Design Degrees Online

This individual degree focuses on motion graphics and animation as a medium to explore design as a form of visual communication and problem-solving. ‘Timebased’ design is becoming an increasingly important and more widely used medium for traditional design and new media agencies, and is not just the domain of specialist animation production companies anymore.

The course addresses this need by developing designer/animators who can work across this broad spectrum of the design industry and take advantage of these many opportunities. Student will gain a broad understanding of the principles of graphic design as well as specialist knowledge of 2D and 3D animation, compositing and special effects.

The first year of study provides a foundation of graphic design and animation principles including branding typography, imagemaking, storyboarding, 2D and 3D animation. The second year specialises in character animation, procedural animation, interactive animation and compositing special effects. The final year gives students the opportunity to take part in national competitions and live briefs before undertaking a major personal project of their own choice.

An underpinning of design studies including theoretical, historical, cultural and professional contexts is given throughout the programme via lectures, seminars, visits and there are field study trip opportunities both home and abroad. The programme is taught by staff with significant professional and academic experience in both animation and design.

The master of fine arts with an emphasis in graphic design may be earned full- or part-time. All requirements for the master’s degree must be completed and the degree awarded within seven years. Full-time students usually finish the program in five semesters. The department’s financial aid does not extend beyond six semesters. Within a liberal arts setting, the program is tailored to each individual’s educational, artistic and professional strengths. Expanding the boundaries of conventional design education, it includes the following areas of study: new media; motion graphics; print communication; design in the public realm; experience design; graphic design history, theory, and criticism; and preparation for college teaching. Academic study and studio practice are equally emphasized. The program draws on faculty with international and national experience as designers and artists who are recognized for the quality of their teaching, research, and professional design activities.

Curriculum
ART100 Design Fundamentals
ART101 Rapid Visualization
ART102 Observational Drawing
DFV101 Intro to Digital Filmmaking
DFV120 Fundamentals of Audio
GEN101 English I
GEN102 English II
GEN105 Effective Speaking
GEN109 Computers for the Arts
GEN140 History of Western Art I
GEN143 History of Western Art II
GEN321 Global Thinking in a Creative Context
IMD110 Designing for Multimedia Display
IMD200 Fundamentals of Authoring
IMD211 Project Management
IMD215 Web Scripting
IMD220 Writing for Interactive Media
IMD230 Interactive Authoring I
IMD250 Interactive Design
IMD300 Advanced Web Scripting
IMD330 Interactive Authoring II
IMD340 2-D Vector Animation
IMD360 E-Learning Design I
IMD365 3-D Web Animation
IMD370 E-Learning Design II
IMD380 Database Management
IMD400 E-Commerce Site Design
IMD420 Web Marketing & E-Commerce
IMD430 Portfolio Preparation
IMD450 Senior Project
MAA100 Survey of Design & Media Arts
VFX101 Image Manipulation
VFX110 Digital Typography
VFX201 Advanced Image Manipulation
VFX250 Fundamentals of Motion Graphics

Other
GEN Math Elective
IMD101 – Intro to the World Wide Web
GEN Math Elective
GEN Physical & Life Science Elective
GEN Physical & Life Science Elective
GEN Social Science 100 level course
GEN Social Science 200 level course
GEN Humanities & Fine Arts 200 level course
IC402 – Career Development
GEN Physical & Life Science Elective
GEN Humanities & Fine Arts Course

Senior Portfolio Show is a celebration of the work and accomplishments of the graduating class. It also serves to showcase student work to prospective employers, the community, family and friends.

Total Credit Hours: 180
12 quarters

Curriculum
ADV117 Layout & Design
ART100 Design Fundamentals
ART101 Rapid Visualization
DFV100 Survey of Film & Video
DFV101 Intro to Digital Filmmaking
DFV120 Fundamentals of Audio
DFV200 Digital Cinematography
DFV225 Fundamentals of Editing
DFV230 Fundamentals of Lighting
DFV305 Media Compositing
DFV312 Short Form Production
GEN101 English I
GEN102 English II
GEN105 Effective Speaking
GEN109 Computers for the Arts
GEN119 Statistics
GEN140 History of Western Art I
GEN143 History of Western Art II
GEN321 Global Thinking in a Creative Context
IMD340 2-D Vector Animation
MAA200 3-D Modeling
MAA205 Fundamentals of Animation
MAA212 Storyboarding & Animatics
MAA220 3-D Animation
VFX101 Image Manipulation
VFX110 Digital Typography
VFX201 Advanced Image Manipulation
VFX250 Fundamentals of Motion Graphics
VFX350 Broadcast Motion Graphics
VFX380 Visual Effects
VFX390 Portfolio Preparation I
VFX400 Advanced Topics in Digital Filmmaking
VFX407 Advanced Visual Effects
VFX410 Advanced Motion Graphics
VFX430 Portfolio Preparation II
VFX431 Visual Effects Studio Production
VFX450 Senior Project

