This course is an introductory level course that prepares the student to draw anatomically correct structures of the human body. Students will learn to draw the human figure in correct anatomic detail based on the observation of live models. This course will emphasize the anatomically correct proportions of the human body and the accurate portrayal of muscles and other landmarks by applying various techniques of shading and lighting, views, and perspective.

Topical coverage includes:

• Basic shapes comprising the figure 
• Anatomic positioning and parts 
• Human proportions 
• Drawing from a live model 
• Drawing of various anatomic parts 
• Light source and shading

This course is an introductory level drawing course designed to have the students apply the fundamental concepts of drawing. Students will experiment with the use of basic shapes and techniques in drawing simple objects comprised of lines, shapes, forms and shading patterns. This course will also continue the coverage of the notions of perspective, scale, and proportions and their role in the production of realistic looking drawings. Students will also gain an understanding of light source placement and shadow casting and how these translate into a final drawing. Students will be able to practice the various techniques learned throughout the course by developing drawings in a progressive manner.

• Line/Shape/Form
• Subject framing
• Shading and shadows
• Light source
• Perspective, scale and proportion

The purpose of this course is to introduce the students to the fundamental principles of design and colour theory. Students will be introduced to the principle concepts of design such as layout, composition and balance, as well as the theories of colour and how to use colour creatively. These concepts will be presented in theory as well as reinforced through specific practical exercises and activities that will serve to demonstrate how each of the concepts is integrated into good design.

• Terminology of design
• Composition
• Negative space
• Colour systems
• Colour and light
• Tone, hue, saturation and value of colour

In this course students will explore and discover a comprehensive curriculum of world art history in the context of current graphic design theory and practice. Artistic styles will be explored in terms of elements of design as they developed during each age, both within and across cultures. Where appropriate, anthropological themes will be woven into the curriculum so as to place significant artworks, and their influences, into context.

This course focuses on the basic principles of typography and its place and importance in graphic design. Students will learn how typography evolved from its earliest days in the form of basic symbols and forms to the present day sophisticated fonts and letterforms. Students will learn the fundamentals of working with type. Students will discover the building blocks of type, the typographic measurement units and typefaces both classical and modern fonts. The course will integrate working with type in both a manual and a computerized context.

• History and language of Typography
• Measurements : points, picas, leading, type sizes
• Evolution of typography
• Classical typefaces
• Typesetting concerns
• Grid systems & methods of layout technique

This course introduces students to the fundamentals of digital photography. Students will learn how to set up the camera and learn common program modes. Students will learn how to manage parameters such as composition, lighting, and exposure. The course will cover different lenses and focal lengths. The course will discuss the download and transfer of photos and organizing photos. Students will learn how to fine-tune and edit photos with Photoshop Elements. Topical coverage includes: 

• Camera setup, scanning, file formats, sizing, image capture and storage
• Depth of field and motion
• Adjustments, color, contrast, selections, filters
• Camera Controls
• Lighting
• Still life, outdoors and indoors photography
• Compositional techniques 
• Mounting and presentation techniques 

This course introduces the processes involved in developing a solution to design challenges. The emphasis is placed on the various techniques and tools that are used in the design process. Students will learn to integrate problem solving, and critical thinking techniques as well as to call upon their creativity to develop original solutions to design challenges. Students will study various case studies each one highlighting a unique design challenge and the processes that were used to arrive at a solution.

• Concept and its Role within Design
• Concept Formulation processes
• Corporate identity systems
• Systematic design processes
• Concept development

Designing print publications is one of the most important components of a graphic designer’s work. This course will lay the foundation for the work involved in creating a publication of various formats. Although the arrival of desktop publishing has greatly facilitated the publication process, the designer still must overcome some of the common obstacles and challenges encountered in printing and publishing. The course focuses on the design of single and multi page publications that combine type, graphics, colours, and textures while addressing some of the common printing and publication challenges.

