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Course Descriptions

VC111 Introduction to Visual Communications
Presents an overview of visual communication design. Includes explorations in problem-solving, creative strategies, ethics, and potential career paths. Prerequisite: Admission into Visual Communications program; or consent of instructor.
4 Credits

VC114 Introduction to Digital Graphics 1
Introduces students to raster and vector image editing software for graphic and multimedia artists. Includes instruction in professional software used in photo, multimedia editing, and vector illustration. Prerequisite: Admission into the Visual Communications program; or consent of instructor.
4 Credits

VC115 Introduction to Digital Graphics 2
Introduces students to software and tools for creating work in both print and time-based media for graphic designers. Includes instruction in page layout software for creating documents for print, and in the software, tools, and techniques used in creating basic animation and motion graphics. Prerequisite: VC114 with a grade of C or better; or consent of instructor.
4 Credits

VC130 Photoshop 1
Introduces the concepts and techniques of digital image manipulation and correction. Prerequisite: Previous computer experience; or consent of instructor.
2 Credits

VC133A InDesign 1
Introduces Adobe InDesign, the industry-standard for page layout and design. Includes instruction in document setup, pages, typography, images, color and output for print. Prerequisite: Previous computer experience.
2 Credits

VC139 Illustrator 1
Introduces the use of vector graphic software Illustrator. Prerequisite: Previous computer experience; or consent of instructor.
2 Credits

VC140 Illustrator 2
Continues the use of vector graphic software Adobe Illustrator. Includes practical instruction in advanced tools, layers, colors, visual effects, symbols, and output. Prerequisite: VC139 with a grade of C or better; or consent of instructor.
2 Credits

VC147 Cascading Style Sheets
Introduces the syntax and use of Cascading Style Sheets, the presentation language for layout and styling of Web pages. Covers creating basic layouts, formatting text, implementing background images, applying simple animations and visual effects, and targeting designs for different devices. Previous computer experience; or consent of instructor.
2 Credits

VC224 Layout 1: Page Design
Introduces the basics of page, layout emphasizing the grid. Includes assignments focusing on common challenges in digital page layout, and developing both technical and creative thinking skills. Prerequisite: VC115 and ART224, each with a grade of C or better; or consent of instructor.
4 Credits

VC225 Layout 2: Intermediate Page Design
Further develops the skills required in design and page layout. Prerequisite: VC224 with a grade of C or better; or consent of instructor. Corequisite: VC246.
4 Credits

VC226 Layout 3: Publication Design
Applies the concepts and skills of the design and layout process to the principles of publication design. Prerequisite: VC225 with a grade of C or better; or consent of instructor.
4 Credits

VC227D Multimedia Arts Studio
Provides the opportunity to work with an instructor on the production of multimedia arts projects for real clients. Any combination of the courses may be repeated for a maximum of six credits. Prerequisite: Second-year standing in the Visual Communications program; and completion of ART120 (or concurrent) with a grade of C or better; or consent of instructor. Offered as needed
2 Credits

VC235 Interface Design
Introduces students to interface design for desktop and mobile browser-based platforms. Course approaches interface design problems from both visual design and usability perspectives. Includes requirements analysis, design process, grid and hierarchy, usability, and basic technical features and limitations of the medium. Prerequisite: ART224 and VC224, each with a grade of C or better; or consent of instructor.
4 Credits

VC237 Web Design 1
Introduces techniques and skills needs to plan and code basic Web pages. Includes instruction on industry-standard processes and coding practices using HTML, CSS, and image editors to create a finished, published Web page using modern development tools. Prerequisite: VC115 with a grade of C or better; or consent of instructor.
4 Credits

VC238 Web Design 2
Further develops the techniques and skills needed to plan, design, and code sophisticated websites. Includes advanced instruction on Cascading Style Sheets, designing and coding for mobile devices, content management systems, and other topics in web design and development. Prerequisite: VC237 with a grade of C or better; or consent of instructor.
4 Credits

VC239 Web Design 3
Further develops advanced techniques and skills needed to plan, design, build and launch complex web sites using industry standard technologies and web editors. Focuses on building sophisticated web sites using Web standards including Cascading Style Sheets and HTML, and on the study of web hosting, web statistics, content management systems, and other advanced topics in web design. Prerequisite: VC238 with a grade of C or better; or consent of instructor.
4 Credits

VC241 Interactive Media
Presents an exploration of creating and implementing interactive experiences to communicate narratives and information on digital devices. Focuses on the principles and application of graphic design, user interaction design, and user feedback methods as they apply to digital experiences on touch devices (tablet and mobile) and desktop devices. Prerequisite: CIS133SC and VC238, each with a grade of C or better; or consent of instructor.
4 Credits

VC243 Animation and Motion Graphics 1
Covers concepts, methods, and techniques of creating animations and motion graphics. Surveys a range of traditional animation methods and principles as well as explores the art of storytelling through the use of storyboarding and implementing various industry standard software and contemporary techniques. Prerequisite: ART120 with a grade of C or better; or consent of instructor.
4 Credits

VC244 Animation and Motion Graphics 2
Applies the principles of animation and motion graphics using industry standard software and techniques. Includes animated branding as well as developing a short animation project by first scripting and storyboarding the project, then using both traditional and contemporary techniques to animate it. Prerequisite: VC243 with a grade of C or better; or consent of instructor.
4 Credits

