Graphic Design

The Graphic Design major is a comprehensive and balanced program that illuminates the basic principles of effective visual communication. Students develop professional skills and a personal aesthetic that form a foundation for a successful design career. Practical studio experience rooted in theoretical knowledge in illustration, motion graphics, photography, typography, and design for the Web and mobile devices is at the core of the major.

Reflective of Lasell's connected learning philosophy, students learn essential business practices, become fluent in the necessary terminology, address a client's needs through conceptual drawings and mock-ups, and bring the project through to a successful solution. Students use the latest and most powerful digital hardware and software. For a capstone experience, each student develops an online portfolio that showcases the strongest examples of work created during the course of the program and presents a practicum project at the end of the senior year. All students also complete a required internship. Graduates receive a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design.

By planning early in consultation with an academic advisor, students may be able to reduce the time it takes to complete a bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design to 3 or 3½ years.

The following goals and associated learning outcomes delineate what we strive for students to achieve when they complete the major program of study in Graphic Design:

Goal 1: Creative Thinking Skills
Upon completion of the major program of study in Graphic Design, students will be able to:

produce multiple creative solutions for any single design challenge, applying a creative process on-demand
effectively employ imagination with refined technique

Goal 2: Strong Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills
Upon completion of the major program of study in Graphic Design, students will be able to:

critique quality and effectiveness of visual media objects
use multiple appropriate resources to solve problems and develop skills
craft effective solutions for visual problems

Goal 3: Strong Design and Fine Arts Skills
Upon completion of the major program of study in Graphic Design, students will be able to:

demonstrate currency with technical media tools
effectively craft and author visual communications

Goal 4: Visual Articulation and Literacy
Upon completion of the major program of study in Graphic Design, students will be able to:

demonstrate their own personal aesthetic
explain the influences of media in society
recognize context and legacy of visual media objects

Goal 5: Effective Verbal Communication Skills
Upon completion of the major program of study in Graphic Design, students will be able to:

articulate their thoughts clearly in written form
write in the style demanded of their chosen profession
articulate their thoughts clearly in classroom discussions and professional presentations

Program Fee
Each Graphic Design student is charged a program fee for each semester. This program fee is used to pay for hardware, software, guest speaker honoraria, and miscellaneous materials/supplies that are necessary to maximize student learning.

Course Code	Course Title	Credits
Core Courses
ARTS101	Studio Drawing I	3
ARTS120	Three-D Design	3
ARTS126	Fundamentals of Visual Art (KP)	3
ARTS201	Studio Drawing II	3
ARTS219	Digital Photography I	3
ARTS319	Digital Photography II	3
GRAP105	Digital Design Essentials	3
GRAP201	Imaging for Graphic Design	3
GRAP204	Graphic Design I	3
GRAP205	Graphic Design II	3
GRAP207	Web Design & Development	3
GRAP208	Graphic Design History	3
GRAP301	Typography I	3
GRAP302	Typography II	3
GRAP307	Motion Graphics	3
GRAP308	Interactive Design	3
GRAP309	Graphic Design for the Marketplace	3
GRAP322	Photography for Design	3
GRAP399	Internship Seminar	1
GRAP400	Field Experience	4
GRAP401	Publication Design	3
GRAP403	Senior Portfolio Development	3
GRAP404	Senior Thesis Assignment	4
GRAP406	Senior Practicum Project	4
MATH107	College Geometry	3
Choose 1 from the following:
ARTH103	Art History I	3
ARTH104	Art History II	3

Major Requirements: 79 credits

A minimum of 120 credits is required for graduation. This total includes the Core Curriculum Requirements as described elsewhere in this catalog. Some courses required for the major meet Core Curriculum requirements.
For a complete explanation of graduation requirements, see Graduation Requirements in the Undergraduate Academic Policies section of this catalog.

GRAP105 - Digital Design Essentials

This course offers an introduction to three of the most important software applications in the Adobe Creative Cloud for a student who is interested in Graphic Design: Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign. Students learn image generation and editing in both pixel-based and vector-based environments as well as digital page composition for print publishing. This is a project-based course that initiates and improves students' skill set for the implementation of computer graphics.

GRAP201 - Imaging for Graphic Design

This illustration course is designed to develop students' compositional and image development skills for the field of Graphic Design. Using a combination of traditional and digital methods of imaging, students expand their visual vocabulary for successful graphic communications. Prerequisite: GRAP105 Digital Design Essentials or equivalent (such as FASH205 Digital Design for Apparel or FASH207 Digital Tools for Fashion).

GRAP202 - Adobe InDesign

This course offers an introduction and continues with an in-depth concentration in the most popular software application for digital page layout. Through a series of publication design projects, students advance their ability to use this versatile and powerful computer application while reinforcing basic graphic design skills.

GRAP204 - Graphic Design I

This is an introduction to the theoretical and practical aspects of graphic design, with an emphasis on developing a working literal and visual vocabulary. Students are challenged with conceptual design exercises that promote the essential values of good research, process, and presentation practices. Prerequisite: GRAP201 Imaging for Graphic Design.

GRAP205 - Graphic Design II

This course builds on the foundational principles that are introduced in Graphic Design I. Students strengthen their design skills through a series of design briefs in the areas of print and electronic media. Reflective writings and research assignments contribute to improved critical thinking and writing skills. Prerequisite: GRAP204.

