Elective Course Recommendations

Elective-Course-Recs

Elective Course Recommendations

Develop expertise beyond your major to diversify your skill set and strengthen your portfolio.  Please consult with academic advisors for the most up-to-date information on course offerings and pre-requisites.

GR 460 Senior Portfolio or GR 700 MA Portfolio Seminar

Prerequisites: ARH & LAN students enrolling in OS+ section with Mary Scott will be granted permission to waive prerequisites on a case by case basis. 

*Online sections are not available to ARH and LAN students who do not meet pre-requisites. This elective is only available as an OS+ section taught by Mary Scott.

The portfolio is the final step in your Graphic Design BFA program. You’ll develop a comprehensive print and digital visual system that shows off your design skills and a robust social media presence to effectively promote your strengths to the world.

GR 102 Design Technology: Digital Publishing Tools

Gain familiarity with the technical tools of the trade. You’ll study the theory and function of industry-standard computer hardware and software and learn the digital design principles professionals use to produce visual communications and digital products.

GR 150 Introduction to Visual Communication

Prerequisites: GR 102 or FSH 161. (Either GR 102 or FSH 161 may be taken concurrently.)

Successful visual communication unites many diverse creative professions. You’ll gain hands-on interdisciplinary ideation and creative problem-solving experience by working on projects that emphasize collaboration and audience engagement.

GR 221 Graphic Design 1: Visual Communication

Prerequisites: FND 149, GR 102, & GR 150

Great graphic designers are creative problem solvers with passion and perseverance. Through research and experimentation, you’ll learn to attack myriad problems from multiple angles, and gain the skills to develop solutions for a variety of audiences.

PH 103 Digital Photography for Artists

Designed for the non-photo major, students receive an introduction to digital photography and camera operations. An inspired approach to lighting, composition, color and design will be studied. Photographing flat art, three-dimensional objects and optimizing photos for a digital workflow will be covered.

PH 115 Visualization

Prerequisite: PH 103

Photography as a visual language. You’ll develop the ability to communicate consistent results by taking a systematic, foundational approach composition, light, and camera operations.

PH 107 Imaging Workflow and Process

Prerequisite: PH 115 & PH 103

Build your digital photography skills. You’ll gain professional skills in raw processing, imaging workflow, image editing, and more.

PH 177 Imaging for Photographers

Prerequisite: PH 107

Discover a world of creative possibilities. You’ll gain the digital imaging skills on powerful tools like Adobe Photoshop that will open up new ways to produce and experience your photographs.

PH 331 AI for Visual Artists

Prerequisite: LA 291 & one of the following: PH 275, ANM 101, GR 102, GAM 105, IAD 210, ILL 133, IND 163, JEM 243, IXD 105, FSH 161, or FSH 168 (ARH students who have completed ARH 180 can request approval from PH dept)

You will be provided the framework for applying various AI tools to the creation of both realistic and imaginative imagery. Ethical considerations and opinions are discussed. Through creative exploration, students leverage text-to-image and large language model AI tools to integrate generative AI in the inspired image-making of contemporary art today. [This course is cross-listed with PH 631.]

LAN 323 Advanced Landscape Graphics

Prerequisite: LAN 223, LAN 235, LAN 260 (ARH students in junior or senior standing can request approval from LAN dept)

Landscape architects use digital renderings to communicate with everyone involved in a project. You’ll learn to use the same state-of-the-art modeling and rendering software that the pros use to explore and communicate ideas at any scale. (Rhino, ArcGIS, Adobe)

LAN 115 The Natural World 1: The Base Layer

How do natural systems influence design decisions? While developing a deep understanding of natural systems, you’ll explore landscapes in your region to learn how to develop strategies for mapping and recording soil types, geological forms, watersheds, and other natural features.

LAN 180 Plants in the Landscape

Prerequisite: LAN 115, (ARH 170 or LAN 193)

Landscape architects need to know their plants. Identifying the origin and growth requirements of a variety of trees, shrubs, ground covers, vines, and grasses will help you make responsible and appropriate design decisions.

