200

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.