BFA Advertising Curriculum

First-Year Requirements

Students must take one semester of:

ADD-1010 Principles of Visual Language I

ADD-1015 Principles of Visual Language II

ADD-1030 Foundations of Drawing I

AHD-1010 European Painting: Late Gothic to Romanticism

AHD-1021 History of Art and Design In NYC

DSD-1005 Thinking Design

DSD-1040 Fabrication and Innovation

DSD-1050 Visual Computing in the Studio I

DSD-1055 Visual Computing in the Studio II

HCD-1020 Writing and Thinking NYC

HCD-1025 Writing and Literature

Second-Year Requirements

Students must take one semester of:

DSD-2005 Design Thinking

ADD-2030 Advertising Fundamentals I 

ADD-2035 Advertising Fundamentals II 

ADD-2036 Fearless Branding I

ADD-2037 Fearless Branding II

ADD-2040 Creative Problem Solving

DSD-2050 Fundamentals of Typography I

DSD-2055 Fundamentals of Typography II

DSD-2060 Intermediate Drawing I

DSD-2090 Click, Touch, Move: Designing for Interactive Experiences I

DSD-2095 Click, Touch, Move: Designing for Interactive Experiences II

AHD-2121 History of Advertising

Third-Year Requirements

Requirement A

Students must take one semester of:

ADD-3207 Advanced Advertising I

ADD-3217 Advanced Advertising II

ADD-3542 Think Tank

Requirement B

Students must take 9 credits of studio courses from the areas listed below..

Design for Emerging Media

DSD-3262 3D Design in Cinema 4D I

DSD-3263 3D Design in Cinema 4D II

DSD-3637 Creative Coding

DSD-3638 Advanced Creative Coding

DSD-3711 AI in Design and Art: Tools and Technique

DSD-3821 Spatial Design in XR

DSD-3832 Visual Programming in TouchDesigner

Graphic Design

DSD-3351 Design for Social Change I

DSD-3352 Design for Social Change II

DSD-3380 Graphic Design in Fashion

DSD-3383 Building a Fashion Brand

DSD-3384 Fashion: The Campaign

DSD-3389 Art Direction as a Career for Advertising and Design

DSD-3426 Branding

DSD-3436 Poster Design

DSD-3529 Environmental Design: Spatial Branding

DSD-3611 Intermediate Typography I

DSD-3612 Intermediate Typography II

DSD-3653 Design Synthesis

Interaction Design

DSD-3733 Introduction to Interaction Design

DSD-3741 Interaction Design and Communication I

DSD-3771 Interaction Design and Communication II

DSD-3779 Interaction Design: ​​Product Design Theory and Application I

DSD-3780 Interaction Design: ​​Product Design Theory and Application II

DSD-3790 Interaction Design: Beyond the Rectangle I

DSD-3791 Interaction Design: Beyond the Rectangle II

Motion Graphics

DSD-3219 Introduction to Motion Graphics

DSD-3222 Motion Graphics I

DSD-3223 Motion Graphics II

DSD-3241 Design in Motion I

DSD-3242 Design in Motion II

DSD-3262 3D Design in Cinema 4D I

DSD-3263 3D Design in Cinema 4D II

Honors Courses

DSD-3667 Honors: Visual Identity and Multimedia

DSD-3693 Honors: Many Types of Creativity

DSD-3696 Honors: Design, Content, and Not Losing Yourself in the Deluge

DSD-3803 Honors: Yearbook I

Fourth-Year Requirements

Students should see their advisor early to determine remaining credit needs and requirements. You must be able to complete all 120 credits of the BFA degree, including all course and credit requirements to be eligible to graduate. 

Students must take one semester of:

ADD-4101 Advertising Portfolio I

ADD-4106 Advertising Portfolio I: Agency

ADD-4111 Advertising Portfolio II

ADD-4116 Advertising Portfolio II: Agency

ADD-4300 Real World 101

ADD-4400 Intellectual Property and the Law

General Course Listing

The following course listing reflects the 2025-2026 curriculum. For further details on individual courses, such as meeting days and times, please refer to the Undergraduate Course Listing.

ADD-1010

Principles of Visual Language I

3 studio credits

This studio course will explore the fundamental principles of two-dimensional design and how these principles relate 

to visual communication. Through hands-on assignments and independent projects, students will work toward developing their own visual language. Experimentation with composition, visual hierarchy, typographic design, color interaction and visual narrative will be stressed. A wide range of visual concepts will be explored, including abstraction, symmetry and asymmetry, contrast, figure/ground relationships, rhythm and harmony. Class time is used for the creation and execution of design work, along with critiques and discussions. Assignments are paper-based: supplies include construction paper, drafting and cutting tools, and gouache paint. The primary technique will be collage. 