LAN 235 Site Inventory and Analysis

Prerequisite: FND 113, (ARH 170 or LAN 193), (ARH 180 or IAD 210), & (LA 219 or LA 249 or LA 319 or LAN 117)
This course focuses on the process of conducting site inventories and site analyses that generate relevant and effective site plans and master plans which will guide subsequent design decisions. Information gained through observing and analyzing any site will result in planning and design decisions that truly reflect its unique nature. (This course is cross-listed with LAN 619.)

LAN 240 Planting Design

Prerequisite: ARH 180 or LAN 223 or IAD 260

Plants create space, drama and visual interest in the landscape throughout the seasons. Learn how to select the right plant to achieve the desired effect. You’ll apply your drafting and rendering skills to present planting plans and planting details.

LAN 260 Site Engineering

Prerequisite: LA 271 College Algebra with Geometry, ARH 110 Studio 1, (LAN 193 Drafting or ARH 180 2D Digital Visual Media)

This course focuses on strategies and calculations for controlling stormwater. Students will create accurate grading plans and models in a variety of scales to test their designs. Students will be challenged to incorporate both functionality and aesthetics. Topics will include stormwater calculations, innovative sustainable technologies, road alignments and construction details. (This course is cross-listed with LAN 617.)

LAN 297 People and the Environment

Prerequisite: (ARH 170 or LAN 193 or IAD 140), (ARH 180 or IAD 210), (LA 107 or LA 108)

This course focuses on the relationship of individuals, communities, and societies to the landscape and the importance of promoting a user-oriented approach to design. Specific needs of under-represented populations will be discussed. Students will learn methods to observe, record, and analyze human interaction with their surroundings. (This course is cross-listed with LAN 678.)

LAN 360 Landscape Architectural Construction Documents

Prerequisite: LAN 223, LAN 260 (ARH students in junior or senior standing can request approval from LAN dept)

Learn what it takes to put together an accurate set of construction documents. You’ll create plans, details, schedules and specifications to communicate your design intent and provide the detailed information required to permit, build and install a project. Strategies for sustainable construction and installation will be emphasized. (This course is cross-listed with LAN 683.) (Autodesk AutoCAD)

ARH 239 Materials and Methods

Prerequisite: (ARH 180 or IAD 210 or IND 123), (LA 107 or LA 108)

Material choices are design decisions. You’ll evaluate the unique properties and construction methods of materials, including the social constructs, environmental impacts, and design opportunities they provide.

ARH 240 Site Design and Mapping

Prerequisite: ARH 180 or LAN 223 or IAD 260 or IND 123

Experience the dynamic interdisciplinary nature of site design. Taking physical characteristics, regulatory parameters, accessibility, and sustainable design principles into consideration, you’ll develop a site design that combines your skills and understanding of topography, landscape, and urban design.

ARH 390 Storytelling in 3D

Prerequisite: ARH 180 or IAD 210 or GR 102 or ILL 133 or IND 363

What if you could develop and represent your architectural idea at the same time? In this class, you will learn how to digitally model spaces–real and imagined,–represent them as compelling architectural drawings, and evoke emotional responses in your audience through the use of real-time rendering software. Along the way, we will draw from, and analyze how computational designers, avant-garde architects, visualization artists, graphic designers, and cinematographers tell their stories.

ARH 399 Building Information Modeling

Prerequisite: ARH 239, ARH 390

Become confident using industry-standard Autodesk Revit to design a building. You will learn to create technical drawings and presentation images and learn the basic principles of compiling and organizing a construction drawing set.

LA 485 Tell Your Story: Personal Statement, Portfolio, Resume

Prerequisite: Junior or senior status

Enter the creative and collaborative field of architecture by learning how to tell your own unique story. Explore and discover your path to architecture aligned with your values and passions. Create winning applications for internships, scholarships, graduate school, and employment. Develop resumes, cover letters, and portfolios that stand out.

IAD 245 Materials

Prerequisite: ARH 170 & (LA 107 or LA 108)

Cultivate your sense of materiality. You’ll gain knowledge to select and specify finishes, fabrics, and furnishings based on aesthetics, durability, environmental attributes, and industry standards.

