DES - Design

This course introduces critical design concepts and methods representative of creative practice across all design disciplines. It encourages students to think critically and creatively about design and its real-world applications while enabling them to develop skills in the conception and realization of studio-based work. Coursework focuses on key design issues of process, method, technique, technology, and the production of design artifacts.

This course introduces students to human-centered design thinking. Through exposure to a social design process that proceeds through stages of empathic listening, definition, ideation, prototyping, and testing, students will learn a design approach that enables successful design solutions to problems in the social sphere.

This course introduces students to human-centered design thinking. Through exposure to a social design process that proceeds through stages of empathic listening, definition, ideation, prototyping, and testing, students will learn a design approach that enables successful design solutions to problems in the social sphere.

The course introduces students to the fundamentals of typography through a series of lectures and applied problems. Students will gain proficiency in typographical structure, layout, and information hierarchy as well as terminology and typeface selection. Projects are designed to foster an understanding of, and sensibility toward, typographic details with a view toward creating successful typographic messages. Prerequisites: DES-101.

Design Core 5: History of Design will introduce design students to both pivotal movements in the history of design and the theories associated with critical influencers. Students will be exposed to and expected to understand past and contemporary issues of the profession and to involve themselves in a rigorous design based dialogue. Covering a wide range of design contexts, this course considers the larger cultural, economic, and political forces that have shaped the history of modern design. In addition, it examines individual works from the last century in depth in order to understand how they reflect the social, material, and economic imperatives that confronted the designer and asks the question, "What now?" Prerequisite: DES-101.

VCD 1: Making Meaning Studio introduces Visual Communication Design students to the skills, methods, and theory involved in the creation and use of semiotics (icon, index, symbol) and visual rhetoric as modes of visual expression within visual communication (graphic design). Over the course of the semester students will develop and strengthen skills in visual communication strategies, communication theory, and roles within message senders and receivers in the communication process. Students will be expected to design relevant, meaningful and appropriate visual form in response to contexts and communication problems while integrating visual and verbal messages meant to communicate to a clearly defined audience. Prerequisites: DES-202.

VCD 2: Advanced Typography Studio continues the development of typographic knowledge and extends beyond basic vocabulary to a deeper understanding of more complex visual communication problems. Students will address the role of typographic syntax and strategic messaging. Beyond hierarchy, context, sequence, and gestalt, design students will be pushed to focus on type as a pointer for series based works and explore how typography behaves across media. Increasing complex typographic systems will be designed and implemented in three-dimensional, sequential page, and time based projects. Prerequisites: DES-202.

In this course, students are introduced to the basic skills they will need to be an actor in the field of social innovation. They will complete readings, journal assignments, and group activities while learning about change models, research methods, relationship building, and facilitation techniques. At the end of the course, each student leads a group discussion, drawing on skills explored throughout the semester.

This course equips students with the design skills needed to strategically and collaboratively shape, or reshape, human environments to create positive social change. Coursework focuses on research and analysis of existing social designs that have successfully animated and rejuvenated public and private spaces while improving local business viability and public safety. Prerequisite: ART-101

This course will expose students to best practices and roles for user experience research methods. Content will cover research techniques, including interviewing, user personas and scenarios, testing, and gathering data to inform design decisions. Special emphasis will be given to behavioral observation, psychology principles in user experience, basic business concepts, and user-centered design thinking and theory. Prerequisite: DES-201.

This course will take an in depth look into the area of information architecture within user experience design. Content will cover intuitive and effective organization of content, information hierarchy, goal-based decision-making, user flows, site mapping, and wireframing. Special emphasis will be given to Gestalt theory and application as well as web communication. Prerequisite: DES-201.

Portfolio Review is the portfolio presentation and evaluation at the end of the Sophomore year. Students who plan to major in Visual Communication Design, Design for Social Impact, and User Experience Design at IWU are required to pass the BFA Portfolio Review before continuing to Junior level studio classes. The portfolio review normally takes place during the end of the Sophomore Spring Semester, however accommodations can be arranged for a Fall review for students who have transferred from another major, or institution, or who have specific conditions (dependent upon approval). To be eligible for review, students must have completed all Art and Design Foundations, all Design Core classes, and be enrolled in Spring semester Sophomore major studio courses. Prerequisites: DES-203.

This course explores relationships between people, places, and the visual objects and information that people use. Attention is given to the different roles of the designer as observer, empathizer, communicator, and experience builder. Students will strengthen their communication design skills by utilizing various empathy-driven design processes in areas ranging from package to experience design. Methodologies will be explored for visualizing information for clarity and resonance, with special attention to the relationships that obtain in the creation of meaning. Prerequisite: DES-251.

This course focuses on visual identity and branding as an integral part of professional design practice. Working collaboratively in teams for real clients situated within the design marketplace, students will explore the branding process from the ground up. From deep research, market analysis, and brief building, teams will create identity systems that include color, texture, tone, type, image, and semantic units - identity standards that will be presented formally in print and digital samples. Students will learn strategic marketing methods, theories, and implementation practices from the creative business spectrum. Prerequisite: DES-251.