ADD-1015

Principles of Visual Language II

3 studio credits

Building on ADD-1010, Principles of Visual Language I, students will explore the relationship between 2D and 3D composition, refine and expand their understanding of color theory, and develop a more advanced understanding of "the frame." Throughout the course, attention will be paid to craft and process. Analog projects will be created along with digital projects.

ADD-1030

Foundations of Drawing I

3 studio credits

Focusing on the perceptual skills involved in image-making, this course will examine drawing as an act of producing independent works of art and as a preparatory process in organizing a finished work. Assigned projects will explore the formal elements of art, such as line, space, scale and texture. Materials will include pencil, charcoal, pen-and-ink and wash. Projects range from the figure and still life, for example, to mapping and storyboarding.

AHD-1010 

European Painting: Late Gothic to Romanticism

3 art history credits

The history of European painting from the late Gothic and pre-Renaissance eras to the early 19th century will be examined in this course. We will focus on the major movements and key figures during the 700-year period and include such topics as the varieties of Renaissance painting from the North of Europe to Italy, the development of mannerism and baroque art, and the emergence of neoclassical and Romantic painting. The aim throughout will be to understand the art of each time and place within the historical and political transformations taking place in Europe.

AHD-1021

History of Art and Design in NYC

3 art history credits

New York City’s history of art and design has been defined by its role as an important international hub in the exchange of perspectives, ideas and influences. This course will explore the artistic communities and movements—along with their broader reverberations in popular culture—that have come to make the city the dynamic and endlessly inspiring place it is today. You will be introduced to a variety of artworks, subjects and histories, including the migration of modernism from Europe to America, David Alfaro Siqueiros’s Experimental Workshop, Andy Warhol’s Factory, the beginnings of minimalist and conceptual art, the East Village Art scene of the 1970s and ’80s, and beyond—inspiring you to see yourself as part of the city’s ongoing creative history. You’ll never look at NYC the same way.

DSD-1005

Thinking Design

No credit

This overview of advertising and design in the greatest city in the world offers students a chance to get acquainted with NYC’s creative resources. Listen to guest BFA Design and BFA Advertising alum discuss their various career paths—and learn about what it’s like to have NYC as your campus. 

DSD-1040

Fabrication and Innovation

3 studio credits

A study of visual perception through the use of three-dimensional media is the focus of this course. A conceptual approach toward problem solving, technical skills and utilization of various media will be emphasized.

DSD-1050

Visual Computing in the Studio I

3 studio credits

This course is an introduction to design techniques using the Adobe Creative Cloud applications as tools for visual creation in design and advertising. We will explore the essential components of Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. Other applications that can assist students in creating multifaceted visual solutions will be included.

DSD-1055

Visual Computing in the Studio II

3 studio credits

Building on the material covered in DSD-1050, Visual Computing in the Studio I, this course will focus on the essential components of Adobe InDesign. Related applications that can assist students in creating multifaceted visual solutions will be covered.

HCD-1020

Writing and Thinking NYC

3 humanities and sciences credits

This New York City-themed course helps students become critical and independent writers. To help establish a solid foundation in writing, the course introduces different types of writing using persuasive rhetoric in three writing genres—narration, description, and cause and effect. Course readings are drawn from a variety of New York-based texts, including historical documents, short stories, drama, poetry and essays, which will be used as discussion and writing prompts. By the end of the course, students will have an enhanced understanding of writing as a means to think and better communicate their ideas.

HCD-1025

Writing and Literature

3 humanities and sciences credits

This course emphasizes reading, critical thinking and essay writing. Students will build on their skills acquired in HCD-1020, Writing and Thinking NYC, in order to work on more complex essays. Students will learn how to research, use proper citations, and continue to work on their grammar and essay development. Readings are drawn from a selection of literary works, including drama, poetry and the narrative, as well as the critical essay.

DSD-2005

Design Thinking

No credit

What is design and how can it be used to create, engage and even drive social change? You are entering the profession at an exciting time. Design is everywhere, and designers now have opportunities that were unimaginable even a few years ago. Design is an ever-expanding industry where the role of the designer is highly valued both as arbiter of taste and creator of systems that educate, entertain and impact consumer behaviors. This course will provide an overview of the contemporary design industry in both traditional and emerging media. Through guest lectures, presentations, writing and selected readings, you will come away with a fuller understanding of the designer’s expanding role. 

