Introduction to Lettering & Calligraphy

Course Name: DESN 370-VT: Special Topics in Design – Lettering & Calligraphy
Class Number: 43380
Day & Time: Thursdays 10:00 AM – 1:50 PM
Classroom: KP 481
Instructor: Amy Fortunato

This is a beginner-friendly course for letter enthusiasts that are looking to express themselves through hand-crafted letterforms. This is not a type design course that results in a digital font, but rather explores the artistry and bespoke qualities of hand-drawn lettering and calligraphy. Unique and beautifully crafted lettering creates stand-out portfolio pieces and is a useful asset for a multitude of projects.

A variety of exercises and workshops build hand skills with various tools and mediums that combine analog and digital techniques.

Risograph Printing

Course Name: DESN 370-VT: Special Topics in Design – Risograph Printing
Class Number: 42158
Day & Time: Fridays 10:00 AM – 1:50 PM
Classroom: Klapper 107
Instructor: Cecilia Ruiz Lopez

In this course, students will learn about the colorful and vibrant world of Risograph printing and how it compares to other printing methods used in the Graphic Design industry. Students will become familiar with the technical aspects and unique abilities of Riso printing as they print their various projects such as posters, zines, cards, promotional flyers, and more.  

Introduction to Adobe AI Tools for Generating Imagery

Course Name: DESN 370-VT: Special Topics in Design – Introduction to Adobe AI Tools for Generating Imagery
Class Number: 42157
Day & Time: Mondays 8:10 AM – 12:00 PM
Classroom: Online Sync
Instructor: Kathryn Weinstein

This introductory course explores the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) with visual design using Adobe’s Creative Suite applications—Photoshop, Illustrator and Firefly. Participants learn practical techniques for leveraging AI tools to enhance or create compelling imagery. The course emphasizes design skills and critical thinking to build a solid foundation for digital art and design students.

AI x Design

Course Name: DESN 370-VT: Special Topics in Design – AI x Design
Class Number: 43386
Day & Time: Mondays 1:40 PM – 5:30 PM
Classroom: KP 107
Instructor: Danne Woo

In the rapidly evolving landscape of design, generative AI stands at the forefront, offering groundbreaking possibilities and posing new challenges. This course is designed for design students seeking to explore the potential of AI in the creative process. Students will delve into a comprehensive exploration of various AI tools, including Adobe Firefly, ChatGPT, DALL-E, MidJourney, Stable Diffusion, Eleven Labs AI, Runway ML, and others, learning to integrate them into design workflows.

The course combines theoretical learning with hands-on projects, enabling students to not only grasp the functionalities of these tools but also understand their practical applications in real-world design scenarios. As they progress, students will be encouraged to develop a critical perspective on the use of AI in design, particularly focusing on the ethical considerations such as bias, authorship, and the societal impact of AI-generated content.

Through lectures, workshops, guest speaker sessions, and collaborative projects, students will gain a nuanced understanding of how AI can augment, transform, and sometimes challenge traditional design methodologies. The course culminates in a final project where students will apply their learned skills to create comprehensive design works that reflect their mastery of AI tools and their thoughtful engagement with the ethical dimensions of AI in design.

Character Animation

Course Name: DESN 370-VT: Special Topics in Design – Character Animation
Class Number: 42159
Day & Time: Mondays 8:10 AM – 12:00 PM
Classroom: TBA
Instructor: Elliot Cowan

Looking to improve your character animation skills and learn traditional “acting with a pencil”? In this class you’ll take the animation principles you learned in your Intro To Digital Animation class and push them further to start delivering animated performances. Using Adobe Animate, you’ll create characters that think and emote and make the audience believe they exist. This class is perfect for anyone who wants to expand their animation skills, might want to pursue a career in the animation industry or simply wants to express themselves through the powerful medium of animation.