Design 370 Special Topics, Spring 2025

Entrepreneurship for Designers Course Image

Entrepreneurship for Designers

Course Name: DESN 370-VT: Special Topics in Design – Entrepreneurship for Designers
Class Number: 45284
Day & Time: Thursdays 6:00 PM – 9:50 PM
Classroom: Online
Instructor: Alex Pines


This course is designed for students interested in establishing their own design practice. Through personal reflection, analysis of existing design studios, and practical business skills, students will develop a foundational understanding of what it takes to launch a design-focused business. Topics include business structure, accounting, taxes, contracts, marketing, and project management. By the end of the semester, students will have crafted a personalized toolkit and action plan for beginning a sustainable studio practice.

Intro to Lettering and Calligraphy Course Image

Introduction to Lettering & Calligraphy

Course Name: DESN 370-VT: Special Topics in Design – Lettering & Calligraphy
Class Number: 45285
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.

Character Animation Course Image

Character Animation

Course Name: DESN 370-VT: Special Topics in Design – Character Animation
Class Number: 45297
Day & Time: Mondays 8:10 AM – 12:00 PM
Classroom: IB 203
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.

Sustainable by Design Course Image

Sustainable By Design

Course Name: DESN 370-VT: Special Topics in Design – Sustainable by Design
Class Number: 43909
Day & Time: Fridays 1:40 PM – 5:30 PM
Classroom: PH 208
Instructor: George Switzer

This course provides an introduction to the core concepts underpinning sustainability and their intersections with design.  Students will gain an understanding of the Corporate Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) landscape that has emerged as a driving force in the adoption of sustainability goals and the important role design will play in manifesting the transition to a more sustainable world.  Ultimately, these concepts will be applied to student-defined projects as an extension of their studies in the areas of Data Visualization & Narrative, Product Design, and Marketing & Branding.