ADD-2030

Advertising Fundamentals I

3 studio credits

As human interaction with products, services, environments and systems has changed, so have approaches and strategies in advertising. In this course students will focus on identifying and solving big problems, concept ideation, designing for human interaction, branding digital spaces, iterative refinement, prototyping and communication of novel solutions. At each stage of the design process students will practice conveying their ideas through presentations and by leading critiques. 

ADD-2035

Advertising Fundamentals II

3 studio credits

This course builds on ADD-2030, Advertising Fundamentals I, with students focusing on ideation and execution. Emphasis will be given to finishing work for portfolio inclusion. 

ADD-2036

Fearless Branding I

2 studio credits

Successfully building and selling a new brand takes a certain amount of fearlessness. This course will examine today's most renowned brands, putting their popularity in context, to introduce core concepts in advertising. Students will integrate their foundational design skills with creative problem solving, strategic thinking and presentation techniques to create their own brand. The further exploration of brands through real-world contemporaries such as influencers, content creators and independent artists will offer strategies for collaboration, cross-promotion and brand integration. 

ADD-2037

Fearless Branding II

2 studio credits

Students will incorporate the skills developed in ADD-2036, Fearless Branding I, and apply them in a team-based project in which they create a brand collab. How to develop pitch decks and related digital campaigns will be included. The course culminates in a competition for the best brand mashup.

ADD-2040

Creative Problem Solving

2 studio credits

Behind most exceptionally crafted and culture-breaking creative advertising ideas is insight, which has the ability to put a brand on the map, change the world, or affect the way you look at an industry. This course focuses on how to start developing creative ideas and the insights from where they originated. Students will acquire the ability to concept and present ideas with a creative hook, based on strategies and insights. Understanding how to generate ideas is essential for anyone learning to use their creativity, whether for a brand or themselves.

HWD-2042 

Copywriting Fundamentals

3 humanities and sciences credit

The ability to communicate visually and textually sits at the center of the practice of design and advertising. In this course students will further their short-form writing skills, learn to utilize research and writing strategies, and be introduced to best practices for effectively writing for a variety of project types and media, including advertisements, branding, social media, taglines and product descriptions. Projects will include writing-specific assignments along with the study and analysis of notable existing campaigns and products. 

DSD-2050

Fundamentals of Typography I

2 studio credits

This course introduces and establishes an understanding of the crucial skills and concepts that connect typography within the practice of design. Typographic history, terminology and core compositional principles will be explored through projects of varying media and complexity. 

DSD-2055

Fundamentals of Typography II

2 studio credits

Serving as a continuation of DSD-2050, Fundamentals of Typography I, this course will focus on expressive typography, grid systems and working with extensive texts in different formats. A portion of the course will concentrate on portfolio building. 

DSD-2060

Intermediate Drawing I

2 studio credits

This course will explore drawing techniques using concepts of design, form, action, space, scale, texture and systems inherent to cohesive compositions.

DSD-2090

Click, Touch, Move: Designing for Interactive Experiences I

3 studio credits

As we increasingly encounter design in our digital experiences, the contemporary designer must not only learn new tools to better shape these experiences, but also master them to create entirely new ones. This course will explore contemporary design trends, best practices and the tools needed to create websites, apps, wearable technology and interactive prototypes.

DSD-2095

Click, Touch, Move: Designing for Interactive Experiences II

No credit

This course builds on DSD-2090, Click, Touch, Move: Designing for Interactive Experiences I, with students focusing on motion graphics, augmented reality, 3D graphics and AI. Topics of future study will be introduced, such as creative coding and generative design. A portion of this course will also concentrate on portfolio production. 

AHD-2121

History of Advertising: The 19th Century to the Present

3 art history credits

This course traces the history of advertising in the United States and how it increased from a $200 million industry in the 1800s to a $3 billion industry in the 1900s. Through field trips, guest lectures and documentaries, this course will survey the art directors, writers, photographers, agencies and campaigns that helped to shape American culture from the war-raddled 1930s and ‘40s to the prosperous ‘50s to the Mad Men era that continued into the early 1970s and its impact on the ‘80s. In addition to exploring product and service campaigns, we will discuss several topics as they relate to advertising, such as political ideology, energy conservation, deforestation, public service and military recruitment.

DSD-2863

Basic Typography Letterpress Workshop

3 studio credits

Letterpress printing has been used for centuries all over the world, from China and Korea to Europe and the Americas. By designing with movable wood and metal type students will explore a “back-to-basics” approach to design and typography and will create beautiful portfolio pieces. While the course will cover printing techniques and the use of the Vandercook presses, the focus will be on hand typesetting, typographic details and hand printing. Exercises will address type layout, hierarchy, typographic details and overall page composition.

