where creative idea generation and composition in photography are emphasized. Students generate a complex aesthetic and creative thesis project to explore and produce a significant thematic body of work. Access to an appropriate high quality camera required. Prerequisite: PGY2802C.