Other
GEN Social Science 100 level course
GEN Social Science 200 level course
GEN Physical & Life Science Elective
GEN Physical & Life Science Elective
GEN Math Elective
GEN Humanities & Fine Arts 200 level course
GEN Physical & Life Science Elective
IC402 – Career Development
GEN Humanities & Fine Arts course

Unique Opportunities

Opportunities with McMaster School
Graphic design majors are actively involved in the McMaster School for Advancing Humanity participating in projects and producing materials for students and faculty to use overseas.

Exchange Program
Defiance College has a junior year exchange program with The Art Institute of Pittsburgh. Students can spend their junior year at the The Art Institute developing a concentration in Interior Design, Photography, Media Arts and Animation, Game Art and Design, Interactive Media Design, Video Production, or Visual Effects and Motion Graphics. The 30 hours the student earns at The Art Institute are accepted by Defiance College as major courses. Students also have the option of additional courses at The Art Institute.

The graphic design program at Defiance College is intended to prepare students to express ideas visually in service to their employers and the wider good of society.

Graphic Design majors focus on using graphics and text to communicate ideas and emotions. Everything we do begins with the need to communicate. After we determine what our client is trying to say and the emotions they want to convey to the audience, we brainstorm graphics that may serve our purpose. Once we have some sketches that might work, we draw from a wide range of digital tools to make those sketches into finished products. Need a resizable graphic like a logo? Look at a vector program. Need motion graphics? Draw on video or animation. Sensitivity to the client’s needs, creativity in the design process, and proficiency in a variety of digital tools come together to make great graphic design.

Graphic Design is a major for those who:
Experience the world through sight
Watch TV for the ads instead of the programs
Doodle what others say instead of hearing what they say
Experience frustration at having to read books and write papers
See the ideas of the world as shapes and colors in space
Enjoy freelance activities and are self-motivated

Digital Art I
DM1200 Section A
9:00 a.m.–1:50 p.m. (1/24/2009–5/9/2009) / Georgetown

Digital Art I
DM1200 Section B
6:00 p.m.–10:30 p.m. (1/27/2009–5/12/2009) / Georgetown

Digital Art I
DM1200 Section C
6:00 p.m.–10:30 p.m. (1/21/2009–5/13/2009) / Georgetown

Digital Art I for Fine Art and Photography
DM2200 Section A
1:30 p.m.–6:00 p.m. (1/22/2009–5/7/2009) / Downtown

Illustrator I
DM2210 Section A
9:00 a.m.–1:50 p.m. (1/24/2009–5/9/2009) / Georgetown

Photoshop I
DM2220 Section A
6:00 p.m.–10:30 p.m. (1/26/2009–5/11/2009) / Georgetown

Page Layout: InDesign
DM2230 Section A
6:00 p.m.–10:30 p.m. (1/27/2009–5/12/2009) / Georgetown

Flash Animation on the Web
DM2260 Section A
8:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. (1/27/2009–5/12/2009) / Georgetown

Flash Animation on the Web
DM2260 Section B
9:00 a.m.–1:50 p.m. (1/24/2009–5/9/2009) / Georgetown

Interactive Web Design I
DM2280 Section A
1:30 p.m.–6:00 p.m. (1/22/2009–5/7/2009) / Georgetown

Interactive Web Design I
DM2280 Section B
9:00 a.m.–1:50 p.m. (1/24/2009–5/9/2009) / Georgetown

Motion Graphics I: AfterEffects
DM2300 Section A
6:00 p.m.–10:30 p.m. (1/21/2009–5/13/2009) / Georgetown

Digital Video Editing: Final Cut Pro
DM2340 Section A
6:00 p.m.–10:30 p.m. (1/27/2009–5/12/2009) / Georgetown

Digital Art II for Fine Art and Photography
DM3200 Section A
1:30 p.m.–6:00 p.m. (1/22/2009–5/7/2009) / Downtown

Photoshop II for Graphic Designers
DM3220 Section A
6:00 p.m.–10:30 p.m. (1/22/2009–5/7/2009) / Georgetown

Flash II: Action Script
DM3260 Section A
6:00 p.m.–10:30 p.m. (1/22/2009–5/7/2009) / Georgetown

Interactive Web Design II
DM3280 Section A
6:00 p.m.–10:30 p.m. (1/26/2009–5/11/2009) / Georgetown

3D Animation II: Maya
DM3310 Section A
6:00 p.m.–10:30 p.m. (1/26/2009–5/11/2009) / Georgetown

BS in Web Design & Interactive Media Curriculum at The Art Institutes International San Francisco California

The degree program lasts 12 quarters (four academic years) and contains 192 quarter-credits, including 56 quarter-credits in General Education.

