Adobe Illustrator is the choice of graphic designers, multimedia developers and web designers for vector-based graphics. It is loaded with powerful tools for image creation or enhancement, prepress preparation, special effects, colour conversion and web prototyping. In this course, we will look in-depth at some of the basic techniques used in the industry. This course emphasizes efficiency and portfolio building, with each project being geared toward techniques that can be applied in the development of students' own portfolios.

Students will learn how to use InDesign as the primary design and layout tool for creating production-ready documents. The lessons will also address how InDesign integrates with other Adobe applications, such as Illustrator and Photoshop, and to the production process. Course lessons will be carried out within the context of two class projects. The first - a single-page product promotion - will be designed using InDesign. While learning to use many of InDesign's specific tools and functions, students will also become familiar with many of the basic principles of page layout as well as fundamental design techniques. The second project will consist of creating design mock-ups for a multi-page consumer product brochure. Without undertaking the complexities of designing the complete brochure, the design mock-ups will allow students to further explore the InDesign interface and tools while also concentrating on the overall brochure design. Through the design and construction of these two representative projects, students will become familiar with the basic tools and features of InDesign and develop skills in the design of information.

Adobe Photoshop has been the industry standard software solution for professional photo editing and image creation on the desktop since its inception. Featuring comprehensive image manipulation capabilities, a wide variety of tools, commands and options tailored specifically for the purpose of working with high-quality still images, Photoshop is the worldwide standard. Working knowledge of this application is a prerequisite for any position in graphic design, multimedia, internet and web development, print production and prepress. Photoshop also has a strong link with other fields, such as 3D modelling and animation, architecture, film and video editing. This introductory course is the first step toward developing an understanding of the application and its position in the industry.

This course introduces web design concepts and theory and presents students with a basic exploration of the underlying standards and structures (using HTML, HTML5, CSS and CSS3) that form the World Wide Web as we know it today. We will also explore some of the efficiency tools in Dreamweaver that assist with the creation of standards compliant web pages. Students will learn the basics of online forms, the use of HTML tables for tabular data and how to maximize website usability. Other topics will include file formats, usability, interactive elements and user experiences and expectations. The rules and dos and don'ts of design layout and function, typography, colour and graphical elements will also be explored. Students will be shown how interface elements such as buttons, backgrounds, icons and interactions can enhance a website's overall user experience. Students will further develop their composition skills with a variety of tools and techniques to create engaging and user-friendly interfaces for multiple web projects. This course will also instruct students on how to use and organize their digital files and utilize scripts for productivity and techniques for creating graphics for various devices and resolutions, such as mobile, retina display and tablet devices.

Every walk of life is defined by, expressed with and, indeed, dependent on type and typography. A firm knowledge of the art of typography distinguishes the true designer and is essential in order to communicate design ideas. This course in typography will introduce students to the visual power of good typography as well as the technical skills needed to accomplish it. Over the course of five weeks, students will progress from the examination of the style and character of individual letterforms to construction of words, lines and paragraphs and overall page construction features within columns and margins. Modular layout and professional type finesse will complete this study of typography. Areas of study will include an overview of type (current directions and history); appropriate typeface selection (font, size and style); adaptations and considerations of type; mastering functions of letter, word and line spacing; and understanding typographic space and layout.

This course allows the design of a website to be translated easily into development. Prototyping is a key factor in establishing the core functionality of a website that will eventually determine the user experience, user journey and navigation of a website and mobile application. Typical industry techniques will be explored and constructed to aid in the understanding of the design process. Other topics will include usability considerations, interactive influences and user experiences. The foundation of design, hierarchy, form, function, typography, colour theory and motion design will also be explored.

This course will move beyond the basic functions of InDesign and move students toward industry best practices. The advanced segment of the course will also focus on resolving print production issues with a large document, asset management and maximizing efficiencies in In Design through functions such as Scripts, GREP Styling and advanced formatting functionality. Students will design, develop and execute the creation of a print magazine and also develop and create an annual report as part of their final project.

Students will create a variety of vector-based projects, including a package design mock-up and template construction. A clear understanding of package design and the standards of design are explored. In this advanced level course, students will demonstrate their skills in typography, photography, illustration and layout to construct a working package design model. Class time will be divided into lecture and application sessions. During lectures, students will be exposed to theory and new techniques with hands-on examples. During application sessions, students will have the opportunity to work on their class projects and assignments with the guidance of the instructor.

The need for interactive development has become very important in developing the user experience and engagement of a website. Industry companies are requiring their employees to know and understand front-end development with an emphasis on user interface and user experience. That is where the use of JavaScript and jQuery come in. Using JavaScript and jQuery allows for interactive and responsive elements on a website with a limited amount of code. Graphic designers are required to know the jQuery framework as it is so popular. In addition, the web has made tremendous shifts towards mobile experiences. Providing a great user experience is really important in capturing an audience on multiple devices and platforms.

Since the introduction of mobile tablet devices, the print industry has seen great potential in delivering rich-media content to its consumers. There is a rapid shift taking place, from traditional print publications to ePublications and eMagazines that allow readers to access and experience content in a new and exciting way through tablet devices. In this course, students will use the Adobe Digital Publishing Suite to create and optimize publications for various tablet devices. Students will create and deliver engaging layout design with rich-media content while increasing the users experience when reading on a variety of mobile devices and platforms, including Apple's iPad, Google's Android , and BlackBerry's PlayBook tablets.*Note: Publishing folio files for commercial use to tablet devices requires a license and monthly subscription from Adobe. This course is intended for design purposes and not for publishing files for monetary use.

In this hands-on course, students learn how to leverage existing open-source content management systems to build robust websites that can be easily managed by non-technical users and clients. Topics to be explored include installation and configuration strategies, template design and strategies for building an effective WordPress site.

Conducted in seminar format, this course is designed to help prepare students for the graphic design industry job market they will be entering on graduation. Students should prepare for the class by reviewing all their resume and portfolio materials; assessing what they want to accomplish once they complete this program; and bring questions and topics of concern to the seminar. The final portfolio presentation for the Print & Web program will combine all of the skills and techniques learned during the entire program into one final project. Students are responsible for preparing a formal presentation of their print work creating a website that demonstrates their particular design style and technical skills while remaining usable enough so that any client or potential employer will have no trouble navigating through it. Although the portfolio website acts as a showcase for all of the work completed during the semester, it is also a portfolio piece and should, therefore, be polished to the level of all the other portfolio work.