Course overview

Learn to think, work, and communicate like a designer.

Graphic Design is a yearlong creative studio built around photography, digital imaging, illustration, multimedia production, layout, and design thinking.

Students develop creative problem-solving, technical software skills, visual literacy, and professional studio habits while creating original work and learning how designers plan, revise, critique, and present visual communication projects.

Explore the course View full syllabus

40%

Classwork & demos

20%

Photographs & theory

40%

Projects & assessments

Friday

Weekly due date

The course year

Fall is photography. Spring is design.

Build strong visual foundations first, then apply them to illustration, typography, multimedia, publication design, and a polished portfolio.

Fall semester

Photography & Image Editing

Develop strong visual foundations through camera work, image organization, professional editing habits, Lightroom, Photoshop, composition, lighting, and critique.

Organizing digital images with a professional workflow
Importing, sorting, rating, and exporting photographs
Applying non-destructive photo adjustments
Exposure, composition, lighting, and visual storytelling
Photoshop selections, masks, layers, and adjustment tools
Image composites, edited artwork, and constructive critique

Spring semester

Graphic Design & Multimedia

Expand into visual communication, Illustrator drawing, typography, vector design, 3D and multimedia projects, design theory, and basic publication layout.

Creating vector artwork with Adobe Illustrator
Typography, hierarchy, alignment, contrast, and layout
Developing original visual communication pieces
Exploring 3D, multimedia, and presentation formats
Building basic publication layouts in Adobe InDesign
Revision, critique, and digital portfolio preparation

Weekly studio routine

Learn it.
Apply it.
Make it yours.

The weekly rhythm balances software demonstrations, individual assignments, photography and design theory, and independent production time.

MON—TUE

Demonstrations & assignments

Learn new tools and techniques through teacher demonstrations, then apply them in focused individual assignments.

WEDNESDAY

Photography & design theory

Practice camera skills and study the concepts and vocabulary that make visual communication effective.

THU—FRI

Independent lab

Advance current projects, solve problems, ask for feedback, refine work, and demonstrate progress.

Yearlong project

Student Portfolio in Canva

Build one digital portfolio across the course: a first-semester photography portfolio and a second-semester design portfolio.

The final collection includes edited photography, Photoshop practice and composites, Illustrator and typography projects, multimedia or layout work, artist statements, reflections, critique notes, and a curated final presentation.

Studio expectations

Work like a designer.

Creative freedom depends on responsibility, respect, organized process, and original work.

Use studio time well

Stay focused on current projects, participate in demonstrations, and use independent lab time productively.

Respect equipment

Handle cameras, tripods, computers, and other equipment carefully. Ask before using anything unfamiliar.

Follow camera procedures

Use the correct settings, recharge batteries when directed, and keep digital files and project folders organized.

Photograph responsibly

Ask permission before photographing people. Outdoor photography is a privilege; do not disrupt classes or enter private areas.

Submit original work

Submit only work you created and follow ethical image-use practices. Keep layered working files as evidence of process.

Respect shared storage

Never alter, submit, or take credit for another student’s files on shared computers, cards, or drives.

AI policy

Show your creative process.

Students must submit original work and be able to show that it was not created by AI. Keep layered Photoshop, Illustrator, and other working files as evidence.

Phone & headphone policy

Protect studio focus.

Phones go in the caddy at the start of class. No headphones during instruction; headphones may be used during independent lab time with permission.

Deadline policy

Friday means finished.

Work is due Friday of the assigned week and is not accepted after the following Friday. Effective use of lab time should make in-class completion possible.