Not all intermediate/advanced classes are offered every semester, please check the schedule of classes or contact the department for sequencing of courses. While manual skills are important in graphic communications, most classes focus on electronic skills using Apple computers and Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat, Dreamweaver, Flash, Premiere, Soundbooth, After Effects and Lightwave 3D software.
Graphic Communications Courses Offered:
GRC 107 ♦ Design Fundamentals: Units 3-4,
Foundation course in the application and appreciation of the basic principles and elements of design, including form, shape, value and spatial relationships. Emphasis will be placed on developing creative skills and working with the design process. Challenge by portfolio is available.
Term Offered: Spring and Fall
GRC 109 ♦ Color and Design: Units 3-4,
Color theories, color technologies and the applications of color in art and design. Intermediate, two-dimensional design problems focusing on the compositional, optical and psychological aspects of visual communication.
Term Offered: Spring and Fall
GRC 110 ♦ Drawing and Illustration: Units 4,
Foundation course for developing basic skills and techniques in visualizing and rendering images in 2D and 3D presentations. Projects will focus on manual techniques and their applications in print and digital media. Challenge by portfolio is available.
Transferability: May not transfer towards an NSHE bachelor's degree
Term Offered: Spring and Fall
GRC 118 ♦ Computer Graphics/Print Media: Units 3-4,
Foundation course that introduces computer systems and applications as they relate to graphic communication for print media. Class will present a project-based overview of vector-draw, image manipulation, page layout and electronic publishing software. Challenge exam is available.
Enrollment Requirements: Prerequisite: GRC 107 and GRC 109, or approval of instructor.
Term Offered: Spring and Fall
GRC 119 ♦ Digital Media: Units 3-4,
Foundation course that introduces computer systems and applications as they relate to graphic communications for digital media. Class will present a project-based overview of content creation, Web design, Web animation, digital video and 3D modeling. Challenge exam is available.
Enrollment Requirements: Prerequisite: GRC 107, GRC 109, and GRC 110 or approval of instructor.
Term Offered: Spring and Fall
GRC 132 ♦
GRC 132 - Basic Principles of Animation: Units 3,
Introduction to the principles and techniques of 2D animation. Manual assignments will be completed for output to analog and digital formats for screening and portfolio. Course lectures and discussions will include professional production processes for TV, film, games and the Web, as well as potential strategies to gain employment in the field.
Transferability: May not transfer towards an NSHE bachelor's degree
Enrollment Requirements: Prerequisite: GRC 107 and GRC 110 or approval of instructor.
Term Offered: Fall
GRC 135 ♦ Storyboarding: Units 3,
Introduction to techniques and strategies for visual storytelling. Visual language and syntax for narrative, non-linear, alternative and experimental storytelling methodologies will be explored. Story structure, character development, style, premise, genre, and format (commercial ad, interstitial, PSA, short, feature, music video, Web, games, etc.) will be discussed.
Transferability: May not transfer towards an NSHE bachelor's degree
Enrollment Requirements: Prerequisite: GRC 107 and GRC 110 or approval of instructor.
Term Offered: Spring
GRC 144 ♦ Electronic Layout and Typography: Units 3,
Introduction to typography and page layout software. Typographic theory, copy acquisition, proofreading and fundamentals of typographical layout and design.
Transferability: May not transfer towards an NSHE bachelor's degree
Enrollment Requirements: Prerequisite: GRC 118 or approval of instructor.
Term Offered: Spring
GRC 153 ♦ Commercial Printing Processes: Units 4,
An intermediate course in commercial printing processes including screen printing and offset lithography. Hands-on class will focus on electronic pre-press and printing methods used in commercial printing.
Transferability: May not transfer towards an NSHE bachelor's degree
Enrollment Requirements: Prerequisite: GRC 118 or approval of instructor.
Term Offered: Spring
GRC 156 ♦ Design with Illustrator: Units 3,
An introductory/intermediate class in the creation and execution of designs and illustrations in the digital environment. Class will focus on vector-draw software, including the tools and techniques required to produce professional-level artwork.
Enrollment Requirements: Prerequisite: GRC 110 and GRC 118, or approval of instructor.
Term Offered: Fall
GRC 175 ♦ Web Design and Publishing I: Units 4,
Introduction to authoring for the World Wide Web using industry standard software applications. Topics covered include planning, designing and building a Web site, aesthetics, creating and optimizing computer graphics for Web, information architecture, navigation and interactivity, Web publishing, Web hosting and site management.
Enrollment Requirements: Prerequisite: GRC 119 or approval of instructor.
Term Offered: AS NEEDED
GRC 182 ♦ Digital Video Production: Units 4,
Introduction to the basic principles and practices of digital video production. The course covers every phase of introductory digital video preproduction, production and post-production processes from "concept to final output", including story and concept development, lighting, recording and capturing footage, importing and managing clips, editing methods, transitions, special effects, titles, and credits, sound design and output to different formats.
