In an increasingly visual culture, and culture of online user-created content, non-designers are called upon in the professional realm to illustrate their ideas. Graduates entering the workforce will encounter situations where they will benefit from possessing a visual communication sensibility and vocabulary to communicate effectively with a broad range of audiences, including professional designers. Creative approaches to challenges, such as visual thinking, are also shown to improve students’ comprehension and problem-solving abilities. Digital Design in Communication is an opportunity for undergraduates to receive an introduction to principles of visual message design from a critical rhetorical perspective. They will also get the opportunity to apply these principles to a variety of visual products such as advertisements, logos, brochures, resumes, etc. A variety of computer software applications are available to support the research, writing, visualization, and design of messages.

This course will enable students to develop a strong foundation in elements of web production including learning basic mark-up and programming languages commonly used in web development, including HTML, CSS and basic Javascript, UI/UX design, typography and content editing for various platforms including mobile. Students will work collaboratively across visual art fields and digital humanities to develop effective and innovative ways to display and present content in digital environments. Students will learn usability testing, how to prepare images and video for online environments as well as understanding the importance of storytelling on mobile devices.

Students will use photographic imaging software to create, combine, and modify graphic imagery. Topics will include retouching, tonal adjustments, custom brushes and pattern, raster text, spatial illusion, masking techniques, animation, and compositing. Students will research and discuss professional design, effective visual communication, copyrights, and photographic illustration.