Graphic Design

Concordia offers both a major and a minor in Graphic Design. The departmentseeks to train students to use signs and symbols to convey an idea orconcept through innovative thinking. More specifically, students gain coreknowledge in traditional linear print media, web design, and motion graphicsand time-based media. The goal is to give graduates abilities across thearts, and the curriculum reflects this objective. Students take courses inareas from conceptual design methods, appropriate aesthetics, history,writing development, verbal articulation, and training in technology thatprepares the student to enter the graphic design profession. Additionally,in their senior year, students complete a semester-long internship orpracticum in the graphic design profession, as well as participate in arequired portfolio review.

• In the classroom
  Gain knowledge in print media, web design, motion graphics and time-basedmedia.
  Utilize industry standard hardware and software (Mac computers, drawingtablets, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Dreamweaver, Flash, and Final CutPro).
  Create projects and assignments that will prepare you for your futurecareer.
  Involve yourself in a safe and caring creative environment where studentsideas, and students themselves, are respected and valued.
  Extend your verbal, intellectual, and conceptual expressions.
  Refine your personal vision, communication abilities, technical skills,portfolio, and presentation of your work.
• Outside of the classroom
  Acquire Practicum Experience working on campus under the supervision of aprofessor on pro bono projects for campus organizations or localorganizations and receive credit towards your major requirements.
  Complete an Internship working on site for a design studio, in-housemarketing department, or ad agency.
  Attend exhibitions and lectures on Concordia's campus by local artists anddesigners.
  Participate in student projects such as the Aerie magazine or the annualChristmas Card Project fundraiser.
  Exhibit your designs in our juried student art show each spring semester.
• Learning Outcomes:
  Understand and apply principles of visual organization/composition, colortheory, and information hierarchy.
  Conceptualize symbolic representation.
  Understand and apply principles of typographic formalism.
  Utilize a variety of different image generating techniques (traditional anddigital).
  Comprehend tools and technology used in graphic design, including theirroles in the creation, reproduction, sustainability, and distribution ofvisual messages.
  Exercise conceptual thinking, visualization and creative thinking techniquesin a design-process oriented approach.
  Develop sensitivity, responsibility and humility through participation inservant leadership projects and community service.
  Connect with target audiences and communicate design ideas in a compellingway.