ADD-3207

Advanced Advertising I

3 studio credits

This is a course about creative problem solving—from integrated campaigns to business design. We’re not just going to be making ads. We’re going to be using design and creativity to reimagine what brands can do in a range of ways that are relevant today. Most importantly, we will be getting you ready to go out there and start an awesome career where you get paid to do something most people only dream of. It’ll be lots of work, this isn’t an intro class . . . but it’ll be worth it. 

ADD-3217

Advanced Advertising II

3 studio credits

The second part of a two-semester course, Advanced Advertising II digs deeper into research, making ads and collaboration. We will further examine the inner workings of agencies and campaigns, exploring creativity in ways that will be both challenging and exciting (and maybe even change the way you think!). 

DSD-3219

Introduction to Motion Graphics

3 studio credits

This immersive course is the perfect starting place for any student interested in learning the foundations of 2D motion design. Covering the essential tools, techniques and best practices, this course will empower students to utilize Adobe After Effects, Illustrator and Photoshop in the creation of their motion projects. 

DSD-3222

Motion Graphics I

3 studio credits

Motion graphics is used not only to generate impactful animations, but is also commonly applied at various stages of the design process. In the past few years, outgrowing its traditional role, motion graphics has become an essential and powerful tool that forms and informs the core of interaction design and user experience, as well as graphic design at large. This course will familiarize students with the tools, techniques and practices that lie at the core of motion design, including Adobe After Effects and Premiere. Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop will also be employed in the creation of motion projects.

DSD-3223

Motion Graphics II

3 studio credits

This course builds on DSD-3222, Motion Graphics I. Through self-directed projects, students will explore more advanced properties of Adobe After Effects, including VFX/compositing tools and AE expressions. With a focus on real-world motion design, all projects will be geared toward portfolio building. 

DSD-3241, Design in Motion I.

DSD-3241

Design in Motion I

3 studio credits

From the screens in our hands to immersive digital displays, motion design is everywhere and only expanding. This course will cover the foundational skills and understandings of motion design and provide students with the tools needed to experiment with and create practical and real-world quality motion projects. Students will use Adobe After Effects and Adobe Premiere, and work with audio libraries and sound design throughout the course. The history and evolution of motion design will be discussed, from pioneering designers in the field to production houses and agencies specializing in motion design today. 

DSD-3242

Design in Motion II

3 studio credits

A continuation of DSD-3241, Design In Motion I, in this semester students will focus on advanced motion design techniques while taking on more ambitious and difficult projects. Work will continue in Adobe After Effects while also exploring different tools and new technologies, including Cinema 4D, p5, AR and extended reality, projection design and projection mapping.

DSD-3262

3D Design in Cinema 4D I

3 studio credits

Whether your interest is creative direction, 3D design, AR/VR/XR, or motion graphics, Maxon Cinema 4D has all the tools you need to make your ideas reality. In this course students will utilize Cinema 4D for 3D image creation of storyboards, animations, designs and the “metaverse.” The software's intuitive interface and logical workflow make it possible for those new to 3D artistry to dive right in. The foundations of the application, including motion and design workflows between C4D and Adobe After Effects, will be addressed. We will begin with the basics of modeling, lighting, materials and animation, laying the groundwork for more advanced work in the second semester. Assignments cover a wide range of real-world projects, such as 3D type and animated logos to bumpers and title sequences.

DSD-3263

3D Design in Cinema 4D II

3 studio credits

This course builds on DSD-3262, 3D Design in Cinema 4D I. The spring semester covers more advanced topics, such as physical simulation, advanced particles (X-Particles), Redshift and gaming/VR using Unreal. Real-time rendering and executions (like in-browser programs webGL/three.js) will also be covered.

DSD-3351 / DSD-3352

Design for Social Change I and II

3 studio credits per semester

We’ll use design to call out new ideas and a new ethos of truth-telling. We’ll create ads, posters, books and logos to present alternatives to mind-numbing consumer culture. The focus of these courses will be on subjects that affect our lives—such as owning our own time, corporate impact on the physical environment and the human psyche, issues of economic fairness and alternatives to money obsession, gender, food, voting and animal rights. You will be able to choose subjects that concern you and communicate your views. We’ll explore and develop various means for making ideas for social change public. Work from this course is in the poster collection of the U.S. Library of Congress; on the website of the Center for Constitutional Rights; has been produced for the Washington, DC subways; and distributed throughout the New York City public school system, as well as in exhibitions, conferences, book fairs and guerilla contexts.

