Design (DES)
Courses
DES 1100. Digital Applications Basics. Units: 3
Fundamental use and introduction to the features and functions within current design software applications. Course taught from the perspective of using the application (software) to produce communication design including image-based communication solutions. Two hours of lecture/discussion and three hours of design studio activity per week. Materials fee required.
DES 1103. Social History of Design. Units: 3
An introduction to the social history of design movements. A critical survey of influential design forms, tendencies, and aesthetics from antiquity to the present from a broad range of cultures across the globe. This course will traverse and explore the development, influence, intertwining, and persistence of a range of important and noteworthy design styles, types, and systems to explore how they developed from their social context and the lasting effects they have had on societies around the world.
DES 1104. Design Theory in Context. Units: 3
An exploration of how design theories impact the practice of designers and how design practices develop theory. Students will study several influential design theories to understand their impact on the work of designers, deepening understanding of the social and political impact of key designers, design movements, and styles. These theories will be used as case studies to critically examine the work of notable designers in a range of design areas.
DES 1110. Fundamental Design Principles. Units: 3
Critical examination and theories on how to work with compositional space and interrelated basic principles, attributes, and elements of design. Students will learn the relationships between form and space, color fundamentals, image studies, and visual logic as it relates to design disciplines. Two hours of lecture/discussion and three hours of design studio activity per week. Materials fee required.
DES 1125. Design Thinking - Problem Solving & Critical Thinking in Visual Studies. Units: 3
Introduction to basic design and production techniques to transform initial concepts and ideas into various formats for concept presentation and user-experience testing. Principles of rapid prototyping, ideation processes, and materials determination will be discussed. Multiple approaches including 2D, 3D, motion, and video will be explored in an innovation lab environment and using the Design Thinking methodology. Two hours of discussion and three hours of activity. Materials fee required.
DES 2005. Typography and Layout. Units: 3
Semester Prerequisite: ART 1160, DES 1100, DES 1110
Introduction to the study of letterforms and fundamental typographic principles including an intensive practicum on the application of a typographic form to compositional strategies including grid formation and layout structures and an overview of the vocabulary of typography, type as image, and typography's relationship to message making and meaning. Emphasis on understanding current and historical typographic trends including the importance of technology in their development. Two hours of lecture/discussion and three hours of design studio activity per week. Materials fee required.
DES 2600. Digital 3D and Time-Based Media. Units: 3
Integration of digital 3D, immersive-video, 2D or 3D animation, virtual reality, and/or motion graphics for communication. Applied research, project planning, scripting, storyboarding, and storytelling techniques to create contemporary projects for the field. Appropriate and current industry-standard applications will be applied. Two hours of discussion and three hours of activity. Materials fee required.
DES 3001. Innovator's ToolBox - An Introduction to Creative Problem Solving and Design Thinking. Units: 3
Semester Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing
An introduction to problem-solving tools derived from the creative disciplines of design. The course's primary aim is to demonstrate to students that design and its methods of research, conceptualization, ideation, prototyping, production, and communication can be applied usefully to affect productive change in any circumstance. Satisfies GE C4/UD-3, G designation. Three hours of lecture/discussion per week.
DES 3020. Branding and Brand Identity Design. Units: 3
Semester Prerequisite: ART 1160, DES 1103, DES 1104, DES 1100, DES 1110, DES 1125, DES 2005, DES 2600
Application of design and aesthetic principles to the process of branding and brand identity design. The course will include the study of the brand mark and logo design, including historical trademark design, the study of symbols, and the relationship of design to the brands they serve. Students will conduct research, plan strategies, and apply brand identity elements to multiple touch points in physical and digital form. Two hours of discussion and three hours of activity. Materials fee required.
DES 3100. Junior Portfolio Review. Units: 0
Semester Prerequisite: DES 1100, DES 1110, DES 2005, and DES 2600
This course reviews students' design work to assess their design potential, abilities, and technical progress as they progress in their Design degree. Students will compose a design portfolio that will cover a wide variety of design topics with special focus on their design concentration. Graded Credit/No credit.
DES 3130. Junior Design Topics. Units: 3
Semester Prerequisite: DES 1100, DES 1110, DES 1125, DES 2005, DES 2600
Advanced exploration and application of contemporary topics in design. May be taken three times for up to nine units as topics change. Two hours of discussion and three hours of activity. Materials fee required.
