CGT Courses

Course Title:  Design Concepts and Technology

In order to succeed in any discipline within the Computer Graphics field students must have a strong sense of design. This course covers both the theoretical and the practical aspects of design theory, design process and software application. This course includes an introduction to design elements and principles- how they work together to create effective communication. It includes an understanding of typography, grid systems and color theory including physiological, emotional and cultural variations. Materials include a look at human perception and gestalt theory to foster an understanding for visual communication. And a variety of application programs are introduced in order to explore proper file types and tools and the strengths and limitations of a variety of digital media. The computer graphics industry is explored and resources are provided for concept development and job search; along with a brief introduction to intellectual property rights. This course provides foundation skills for all classes within the CGT curriculum. In this course students will use software at an introductory level, exploring vector and bitmapped images, page-layout, animation and interactive website development. Projects and exercises are designed to allow students to do both short skill building exercises and more complex larger works.

           Upon successful completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• Exhibit through exercises and finished projects an understanding of visual communication: its form, function and how these support complex concept creation through the use of the following. Color, value, Texture, pattern, figure/ground, closure, proportion, progression, symmetry and rhythm.
• Exhibit through exercises and finished projects an understanding of the relationship between form and content.
• Exhibit through exercises and finished projects an understanding of the complexity of color; both the limitations of human perception, and the technical limitations of differing digital creation and delivery media.
• Exhibit through exercises and finished projects an understanding information design.
• Exhibit through exercises and finished projects the creation of identity designs.
• Exhibit through finished projects hand skills such as mat cutting and picture mounting.
• Exhibit through finished projects and class performance examples of professional practices appropriate to this discipline.