DSD-3380

Graphic Design in Fashion

3 studio credits

The relationship between fashion and graphic design exists where style, aspiration and storytelling converge. This course offers students the opportunity to learn about, create and apply design skills and thinking to the needs of the fashion industry. With an emphasis on research, market identification and positioning, students will develop fashion-based design projects focused on creative direction, merchandising and retail environments combined with strategic marketing and business considerations. Throughout this course, projects will encourage students to consider their work across a variety of media, including traditional branding materials, exhibition design, social media ads, TikTok videos, AR and even NFTs. Opportunities for outside, real-world collaborations will also be explored. 

DSD-3383

Building a Fashion Brand

3 studio credits

Fashion is one of the greatest creative, trendsetting and groundbreaking art forms, and has historically included many remarkable artists. In this course students will gain a comprehensive knowledge of graphic design through a fashion lens, via a set of brand case studies to dissect and analyze a fashion brand/designer's aesthetic. We will also address consumer perspectives. This will be achieved by a combination of group discussions, in-class exercises and lectures. Students will engage in the design and creation of a series of branding assets to support the fashion brand.

DSD-3384

Fashion: The Campaign

3 studio credits

Fashion and beauty are playgrounds for creative expression, experimentation and play in service of commercial needs and application. This course offers students the opportunity to develop and apply their voice and aesthetic style by taking on the role of creative director for a fashion/beauty project. Throughout the semester we will explore techniques and best practices for creating memorable and thought-provoking concepts, building a simulated creative team and formulating a production plan—culminating in the creation of a 360º campaign presentation deck. Visual creatives, hair and make-up artists, prop stylists and producers will be invited as guest speakers and critics. Opportunities for real-world, industry-based projects will also be explored. 

DSD-3389

Art Direction as a Career for Advertising and Design

3 studio credits

Dynamic imagery makes you feel something. It can leave you in awe, invite you to dream, remind you of home, or even make you hungry. It relates to your senses and speaks to your heart. In this course you will learn how to concept and create campaigns that communicate ideas, amplify culture and connect with your audience. You will imagine imagery that has not yet been created, and use found imagery to communicate your ideas. Projects will encourage exploration, critical thinking and experimentation, using a variety of mediums, including photography, video and illustration. You will also develop presentation skills that will prove instrumental in a career of art direction.

DSD-3426

Branding

3 studio credits

This course will explore identity design and the development of leading identity design programs. Researching, naming and designing an identity system will be assigned, including design explorations, presentation techniques, refinement and the application of a logo. Typographical, color standards and the design of a graphic standards manual will also be covered, as well as the application of systems—stationery, packaging, signage, and collateral materials. The study of identity and logo design will focus on the works of designers and design firms such as Paul Rand, Saul Bass, Chermayeff and Geismar, Pentagram, Landor and Charles Anderson.

DSD-3426

Branding

3 studio credits

Understanding the fundamentals of brand identity and how to create exciting and engaging brand experiences through design will be the focus of this course. Through exposure to a variety of visual identity issues, students will be challenged to create unique ideas and solutions that meet real-world concerns. An emphasis will be placed on understanding and capturing the essence of a chosen brand (corporation, product, service, organization, personality, etc.) to ultimately develop visual identities that target all platforms on which the brand has to perform (packaging, editorial, environmental design, online, advertising, etc.). We will begin with specific visual branding exercises and students will choose topics to approach them. These exercises will then be extended into a visual identity development that encompasses several branding challenges. 

DSD-3436

Poster Design

3 studio credits

Think big! Think graphic! Think simple! These are the elements that make a great poster through traditional or digital means. Whether for indoor or outdoor use, for a subway station or a bus stop, for a billboard or a brick wall, a poster is a form of communication with often only a moment to grab someone’s attention and get the message across. This course will focus on creating a strong, concise, visual metaphor with a seamless integration of image and typography, and playing with scale in a large format. Students will be encouraged to take risks, experiment and develop their own visual language. We will create three to four posters with a step-by-step process of research, thumbnails, sketches, comps and final art. We will also be using the Risograph printing process, including instruction on the machine. The course includes discussion of the sketches, guest speakers and a field trip. 

DSD-3529

Environmental Design: Spatial Branding

3 studio credits

The built environment is no less an opportunity for design and branding than the page or the screen. In this course students will learn to study, develop and create work in a three-dimensional and architectural space. They will be challenged to imagine, develop and execute branding-specific design work on a large scale. Core concepts, technical skills and essential knowledge required for bringing three-dimensional work to life in the real world will be introduced. 