This course equips students with the design skills needed to strategically and collaboratively shape, or reshape, the physical character of structures. Coursework focuses on research and analysis of designs that have successfully animated and rejuvenated physical structures and streetscapes while improving local business viability and public safety. Prerequisite: ART-101.

Continuing efforts of engaging the community in the transformation of physical space learned in DES 2XX DSI 2: Placemaking Design, workshop activities, comparative readings, and community discussion will contribute to urban planning of public spaces to meet the needs of local stakeholders in this course. Complex graphic methods of representing designed public spaces will prepare the student for visual standards in the urban and architectural fields. Prerequisite: DES-254.

Interface Design will emphasize the visual design portion of the user experience. Content will cover the history of interface design as well as current trends, best practices, design elements, and visual perception. Students will focus on designing for a variety of contexts such as digital interfaces, digital environments, and design systems through the lens of user-centered design. Prerequisites: DES-201 and CIS-122.

Service and Research Design examines critical approaches pertinent to the profession of design today through research in order to produce relevant and meaningful visual communications solutions. Through specific service oriented assignments, design students will learn how to harness value in their design solutions by applying investigative processes, formulations, and tactic based strategies. Students will learn how to obtain hard qualitative and quantitative data through a series of research based methods. Working collaboratively, students will implement theory into action, which informs individual design practice thereafter. Much time will be spent in deep analysis over research texts supplemented by follow up discussion, defining of terms, and group dialogue. Prerequisites: DES-301 and DES-302.

This course will guide the student through effective fundraising strategies for non-profit organizations including grant writing, partnerships, event planning, and digital fundraising strategies. In this class a student will have the opportunity to initiate conversations with people in the community to understand the type of funding needs common to a private or public entity. From their research and networking with people, the student develop a fundraising plan, which must include a grant proposal, in an effort to raise a predetermined amount of money to assist the group or organization. The student's efforts will not be limited to fundraising. For the purpose of developing empathy, the student will be encouraged to participate in the organization's activities to better understand the people he or she are serving.

This course engages students in design methods research and problem solving related to sustainability issues that affect the life of individuals and communities. Through an exploration of responsible use of resources and materials, students learn various approaches to sustainable design while discovering how sustainability issues affect people and communities universally. Students are encouraged to be positive agents of change in the ways resources are employed.

Interaction Design focuses on the elements of designing interactive environments and issues encompassing the ramifications of viewer interaction. Human-computer interaction and heuristic theory will be addressed, as well as usability and accessibility. Content will include motion, animation, sound, and navigation conventions. Prerequisites: DES-255.

This course is designed to build upon the learning in prior design courses and provide contexts for implementation through front end programming methodologies. Content will cover exploration and use of industry best practices, processes, technologies, markup languages, frameworks, usability, testing, and design implementation. Prerequisites: DES-255 and DES-354.

This course emphasizes a professional approach to graphic design geared toward client project problem solving. Students will be encouraged to think critically and creatively about graphic design applications and will develop a body of work that demonstratestheir ability to creatively apply theirdesign skills to real-world scenarios. The course focuses on the production of industry-level work and attempts to simulate the atmosphere and activities of a professional design agency. Pre-Requisites: DES-302

Information and Visualization Design is a comprehensive studio with instruction on analysis and visualization of complex data sets. Students will concentrate not only on the presentation of data, but how data and visuals can be used to draft narratives to tell story and engage audiences. In-depth research will be conducted to help visualize data and organize and interpret information. Students will become familiarized with the fundamental ideologies and theories of systems thinking and how such thinking is applied to complicated design problems. Prerequisites: DES-305 and DES-351.

This cumulative course combines urban landscape, development of New Urbanism. Ecological practices combined with building a sense of community will be the focus. Prerequisites: DES-303, DES-304 and DES-353.

This course is designed to explore the field and practices of digital product design and management. Content will cover prototyping techniques, testing, user research, product development, iterative design, and business needs and concepts. Special emphasis will be given to solving for real-world problems through digital products as well as user centered design theory and practice. Prerequisites: DES-255 and DES-354.

In this course, students will use concept mapping, design thinking and other methods to begin developing a body of work or a project that synthesizes what they have learned while charting a path towards their future creative practice.

This workshop is designed to address and explore freelance design as it relates to their personal practice, including best business and marketing practices, client relationship interaction, and industry tools and tips. Prerequisite: DES-400.

In this course, students will apply best practices, strategies, and design thinking to solve for a human-centered design problem. Students will collaboratively generate an innovative, design-based entrepreneurial solution to a social problem and/or opportunity. Empathy-driven research will inform design decisions and a case study will also be completed at the end of the semester.

A professional internship prepares the student to participate in a creative design environment after graduation. The integration of knowledge and theory learned in the classroom is applied alongside technical skills providing the opportunity to gain valuable experience and develop professional relationships. Working under the guidance of a trained professional affords guidance and evaluation from designers away from the familiar academic setting.

After successfully completing Design Thesis Studio 1, students will implement a design plan and process to complete a creative design solution. The process will move through the stages of concept, prototyping, testing, and implementation, and will culminate with a presentation to a jury or selected project stakeholders. Students will write a full case study at the conclusion of the course. Prerequisite: DES-405.