Graphic Design (GD)
GD 1200 - Prompt Engineering: Designing Effective Human AI Collaboration - 3 credits
Spring Semester
This course introduces students to the art and science of Prompt Engineering, the craft of creating clear, efficient, and goal-driven instructions for AI models. Students will explore how different prompting techniques influence AI-generated outputs across a range of platforms including ChatGPT, Nano Banana, MidJourney, and GitHub Copilot. through Project-based learning, students will analyze, test, and optimize prompts for various modalities, text, code and images. Students will also examine the ethical implications of prompt design. Emphasis will be placed on tailoring prompts to specific tasks, refining tone and clarity, and evaluating AI responses for accuracy, bias, and usefulness. The course will culminate in a portfolio of well-engineered prompts and outputs, demonstrating both technical and creative mastery.
GD 1500 - Digital Essentials and Creative Workflow - 3 credits
Fall and Spring Semesters
This foundational studio introduces core digital design platforms including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Figma and emerging AI-powered creative tools. Students develop fluency in digital workflows, image manipulation, vector illustration, editorial, and interface design, while learning responsible and ethical use of AI in creative production. Emphasis is placed on concept development, iterative prototyping, and building polished, production-ready files informed by basic audience and project feedback data.
This course meets the Curry Core Arts Breadth requirement.
GD 2100 - Data Storytelling & Visualization - 3 credits
Fall Semester
Data Visualization is increasingly important in this era where the use of data is growing in many different fields. This course introduces students to the principles of design and techniques. Students will learn to evaluate the effectiveness of visualization designs, and think critically about each design decision, such as choice of color and choice of visual encoding. Learn how to develop the industry’s best practices and determine the best way to present a data set visually. Students will create their own data visualizations and learn to use Open-Source visualization tools. (Same course as CS 2100).
GD 2500 - Design Principles I: Human-Centered Visual Systems - 3 credits
Spring Semester
Introduces visual communication principles, composition, typography, and color theory through humancentered, data-informed, and research-based creative problem solving. Students explore concept development, brainstorming strategies, and ethical design decision-making while applying foundational design systems across digital platforms and emerging media.
This course meets the Curry Core Arts Breadth requirement.
GD 2575 - Web and Experience Design: UX/UI Foundations - 3 credits
Spring Semester
Students learn the foundations of UX and UI design, wireframing, user flows, accessibility principles, and responsive web development using HTML, CSS, and industry prototyping tools. Students use data-driven insight such as user feedback and basic analytics, alongside AI-assisted ideation and testing to strengthen user-centered workflows as they create functional interactive experiences.
This course meets the Curry Core Arts Breadth requirement.
GD 2797 - Digital Photography and Imaging for AI Media- 3 credits
Spring Semester
Students explore digital photography and hybrid workflows that combine traditional photographic techniques with modern editing and AI-enhanced imaging tools. Emphasis is on lighting, composition, storytelling through imagery, and ethical digital manipulation leading to a curated digital portfolio.
This course meets the Curry Core Arts Breadth requirement.
GD 3001 - Study Abroad: Art + Design Immersion- 3 credits
Spring Semester
This study abroad studio immerses students in the art, design, and visual culture of destination through direct, on-site engagement. Students investigate how place, history, and contemporary life shape creative practice by visiting museums, galleries, architecture, public art, and design-focused sites, while building a portfolio of observational and research-based work.
Before departure, conduct destination-based research and participate in required preparatory sessions (cultural context, visual research methods, travel strategies, ethics of documenting place, and project planning). During travel, students maintain a visual journal (sketches, photographs, typographic/graphic studies, material collections, field notes) and participate in structured discussions. After returning, students submit a written reflection and develop a creative project that synthesizes their experience into a polished, report informed by the art and design encountered abroad.
This course meets the Curry Core International/Global Learning or Active Learning requirement.
GD 3450 - Internship/Professional Practice - 1-15 credits
Fall/Spring/Summer Semesters
The internship program provides Graphic Design majors with experience in a professional environment, helping to prepare them for entry into the job market. As members of a design team, interns put their technical and creative knowledge to work and have the opportunity to make professional connections within the design community. A minimum of one hundred and twenty (120) hours is required on the job. Although students are responsible for their own placement, direction and assistance is provided by the faculty and Career & Experiential Learning. All fieldwork is subject to prior approval by the Internship Facilitator.
This course meets the Curry Core Active Learning requirement.
Prerequisite: Graphic Design Students with a GPA of 2.5 in major classes.
GD 3500 - Design Principles II: Research, Strategy and Systems - 3 credits
Fall Semester
Students expand into research-driven, data-informed design practice, applying design thinking, visual systems, and strategic communication approaches across print, digital, and emerging media. Studio projects emphasize ethical use of technology, accessibility, and professional creative rigor.
Prerequisite: GD 2500.
GD 3555 - Dynamic Type and Visual Architecture - 3 credits
Fall Semester
A deep exploration of typographic form, visual hierarchy, typographic voice, and expressive communication. Students pair traditional typographic craft with AI-enhanced type exploration tools and investigate accessibility standards, motion typography, and variable type systems.
