Design

Graphic Design Concentration /// Interdisciplinary Minor in Design Studies

our program teaches

A new way of seeing

Helping students to view the world through a designer’s lens so they can create innovative and visually striking designs

How to work with people

Our courses focus on a human-centered design approach, teaching students how to conduct research and make engaging work with purpose

A range of design practices

Our program touches on graphic design, visual communication, logo design, typography, print design, web design, interactive design, mobile app design, game design, user experience design, wayfinding and signage, social design, and much more. Students will gain from an array of creative design experiences and leave the program with a comprehensive portfolio.

The latest technology

From learning the full Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, AfterEffects, etc.) to learning mobile-app prototyping software, from exploring animation software to learning how to code websites, students in our program will get hands on experience creating projects.

design courses

ARTS 510 // Principles of Design

An introduction to the principles of design. Students will explore the foundational elements and processes of design principles found in the development of the fine and commercial arts. Lectures will explore the history of design concepts and movements, while studio/lab sessions will enable students to develop their own projects and animation designs. Students will develop basic proficiencies in design software programs.

ARTS 610 // Principles of Typography

Introduction to the principles of typography. Students will explore the foundational elements and processes of typographic principles used in graphic design and publishing. Lectures will explore the history of typographic concepts and movements, while studio/lab sessions will enable students to develop their own projects and typographic designs. Students will develop basic proficiencies in design software programs.

ARTS 611 // Animation + Motion Design

This course is an introduction to animation and motion design, and will cover the history and aesthetics of animation and motion design, ways to think in time and space, techniques and methods for planning motion sequences, how to create and use storyboards and scripts, how to use live action video footage in your designs, and the use of motion-specific industry-standard software and tools (AfterEffects, Flash, Premiere and others.)

ARTS 612 // Interaction + Game Design

This course is an exploration of the principles of interaction design as they relate to physical and digital space, with a focus on designing user-centered artifacts, games, and experiences. Theoretical concepts like ethnography, user-testing, and the use of mapping in design will be explored. We will also examine the landscape of technology as it relates to interaction, and the use of appropriate tools and software to create prototypes and functioning digital designs.

ARTS 613 // Design + Place

This course is an exploration of designing objects and experiences for spaces and places, both physical and digital. This branch of design is known as experiential and/or environmental graphic design. Lectures will focus on wayfinding, sense making, accessibility and universal design, and others. Studio work will engage students in creating projects like signage systems, exhibition design, packaging and design for retail spaces, and 3-dimensional digital spaces.

ARTS 614 // Design + People

An exploration of designing with and for people and communities. How do designers create work for specific audiences, and how do they collaborate with people to make useful designs? Lectures will explore communication theory, user observation and ethnography, participatory design, modes of persuasion, systems design, sustainability, how to design for niche audiences, and others. Studio work will focus on connecting students to specific audiences to create design projects that solve problems or address social issues.

Student Work

  • All Works
  • ARTS510
  • ARTS610

program description

Design has become an increasingly valued and necessary element for businesses and organizations around the globe. Designers help create effective and engaging products, services, environments, and companies—and as users and consumers become more design savvy, they have come to expect that the messages, products, and organizations they encounter will be well designed.

The Department of Art & Art History is pleased to announce the addition of courses in Graphic Design to their curriculum. Students can now take ARTS 510 Principles of Design to learn the basics of the design process and the Adobe Creative Suite software, and ARTS 611Animation + Motion Design to learn about creating animated graphics and the software used for that work. And be on the lookout for more classes in the near future!

For more information, contact our new Assistant Professor of Design, Liese Zahabi at liese.zahabi@unh.edu, and check out the art & art history department website: https://cola.unh.edu/art-and-art-history

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