Program Curriculum
The following sequence is not intended to substitute for academic advisement,
please speak with your counsler or
academic advisor for guidance.
Course# Course Title |
Pre-Requisites |
GRA 122 Two-Dimensional Design |
none |
GRA 208 Computer Illustration |
122,133
|
GRA
121 Three-Dimensional Design
|
none |
GRA
231 Graphic Design II (SPRING ONLY) |
213, 230 |
Degree Guidlines
To graduate, a student must:
1. Earn a minimum of 60 credit hours, exclusive of basic, developmental
and continuing education courses. Of these, at least 24 credits must be
earned at Delaware County Community College. At least 15 hours must be
in graded courses (courses for which grade points are issued) for the
associate degree. Not more than 12 credit hours may be transferred back
after completing attendance at this college. A maximum of three credits
of physical education activities may be applied toward the 60 credit hours.
2. Complete the approved curriculum satisfactorily with a 2.0 or higher, cumulative
grade point average. (Curricula are itemized lists of courses and
credits required for professional and technical competence. All approved
curricula include sources required by the laws of the State of Pennsylvania
and general education requirements.)
3. Incoming students are required to attain a satisfactory score on
a Macintosh computer proficiency assessment test. Students will be required
to successfully complete two portfolio reviews. The first review will
take place at the end of the
first year of study.
The second portfolio review will be prior to graduation from the program.
First-year requirements must be satisfied before beginning second-year
course work. Any remediation in Reading, English or Mathematics must
be completed before beginning third-semester courses. The faculty advisor
may approve College-Sponsored Experiential Learning (CSEL) as additional
credits beyond the 66 curriculum credit requirement.
GRA 110 History of Graphic Design
This course surveys the field of graphic design and visual communications
from the earliest written languages through contemporary graphic design practice.
The course will help the student develop a visual vocabulary, introduce major
design figures and movements, provide a historical context for design thought and
practice while emphasizing the design profession as an artistic discipline.
Upon successful completion of the course, the student should be able to:
- Analyze and identify the stylistic distinctions among the various
historic design movements.
- Explain the techniques and tools used in the various design movements.
- Define the technical terms associated with the graphic design industry.
- Identify cultural changes that affected the visual appearance of various
design movements.
- Identify important historical artist/designers that contributed to the
various historic design movements.
3 hours each week, 3 credits *not available until Fall 2009*
Prerequisites: None
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GRA 121 Three Dimensional Design
Lines, planes and volumes are explored with
materials that have intrinsic qualities for three-dimensional
forms. Studio experience may include paper, wood, plasteline,
metal and related media. Upon successful completion of the course,
the student should be able to:
- Explore modular construction using simple geometric volumes.
- Use positive and negative volumes to complicate geometric structure.
- Acquire tactile sensibilities through the
manipulation of a
variety of materials. - Use repetition, rhythm and variation in 3 dimensional composition.
- Consider 3-D properties of dimension, lighting and environmental space.
3 hours each week, 3 credits
Prerequisites: None
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GRA 122 Two Dimensional Design
This introductory course for graphic design
majors centers on the principles of two-dimensional design in
black and white and gray. Line, shape, space and value are explored
as elements of visual language. Problem solving begins in the
studio and continues through outside assignments. Analysis through
individual and group critiques allows students to develop an
analytical attitude and a clearer vision of design concepts.
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
- Use placement and orientation to create
meaning and
expressive content with a given format. - Identify and define principles of gestalt and design.
- Rearrange elements to change the meaning and expressive content.
- Organize compositions using directional lines and basic geometric shapes to convey/change meaning.
- Apply the concept of positive and negative space to black and white designs.
- Manipulate figure/ground relationship to change meaning and expressive content.
- Employ a value scale in creating compositions.
- Work through from thumbnails or roughs (preparatory sketches) to presentation pieces.
- Demonstrate competence with tools and materials, both wet and dry.
- Use the library and resource material to research and enrich design ideas.
- Discuss and employ the contents of individual and group critiques to bring work to successful conclusion.
3 hours each week,
3 credits
Prerequisites: None.
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GRA 123 Color and Design
This second-semester course for graphic design majors focuses on color
theory and its relationship to design. Problems in color mixing and
color grouping are studies and solved through studio and outside assignments.
Individual and group critiques continue as a means of refining analytical
thinking and of developing a vocabulary to express design concepts.
Upon completion of the course, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate the ability to group colors by temperature, intensity & value.
- Demonstrate the theory of color interaction using paper and pigment.
- Change the meaning /expressive content through color variation.