DES 3205. Web and Application Design. Units: 3
Semester Prerequisite: DES 1100, DES 1110, DES 2005
Integration of research, analysis, and technical skills to design effective, compelling digital experiences across different mobile platforms, the web, and the Internet of Things. Appropriate and current industry-standard applications will be applied. Two hours of discussion and three hours of activity. Materials fee required.
DES 3300. Digital Illustration. Units: 3
Semester Prerequisite: DES 1100, ART 1160
This course teaches students how to translate design principles and illustrated imagery into a digital display format. Students will convert photo references and their own hand-drawn illustrations into stylized vector graphics. Through guided software demonstrations, pre-recorded tutorials, critiques, and image analyses, students will explore how branding OR narrative in their illustrations can enhance their portfolio. Students will be able to take their designs from ideation to conceptualization. The course will anticipate and reflect real world illustration projects. Students will initiate project proposals and be able to make variations to their work to satisfy different applications of their illustrations. Students will learn a variety of illustrative styles and techniques and become confident utilizing industry-standard illustration-based softwares. Two hours of discussion and three hours of activity per week. Materials fee required.
DES 3500. Business of Creativity. Units: 3
Semester Prerequisite: DES 1100, DES 1110, DES 1125
This course introduces the best practices and professional standards required to be successful in creative careers or in building a creative arts-related business. Topics include business processes and structures, intellectual property, ethical and legal issues, and the importance of fostering an entrepreneurial mindset as an overarching business philosophy. Two hours of discussion and three hours of activity. Materials fee required.
DES 3600. Digital Motion Graphics. Units: 3
Semester Prerequisite: DES 1100, DES 1110, DES 2005, DES 2405, DES 2600, DES 3300
Introduction to motion graphic design and composition, timing, storytelling, storyboarding and planning. Students design video effects and animated sequences, layer and composite video, add video effects to footage, and design motion graphics such as title sequences, lower thirds, and text animations. Appropriate and current industry-standard applications will be introduced and applied. Two hours of discussion and three hours of activity. Materials fee required.
DES 3615. Video Editing. Units: 3
Semester Prerequisite: ART 1160, DES 1100, DES 1110, DES 1125, DES 2600
Introduction to video post-production. Exploration of the theory and practice of various editing styles in order to gain a better understanding of how stories are constructed and how communication is achieved through editing. Through demonstrations and hands-on experience, students learn advanced editing techniques with appropriate and current industry-standard applications. Two hours of discussion and three hours of activity. Materials fee required.
DES 3650. Experimental Animation. Units: 3
Semester Prerequisite: DES 1100, DES 1110, and ART 1160
Students will create animations using a wide range of techniques and styles. Students will draw from tactile artmaking practices, such as collage, illustration, videography, and photography to create dynamic multimedia animations. Digital software skills such as photo editing, video assembly in post-production, digital illustration, animation, and rotoscoping will be learned. Students will understand keyframing, symbols, frame rate, instances, transitions, eases, tweening, and effects used within the industry-standard software platforms of Adobe Animate and After Effects. Students will be able to utilize the workflow between different Adobe software programs. Students will gain a deep understanding of animation concepts, including composition, timing, storytelling, storyboarding, and planning. Students will be able to set up illustrations for animation, learn how to layer and composite video and apply video effects to footage. Two hours of discussion and three hours of activity. Material fees required.
DES 3700. Infographic and Data Visualization Design. Units: 3
Semester Prerequisite: DES 1100, DES 1110, DES 1125, DES 2005
Exploration of data interpretation and data visualization and the differences between them. Students learn how to acquire data and structure it into graphic visualization formats using digital tools to create 2D, 3D, and 4D solutions for electronic, print, mobile and/or interactive purposes. Two hours of discussion and three hours of activity. Materials fee required.
DES 3715. User Interface and User Experience Design. Units: 3
Semester Prerequisite: ART 1160, DES 1100, DES 1110, DES 1125
Exploration of the principles and practices of user experience and user interface design concepts and processes utilizing user-research, personas, heuristic evaluation, information architecture, and usability assessment. Students will learn to model and test navigation design and information architecture for the purpose of optimal human-computer interaction. Two hours of discussion and three hours of activity. Materials fee required.