• Design concepts for various outputs
• One page and multi-page documents
• Master layout pages
• Color palette and libraries
• Style sheets
• Tables and charts

• Design concepts for various outputs
• One page and multi-page documents
• Master layout pages
• Color palette and libraries
• Style sheets
• Tables and charts

This course will explore the processes of page design and layout. Using industry standard composition software, students will learn to apply design concepts to the development of creative page layout designs. Students will learn to import and prepare various components and incorporate them into the final page layout. Students will gain working knowledge of the tools and features of composition and layout software packages.

• Visual language of design and layout
• Layout software tools and characteristics
• Cross platform tools
• File preparation
• Importing files
• Layout design

This course introduces the fundamental features of package design including the typical package materials, the processes and decisions that go into the design and production of a package. Students will explore the various materials and types of packages that are in use today as well as current trends and concerns surrounding packaging. Students will learn to combine the creative design concepts and the choice of materials to develop creative packaging solutions. The course will explore some of the most notable packaging successes.

• History of packaging
• Typical packaging materials
• Current trends in packaging
• Environmental and cultural issues
• Surface graphics

This course explores the role of the graphic designer in the process of developing branding or corporate identity systems. The course will explore the components that typically comprise a corporate identity system. Students will learn the processes and considerations that impact the design of corporate logos, colour selection, type, symbols, branding elements, stationery, and other collateral elements. Students will explore several case studies of prominent companies and brands and how graphic design influenced their corporate identity systems.

• Corporate identity systems
• Brands and branding
• Design strategies
• Collateral applications
• Symbols, logos, type and colour selection

This course will explore the role of graphic design in the context of advertising. Students will learn about current trends in promotion and marketing, establishing a target market, consumerism, visual stimuli, advertising theories and strategies, product placement, and how they impact the design process. Students will learn the importance of meeting deadlines, professional presentation and attention to detail. The course will explore some of the issues and challenges that must be considered when designing advertising collateral.

• Branding and corporate identities
• Overview of the role of marketing
• Current trends in promotion and advertising
• Consumerism
• Target market
• Visual stimuli
• Advertising strategies

Mobile devices allow us to better experience the world around us and to instantaneously record, modify and communicate our experiences via social media. This course will trace developments from the inception of the Internet and explore the potential of emerging mobile technologies. This course will explore the design challenges that face digital designers when designing for social media and mobile applications and their supporting media. You gain a solid understanding of the evolving mobile media design processes, and will be required to apply this knowledge to design problems and develop prototype designs. This course will not focus on the technology but rather on the design, functionality and user experience, designing for mobile media devices, applications and distribution 

This course explores the relationship between marketing and the design of advertising collateral. In order to appreciate how to design the advertising materials, it is essential to appreciate the link to marketing. This course will explore how price, promotion, distribution, target markets, and the product itself relate to advertising and thus, the design component of advertising. Lectures include a review of the target market sectors and how to produce designs that are relevant to a particular target market. Students will also learn how budgets, corporate marketing strategy, and the company vision will influence the design of marketing and advertising collateral.

• Marketing to current lifestyles
• Popular trends in marketing
• Target market
• Consumer trends and buying behaviour
• Forecasting trends and lifestyle changes
• Packaging and promotion
• International and global consumerism
• Marketing channels
• Technology and marketing

Social networking sites, Facebook, Twitter, Blogs, YouTube, Pinterest, and LinkedIn are being used as powerful communication tools. In this course you will examine how social media and mobile technologies have changed how we buy and as customers, how we communicate with businesses, and how we communicate for personal and community engagement. This course will focus on learning to design and build platforms or each of these purposes.

This course is aimed at preparing the students’ transition to the professional world, allowing the student to place the final polishing touches on their portfolio work. Students will be required to explain and defend the presentation structure of their portfolio and individual pieces to a panel of their peers and/or industry in the format of a job interview. All portfolio components should demonstrate the student’s mastery of the programs core competencies while highlighting the uniqueness of their work. Selected pieces should reflect a standard of quality evidenced by additional time spent polishing applied skills. Students will be required to complete their presentation website and marketing collateral.