ADD-3542

Think Tank

3 studio credits

Big ideas don’t just happen—they need space to develop and grow; they need to be pushed and pulled, researched and explored. Sometimes, you just need to throw ideas at the wall to see what sticks. Think Tank is a course where “What if” drives the conversation. It’s the place where we’ll embrace crazy activations and off-the-wall campaign ideas. Students will work on projects—both independently and collaboratively—that require creative thinking in order to innovate visually, conceptually and strategically. At the end of the course, each student will compile and produce a document that serves as a record of their ideation and iteration. Think Tank is the motivation every student needs to take their work to the next level.

DSD-3611

Intermediate Typography I

3 studio credits

This course explores how to produce typographic-dominant work that is media and user specific. We will examine how to build and work with typographic grid systems, and students will develop a solid understanding of informational hierarchy as it relates to font selection, type treatment and composition. Projects encourage students to develop a deeper knowledge and appreciation of typography and letterforms. 

DSD-3612

Intermediate Typography II

3 studio credits

Building upon DSD-3611, Intermediate Typography I, this course will continue to focus on hierarchy, font selection and media/user-specific considerations, with added attention to expressive and contemporary typography. Students will also explore typography through new and mixed media. All projects will focus on portfolio building.

DSD-3637

Creative Coding

3 studio credits

This course provides an introduction to experimental coding for design through a series of hands-on technical exercises and projects. During the semester p5.js (JavaScript library) will be used to illustrate the fundamentals of computational design. Students will learn techniques to build responsive web design, generative design and digital interaction. This course is designed for students with no prior coding experience.

DSD-3638

Advanced Creative Coding

3 studio credits

Advanced tools available for designers to build engaging, interactive experiences through code will be explored in this course. It builds upon the foundational programming skills covered in DSD-3637, Creative Coding. Through hands-on practice students will refine their technical skills: developing generative designs, digital interactions and dynamic visuals. Students will then work from concept to production, creating a final portfolio-ready project.

DSD-3653

Design Synthesis

3 studio credits

Design today requires the ability to work across a variety of mediums and disciplines. This course provides students with the opportunity to synthesize their passions for design, advertising, image-making, motion/video, typography, etc., and apply them in exciting, hybridized and interdisciplinary ways. Students will learn to combine their understanding of design fundamentals and tools with video-editing software through projects that include short videos, experimental editorial, 3D typography and stop motion. Embodying the interdisciplinary spirit, this course will include special presentations and projects that collaborate with dynamic guest speakers.

DSD-3667

Honors: Visual Identity and Multimedia

3 studio credits

Today’s constantly evolving multimedia world demands that a successful graphic identity be simple, bold, memorable and flexible. Held in the Chermayeff & Geismar & Haviv studio, this course will teach students how to create powerful, concept-based identities that thrive in the multimedia realm. Chermayeff & Geismar & Haviv has developed an idea-driven methodology for identity design that has resulted in identities for hundreds of major clients like Chase Bank, NBC, Museum of Modern Art and the Library of Congress. Affording students the opportunity to design directly for real-world clients, the course will lead students through the firm’s problem-solving approach to graphic design as they work with an organization or small business to develop a visual identity from start to finish. Students will be encouraged to explore opportunities for identity expression in emerging media.

DSD-3693

Honors: Many Types of Creativity

3 studio credits

This one-of-a-kind honors course will ask students to bring the many—and sometimes varied—passions and skill sets they have but rarely get to use together, including contemporary typography, hand-drawn letterforms, illustration, photography, 3D, motion, and more. With an emphasis on narrative, students will be challenged to create original and, at times, extremely experimental work in varying scale, application and media that will culminate in a motion project. 

DSD-3696

Honors: Design, Content, and Not Losing Yourself in the Deluge

3 studio credits

Do you ever feel like your work isn't a true reflection of your true self? This course will encourage and instruct students on how to connect identity and creativity-on how to be a living representation of their work. Students will create both print and digital projects with a focus on how different approaches, media, and platforms can create connections between a designer and their audience. Individual and collaborative projects will combine complementary skill sets, as students also explore the influence in popular culture and the greater world around them. 

DSD-3711

AI in Design and Art: Tools and Technique

3 studio credits

Experimenting with platforms such as Midjourney, DALL.E, Runway, ChatGPT and Stable Diffusion, this course delves into the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and visual art and design. Students will learn to utilize and integrate AI tools and technologies to enhance their creative processes and develop innovative design solutions. The course includes hands-on practice with guest lectures. Emphasis is placed on understanding AI as a tool rather than as a means to an end.