Total Credit Hours: 192
12 Quarters

Curriculum
FS101 Fundamentals/Observational Drawing
FS102 Fundamentals of Design
FS103 Color Theory
FS104 Computer Applications
FS122 Image Manipulation
FS131 Typography I — Traditional
FS239 Career Development
FS297 Portfolio I
FS399 Internship I
FS497 Portfolio II
FS499 Internship II
GD1125 Introduction to Photography
GD1134 Digital Illustration
GD2244 Advanced Image Manipulation
HU110 College English
HU111 Effective Speaking
HU130 Visual Language & Culture
MA2241 Motion Graphics
MA4405 Intermediate Motion Graphics
MM1111 Design Layout
MM1121 Information Design
MM1123 Fundamentals of Web-based Programming
MM1130 Fundamentals of Animation
MM1132 Fundamentals of Authoring
MM1134 Introduction to Video
MM1141 Digital Typography
MM2201 Interface Design
MM2203 Introduction to Web Design
MM2204 Digital Audio Editing
MM2205 Editing Techniques
MM2211 Digital Identity Design
MM2213 Intermediate Web Design
MM2214 DVD Authoring
MM2220 Production Planning
MM3301 Interaction Design for Entertainment
MM3302 Intermediate Authoring
MM3303 Intermediate Web-based Programming
MM3304 Database Concepts
MM3311 Interaction Design for Education
MM3312 Computer-based Training
MM3313 Streaming Media
MM3314 Sound Design
MM3321 eCommerce Site Design
MM3322 Multi-user Authoring
MM3323 Advanced Web-based Programming
MM4402 Senior Project Studio
MM4403 Senior Project Development
MM4413 Professional Practice for Multimedia

Other
Mathematics & Sciences Requirement
Social & Behavioral Sciences Requirement
Liberal Studies Requirement

1st Elective
Humanities Writing Requirement
Humanities Art Requirement
Mathematics & Sciences Requirement
Social & Behavioral Sciences Requirement

2nd Elective
Liberal Studies Requirement
Liberal Studies Requirement

3rd Elective
Social & Behavioral Sciences Requirement
**Humanities Requirement

Curriculum
FS101 Fundamentals/Observational Drawing show details
FS102 Fundamentals of Design show details
FS103 Color Theory show details
FS104 Computer Applications show details
FS122 Image Manipulation show details
FS131 Typography I — Traditional show details
FS297 Portfolio I show details
FS399 Internship I show details
GD1125 Introduction to Photography show details
GD1134 Digital Illustration show details
GD2244 Advanced Image Manipulation show details
HU110 College English show details
HU111 Effective Speaking show details
HU130 Visual Language & Culture show details
MA2241 Motion Graphics show details
MM1111 Design Layout show details
MM1121 Information Design show details
MM1123 Fundamentals of Web-based Programming show details
MM1130 Fundamentals of Animation show details
MM1132 Fundamentals of Authoring show details
MM1134 Introduction to Video show details
MM1141 Digital Typography show details
MM2201 Interface Design show details
MM2203 Introduction to Web Design show details
MM2204 Digital Audio Editing show details
MM2205 Editing Techniques show details
MM2220 Production Planning show details

Other
Mathematics & Sciences Requirement
Social & Behavioral Sciences Requirement

Elective
Humanities Writing Requirement

The communication design degree program could be right for you if you find great ideas in the most unexpected places. You like surrounding yourself with people who have lots of energy. You’ve always been creative and imaginative. You notice color and form. You check out magazines for the layouts. You thrive under pressure. You speak through images and have a way with words.

Imagine yourself as one of the next design leaders — carving out a rewarding career with the help of our communication design degree program. Imagine coordinating an entire brand identity campaign for a new beverage or designing a new magazine for people who love video games. From magazine and package design to illustration and motion graphics, this industry delivers a range of careers that help creative people like you reach their full professional potential, while having fun along the way.

Why Harrington for Communication Design?
Harrington’s Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communication Design degree program combines graphic design, illustration, art direction, writing, production and more to help prepare today’s natural problem-solvers to become tomorrow’s design leaders. This cross-disciplinary curriculum helps students transform their curiosity and creativity into marketable skills ready for a career anywhere from a design studio to a production firm through:

A comprehensive curriculum covering the full scope of the creative process
A strong focus on relevant environmental, economic and social-cultural issues
Instructors immersed in Chicago ‘s design community who provide an up-to-date education
The opportunity to put what you’re learning into play, with real-world assignments
Input from professionals in your future field that helps strengthen and distinguish your portfolio