2026-2027 Academic Catalog

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  • CDS-412 DESIGN THEORY

    In this final senior year course, students analyze,design theories that focus on their definition of,design practices. The course strengthens skills in,design writing, advanced research methods, and,critical thinking. Students explore design theory,and practice, delving into design history,,methodologies, processes, practices, materials,,and specific topics to inspire the development of,their capstone thesis projects. Projects allow,students to demonstrate their unique application,of design languages and explore the role of,personal voice. Throughout the course, students,create a research bibliography, write a thesis,statement, study case benchmarks, manage,timelines, create presentations, and develop their,final project with the guidance and support of,faculty.

    Credits: 3

    Prerequisites: CDS 311, CDS 312 and CDS 317*,*Formely DGD 311, DGD 312 and DGD 317

  • CDS-411 INTEGRATED BRAND STRATEGY

    In this advanced branding course, students explore,the systemic nature of contemporary branding and,the diverse media landscape used to engage target,audiences. Students learn to differentiate between,local and national brand strategies through,practical projects. The course emphasizes the,crucial role of design in defining strategy,,managing, and communicating a brand’s ethos.,Projects encourage collaboration, essential for,future professional endeavors. Additionally,,students expand their methods to include,qualitative and quantitative research, audience,definition, iterative visualization, brand,strategy, 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 311, CDS 312, CDS 317 and CDS 365*,*Formerly DGD 311, DGD 312, DGD 317 and DGD 365

  • CDS-400 EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING STUDIO

    Students acquire practical experience that,parallels the processes and methods used in,professional studio practice. Students work on,client-based projects with the assistance of a,faculty supervisor. Projects follow all the steps,in the design process, including client contact,,concept development, client presentations, and the,resolution of an appropriate communication,response developed in the client brief.

    Credits: 3

    Prerequisites: CDS 311 or CDS 312

  • CDS-378 EXPERIENCE DESIGN

    This elective course expands the required UxD,course content to include emerging technology and,concepts in the area of immersive spaces. Projects,will require the knowledge of advanced,interaction, UX principles and usability, a,familiarity with code and code-based applications.,Group projects will expand on concepts around user,testing and prototyping processes, along with how,the project is presented, built in physical,spaces, and documented with video using,voice-over, or typographic storytelling.

    Credits: 3

    Prerequisites: CDS 365, 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

  • 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-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)