3 hours each week, 3 credits
Prerequisites: GRA 122 Two-Dimensional Design
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GRA 133 Drawing I
This course is intended for the student who
wish to pursue advanced study or a career in the
visual arts. Lines, planes, and volumes are explored as elements of form. Analytical
line and tone
are the languages used in this pursuit. A variety of media will be used with
an emphasis on pencil
and charcoal. This class is designed to develop perceptual, technical, and
creative skills through problem solving. Through this course of study, a student
should be able to:
- Use line to describe geometric form
with accuracy of measure - size, scale, proportion, and location
- Use variation in line weight to indicate closeness and distance.
- Use the vocabulary of the emerging quality of line to suggest spatial
relations to the picture plane.
- Use axes, placement lines, and tracking lines to compose with accuracy.
- Understand the rudiments of composing.
- Employ the conventions of perspective.
- Use the grayscale to depict relative value within a composition.
- Analyze problems and deliver thoughtful and appropriate solutions.
- Critique and be articulate about oneís
own work and the work of classmates.
6 hours each week, 3 credits
Prerequisites: None. Maybe taken twice for credit.
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GRA 134 Drawing II
Drawing II, is an extension of Drawing I (GRA 133), it will continue to stress accurate drawing,
but with a shift in emphasis. Students are introduced to
an increased variety of media such as wash and Conté crayon.
The subject matter will shift from that which tends to
be geometric to the organic. Upon successful completion
of the course, the student should be able to:
- Draw the human figure from a life model
- Organize compositions within the format for expressive content.
- Manipulate spatial arrangements to change meaning.
- Employ textural qualities to add variety and realism.
6 hours each week, 3 credits
Prerequisites: GRA 133 Drawing I for Graphic Design Majors. May be taken twice for credit.
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GRA 136 Drawing as a Design Process
This second semester drawing course is intended specifically for
GRA majors going directly into the work force upon graduation.
This course will focus on specific freehand drawing skills needed
to be successful in the daily requirements of the advertising and
commercial design fields through structural analysis of man-made
and natural forms. The elements of line shape, value and spatial
organization will be stressed to develop drawings suitable for
inclusion in the student’s design portfolio. Upon successful
completion of this course, students should be able to:
- Draw man-made and natural forms through direct observation.
- Analyze underlying structure of simple forms using linear methods.
- Analyze proportion and form to build complex geometric forms.
- Apply rapid “visualization” processes to draw objects from memory.
- Draw using one-point, two-point, three-point and intuitive perspective.
- Create sequence illustration thru the storyboarding process.
- Apply design rendering techniques to finish your compositions.
- Produce finished “symbol” drawing through the process of icon translation.
6 hours each week, 3 credits
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GRA 199 Co-Op / Internship
The College sponsors and evaluates the student's participation in
a career-oriented learning experience. After successful interview
and portfolio evaluation the student accepts a co-op or internship
assignment with a local advertising, design or printing firm or
corporate art department. With the help of the faculty advisor,
students develop specific learning objectives appropriate to the
graphic design program competencies and personal career aims.
Work placement may be full or part time with aminimum of 224 hours.
Prerequisite: Completion of third-semester GRA program
requirements at DCCC with a 2.3 GPA, portfolio and resume, and recommendation
from the GRA coordinator. 3 credits
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GRA 208 Computer Illustration
This course is an introduction to the computer
as a drawing and design tool. An object-oriented drawing program
is introduced with hands on computer instruction. Basic vector
graphic techniques, organizing the components of an illustration,
printing Postscript proofs, text entry and formatting, color mixing and palette
organization, color proofing and special path operations are stressed. In this
course, students should gain an understanding of using computers
for the creation of drawings and illustrations. Students will be
given hands-on instruction on Apple Macintosh computers using industry standard drawing software.
Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be
able to:
- Choose appropriate menus and commands in order
to create and modify object-oriented drawings.
- Control fills, strokes, position and orientation
of vector object.
- Organize drawings using layers.
- Print Postscript graphic files on a black
and white laser printer.
- Control and manipulate Beziér curves
and paths.
- Create color palettes and choose appropriate
color matching systems.
- Format text using typographic controls.
- Print Postscript graphic files on a color
printer.
2 hours lecture, 2 hours laboratory each week, 3 credits
Prerequisites: Mac Literacy (GRA 205), Drawing I for Graphic Design Majors (GRA 133), Two-Dimensional Design (GRA 122)
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GRA 211 Digital Imaging
This course introduces the use of bitmapped image
editing software for the creation of bitmap, grayscale and color
imagery. Special attention is given to scanning images, resolution
formulas, appropriate file formats for use in graphic applications,
color correction, organization of images, printing and prepress
production and color management are covered. In this course, students
should gain skills in critical color comparison and manipulation
and understand the process of preparing graphic files for production.
