CERTIFICATE IN DIGITAL AND GRAPHIC DESIGN

This intermediate-level certificate combines design theory and skills training to provide students with a thorough understanding of digital and graphic design for use in print, motion graphics, and on the Web. The program begins with multidisciplinary core courses that develop a strong foundation in design principles such as space, layout, color, typography, and history. Then, students choose a track in Print/Graphic Design, Motion Graphics, or Web Design and apply their foundation skills in project work and industry-related electives. Finally, the program culminates in a multidisciplinary Portfolio Review course with industry professionals who critique students' work and help them assemble stronger portfolios.

Note: This program is designed for students who have foundation skills in the applicable technologies for their design discipline of interest. Courses are taught interchangeably using Mac and PC operatings systems in order follow industry practices which focus on applications and not operating systems. Prerequisite: Students who do not have a technical foundation are advised to take the Certificate in Digital and Graphic Design Production Technologies.

Upon completion of the program, students have the ability to:

• Solve design problems through brainstorming, visual storytelling, ideation, and conceptual thinking.
• Understand color systems for print, broadcast, and the Web.
• Use typography to create effective communications.
• Develop and strengthen design capabilities with unique style and vision.
• Apply the design process from concept to completion.
• Create a design portfolio for use in a job search.
• Practice presenting design work and a portfolio.

Print/Graphic Design Track

Students learn design theory and skills specific to print media, such as books, magazines, brochures, posters, newspapers, and information graphics. Some highly recommended electives for this track are Publication Design, Typography II, Brand Identity, and Illustrator: Advanced.

Web Design Track

Students learn Web and interactive design theory and skills and apply them to projects with sophisticated user interfaces and a high degree of usability. Some highly recommended electives for this track are E-Commerce Design, Brand Identity, Interface Design for the Web, Game Design, Sound Design: Fundamentals, and Flash: Advanced.

An average grade of B or higher is required along with the successful completion of 8 courses—four core, one industry-track requirement and three electives"—to earn the certificate. Students with intermediate level experience in design may request to substitute the core courses with related courses by presenting a portfolio of work to be judged by faculty.

This certificate has been restructured. Students who began this certificate prior to fall 2007 have four years to complete their certificate according to the requirements in the SCPS bulletin the semester they began. Call an education advisor at (212) 998-7171 for more information.

Certificate Builder

COURSE CHECK LIST			COURSE NO.	PRICE
Core Courses (6 of these courses are required)
	Typography I Typography is a powerful communication tool--its use sets great designers apart from just good ones. Designed for those interested in creating effective communications, this course develops the student's understanding of the anatomy of type, terminologies, organization, and relationship with other graphic elements. Throughout the class, students create typographic assignments and compositions in order to sharpen their awareness and understanding of the characteristics of type. Download the supply list for this course (click on course name to read more)		X36.9015	$445
	2D Design Principles Grasping the fundamental principles of two-dimensional design is the first step in a career as a graphic designer. Participate in a series of design exercises... (click on course name to read more)		X36.9220	$445
	Conceptualization Learn the methods that professionals use throughout the creative process, and how to apply those methodologies to generate powerful and effective design concepts. Participate in... (click on course name to read more)		X36.9221	$445
	Design: Past, Present, and Future Design in the present tense is a mirror of the cultural climate; in the past tense, it is a visual history lesson that expresses the... (click on course name to read more)		X36.9222	$445
Print/Graphic Design Track Foundation (2 of these courses are required)
	Print Design Theory & Practice Strengthen your print design skills through exercises, lectures, and critiques. Work on multiple projects from initial concept to completion. Intense project work utilizes the skills... (click on course name to read more)		X36.9239	$595
OR...
Web Design Track (2 of these courses are required)
	Web Design Theory and Practice Develop and strengthen your design capabilities and your own unique style and vision. Through in-class projects, lectures, and critiques, learn how design can be used... (click on course name to read more)		X36.9248	$595
Multidisciplinary Electives (3 of these courses are required)
	Typography II		X36.9016	*
	Brand Identity		X36.9105	*
	Photoshop: Intermediate Expand your current knowledge of Adobe Photoshop with intermediate tools and techniques including complex masking, patterns, textures, unusual filters, and interesting layer maneuvers. Develop your... (click on course name to read more)		X36.9227	$445
	Illustrator: Intermediate Expand your knowledge of Adobe Illustrator with intermediate tools and techniques including type manipulation, custom swatch libraries, useful gradients, and striking special effects. Develop your... (click on course name to read more)		X36.9228	$425
	Publication Design Learn theories of design and gain practical experience placing type, photos, and art in layouts for magazines, books, newsletters, newspapers, and online publications. Students use... (click on course name to read more)		X36.9241	$495
	Website Usability Usability is a crucial factor in a website's success. Discover proven methods for integrating key elements such as user-centered design, information architecture, rapid prototyping, and... (click on course name to read more)		X36.9245	$445
	E-Commerce Design		X36.9250	*
	Flash: Intermediate Building on the skills learned in Flash: Fundamentals, this course concentrates on working with text fields, movie clips, and scripting in an effort to begin... (click on course name to read more)		X36.9251	$445
	Dreamweaver: Intermediate Getting a dynamic website up and running used to require advanced programming skills. Now, Macromedia Dreamweaver allows even novices to rapidly design and deploy sites.... (click on course name to read more)		X36.9252	$445
	InDesign: Intermediate Expand your current knowledge of Adobe InDesign. Topics are explored in depth, building on basic techniques to bring skills to an intermediate level. Assignments and... (click on course name to read more)		X36.9254	$445

*Courses not available in current semester.

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