Full-time (Day): 2 terms | Part-time (Night): 4 terms

Prepare for a career in graphic and web design at CDIA with the Graphic + Web Design Certificate.  You’ll learn to design for print and the web with practical, hands-on training using the design software tools of today’s professionals. As you master publication design, file preparation, multimedia, interactivity and more, you’ll develop the skills you need to create collateral, ads, newsletters, websites, and digital video and audio. Special presentations will introduce you to the real-world business challenges faced by graphic and web designers from portfolio development to running your own business ensuring you’ll be ready for your new career.

Modules

GD101 Introduction to Graphic Design

This module teaches the fundamentals of visual design and introduces students to graphic design as a dynamic means of communication and a major part of our visual culture. This course builds a foundation in the understanding of visual structures and has students gain valuable perceptual skills. The lectures and exercises help students develop basic design skills and a visual vocabulary that enables them to describe, analyze and discuss their work and the work
of others.

GD102 Graphic Design Principles

This module continues the introduction of graphic design principles and introduces graphic design as a hybrid discipline. Creative and analytical thinking, built into a design process, is expanded upon and serves as a basis for all future modules. Assignments and exercises include bringing diverse elements such as signs, symbols, words, and pictures together and assembling them into a total message. The basics of color theory is also introduced.

GD103 Typography and Layout I

Students explore the role of typography as a visualization of language and continue to explore graphic design’s use of hybrid imagery. Students are encouraged to participate and respond to a critical analysis of text and informational data, further refining their design skills and sensibilities. Students learn about the history, anatomy, and classifications of type, as well as working with grids and hierarchy in layout.

GD104 Typography and Layout II

Graphic Design and typographic principles are expanded upon. Experimentation with typography is encouraged. Typographic solutions are evaluated in an effort to bring resonance to communication problems and offer an approach to design that heightens the expressive power of the page as well as the screen.

GD105 Form and Communication I with Adobe Illustrator

This module introduces students to design disciplines reflective of building and developing a vocabulary of visual forms while using Adobe Illustrator. Students will learn how vector graphics fit into the graphic design workflow.

GD106 Form and Communication II with Adobe Illustrator

Students will continue to hone their skills in Adobe Illustrator, Students are also instructed to the importance in developing excellent craftsmanship in production phases of all projects.

GD107 Digital Imaging with Adobe Photoshop

This module is oriented toward an overall introduction to the tools and features of Adobe Photoshop, with an emphasis on general understanding of its use as a graphic design tool when working with and evaluating digital imagery. Students receive an introduction and overview of digital imagery, followed by general explanations of the tools and functions of Photoshop. Essential features of digital image editing and creation will be covered.

GD108 Digital Imaging and Communication with Adobe Photoshop

Building on skills developed in the previous module, students will work on independent projects reflecting the workflow of a design studio, ad agency or publisher. Development of imagery as a sole Photoshop document or in conjunction with Adobe Illustrator elements, and as a single image solution to a communication problem will be emphasized.

GD109 Typographic Principles with Adobe InDesign

This module focuses on typographic compositions using Adobe InDesign. The basic tools of InDesign will be featured. Students explore working with a grid and designing across multiple pages. Students expand their knowledge of typography, layout, and color, and also integrate Photoshop and Illustrator files. Exporting to Acrobat pdf files is also covered.

GD110 Typographic Systems I with Adobe InDesign

This module focuses on typographic systems using Adobe InDesign. Students will further develop the skills learned during the previous modules while adding an understanding of many of InDesign’s automated and time-saving features like lists, find and replace, data merge, tables, and books.

GD111 Typographic Systems II and Adobe InDesign

This module continues to focus on typographic systems using Adobe InDesign. Students will apply the skills learned during the first two modules of InDesign to develop a significant portfolio piece.

GD112 Prepress and Color Management

This module focuses on understanding pre-press and color management workflows and the printing issues that can affect design. Students learn the importance of working closely with printer and paper reps, professional best practices for working with transparency and spot colors, finishing and bindery possibilities, and the calibration of equipment and software.

GD113 Design Project I

Students apply what they have learned thus far in the program to a project of their choosing. They will develop a project plan and a production schedule. This is a good opportunity to work with a client (an existing client, family member, or a student from a different program at the school). It can also be a continuation or further development of an earlier project so long as there are new deliverables. Students are graded not only on the project, but also on how well they keep to the schedule they set.

GD114 Design Project II

In this continuation of the previous module, the instructor’s role is that of an art director and production manager. The instructor guides the scope of students’ projects and will set periodic individual and group critiques throughout the module.