Students will be given hands-on instruction on Apple Macintosh
computers using industry standard imaging and scanning software.
Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able
to:
- Demonstrate mastery of using the basic menus,
commands and palettes of an image-editing program.
- Manipulate color formulas & articulate
differences between color modes.
- Operate a flatbed scanner to input line art grayscale and color images
and choose appropriate resolutions for each.
- Manipulate scanned images for direct output
or export to other types of graphic programs.
- Use color correction functions to improve
the quality of scanned images.
- Print proofs to a color printer for color
composition and correction.
- Format a document for print and
digital production and export to other graphic programs.
- Manipulate
a composite image using layers and masking techniques.
- Create advanced special effects.
2 hours lecture, 2 hours laboratory each week, 3 credits
Prerequisites: Mac Literacy (GRA 205), Drawing I for Graphic Design Majors (GRA 133), Two-Dimensional Design (GRA 122)
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GRA 213 Page Layout
This course covers the fundamentals of using
computer based publishing software. Students complete several activities
and tutorials in order to create a variety of simple documents
that integrates type and graphics. Advanced features of computer-based
publishing software for the production of multi-page color documents
will be covered. In this course, students gain an understanding
of using the computer for the creation of publication design. Students
will be given hands-on instruction on Apple Macintosh computers
using industry standard publication software. Upon successful completion
of this course, the student should be able to:
- Demonstrate mastery of using the basic
menus, commands
and tools of a page layout program.
- Select,
specify and copyfit text & display type using correct terminology.
- Import and edit text imported from a word
processing program.
- Apply character and paragraph style formatting
to text.
- Customize and wrap text flow.
- Import, crop
and scale graphic elements.
- Create master pages.
- Create multiple-page publications integrating text,
bitmapped and object-oriented graphics.
- Utilize style sheets, master pages & templates to
organize complex documents.
- Utilize color-matching systems.
- Apply appropriate
file management techniques for prepress.
- Prepare a multiple-page
document for output from a service bureau.
and tools of a page layout program.
2 hours lecture, 2 hours laboratory each week, 3 credits
Prerequisites: Computer Illustration (GRA 208), Digital Imaging (GRA211)
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GRA 215 Typography
This intermediate level course for graphic design
majors concerns itself with the characteristics and design applications
of type used in printed and digital matter. Students plan and produce
a series of portfolio-quality projects to explore the use of type
as a design element. Course work includes lectures, computer labs
and class discussion and critique. Upon successful completion of
this course the student should be able to:
- Use the principles of positive/negative space,
rhythm, texture and composition in manipulating letterforms as
design elements.
- Select appropriate typefaces that enhance verbal messages.
- Identify and categorize commonly used type families.
- Employ letter, word & line spacing to enhance the appearance &
readability of type.
- Use appropriate comping methods to indicate text
& display type in a layout.
- Arrange and assemble display and text in a page layout
relating it to other design elements.
- Apply typographic hierarchy to organize a page layout.
3 hours lecture each week, 3 credits
Prerequisites: Color
and Design (GRA 123), Computer Illustration (GRA 208)
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GRA 225 Pre Press & Printing Processes
In this course
you will investigate digital file composition and the use of computing
technology as it applies to the preparation of digital files for
the printing industry. Printing and binding methods used to reproduce
the work of the graphic designer will be studied. Technical, time
and budget constraints are emphasized in order to relate design
and production costs to real-world situations. Students will gain
hands-on experience with a variety of graphics hardware and software commonly
used for computer prepress. Coursework includes lecture, demonstration,
case study, field trips, projects and discussion.
- Define design objectives and how work flows through the imaging process.
- Identify and define line art and halftone reproduction processes.
- Identify and define the most commonly used proofing methods and color systems.
- Identify, characterize and select appropriate paper stock for various types of printing jobs.
- Define and differentiate between the various commercial-printing methods.
- Identify and define printing-related processes such as engraving, embossing, diecutting, foil stamping and the most commonly used bindery methods.
- Identify and list the advantages, disadvantages and capabilities of different storage media and use of file compression utilities for file transfer and storage.
- Perform font management activities.
- Understand, use and apply calibration techniques to computer monitors and desktop scanners.
- Apply troubleshooting techniques to hardware and software problems.
- Output digital files on Postscript and non-Postscript printers.
Prerequisites: Computer Illustration (GRA 208), Digital Imaging (GRA 211) Page Layout (GRA 213)
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GRA 227 Web Graphics
This course introduces students to the design of web pages and user-interaction
and application for the World Wide Web (WWW). The focus of this
course will be functional design that encourages, enhances and
simplifies the web browsing experience. Students learn to design
effective user interfaces using image editing software, Hypertext
Markup Language (HTML) editors and other web development software.
