VCM 121 INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER GRAPHICS (3)

Introduces fundamental concepts and operation necessary to use microcomputer graphic software and hardware. Emphasis is placed on basic functions and familiarity with computer use.

Topics include: computer terminology, introduction to the Windows environment and/or introduction to the MAC environment, introduction to file management, file formats, image resolution, fonts and font management, printers, scanners and digital cameras and cross platforming.

Hours: Class/Week:1
D.Lab/Week: 4.00
P.Lab/Week: 0.00
Pre-requisites:Provisional admission and successful completion of a keyboarding test with a rate of 15 wpm or successful completion of a beginning keyboarding course.

VCM 124 DRAWING (4)

Introduces the beginning student to drawing skills, concepts, and media including pencil, charcoal, ink, and pastel.

Topics include:basic forms, proportions (figure), perspective, drawing, techniques, and safety in the studio.

Hours: Class/Week:2
D.Lab/Week: 2.00
P.Lab/Week: 3.00
Pre-requisites: Orogram Admission

VCM 127 DESIGN I (4)

Introduces the elements of design and the fundamentals of basic design theory.

Topics include:design elements, design principles, color theory, composition, and thumbnail sketches.

Hours: Class/Week:2
D.Lab/Week: 2.00
P.Lab/Week: 3.00
Pre-requisites:Provisional Admission

VCM 130 PUBLICATION DESIGN (4)

Provides application of fundamental design techniques in the layout and produc­tion of graphic publications layout. Visualization progresses from the concept stage to the final comprehensive layout.

Topics include: choice of type, document formatting, use of color, important text and graphics, collection for output, operation of document layout software.

Hours: Class/Week:2
D.Lab/Week: 2.00
P.Lab/Week: 3.00
Pre-requisites: VCM 121 AND VCM 127

VCM 133 TYPOGRAPHY (4)

Provides a study of type as it relates to design communication. The student is acquainted with letter styles, characteristics, and derivatives. Emphasis is placed on the importance of type as an element of advertising design.

Topics include: history of type, type characteristics, type styles, tools and techniques.

Hours: Class/Week:3
D.Lab/Week: 2.00
Pre-requisites:Provisional Admission

VCM 136 DIGITAL PHOTO EDITING (4)

Provides hands-on experience with major photo editing software.

Topics include: digital input (scanners, digital cameras), resolution, color modes, layering and masking, input levels, filters, retouching, special effects.

Hours: Class/Week:2
D.Lab/Week: 2.00
P.Lab/Week: 3.00
Pre-requisites:VCM 121, VCM 124 and VCM 127

VCM 139 PHOTOGRAPHY (5)

Introduces the basic principles of photography generation and manipulation. Students will learn the basic techniques to expose and develop black and white nega­tive film and black and white prints.

Topics include:darkroom safety, film develop­ment, paper development, camera introduction, composition, and lighting.

Hours: Class/Week:2
D.Lab/Week: 4.00
P.Lab/Week: 3.00
Pre-requisites: Provisional Admission

VCM 201 VECTOR DRAWING (4)

Provides hands-on experience with major vector-based computer illustration software.

Topics include:terminology, layering, application of color fills and blends, tex­tures and patterning, conversion of fonts to paths, illustration, and exporting file formats and their applications for all printed media.

Hours: Class/Week:2
D.Lab/Week: 2.00
P.Lab/Week: 3.00
Pre-requisites: VCM 130 and VCM 133
Co-requisites: VCM 136

VCM 204 ADVERTISING LAYOUT AND DESIGN (4)

Introduces the preparation of art/photography for printing in newspapers and magazines.

Topics include:operating an advertising layout software, terminology, printing process and medium, file preparation and troubleshooting, advertising formats, and paper selections.

Hours: Class/Week:2
D.Lab/Week: 2.00
P.Lab/Week: 3.00
Pre-requisites: VCM 130 and VCM 133
Co-requisites: VCM 136

VCM 207 DESIGN II (4)

Provides further application of fundamental design techniques in the layout and rendering of advertising related ideas. Visualization progresses from the concept stage to the final comprehensive layout.

Topics include: collateral material, point-of-sale, annual report, forms, collection of data, layout design, thumbnailing, common design pitfalls, advanced layering, advanced composition, and basic print preparation.

Hours: Class/Week:2
D.Lab/Week: 2.00
P.Lab/Week: 3.00
Pre-requisites: VCM 201 and VCM 204

VCM 210 ADVANCED PRINT DESIGN (4)

Provides an opportunity to tie the graphic applications together and learn advanced features of the vector drawing, photo editing and page layout software.