Prerequisite: GD 2500.
GD 3700 - 2D and 3D Animation and Virtual Production - 3 credits
Fall Semester
Students explore 2D & 3D animation, modeling, rigging, simulation, texturing, rendering, and real-time engine production. AI-assisted asset creation and procedural tools extend creativity across games, storytelling, motion graphics, and immersive media.
This course meets the Curry Core Arts Breadth requirement.
GD 3755 - Dynamic Type and Visual Architecture II - 3 credits
Spring Semester
An advanced typographic exploration across print, interactive, and motion media. Students develop a personal typographic voice, using emerging tools including AI-supported type exploration for custom forms, kinetic typography, and experimental communication systems.
Prerequisite: GD 3555.
GD 3765 - Advanced Editorial and AI-Driven Illustration Systems - 3 credits
Fall Semester
This advanced studio integrates editorial design, visual systems, and data-driven, AI-enhanced illustration workflows to create dynamic, editorial-ready communication systems. Students develop sophisticated editorial structures for print and digital environments while producing expressive vector-based illustration assets that elevate narrative clarity and brand identity.
Prerequisite: GD 3500.
GD 3787 - Motion Graphics and AI Visual Effects - 3 credits
Fall Semester
Students create cinematic motion graphics, dynamic visual systems, and narrative motion sequences using motion graphics and visual effects platforms and AI-assisted, data-driven animation workflows informed by audience and performance insight. Focus on visual rhythm, pacing, sound-sync, and digital compositing.
This course meets the Curry Core Arts Breadth requirement.
GD 3790 - Strategic Brand Design Systems - 3 credits
Spring Semester
Students develop strategic brand systems, identity tools, and scalable brand infrastructures across digital, motion, and experiential platforms. Projects include AI-enhanced, data-driven brand strategy research that leverages audience and market insights, ethical brand storytelling, and client-ready identity presentations. Students collaborate with real clients or campus/community partners, gaining experience in professional communication, project management, and presenting solutions to stakeholders.
Prerequisite: GD 3500.
GD 3795 - Packaging and Product Experience Design - 3 credits
Spring Semester
From consumer packaging to experiential unboxing and digital-to-physical integration, students design sustainable and innovative packaging solutions informed by data-driven insights from user research and testing, including applied AI tools for prototyping and visualization.
Prerequisite: GD 3500.
GD 4050 - Independent Studio: Graphic Design - 3-15 credits
Fall and Spring Semesters
Independent study in advanced creative technology, AI-enhanced design practice, research, professional portfolio development, or exploratory creative investigation. Students work under faculty mentorship and complete an approved proposal outlining project goals, deliverables, research, schedule, and assessment criteria. Projects may include emerging technology experimentation, interdisciplinary collaboration, clientbased design, entrepreneurial development, or production of a unified creative body of work.
Prerequisite: Graphic Design Student.
GD 4570 - Personal Brand Strategy and Digital Influence - 3 credits
Spring Semester
Students develop a professional creative identity, crafting content strategy informed by data-driven audience and platform analytics, ethical AI-enhanced content development, and cross-platform storytelling to align personal branding with career pathways.
GD 4650 - Portfolio and Professional Readiness - 3 credits
Fall Semester
Students create industry-ready portfolios, reels, case studies, and personal brand systems. Coursework includes AI-enhanced briefs, data-driven portfolio benchmarking and revision (using feedback, hiring trends, and platform analytics), interview readiness, and professional ethics, and students are expected to participate in AIGA Portfolio Night.
Prerequisite: Graphic Design Junior or Senior Standing.
GD 4700 - Studio 1071 - 3 credits
Fall and Spring Semesters
Studio 1071 is a student-led, faculty-mentored in-house design studio that provides an immersive, experiential learning environment where students work collaboratively to serve real clients from campus, community organizations, and industry partners. Students engage in professional design workflows including client interviews, data-driven audience and market research, conceptual development, prototyping, production, feedback cycles, and final delivery of tangible creative solutions that are evaluated for impact. Emphasis is placed on collaboration, project management, ethical and effective AI-enhanced, data-informed design practices, and professional communication skills. Through real-world design challenges, students build competitive portfolios, strengthen professional readiness, and develop the confidence and leadership necessary for success in creative industries.
This course meets the Curry Core Active Learning requirement.
Prerequisite: Juniors and Seniors with a GPA of 2.5 in major classes.
GD 4900 - Senior Innovation Project and Exhibition - 3 credits
Spring Semester
Capstone culminating in a self-directed creative thesis integrating design research and data-driven decision-making with emerging technology, AI-enhanced creative practice, and professional documentation. Presentation at the Senior Graphic Design Exhibition. This course is taught in a mentor/student format.
Prerequisite: Senior Standing.
GD 4900H - Senior Innovation Project and Exhibition - 3 credits
Spring Semester
Capstone culminating in a self-directed creative thesis integrating design research, emerging technology, AIenhanced creative practice, and professional documentation. Presentation at the Senior Graphic Design Exhibition. This course is taught in a mentor/student format.
Prerequisite: Senior Standing with a GPA of 3.3.