GRAP206 - Adobe Illustrator

This course offers an introduction and continues with an in-depth concentration in the most popular software application for vector-based, digital illustration. Through a series of illustration projects, students advance their ability to use this versatile and powerful computer application while reinforcing basic graphic design skills.

GRAP207 - Web Design & Development

This course introduces the student to the most current coding and markup languages that are integral to successful Web site development. It also introduces the student to authoring software, such as Adobe Dreamweaver, that assists designers with the coding demands of Web authorship. Other topics which add to this comprehensive course are: the history of the Internet and World Wide Web Consortium, the power of CSS, and the design and layout principles that contribute to successful Web site development from technical, interactive, and aesthetic viewpoints. Prerequisite: GRAP105 Digital Design Essentials or equivalent.

GRAP208 - Graphic Design History

This course introduces students of design to the origins of the discipline. It emphasizes the Modernist period, during which design rapidly evolved as typography, photography and new printing methods were explored by artists of the Bauhaus and other European schools and movements. The course demonstrates how these innovators influence graphic design as we know it today.

GRAP209 - Adobe Photoshop

This course offers an introduction and continues with an in-depth concentration in the most popular software application for pixel-based digital imaging and editing. Through a series of projects, students advance their ability to use this versatile and powerful computer application while reinforcing basic graphic design skills.

GRAP301 - Typography I

This course surveys the application of expressive letterforms since the invention of the printing press. With a historical overview that illuminates the terminology used by professional designers, students are encouraged to explore their own means of typographic expression. The fundamentals of structure, spacing, and rhythm are emphasized as they influence form and function. Prerequisites: GRAP105 Digital Design Essentials.

GRAP302 - Typography II

In this course, students expand their design practice in the application of typography to a variety of forms and contexts. This is a process-oriented course focused on the advancement of a personal "typographic voice." Students learn to structure informational hierarchies and how to sequence typographic materials across multiple pages. Issues of personal interpretation and legibility are emphasized. Prerequisite: GRAP 301.

GRAP307 - Motion Graphics

In this course, students develop conceptual and visual problem-solving skills as they relate to motion studies and time-based art. Through demonstrations, studio sessions and critiques students create portfolio-quality animation and motion study projects.

GRAP308 - Interactive Design

This course offers a deeper exploration of interactive design and authoring, building upon skills and strategies acquired in basic Web and motion design classes. Advanced animation and interactivity for the Web, desktop, and mobile devices are emphasized as students learn authoring tools that rely upon HTML5, CSS3 and JavaScript.

GRAP309 - Graphic Design for the Marketplace

This course engages advanced Graphic Design students with a curriculum derived from a collection of prepared design briefs. With established methods of research, conceptualization, innovation and art production, students are offered "real world" challenges for graphic design solutions. This course emphasizes sound business practices and ethical guidelines for a career in commercial art. Prerequisites: GRAP205, GRAP302.

GRAP322 - Photography for Design

This course will emphasize graphic design workflows that use photography as key elements of design. Students will deepen their understanding of shooting for design outcomes, exploring product shot staging and lighting, working with models, props and sets. In turn, they will add to their image editing, compositing and layout skills by working with their photos using a powerful digital toolset. Prerequisites: ARTS219 Digital Photography I and ARTS319 Digital Photography II or instructor approval.

GRAP399 - Internship Seminar

A critical component of a successful Internship experience is finding an appropriate placement. In this seminar students will identify their personal work style and strengths, will identify a good career match, will create an effective cover letter and resume, will explore effective networking, interviewing, and negotiation skills. This course will help students identify search tools for finding internships. A goal of this course is to secure an internship for the following semester. Must have Junior standing.

GRAP400 - Field Experience

This course provides the student with professional experience through an individually arranged participation of 12-15 hours per week in a work setting. Primary area of responsibility rests with the student in identifying and pursuing his/her areas of interests, in consultation with his/her team of faculty advisors. Each student is monitored during the field experience and must complete a related written project assigned by his/her team of faculty advisors. Evaluation of the field experience is based on student performance as reviewed with the employer, faculty members, and student at the completion of the experience. Junior or Senior standing. Prerequisite: ARTS 399

GRAP401 - Publication Design

This course involves graphic design students in the theoretical and practical processes of successful publication design through research, conceptual explorations, studio practice, and presentations. This course offers experience in the design of traditional and electronic publications in order to prepare students for a career in graphic design. Prerequisite: GRAP302 Typography II.

GRAP403 - Senior Portfolio Development

This course prepares design students for effective and personalized presentation of their design work. Students are encouraged to create an online portfolio and relevant self-promotional materials (business card, designed resume, artist statement). Prerequisite: Senior standing.

GRAP404 - Senior Thesis Assignment

Students engage in an individual research and writing practice that challenges them to analyze and articulate their personal philosophy of design, while studying designers of the Post-Modern era. This capstone course also provides students an opportunity to clarify their professional goals based on their interests in Graphic Design. Prerequisite: Senior standing.

GRAP406 - Senior Practicum Project

The senior practicum provides an opportunity for students in their final semester of the design program to produce a self-directed capstone project that applies the design theory and studio techniques that they have been developing over the last four years. The practicum project is presented in a Senior Show at the end of their final semester. Prerequisite: Senior standing.