2026-2027 Academic Catalog

Category: Academic Programs & Courses

2026-2027 Academic Catalog

  • CDS-311 BRAND STRATEGIES

    In the first branding course, students learn about,the interconnected nature of modern branding and,the wide range of media used to reach target,audiences. They explore how branding applies to,local or small businesses through hands-on,projects. The course highlights the important role,of design in shaping, managing, and expressing a,brand’s identity. Collaboration is encouraged, and,students also learn about qualitative and,quantitative research, defining target audiences,,developing visualizations, creating brand,strategies, and presenting out to the class. Prior,knowledge of design principles, historical,context, organizational systems, and,human-centered concepts will be essential for,success in this course. Students interested in,this field may consider pursuing additional,courses such as Motion Branding, CDS Practicum, or,Independent Studies starting in their third year.

    Credits: 3

    Prerequisites: CDS 212 (formerly DGD-212)

  • CDS-312 CAMPAIGN STRATEGIES

    In this brand campaign course, students discover,the systemic nature of contemporary brand,visual/verbal messaging, and the diverse media,landscape used to inform or persuade target,demographics. Students learn to differentiate,between local and national campaign strategies to,understand the best practices in campaign,development. The course emphasizes the crucial,role of design in defining strategy and managing,language (visual and verbal) to communicate a,brand’s ethos. Projects encourage collaboration,which is essential for future professional,endeavors. This course evolves methods to include,qualitative and quantitative research, audience,definition, iterative visualization, and,presentation skills. Prior knowledge of design,visual languages, historical context,,organizational systems, and human-centered,concepts will be crucial for success in this,course.

    Credits: 3

    Prerequisites: CDS-212

  • CDS-317 PROFESSIONAL STUDIO PRACTICE I

    This first course, the first in a series of two,courses, explores contemporary design practice in,Communication Design and Strategy. Students gain,an understanding of different forms of design,practice, from independent contracts to,junior/senior positions and studio ownership. They,also participate in on-site or virtual studio,visits with BIPOC business leaders to learn about,professional expectations. The course covers,business tools used by design professionals and,guide students in creating materials to prepare,for the design market. This includes crafting,resumes, writing design briefs and project,proposals, using time management platforms,,understanding taxes and copyright policies, and,developing a junior-level portfolio. The second,course, Professional Studio Practice II, is taken,in the senior year to further prepare students for,the professional design market.

    Credits: 3

    Prerequisites: CDS 212 (formerly DGD 212)

  • CDS-324 MOTION 3D

    This third motion design course is an elective. It,expands on the concepts and methods presented in,designing dynamic digital communications that rely,on the use of typography, image, video, message,,and sound that were introduced in Motion I and,II. Students will integrate 3D/4D concepts into a,system of dynamic design solutions that consider,more complex applications of digital and analog,tools, while also focusing on the different,audiences/users, editorial message structures, and,editing choices to meet the needs of the project,goals.

    Credits: 3

    Prerequisites: CDS 224 AND CDS 311 (or CDS 312)*,*formerly DGD 224, DGD 311 (or DGD 312)

  • CDS-344 MOTION DESIGN

    This motion design course is an elective that,expands on the concepts and methods presented in,previous required motion courses. This course,develops graphic languages for designing dynamic,digital communications that rely on typography,,image, video, message, and sound. Students,integrate 3D/4D concepts into a system of kinetic,design solutions that consider more complex,applications of digital and analog tools, while,also focusing on the different audiences/users,,editorial message structures, and editing choices,to meet the needs of the project goals.

    Credits: 3

    Prerequisites: CDS-224 and CDS-311 (or CDS-312)

  • 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-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-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-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-376 MOBILE UI/UX

    This elective course expands students’ ability to,use marketing strategies to identify mobile,opportunities for targeted and diverse consumer,and user groups. Students utilize knowledge of,human-centered user interfaces and experiences to,create digital apps that respond to a particular,consumer need. Projects consider the role of,current trends, and how they can be visually,manifested,in type, language, color, image, sound, and,motion. The research will inform mapping,,wireframing,,high-low prototyping, performative usability,testing, logic, and unique smartphone,applications.

    Credits: 3

    Prerequisites: CDS-264