Transferability: May not transfer towards an NSHE bachelor's degree
Enrollment Requirements: Prerequisite: GRC 119 and GRC 135 or instructor approval.
Term Offered: AS NEEDED
GRC 183 ♦ Design with Photoshop: Units 3,
An intermediate course in the application of graphics software to create pixel based images using industry standard pixels based software. Class will cover digital camera and scanner operation and emphasize image manipulation and optimization processes for pixel images.
Enrollment Requirements: Prerequisite: GRC 118 or approval of instructor.
Term Offered: Fall
GRC 188 ♦ Web Animation and Interactivity I: Units 3,
Introduction to animation and interactivity for use in CD-ROM, DVD or Web based interactive documents using industry standard software applications. Course content focuses on planning, design and building animated and interactive digital content. Topics include information architecture, interface design and navigation, introductory programming, drawing, audio, video, and publishing options.
Enrollment Requirements: Prerequisite: GRC 118 and GRC 119, or approval of instructor.
Term Offered: AS NEEDED
GRC 244 ♦ Electronic Layout and Typography II: Units 3,
Advanced studio covering typography, graphic design and advertising theories and techniques for print media. Class will focus on creativity and the creative process and how these principles affect communication of ideas. Topics include image/copy interaction, production techniques and the use of type in complex compositions as well as multipage documents.
Transferability: May not transfer towards an NSHE bachelor's degree
Enrollment Requirements: Prerequisite: GRC 144 and GRC 156 or approval of instructor.
Term Offered: AS NEEDED
GRC 275 ♦ Web Design II: Units 3-4,
Advanced Web page design using industry-standard applications. Topics include planning and design, programming, interactivity, behaviors, animation, page weighting, meta tags, databases, Web hosting and site management.
Transferability: May not transfer towards an NSHE bachelor's degree
Enrollment Requirements: Prerequisite: GRC 175 or approval of instructor.
Term Offered: AS NEEDED
GRC 282 ♦ Motion Graphics for Video: Units 3,
The principles of animation and motion design applied to graphics production for use in time-based and interactive scenarios. An exploration of animated title sequences, time-based image composing, and audio design principles for applications in entertainment and advertising content creation.
Transferability: May not transfer towards an NSHE bachelor's degree
Enrollment Requirements: Prerequisite: GRC 132 and GRC 182 or instructor approval.
Term Offered: AS NEEDED
GRC 283 ♦ Electronic Imaging II: Units 3,
An advanced course in the application of graphics software to create pixel based imagery using industry standard pixel based software. Class will cover advanced image manipulation and optimization processes for pixel images as well as simple based animation and video manipulation.
Transferability: May not transfer towards an NSHE bachelor's degree
Enrollment Requirements: Prerequisite: GRC 183 or approval of instructor.
Term Offered: Spring
GRC 284 ♦ 3D Modeling and Animation: Units 3,
Introduction to basic 3 dimensional modeling and animation techniques and production processes. Topics include 3D modeling, texturing, lighting, animation and rendering using industry-standard 3D software.
Transferability: May not transfer towards an NSHE bachelor's degree
Enrollment Requirements: Prerequisite: GRC 119 and GRC 132 or approval of instructor.
Term Offered: AS NEEDED
GRC 290 ♦ Internship in Graphic Communications: Units 1-8,
Supervised work experience with a selected graphic communications business, dependent upon students selected major emphasis. Course is designed to apply knowledge to real on-the-job situations in a program designed by a company official and a faculty advisor. Available to students entering their last semester of instruction for the GRC associates degree. Contact the department advisor for application, screening and required skills evaluation. 75 hours on the job per credit.
Transferability: May not transfer towards an NSHE bachelor's degree
Term Offered: AS NEEDED
GRC 294 ♦ Portfolio Workshop: Units 1-3,
Development of a portfolio for employment in the graphic communications or digital media or transfer to a four-year program. Class will deal with the professional and legal requirements of working in the graphic communications or digital media industry.
Transferability: May not transfer towards an NSHE bachelor's degree
Enrollment Requirements: PR: Minimum 24 units of GRC classes or approval of instructor.
Term Offered: Spring
GRC 298 ♦ Special Problems in Graphic Communications: Units 0.5-6,
Selected advanced topics and workshops relating to specific areas of graphic communications. The class will be a variable credit of one-half to six credits depending upon class content and number of hours required.
Transferability: May not transfer towards an NSHE bachelor's degree
Term Offered: AS NEEDED
GRC 299 ♦ Independent Study: Units 1-6,
This course is designed for advanced students to pursue work in a specific area of graphic communications. Students must submit a written proposal which becomes a contract for the course of study. Students must meet with a faculty advisor on a regular basis. Course may be repeated up to 6 credits.
Transferability: May not transfer towards an NSHE bachelor's degree
Term Offered: AS NEEDED