DES 3800. Advanced Modeling. Units: 3
Semester Prerequisite: ART 1160, DES 1100, DES 1110, DES 1125, DES 2600
This course advances student expertise in digital modeling with an emphasis on detailed topological refinement and the creation of complex, high-fidelity models and surfaces. Students will create models both from scratch and by refining geometry generated through scanning and photogrammetric sources. Instruction focuses on advanced topological modification techniques to sculpt intricate geometry, enhance surface flow, and optimize mesh structures for production contexts. Coursework emphasizes real-world workflows, professional constraints, and current industry practices in high-detail modeling. Two hours of discussion and three hours of hands-on activity. Materials fee required.
DES 3835. Character Design. Units: 3
Semester Prerequisite: ART 1160, DES 1100, DES 1110, DES 1125, DES 2600, DES 3800
Application of advanced 3D design principles to character design, props, and environments targeting specific parameters, needs, and audiences. Emphasis on development of technical and practical skills while applying traditional principles of animation; creating the illusion of thought, emotion, and personality; movement theory; and animation timing. Two hours of discussion and three hours of activity. Materials fee required.
DES 3840. 3D Rigging. Units: 3
Semester Prerequisite: ART 1160, DES 1100, DES 1110, DES 1125, DES 2600, DES 3800, DES 3835
This course explores the fundamentals of 3D rigging using Autodesk Maya. Students will learn how to build functional rigs for a wide range of 3D assets, from simple objects to articulated characters. Through hands-on exercises, the course covers joint creation, inverse and forward kinematics, constraints, controllers, and skin weighting. Emphasis will be placed on clean hierarchy, rig usability, and best practices for animation-ready assets. While Maya is the primary tool, supplementary 3D software may also be introduced to support broader rigging workflows. No prior rigging experience required. Two hours of lecture/discussion and three hours of design studio activity per week. Materials fee required.
DES 4015. Advertising and Promotion Design. Units: 3
Semester Prerequisite: DES 1100, DES 1103, DES 1104, DES 1110, DES 1125, DES 2005, DES 2600
Exploration of the history, theory, and processes involved in developing design solutions that relate to promotion and advertising. Students will engage in the design process that explores theories, strategies, and methodologies in promotion design such as the creation of marketing communication collateral, dimensional design projects, or the creation of digital design solutions. Emphasis on subject matter and processes involved in product creation that specifically address the needs of a creative brief, an intended audience, and a defined and intentional response. Two hours of discussion and three hours of activity. Materials fee required.
DES 4100. Design Center - Collaborative Project-Based Learning. Units: 3
Semester Prerequisite: ART 1160, DES 1100, DES 1103, DES 1104, DES 1110, DES 1125, DES 2005, DES 2600
Team-based engagement with real-world problem identification, analysis, and responsive design projects. Two hours of discussion and three hours of activity. Materials fee required.
DES 4130. Senior Design Topics. Units: 3
Semester Prerequisite: DES 1100, DES 1110, DES 1125, DES 2005, DES 2600
Advanced exploration and application of contemporary topics in design. May be taken three times for up to nine units. Individual topics cannot be repeated. Two hours of discussion and three hours of activity. Materials fee required.
DES 4195. Design Portfolio. Units: 3
Semester Prerequisite: DES 4100
Semester Corequisite: DES 4130
Design capstone course to prepare students for post-graduation. Survey of current state of the design industry and materials preparations to prepare students for post-graduation goals. Topics include portfolio preparation, resumes, professional promotion, and/or websites. Materials fee required. Satisfies WI designation.
DES 4300. Application Programming for Designers. Units: 3
Semester Prerequisite: ART 1160, DES 1100, DES 1110, DES 2005, DES 3205
Introduction to mobile app development. Script programming, application development, syntax, object-oriented principles, memory management, and functional concepts and will use storyboards and wireframes to design a user interface for apps with multiple views. Formerly DES 2405. Two hours of discussion and three hours of activity. Materials fee required.