IAD 260 Computer Aided Drafting

Prerequisite: IAD 140 & IAD 210 (ARH equivalents ARH 170, ARH 180) 

Enhance your drafting and design skills with CAD. You’ll create construction documents for a design project. (Autodesk AutoCAD)

IAD 280 BIM and Design Graphics

Prerequisite: IAD 140, IAD 260 (LAN students who have completed LAN 193 & LAN 223 can request approval from IAD dept)

BIM is Building Information Modeling. You’ll create digital 3D models and develop advanced skills in construction documentation. (Autodesk Revit)

IAD 380 Survey of Sustainable Design

Prerequisite: Non-IAD majors can obtain Department Director approval.

Solidify your personal philosophy on sustainability. You’ll examine facts and establish opinions to create a design project that applies 21st-century ideals to sustainable design and environmental issues. (This course is cross-listed with IAD 625 and GLA 630.)

IAD 330 Introduction to Lighting Design

Prerequisite: IAD 240 Building Codes and Systems & IAD 280 BIM

Lighting is an art and a science. You’ll develop lighting designs, technical drawings, and specifications for residential and commercial interiors that use light to illuminate colors, forms, and textures, while adhering to energy codes and illuminance guidelines.

IAD 340 Commercial Design Studio

Prerequisite: IAD 310 Residential Design Studio & LA 229 (LA 229 may be taken concurrently)

Create a functional and imaginative workplace for your commercial client. In your second major studio, you’ll develop plans and drawings, select furniture and materials, and produce construction documents for a dynamic presentation based on programming and your conceptual design.

IAD 410 Advanced Commercial Design Studio

Prerequisite: IAD 340 & LA 254

Open your heart to others working on projects that embrace inclusive and universal design. You will create innovative interiors that illustrate sensitive solutions for all inhabitants, regardless of ability.

IND 111 Drawing Fundamentals for Design Communication

Build a solid foundation for visual communication by learning the linear perspective theory to accurately communicate your ideas through drawing! You will learn the theory through drafting exercises, develop freehand drawing skills, and produce quick digital sketches to accurately represent and communicate three-dimensional objects in two dimensions.

LA 329 Materials and Processes

Prerequisites: Sophomore status (30 or more completed units).

Develop your understanding of materials, the manufacturing process, and how both play a part in the design process. You’ll investigate the major types of plastics and metal categories, their respective characteristics, and how they’re used in various product manufacturing processes. (This course is cross-listed with IND 651 and IND 329.)

IND 240 Product Design: Ergonomics

Prerequisites: IND 123, IND 151, & IND 180

There’s a lot to consider when designing handheld consumer products. Ergonomics will be discussed in-depth and you will apply research, ideation, and problem-solving to develop your concepts. You will apply all skills learned to your final presentations, including developmental sketches, orthographic drawings, sketch models, and renderings.

IXD 105 Design Technology: Visual Design Tools

Take a deep dive into the skills behind industry-standard design and production: vector graphics and typography, color manipulation, finding workflow techniques, presentation and output methods, and more.

IXD 210 Visual Design 1

Prerequisites: IXD 105, GR 102, & GR 150. (IXD 105 may be taken concurrently.)

Get the skills to design beautiful, intuitive interactive interfaces and publications. Using great visual design principles, you’ll learn how to compose compelling screen layouts, brand identities, evocative typographic treatments, and interactive prototypes with the industry’s leading design tools.

IXD 120 User Experience 1

Prerequisites: IXD 105 & GR 150. (IXD 105 may be taken concurrently.)

User-centered design is where it all starts. It’s a process consisting of research, personas, user journeys, use cases, wire-framing, and more. You’ll start with defining and empathizing with the user, then use design techniques to create visually appealing prototypes.

IXD 249 Web Design 1

Prerequisites: Take one of the following: IXD 105, ANM 101, ARH 180, FSH 161, FSH 168, FSH 266, FSH 398, GAM 105, GR 102, IAD 210, IND 163, ILL 133, PH 107, MPT 110, MUS 120, or VIS 103

HTML and CSS are the backbone of the web. As you develop your coding skills, you’ll learn strategies in site architecture, navigation, file management, and more to create highly intuitive websites.

IXD 250 Web Design 2

Prerequisites: IXD 249

With a focus on functionality, mobility, and scalability, you’ll learn more HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to create web experiences optimized for devices from mobile to desktop. You’ll also use web standards and design fundamentals to produce web-based apps.