DSD-3733

Introduction to Interaction Design

3 studio credits

The fundamentals of user-centered interaction design are introduced in this course through design-thinking techniques and UX/UI design methodologies. Sessions will cover applications of interaction design, research and prototyping techniques, and digital design theory. Students will create user journeys across media and touchpoints while developing their UX/UI craft. The broad scope of the course provides a springboard for future study and career opportunities.

DSD-3741 

Interaction Design and Communication I

3 studio credits

Working in today’s digital world encompasses both the usability and aesthetic of a product, service, brand, or strategy that relies on technology. In this course you will learn how to tackle the challenges and opportunities that will be encountered on the job. Sessions will cover user interface design principles, information hierarchy and navigation, context, and human-technology interactions, and how these elements combine to create a compelling experience. The course format will include lecture, discussion, exercises, interim presentations, and a thorough documentation of the research and design processes.

DSD-3771 

Interaction Design and Communication II

3 studio credits

Following DSD-3741, Interaction Design and Communication I, this course will focus on learning advanced prototyping as students refine their understanding and use of typography for interactive systems. Presentation skills will be developed by emphasizing clear explanations of complex ideas and design solutions. Students can also expect to craft strong, portfolio-ready IXD projects and case studies. 

DSD-3779

Interaction Design: ​​Product Design Theory and Application I

3 studio credits

In this comprehensive interaction design course, you’ll gain essential skills for today’s digital world. Lectures and hands-on exercises will reinforce your understanding of foundational theories. You’ll also embark on IBM’s first-level Design Thinking journey, mastering a problem-solving approach that’s highly relevant industry-wide. Practical application is also emphasized through real-world challenges in group projects aimed at design solutions that matter. Whether you aspire to specialize in UX/UI/IX product or service design, this course equips you with the skills needed to excel in the digital landscape.

DSD-3780

Interaction Design: ​​Product Design Theory and Application II

3 studio credits

Interaction Design: Product Design Theory and Application Il is an immersive exploration of the theories and practical skills required for success in the dynamic world of user experience and interaction design. It is designed to equip students with the expertise needed to excel in this exciting field. Each student will create a portfolio that demonstrates skills in user interface design, user experience design and user experience research. 

DSD-3790

Interaction Design: Beyond the Rectangle I

3 studio credits

In this course you will approach user experience design from a perspective that looks beyond the confines of a screen. Topics covered will include user interface design principles, information hierarchy and navigation, context and human-technology interactions, and how these elements combine to create a compelling experience in both 2D and 3D environments. You will gain a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities that are encountered on the job. The course includes lecture, discussion, exercises, interim presentations, and a comprehensive documentation of the research and design process. 

DSD-3791

Interaction Design: Beyond the Rectangle II

3 studio credits

This course builds on DSD-3790, Interaction Design: Beyond the Rectangle I, with students focused on advanced prototyping and refining their understanding and use of interactive systems in 2D and 3D environments. Presentation skills will be developed by emphasizing clear explanations of complex ideas and design solutions. Students can also expect to craft strong, portfolio-ready IXD projects and case studies. 

DSD-3821

Spatial Design in XR

3 studio credits

Students in this course will work on projects that explore AR typography, activating extended realities in the physical world and immersive, 3D space design. We will meet, converse and present in a virtual classroom as both students and UX researchers at the same time. Similar to learning a language in its home country or learning to swim by getting in the water, this course will teach students spatial design perspectives by being surrounded by them. Students should expect to learn about augmented reality, virtual reality and spatial computing as a whole through research, experimentation and design.By the end of the course, students will have practiced a spatial design workflow, created spatial portfolio pieces, and become able decision makers when choosing the perfect direction for a client’s spatial computing projects. AR/VR beginner friendly; all levels are encouraged to join.

DSD-3832

Visual Programming in TouchDesigner

3 studio credits

TouchDesigner, a visual programming language that provides immediate feedback, is the focus of this course. Allowing designers to create dynamic, interactive content, TouchDesigner is a no-code programming language through which beautiful visuals and experiences can be produced without having to write a single line of code. Sessions will focus on the technical aspects of TouchDesigner, and will address the basic programming techniques to create work that includes kinetic typography, generative art, interactive video, real-time rendering, and more. Lectures will cover existing work/artists in the TouchDesigner/creative coding community. 

DSD-3803

Honors: Yearbook I

3 studio credits

Every year a team of SVA’s designers creates and conceptualizes a book for the College’s graduating class. Submitted portraits are combined with custom elements like lettering, illustration, student surveys and infographics. Social media and video elements are also included, making the “yearbook” a one-of-a-kind visual experience. Third-year students will concept and design the book in the spring semester. The following fall semester, fourth-year students gather student photos and complete the production of the book. 