GD115 Portfolio I

This module gives the students an opportunity to review and revise all existing projects, consider what area of design interests most, and develop their portfolio

GD116 Portfolio II

In this module students continue revise all existing projects, fine-tuning their graphic portfolio with new design projects of their choosing, if necessary.

WD101 Introduction to Web Design, XHTML and CSS I

This module provides an overview of the Web and teaches the fundamentals of web design. Students will begin to create well-formed code that complies with XHTML and CSS standards. They will be introduced to the practices of information architecture and interaction design. Topics include non-linear navigation, usability, and information architecture. Review of websites currently on the Internet will be used to aid students in learning the differences between how print communicates and interacts with its audience and how the web does.

WD102 Designing with Photoshop and Fireworks

The lectures and exercises of this module help students develop basic design skills and establish a visual vocabulary that enables them to describe, analyze and discuss their work and the work of others. This module is also oriented toward an overall introduction to the tools and feature sets of Photoshop and Fireworks. Students will begin optimization of imagery for the web, review basic color principles, and develop skills for establishing prototypes.

WD103 XHTML and CSS II

Students continue their learning of XHTML and CSS and continue to practice these skills while separating content from presentation. Topics include CSS/web typography; using XHTML and CSS for page layout; fixed, liquid and elastic page layouts; floats and columns; CSS browser compatibility issues; web graphic optimization and color principles; and an introduction to accessibility.

WD104 Advanced Web Design

Students will continue learning design principles and the web design process as it pertains to professional practices. Students will be given lectures or demonstrations covering: user interfaces (UI), navigational frameworks, cross-browser compatibility, interfaces that optimize usability, accessibility, and the enhancement of browser interoperability.

WD105 Usability, Accessibility, and Information Architecture

The course will introduce students to the core principles of Information Architecture that includes organizing functionality and content into a structure that people are able to navigate intuitively. This course also discusses the relationship between information architecture and usability, in the context of real-world projects, while also introducing the concept of search engine optimization.

WD106 Web Standards Design with Dreamweaver

This module explores methodologies for designing and building complex websites with larger amount of content. Students will expand upon their knowledge of Information. Architecture and how to organize content in a user-centric way. They will learn to use Adobe Dreamweaver as one tool for managing sites and troubleshooting code. Students will discover the pros and cons of using Dreamweaver’s WYSIWYG interface (e.g., “design view”).

WD108 WordPress I

A brief overview of Content Management Systems (CMS) is presented, reasons for implementing CMS are discussed, and identifying content and what it actually means to a website owner is covered. An introduction is given to WordPress and specific CMS topics are addressed as development of a website is created www.cdiabu.com graphic + web design in WordPress. This is the first of two consecutive modules covering the same objectives, exercises, and projects.

WD109 WordPress II

The continuation of WordPress is covered. This module builds on knowledge and skills gained in the previous course as students expand and develop their command of using WordPress as as a Content Management System (CMS). This is the second of 2 consecutive modules covering the same objectives, exercises, and projects.

WD110 JavaScript I – Web Interactivity

Use your knowledge of HTML and CSS and fundamental programming concepts to make real-time changes to web page structure. Manipulate HTML elements on a web page including position, color, and even content. Create Javascript functions which perform common actions to take better control of your feature-rich applications.

WD111 JavaScript II – jQuery

The continuation of Javascript is covered while expanding upon its foundational aspects of programming. Further use of one’s knowledge of HTML, CSS and Javascript are used to make real-time changes to the web page structure. jQuery is introduced and is used to manipulate HTML elements on a web page including position, color, and even content. Create jQuery scripts which perform common actions to take better control of your feature-rich applications.

WD203 Flash I

Adobe®Flash® Professional software is an advanced authoring environment for creating rich, interactive content for digital, web, and mobile platforms. It has the capabilities of creating: interactive websites; rich media advertisements; instructional media; engaging presentations; games; and more. This module focuses on creating animated Flash movies for the Web, and integrating Flash into existing web pages; projects may include creating a web banner, making a splash page, or animating a logo/identity.

WD206 Web Design Project

This project module allows students to apply what they have learned in the first half of the program and create an integrated website from scratch. Students will be expected to demonstrate how to work with digital images, basic navigational elements and incorporate WordPress.

WD207 Web Design Portfolio

This course offers instruction in final preparation and presentation of the individual student portfolio. Instructors will act in an advisory role to students during this module, with one-on-one and in-class reviews.

WD990 Directed Study

This module allows students the time to focus on an independent project under the approval and guidance of a faculty member. Students will work from proposal to a completed project that pursues in greater depth topics previously studied. Final deliverables can include enhancing portfolio or a special project that aligns with each students’ interests and career goals. Alternatively, directed study students can apply this time to Practicum to allow more focus on longer term client deliverables.