ANM 108 Cinematics for Animation and VFX

Cinematics is the language and techniques of filmmaking. To learn Cinematics Animation and VFX, you’ll board, shoot, and edit a film, critically analyzing examples of film content and production to understand why choices in filmmaking are made.

ANM 270 Storyboarding 1: Basics of Storyboarding

Prerequisites: One of the following: FND 110, FND 108, FND 113, or formerly offered FND 110B.

This course introduces students to the fundamentals of professional storyboarding. Topics covered include cinematic and camera terms, storyboarding style per project type (TV commercial, TV animation, Live Action and Feature animation) and pitching.

ANM 370 Storyboarding for Film Genres

Prerequisites: ANM 270, FND 116, & either FND 122 or FND 125

Learn to storyboard for a variety of film genres: comedy, drama, action, and musical. You’ll gain a comprehensive skill set by drawing, staging, and creating story sequences for animation and live action production. (This course is cross-listed with ANM 691.)

MPT 105 Cinematic Storytelling

Get hands-on experience with the entire filmmaking process. Functioning in a range of creative and technical roles including: Director, Cinematographer and Editor, you’ll collaborate with other students to produce a piece of digital content.

MPT 206 Edit 1: The Art of Editing

Video editing can be a very powerful visual storytelling tool. Using Adobe Premiere Pro, you will use montage, screen direction, continuity, and stylistic concepts to edit a narrative scene as you prepare for the Adobe Premiere ACA exam.

MPT 377 Visual Storytelling

Prerequisite: MPT 105

Discover the power of visual storytelling by studying the work of great directors and cinematographers. You will make numerous short films demonstrating a variety of pictorial concepts, refining your visual vocabulary. [This course is cross-listed with MPT 641.]

MPT 204 Breaking through the Noise of Social Media

No matter what you make-app, fashion line, game, product, film-social media marketing creates an impact. You’ll learn to secure funds, and practice building your brand, attracting supporters, and navigating multitudes of social media channels to bring your dream project to life. (This course is cross-listed with LA 204, MPT 705, and GLA 705.)

GAM 105 Introduction to Maya

Learn the fundamental concepts of 3D modeling for games. Using modeling tools and methods in a conventional 3D application, you will create a variety of polygonal objects and how to apply basic lighting and materials to your scenes.

GAM 107 Game Engines

Get hands-on experience producing simple games with three different game engines. You will explore the commonalities and differences in tools and workflows.

GAM 233 Elements of Digital Painting

Prerequisites: One of the following: GAM 111, ILL 133, VIS 103, ANM 101, or IAD 210

Gain the skills to digitally paint individual elements like skin, hair, facial features, wood, metal, stone, environments, and more.

GAM 244 Digital Environment Sketching

Prerequisites: GAM 233 & one of the following: ILL 102, FND 110, FND 110A, or FND 113

Each landscape has an unique anatomy. You’ll study the architectural language and style of various cultures and time periods and learn to use draftsmanship, mood, story, symbolism, proportion, spatial relationships, and other environmental principles in your work.

GAM 269 Color and Light for Concept Art

Prerequisites: GAM 266 or IAD 245

Dive into color and light. You’ll examine how various light sources interact with objects and environments and learn to apply color and light principles to create concept art, imagery, and design.

GAM 342 Game Environment Production 1

Prerequisites: (GAM 201, GAM 241, & GAM 332) or (IAD 270, IAD 280, LAN 375, & FND 113)

Use the environment asset pipeline to create real-time, 3D interior and exterior scenes. You will gain the storytelling, prop development, modularity, and composition skills to create compelling real-time environments. Plus, study scene management and iterative development. (This course is cross-listed with GAM 626.)

GAM 360 Environmental Modeling for Games 2

Prerequisites: GAM 342

Build current-generation, real-time environments. Employing the environment art pipeline for games, you will gain lighting and rendering techniques, learn foliage creation, and present your work in a game engine.

GAM 498A Collaborative Project: Art for Games

Cross-disciplinary projects mirror real-world projects and require a varied and sophisticated approach to problem-solving. Course fees and prerequisites vary by topic.