catalog - Prairie State College

DEGREES,CERTIFICATES,COURSESDEGREES, CERTIFICATES, COURSESCOURSE DESCRIPTIONSGRAPHIC COMMUNICATIONS(See also Art and Photographic Studies)GC 115INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER ARTPrerequisite: None6 lab hrs per week: 3 hrs creditThis software-based approach to art and design concepts introducesstudents to the history and use of computer applicationsin the visual arts.The integration of representative hardware,software and peripherals is emphasized. Students learn to generate,combine and manipulate traditional and contemporaryvisual ideas using both raster paint/photo retouching programsand professional quality vector drawing programs.Written workincludes critiques, proposals and artistic statements.(same as ART 115)GC 150BASIC COMPUTER GRAPHICSPrerequisite: None1 lecture, 2 lab hrs per week: 2 hrs creditThis course is an introduction to the Macintosh computer as atool in graphic communications. Orientation and understandingof system and basic application software are covered throughprojects in design.GC 151 (IAI:ART 918)PRINCIPLES OF GRAPHIC DESIGNPrerequisite: GC 115 or ART 115 or concurrent registration6 lab hrs per week: 3 hrs creditStudents are introduced to theoretical and practical aspects ofvisual communication, including the basic composition andconceptual skills of graphic design.Techniques, processes andterminology of graphic design will be covered.Written workincludes critiques, proposals and artistic statements. Classes willbe conducted in the Computer Graphics and Illustration Lab.GC 154TYPOGRAPHYPrerequisite: GC 1511 lecture, 2 lab hrs per week: 2 hrs creditThis course investigates the effective use of type in visualdesign.The creation of original fonts using digital applicationswith some traditional methods will be explored.GC 156DESIGN SOFTWARE WORKSHOP: SPECIAL TOPICSPrerequisite: GC 1501 lecture, 2 lab hrs per week: 2 hrs credit (may be repeated 3 times)This course provides orientation, concentration and practicalapplication of a specific computer imaging software program.Each workshop features one of six leading software packagesidentified by graphic design professionals.GC 160DESIGN FOR PUBLISHINGPrerequisite: GC 115 or ART 1151 lecture, 4 lab hrs per week: 3 hrs creditThis course focuses on design opportunities in publishing andteaches students how to develop newsletters, ads, catalogs andpresentations.2006-2008 CATALOGGC 161AIRBRUSH TECHNIQUESPrerequisite: GC 151(recommended)1 lecture, 4 lab hrs per week: 3 hrs creditThis course introduces airbrush techniques and methods forapplications in illustration and image retouching.Air source willbe furnished for use with student’s airbrush.GC 162INTRODUCTION TO WEB SITE DEVELOPMENTPrerequisite: None1 lecture, 4 lab hrs per week: 3 hrs creditThis course introduces professional Web site creation and managementusing basic features of Web design software. Studentsapply basic principles of mass communication; translate copy,sound, and still and moving images into the Web environment;use design principles to develop storyboards, site maps and navigationstructures; and upload and maintain a Web site.Webrelatedlegal and ethical issues are covered. Successful completionprepares students to pass exams leading to variousCertified Internet Webmaster (CIW) credentials. (same asITWEB 103)GC 171ILLUSTRATION IPrerequisite: GC 151 (recommended)1 lecture, 4 lab hrs per week: 3 hrs creditOffered fall term onlyIn this studio environment the student will learn to draw controlledillustrations with confidence. Emphasis will be placed onperception and rendering ability, with a variety of techniquesand media. Digital and traditional media will be used.GC 172ILLUSTRATION IIPrerequisite: GC 171 or ART 1041 lecture, 2 lab hrs per week: 2 hrs creditOffered spring term onlyThis course is an advanced study of color and black and whiterendering techniques. Subject matter, media choice and sellingconsiderations will be fully explored through a variety of illustrationproblems.GC 175ANIMATION TECHNIQUESPrerequisite: GC 115 or ART 1151 lecture, 4 lab hrs per week: 3 hrs creditThis course introduces the concepts, processes and history ofanimation covering both traditional and two-dimensional computer-basedanimation techniques. It incorporates the use ofdrawn, vector and bit-mapped formats as a means of generatinganimated sequences.GC 182DIGITAL VIDEOPrerequisite: GC 115 or ART 1151 lecture, 2 lab hrs per week: 2 hrs creditThis course covers the theory and practical techniquesrequired to create and produce digital video. Computer softwareand production tools are used.134