DES 4600. Advanced 2D Animation and Motion Graphics. Units: 3
Semester Prerequisite: ART 1160, DES 1100, DES 1110, DES 1125, DES 2005, DES 2600, DES 3600
Expands upon topics of composition, timing, storytelling, storyboarding, and planning begun in DES 3600 Digital Motion Graphics. More attention will be placed on special effects, creative transitions, 2D rigging and warping, and principles of animation. Industry-standard 2D animation softwares will be utilized. Two hours of discussion and three hours of activity. Materials fee required.
DES 4625. Storyboarding. Units: 3
Semester Prerequisite: DES 1100, DES 1110, DES 1125, DES 2005, and DES 2600
Research, concept development, planning, and prototyping for design projects across applications, media, and platforms. Two hours of discussion and three hours of activity. Materials fee required.
DES 4800. Physical Product Design. Units: 3
Semester Prerequisite: ART 1160, DES 1100, DES 1110, DES 1125, DES 2005, DES 2600
Introduction to design techniques and capabilities of solid modeling using hands-on fabrication techniques and mechanical design software. A broad introduction to physical product development and 3D Computer-Aided Design (CAD) techniques with a focus on object and product applications, part drawings, assembly modeling, basic motion, and stress analysis. Projects include part modeling using sketches, constraints, and dimensions. Two hours of discussion and three hours of activity. Materials fee required.
DES 4815. Interaction Design Futures. Units: 3
Semester Prerequisite: ART 1160, DES 1100, DES 1110, DES 1125
This course explores the evolving landscape of interactive design through the lens of emerging technologies. Students will investigate how cutting-edge tools, such as voice interfaces, AI-driven systems, and spatial computing, are reshaping human experiences. Emphasis is placed on experimentation, speculative prototyping, and critical reflection on the societal impact of these technologies. Through hands-on projects and future-casting exercises, students will learn to design beyond the screen, imagining and shaping the next generation of user interactions. Two hours of lecture/discussion and three hours of design studio activity per week. Materials fee required.
DES 4825. 3D Animation. Units: 3
Semester Prerequisite: ART 1160, DES 1100, DES 1110, DES 1125, DES 2600, DES 3800
Introduction to theories, techniques, concepts, and professional practices of 3D computer animation from initial concept to final production. Application of traditional principles of animation to the 3D digital environment. Topics include rigging, motion capture, modeling, simulation, character/object animation, texturing, and rendering. Two hours of discussion and three hours of activity. Materials fee required.
DES 4855. Real-Time Rendering. Units: 3
Semester Prerequisite: ART 1160, DES 1100, DES 1110, DES 1125, DES 2600
This course introduces students to the core principles and practices of real-time rendering using Unreal Engine. The course explores how to achieve high-quality visual output for characters and environments in real time. Topics include lighting systems, material creation, level optimization, post-processing, and cinematic rendering techniques. While Unreal Engine is the primary platform, exploring additional 3D software may enhance interoperability and pipeline efficiency. Two hours of lecture/discussion and three hours of design studio activity per week. Materials fee required.
DES 5100. Design Capstone Thesis: Research. Units: 6
Semester Prerequisite: DES 3130, DES 3500 and DES 3715
Research for the culminating project demonstrating professional competence in area of concentration. Requires presentation and defense of the student's proposed project. Course focuses on research concerning current issues in design fields. Students will develop an individual design approach, process, and methodology for the application of design solutions for the thesis project. Materials fee required. Satisfies WI designation.
DES 5115. Design Capstone Thesis: Project. Units: 6
Semester Prerequisite: DES 5100 or department consent
Culminating project demonstrating professional competence in area of concentration. Requires presentation and defense of the student's project. Students will complete a culminating project concerning current issues in design fields. Satisfies WI designation. Materials fee required.
DES 5590. Design Internship. Units: 3
Semester Prerequisite: Must be of junior or senior standing or by consent of instructor
Supervised work that provides professional design experience. May be completed five times for a total of 15 units. Graded Credit/No Credit.
DES 5953. Independent Study in Design. Units: 3
Academic or community-based research in design or design studies conducted under the direction of a faculty member. Enrollment is dependent on the consent of the instructor and departmental approval of a written proposal of a project submitted by the student in advance of the course. May be taken for credit for up to 9 units. Department consent required.