2026-2027 Academic Catalog

Author: Watson Peacock

  • CDS-374 DATA VISUALIZATION

    This elective course develops presentation methods,that help students take complex data sets and,transform them into expressive graphic contexts,that,are accessible and readable. Concepts of,information,logic, hierarchy, semiotics, biases relative to,narrative,constructions identified in complex data and how,different audiences may read content are concepts,integrated into project briefs. The historical and,contemporary nature and function of data,visualization within design studio practice will,be,highlighted. Solutions integrate the breadth and,depth of communication design visual language(s),to,develop static or dynamic solutions that can be,experienced on screen, in print, or in a,performative,space

    Credits: 3

    Prerequisites: CDS-311 or CDS-312

  • CDS-373 PUBLICATION DESIGN

    This elective course expands on sequential,narrative concepts explored in previous,typographic courses. The student’s understanding,of the unique conditions related to the design of,digital and analog publications includes,unconventional publications that can be serial or,systemic in nature. Assignments require students,to analyze the nature of the intended audience,,the publication content, the author’s intent,,design writing, the goals of the publication,,materiality, and the intended exchange with the,reader in developing a visual response that can be,multi-platform when appropriate.

    Credits: 3

    Prerequisites: CDS 311 or CDS 312*,*formerly DGD 311 or DGD 312

  • CDS-365 EXTENDED REALITY (XR) DESIGN

    This XR design course is the third in a series of,required courses exploring the role of digital,technology in communication design and strategy,systems. Students learn about immersive,technologies such as augmented reality (AR),,virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality (MR).,Students explore how these technologies blend the,physical and virtual worlds and consider the,narrative complexities of communicating between,these spaces. The course emphasizes hands-on,learning through a human-centric lens, focusing on,understanding different users and user groups.,Students prototype, user test, perform, bodystorm,,and play, while applying critical methods,,iterative design processes, and digital UI and UX,techniques as they pertain to spatial computing.,Students are encouraged to think about the future,of digital communication systems and consider,these emerging technologies as opportunities for,experimentation. Additional courses to consider,are Data Visualization, Experience Design, and,Mobile App Development.

    Credits: 3

    Prerequisites: CDS 264, CDS 211, CDS 212*,*Formerly DGD 264, DGD 211 and DGD 212

  • CDS-352 TYPE DESIGN

    Students work in the creative process of original,typographic design, emphasizing exploration,,historical research, and synthesis of these,variables in typographic design. Students will,consider and explore various design process,methodologies related to type design. Students,are encouraged to use technology and media that,reflects the project outline and student’s skill,level. Students will revisit and review,typographic nomenclature relevant to type design,and consider the important role of graphic design,history in the context of type design. An,inclusive historical lens is encouraged.

    Credits: 3

    Prerequisites: CDS 311 OR CDS 312*,*formerly DGD 311 or DGD 312

  • CDS-212 DESIGN RESEARCH

    This course is the second in a series that focuses,on design theories, iterative design processes,,and critical methods related to Communication,Design. Students work on projects that reinforce,how to translate content into concepts that,consider the audience. The course also emphasizes,the role of writing and introduces research,methods that focus on Communication Design,history. Prior knowledge of typographic systems,,around aesthetics, organizational systems, and,terminology, is expected to be applied and,developed in this course. Similarly, students will,enhance their digital skills and design techniques,while learning about the visual language of,design, both past and present, to create,well-crafted narratives for design solutions,across different media platforms.

    Credits: 3

    Prerequisites: CDS 211, CDS 251 and CDS 263*,*Formerly DGD 211, DGD 251 and DGD 263

  • CDS-211 DESIGN SEMIOTICS

    This required second-year course, the first of,two, students are introduced to semiotic theory,and its intricate relationship with Communication,Design studio practices. Through assigned,projects, students apply theories, iterative,design processes, and critical methods to make,design decisions that define content, concept,,audience, and messaging. The course focuses on,creating informed design solutions that,incorporate typography, writing, and images, with,an emphasis on play and practice. Students develop,digital skills, basic photographic knowledge, and,design techniques to create a system of,well-crafted design solutions across dynamic and,static media platforms.

    Credits: 3

    Prerequisites: CDS 124 and CDS 152 (or CDS 201)*,*Formerly DGD-124 and DGD 152 (or DGD-201),CDS 251, CDS 263*,*Formely DGD 251 and DGD 263

  • CDS-201 COMM DESIGN & STRATEGY FOR NON-MAJORS

    This non-major course is designed to,introduce/develop two-dimensional design skills in,the context of typographic environments to,students outside of the major of Communication,Design and Strategy. Projects introduce students,to the principles of typography and image in order,to develop skills related to organizing,typographic and image environments to achieve,clear communication based on an understanding of,typographic hierarchy, message, and aesthetics, as,well as spatial relationships of the page/screen,such as grid, column and margin. Students develop,the ability to make typographic design decisions,that consider taste, audience/user, content,,concept, and sequence, by employing process,methodologies used in the creation of unique,visual communication solutions that speaks to,their own art and design practice, or cultural,,social lens.

    Credits: 3

    Prerequisites:

  • CDS-152 TYPOGRAPHY II

    This required typography course is the second in a,sequence of three, that develops an understanding,of 2D design space and the unique nature of,typographic communication principles. Building on,Typography I, students expand their ability to,work with typographic form, understanding the,nuance of language-based messages, and,organization through projects that introduce,organizational systems, grids, and the associated,nomenclature. Classifications, and anatomy of,letterforms, are integrated into projects,,language hierarchy, image, and rhetorical elements,in order to develop sequential narrative,communication. This course helps students apply,the role of analog and digital tools to achieve,well-crafted solutions with specific intent.,Content used in this course presents design’s,complex history, while also providing students the,opportunity to lend their point of view on content,analysis. Students may elect to take additional,typography courses, Publication Design, Type IV,,and Type Design in their junior year.

    Credits: 3

    Prerequisites: CDS 151 (formerly DGD-151)

  • CDS-151 TYPOGRAPHY I

    This required typography course, the first in a,sequence of three, develops an understanding of,two-dimensional design space and the unique nature,of typographic communication principles. Through,a series of projects centered around the role of,type in communication design, students develop an,understanding of typographic aesthetics, concepts,of organization, understanding nuance of language,based messages to achieve a particular hierarchy,,while emphasizing the role of analog and digital,tools to achieve well-crafted solutions with,specific communication intent. Content used in,this course presents design’s complex history,,while also providing students the opportunity to,lend their point of view in content analysis. This,course introduces students to concepts that are,foundational to the department and the skills,required for success.

    Credits: 3

    Prerequisites:

  • CDS-124 MOTION ESSENTIALS

    This motion graphics course introduces concepts,and methods used in designing dynamic digital,communications that rely on typography, graphic,form, visual hierarchy, sound, and message. The,language of motion design and its associated,meaning(s) are presented through a series of,projects. Students learn relevant techniques and,motion semiotic concepts, associated digital tools,in order to aid in the creation of well-crafted,dynamic sequential solutions. This course,introduces students to concepts that are,foundational to the department and the skills,required for success.

    Credits: 3

    Prerequisites: CDS 151 (formerly DGD 151) or CDS 201 (formerly DGD 201)