Topics include:designing to solve clients needs, design consistencies, paper selection, printing problems, post-production issues, and advanced software features.

Hours: Class/Week:2
D.Lab/Week: 2.00
P.Lab/Week: 3.00
Pre-requisites:VCM 201 and VCM 204

VCM 213 PRINTING AND PRINT PRODUCTION (4)

Provides an overview of computer hardware and software applications in the print­ing industry. Emphasizes mechanical production techniques for color printing processes, historical perspective, and terminology.

Topics include:image resolution, paper selection, prepress, field trips, collection for output terminology, digital file preparation and troubleshooting, understanding the printing process, and under­standing color modes.

Hours: Class/Week:3
D.Lab/Week: 2.00
Pre-requisites:VCM 201 and VCM 204

VCM 216 PRINT PORTFOLIO (4)

Provides an opportunity to tie the graphic applications together. Focus is on design and production of various types of printed media. Emphasizes production of advertising, collateral materials, newsletters, direct mail, and posters.

Topics include:print media, collateral, and direct mail. Incorporates digital photography, vector illustration with page layout programs.

Hours: Class/Week:2
D.Lab/Week: 2.00
P.Lab/Week: 3.00
Pre-requisites: All required diploma courses except VCM 240
Co-requisites: VCM 210 and VCM 213

VCM 221 PRESENTATION DESIGN (4)

Introduces techniques and methods of slide show production and presentation.

Topics include:scripts, storyboards, titles, sound, audience analysis, production and presentation.

Hours: Class/Week:2
D.Lab/Week: 2.00
P.Lab/Week: 3.00
Pre-requisites: VCM 130, VCM 133, and VCM 136

VCM 224 WEB GRAPHICS (4)

Emphasizes the creation of web-ready graphics using image-editing software.

Topics include:compression, file formats, rollover states, transparency, background files, image levels, global slicing and hot spots, and global color space.

Hours: Class/Week:2
D.Lab/Week: 2.00
P.Lab/Week: 3.00
Pre-requisites:VCM 130, VCM 133, and VCM 136

VCM 227 INTRODUCTION TO WEB DESIGN (4)

Provides a study of web page design.

Topics include:history of the Internet terminology, using web page applications, site planning, navigation, plug-ins, project planning, storyboarding, special effects and graphics, and relational database.

Hours: Class/Week:2
D.Lab/Week: 2.00
P.Lab/Week: 3.00
Pre-requisites:VCM 130, VCM 133, and VCM 136

VCM 230 WEB ANIMATION (4)

Introduction to animated sound and image files and their application to the Internet.

Topics include:storyboarding, frames, timing, tweening, motion, file formats, exporting files, scripts, animating text, layering, and bandwidth.

Hours: Class/Week:2
D.Lab/Week: 2.00
P.Lab/Week: 3.00
Pre-requisites:VCM 130, VCM 133, and VCM 136

VCM 233 ADVANCED WEB DESIGN (4)

Provides a further application of design and marketing skills.

Topics include: navigation design, web site, interactive programs, incorporating animation to websites, incorporating sound with websites, advanced interface design, advanced special effects, and video streaming.

Hours: Class/Week:2
D.Lab/Week: 2.00
P.Lab/Week: 3.00
Pre-requisites: VCM 224 and VCM 227

VCM 236 AUDIO/VISUAL PORTFOLIO (4)

Provides an opportunity to tie the multi-media applications together. Focus is on design and production of various types of interactive media. Emphasizes production of slide shows, web development and interactive programs, and animation.
Hours: Class/Week:2
D.Lab/Week: 2.00
P.Lab/Week: 3.00
Pre-requisites: VCM 230 and VCM 233

VCM 240 PORTFOLIOS AND PRESENTATIONS EXIT REVIEW (3)

Provides an opportunity to prepare marketing strategies and materials, to revise and develop portfolio presentations, and to benefit from industry review before enter­ing job market.

Topics include:understanding portfolio variations, portfolio pacing, interviewing skills, self promotion, marketing, and self editing.

Hours: Class/Week:1
D.Lab/Week: 4.00


Print Design Specialization
Prerequisites:All required diploma courses except VCM 216
Corequisites:VCM 210 and VCM 213


Web Design Specialization
Prerequisites:All required diploma courses except VCM 236
Corequisites:VCM 230 and VCM 233