VC246 File Prep
Builds knowledge of readying digital files for offset printing. Presents common file problems and their solutions, including issues with page geometry, vector and raster files, application of color, image color correction, PDF files, and final proofing and output. Prerequisite: VC115 with a grade of C or better; or consent of instructor.
4 Credits

VC271A Design Studio
Provides the opportunity to work with an instructor on the design and production of graphic design projects for real clients. Any combination of the courses may be repeated for a maximum of six credits. Prerequisite: ART225 and VC224, each with a grade of C or better; or consent of instructor.
1 Credits

VC271B Web Studio
Provides the opportunity to work with an instructor on the design and production of graphic design projects for real clients. Any combination of the courses may be repeated for a maximum of six credits. Prerequisite: ART225 and VC224, each with a grade of C or better; or consent of instructor.
1 Credits

VC271C Photo Studio
Provides the opportunity to work with an instructor on photography for live projects. Any combination of the courses may be repeated for a maximum of six credits. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
1 Credits

VC272A Design Studio
Provides the opportunity to work with an instructor on the design and production of graphic design projects for real clients. Any combination of the courses may be repeated for a maximum of six credits. Prerequisite: ART225 and VC224, each with a grade of C or better; or consent of instructor.
2 Credits

VC272B Web Studio
Provides the opportunity to work with an instructor on the design and production of live web sites. Any combination of the courses may be repeated for a maximum of six credits. Prerequisite: Second year standing in the Visual Communications program; or consent of instructor.
2 Credits

VC272C Photo Studio
Provides the opportunity to work with an instructor on photography for live projects. Any combination of the courses may be repeated for a maximum of six credits. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
2 Credits

VC272D Multimedia Arts Studio
Provides the opportunity to work with an instructor on the production of multimedia arts projects for real clients. Any combination of the courses may be repeated for a maximum of six credits. Prerequisite: Second-year standing in the Visual Communications program; and completion of ART120 (or concurrent) with a grade of C or better; or consent of instructor.
2 Credits

VC273A Design Studio
Provides the opportunity to work with an instructor on the design and production of graphic design projects for real clients. Any combination of the courses may be repeated for a maximum of six credits. Prerequisite: ART225 and VC224, each with a grade of C or better; or consent of instructor.
3 Credits

VC273B Web Studio
Provides the opportunity to work with an instructor on the design and production of live web sites. Any combination of the courses may be repeated for a maximum of six credits. Prerequisite: Second year standing in the Visual Communications program; or consent of instructor.
3 Credits

VC273C Photo Studio
Provides the opportunity to work with an instructor on photography for live projects. Any combination of the courses may be repeated for a maximum of six credits. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
3 Credits

VC280A Cooperative Work Experience
Offers placement in a business, agency, and/or industry for on-the-job training related to the student's curriculum. Prerequisite: Determined by each curriculum. Guidelines on file in the Cooperative Work Experience office and with each curriculum's CWE Instructor and Director.
1 Credits

VC280B Cooperative Work Experience
Assist students in finding an internship/CWE at a business, or agency for on-the-job training and experience related to instruction in student’s program of study. Field experience is supervised by college instructors and work experience coordinators. See program advisors.
2 Credits

VC280C Cooperative Work Experience
Assist students in finding an internship/CWE at a business, or agency for on-the-job training and experience related to instruction in student’s program of study. Field experience is supervised by college instructors and work experience coordinators. See program advisors.
3 Credits

VC283 Business of Graphic Arts
Introduces best practices of creative businesses for both freelancers and small organizations. Includes project management, production schedules, estimating and billing, client and supplier communications, record keeping, and asset management. Prerequisite: Second-year standing in the Visual Communications program and consent of instructor. Corequisite: VC284
4 Credits

VC284 Portfolio
Serves as a capstone course for all students in the Graphic Design program. Includes portfolio building, job markets, résumés, business stationery, and mock interviews. Participation in a class portfolio show is a graduation requirement. Prerequisite: Second-year standing in the Visual Communications program and consent of instructor. Corequisite: VC283
4 Credits

VC285A Design Portfolio Preparation
Serves as a capstone course for all students pursuing a Graphic Design degree in the Visual Communications program. Includes the analysis and reworking of previous projects and the development of new pieces to include in a portfolio to assist students in getting started on a career path. Prerequisite: Second-year standing in the Visual Communications program; or consent of instructor. Corequisite: VC283 and VC284.
2 Credits

VC285B Web Portfolio Preparation
Serves as a capstone course for all students pursuing an Interactive Media degree in the Visual Communications program. Includes the analysis and reworking of previous projects and the development of new pieces to include in a portfolio to assist students in getting started on a career path. Prerequisite: Second-year standing in the Visual Communications program. Corequisite: VC283 and VC284.
2 Credits

VC286 Multimedia Arts Portfolio
Serves as a capstone course for all students pursuing a Multimedia Arts degree in the Visual Communications program. Includes résumés, branding, business, and the analysis and reworking of previous projects and the development of new projects to include in a digital portfolio or demo reel to assist students in getting started on a career path. Prerequisite: Second-year standing in the Visual Communications program and consent of instructor.
4 Credits