Course Descriptions
VCA 106 — Creative Typographical Design
Explores the use of type as a major element of design to solve visual communication problems. Includes the use of layout markers to creatively manipulate type forms and produce interesting, attractive type-only designs.
Students must receive a letter grade of C or better.
Lecture: 3 credits
Prerequisites: VCC 105 or Consent of Instructor.
VCA 132 — Illustration for Advertising
Develops skills in visualization and illustration techniques as they apply to advertising and graphic design. Emphasizes visual interpretation of narrative textual information (such as a story, poem, or magazine article), editorials, advertising, and books. Uses a variety of media from traditional media to digital media to create professional illustrations as elements of advertising.
Students must receive a letter grade of C or better.
Lecture/Lab: 3 credits
VCA 163 — Basic Photography
Teaches the use of 35 mm Digital SLR cameras, digital printers, and digital photography technology in relation to black & white photography and color photography. Includes basic photographic methods and skills in digital image capture, digital image manipulation, digital image printing, and presentation of photographs.
Students must receive a letter grade of C or better.
Lecture: 3 credits
VCA 164 — Portrait Photography
Continues the study of the 35mm Digital SLR camera as it relates to commercial art primarily in a studio setting. Introduces the student to basic studio lighting and techniques for portraiture. Includes problem-solving through assigned projects. Students must receive a letter grade of C or better.
Lecture: 3 credits
Prerequisites: VCA 163 with a grade of C or better or Consent of Instructor
VCA 173 — Basic Advertising Design
Introduces the principles and practices of graphic design. Includes terminology and procedures commonly used in graphic design, along with the Macintosh computer system and software used in illustration and graphic design for the print media and for the Internet, and navigation through and searching for information on the Internet using a web browser.
Students must receive a letter grade of C or better.
Lecture: 3 credits
VCA 174 — Publication Design
Explores basic to intermediate skills in electronic publishing, design layout, type composition, and prepress for printing and publishing applications.
Students must receive a letter grade of C or better.
Lecture: 3 credits
Prerequisites: VCA 173 with a grade of C or better or Consent of Instructor
VCA 263 — Product Photography
Applies principles and techniques with an emphasis on digital color photographic illustrations captured in the studio and on location. Begins the use of lens perspective controls on the camera.
Students must receive a letter grade of C or better.
Lecture/Lab: 4 credits
Prerequisites: VCA 164 with a grade of C or better or Consent of Instructor
VCA 264 — Commercial Photography
Emphasizes color photography and color management. Guidance in portfolio development as well as an exploration of business practices in photography.
Students must receive a letter grade of C or better.
Lecture/Lab: 4 credits
Prerequisites: VCA 263 with a grade of C or better or Consent of Instructor
VCA 273 — Corporate Design
Emphasizes computer design and layout based on extensive use of the industry standard page layout and drawing programs; and critical thinking for problem-solving, preparation, and production of electronic artwork.
Students must receive a letter grade of C or better.
Lecture: 4 credits
Prerequisites: VCA 173 with a grade of C or better or Consent of Instructor
VCA 274 — Advertising Design
Extends VCA 273 to include the creation of a professional portfolio.
Students must receive a letter grade of C or better.
Lecture: 4 credits
Prerequisites: VCA 273 with a grade of C or better or Consent of Instructor
VCA 290 — Folio Seminar
Prepares advanced design, video, and photography students to complete a professional portfolio. Explores job interview techniques to help students understand their responsibilities in seeking positions.
Students must receive a letter grade of C or better.
Lecture/Lab: 3 credits
Prerequisites: VCA 264 or VCA 274 or VCM 230 & CIT 140 with a grade of C or better or Consent of Instructor
VCA 298 — Practicum
Incorporates and applies skills and techniques previously learned in the classroom and commercial art laboratory. Provides practical experience in a variety of commercial art establishments in the community.
Students must receive a letter grade of C or better.
Lecture: 2-6 credits
Prerequisites: VCA 290 with a grade of C or better or Consent of Instructor
VCC 166 — Photoshop Basics
Develops skills to digitally manipulate, enhance, and create composite photographs. Introduces raster graphics and their use in the visual communication industry. Creation and manipulation of graphics from simple to increasingly complex images and designs will be the focus of this course.
Students must receive a letter grade of C or better.
Lecture: 3 credits
VCC 266 — Advanced Photoshop
Develops advanced skills to digitally manipulate, enhance, and create composite photographs. Applies advanced principles, concepts, and techniques for graphic design and digital photography. Creation and manipulation of graphics for complex images and designs will be the focus of this course.
Students must receive a letter grade of C or better.
Lecture: 3 credits
Prerequisites: VCC 166 with a grade of C or better or Consent of Instructor
VCM 115 — 2-D Animation
Introduces basic computer animation using industry-standard software, students will create 2-D animations to be used in various multi-media functions.
Students must receive a letter grade of C or better.
Lecture/Lab: 3 credits
Prerequisites: VCA 170 with a grade of C or better or Consent of Instructor
VCM 220 — Webpage Design
Introduces students to principles and elements used in web design. Explores basic web design tools such as markup languages, cascading style sheet, and web authoring software. Identifies fundamentals including website layout, navigation, font usage, color schemes, and site structure to create visually-pleasing websites.
Students must receive a letter grade of C or better.
Lecture/Lab: 3 credits