ADD-4101

Advertising Portfolio I

3 studio credits

This course is squarely focused on concept development. Students will generate massive volumes of low-fidelity, high-quality ideas, with emphasis placed on strategic insight, innovation, cultural relevance and creative problem-solving.

ADD-4106

Advertising Portfolio I: Agency

3 studio credits

Students will focus on the concept and ideation stage of advertising. They’ll learn to interpret briefs and develop creatives against them. Toward the end of the semester, they’ll begin presenting work to clients and learn to address feedback. 

ADD-4111

Advertising Portfolio II

3 studio credits

This course is about execution. Students will have assembled a large pool of concepts, which they will curate and craft into a small selection of highly-polished, portfolio-worthy, creative submissions.

ADD-4116

Advertising Portfolio II: Agency

3 studio credits

While concepts continue to be refined and developed, students will shift to the production stage. A great emphasis will be placed on craft as we prepare each student’s work to be seen in the world.

DSD-4300

Real World 101

No credit 

Even the best work needs to be presented clearly and convincingly. This course will introduce students to industry standards and norms for constructing and presenting both themselves as well as their work—skills critical for all creatives. From the transformation of selling a story in the development of a deck to public speaking and personal representation, this partially asynchronous online seminar will examine a plethora of approaches and considerations when preparing to get a job, selling your ideas, being part of a team and, ultimately, navigating the waters on your way to success. 

DSD-4400

Intellectual Property and the Law

No credit

The general concepts of law and intellectual property law as they apply to the practice of design will be examined, including basic legal issues of contract and property law within the creative context. Among the topics explored will be the work-for-hire agreement, the consignment agreement and the agency agreement. The law of copyright, trademark and patents will also be explored. Issues such as registering a copyright, copyright infringement, registering a trademark and trade dress infringement and patents (in particular, design patents) will be examined from the perspective of the professional designer. In addition, design and information issues presented by current technology, such as the web, will be included throughout the course. 

DSD-4701

Production Studio for the Graphic Designer

3 studio credits

Today’s graphic artist is required to have technical knowledge and production ability. This course offers an opportunity to work on projects in the classroom and then watch the final production on-site at A2A Studio, a full-service production studio. Complete instruction in the skills necessary to produce and manufacture finished portfolio pieces will be given. Using Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign, we’ll examine all aspects of production as they relate to print, including correct document construction, color space and color systems, separations, trapping, preflighting, print production and paper considerations. Assignments will be produced in the studio using various output devices, from inkjet proofers and large-format digital printers to high-resolution film imagesetters. Students will be able to produce their work combining digital output, transfers, direct imaging, laser cutting, UV printing, plotter cutters, embossing and three-dimensional packaging construction. The opportunity to experiment and work with digital and analog print production tools will be an invaluable experience.

DSD-4746

Differentiate or Die: How to Get a Job When You Graduate

3 studio credits

You are about to graduate, and you might not have relatives that work at Apple or Google. You need to know how to sell, present, cold-call and talk about money to get a job. This course will address how to make a presentation with conviction and meaning; write a project proposal and how to talk about compensation; develop a unique point of view about design or advertising; craft a powerful résumé; sell your design services in the “real” world with more confidence and success; create persuasive, honest, and effective design presentations, and set yourself up to succeed after graduation.

DSD-4755

Honors: Yearbook II

3 studio credits

The Yearbook II team launches a media campaign to create student engagement and solicit graduating students to participate by submitting selfie images. The book design, started in the previous spring semester, is refined and finalized using the submitted images and other content. Files are then prepared for the printer. All stages of the process are executed by student designers with support from the instructor. A “digital” asset is created to supplement the book (e.g., a video highlighting the book content.) The final book is distributed to graduating students at the end of the school year. The video is also released at this time. 

Independent Study

3 studio credits

Juniors and seniors who wish to pursue a special project not covered by the parameters of their department’s curriculum are eligible to apply for an independent study course. Students must submit their study goals as a detailed proposal for approval by the department chair. Proposals for an independent study must be made prior to the course adjustment period for that semester. Please contact your department advisor for specifics. 

Internship

3 studio credits

Students can gain valuable experience and broaden their professional network through an internship with an employer. Internships-for-credit are available to juniors and seniors who have earned a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 or better. To receive credit, students must apply online during the designated application period, be approved by the Career Development Office, and registered for the internship by their academic advisor. Students need to work 150 hours during the semester (usually 10 to 15 hours per week), participate in a weekly online course with other SVA interns, and complete midterm and final self-evaluations. Elective studio credit is awarded for the successful completion of an internship. For more information go to sva.edu/career.