Students will explore interface theory, design principles and develop
hands-on experience creating visually exciting web pages. This
course is intended for students wishing to pursue a career or advanced
study in graphic design as it relates to design of web graphics
and their interaction. Upon successful completion of this course,
the student should be able to:
- Employ the theory and principles of effective
user interface design.
- Apply basic design principles to the structure
of HTML formatted web documents with emphasis on the visual aesthetic.
- Organize effective navigation between various
interface designs.
- Apply basic HTML “hard-coding” to web
documents using visual editing software.
- Use image-editing software to produce efficient
web graphics.
- Use a professional quality visual editor to
develop and maintain web documents and sites.
- Transfer files to a server using File Transfer
Protocol(FTP)
3 hours lecture
each week,
3 credits
Prerequisites: Page Layout
(GRA 213), Typography (GRA 215)
Co-requisites: Digital Imaging
(GRA 211)
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GRA 228 Motion Graphics
This course introduces students to time-based graphics through animation. The focus of the course will be on developing a beginner-to-intermediate vector and bitmap animation for web delivery and related presentation applications. Students will learn to design effective timeline sequences incorporating vector-drawing techniques, tweening, frame-by-frame animation procedures, bitmap imagery, typographic techniques and basic scripting. Design theory for interactive media is coupled with hands-on experience for creating visually rich animations, web pages and presentations. This course is intended for students who desire intermediate-level study in animation and time-based motion graphics. Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:
- Develop a storyboard for time-based media.
- Design vector objects and raster images for motion graphics with emphasis on the visual aesthetic.
- Create basic animation sequences using vector-drawing tools.
- Execute frame-by-frame animations using a timeline.
- Implement tweening properties.
- Script basic commands for interactivity.
- Design a user-friendly environment.
- Create and utilize sound in a movie file.
- Deliver optimized movies to appropriate audiences.
3 hours lecture each week, 3 credits
Prerequisites: Page Layout (GRA 213), Typography (GRA 215)
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GRA 230 Graphic Design I
This is an intermediate level course for graphic design majors. Through a series of projects, students learn to employ basic design concepts in solving different types of visual communications problems. Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to:
- Combine type and image in a layout to communicate an idea or message.
- Interpret and represent an idea by means of a mark or symbol.
- Interpret advertising copy and incorporate it in a design.
- Demonstrate visual gestalt principles in solving a design problem.
- Use traditional graphic design tools and techniques to develop a design concept from sketch to tight comprehensive layout.
- Evaluate visual solutions to design problems verbally and in writing.
3 hours each week, 3 credits
Prerequisites: Color and Design (GRA 123), Computer Illustration (GRA 208), Digital Imaging (GRA 211)
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GRA 231 Graphic Design II
This course is a continuation of Graphic Design I. In this course students refine skills and work habits related to the creative process for solving visual communication problems. Projects emphasize the development of design priorities and alternatives based on client need and production constraint. Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:
- Write a design brief.
- Apply basic design principles to the organization
of type, color and composition in a multi-page publication.- Develop a simple corporate identity system.
- Design and mock-up a basic package design.
- Solve a simple interface design problem.
- Present a design project to a client both verbally and visually.
3 hours lecture each week, 3 credits
Prerequisites: Graphic Design I (GRA 230), Page Layout (GRA 213)
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GRA 232 Portfolio Seminar
This advanced-level course for graphic design majors covers the creation and selection of art work required in job, college transfer and co-op interview situations. Course work includes lectures, studio activities, class critiques and discussion along with independent study. Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:
- Select, critique and refine a bodyof personal artwork that represents arange of artistic abilities and media.
- Mount and present art work in a professional manner.
- Create a logical sequence for personal artwork presentation.
- Examine and select portfolio pieces appropriate for a specific interview.
- Photograph two & three-dimensional work on color slide film
or digital media.- Select a portfolio format (digital, slide, original work) appropriate for a specific audience.
- Design and produce a self-promotional leave-behind.
- Write and design a resume or intention letter.
- Define and solve a design problem that exhibits integration of studio skillsfrom several courses.
- Make a portfolio presentation to a small group outlining project objectives, methods and materials.
3 hours lecture each week, 3 credits,
Prerequisites: 28 credit hours in GRA discipline which includes; Drawing II (GRA 134), Typography (GRA 215) and Graphic Design I (GRA 230)
Co-requisites: Graphic Design II (GRA 231)Click Here to Search Course Availablility in Real Time.
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