Graphic Design
Graphic Designers do so much more than just making stuff look pretty. A Graphic Designer’s real job is to put strategic and conceptual thought, contemporary and historical research, and artistic and technical skill together to solve a design problem. And when it all comes together, it’ll drop jaws in amazement.
Program Description
The Graphic Design curriculum at The Creative Circus prepares students by providing design principles and creative methods for solving real business problems.
We begin with foundation level courses in design, typography, color theory, and of course the computer skills that are required these days. Later, students learn how to determine a visual voice and an appropriate form – print collateral, stationery system, posters, catalog, publication, packaging, signage, websites, apps, games, digital signage, motion graphics, you name it– whatever medium is for best connecting a brand to its audience.
Because most classes are taught by working professionals, student work is judged by professionally rigorous standards of success regarding deadlines, budgets, aesthetics, and concepts.
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Classes
Here’s a small sample of the classes you’ll take as a Graphic Design student at the Creative Circus.
Creative Thinking
Techniques address the daily necessity for original thinking, facing the blank page, creative diversity, productivity and overcoming rejection.
Intro to Graphic Design
Develop a basic understanding of design principles and vocabulary for creative visual thinking
Type 1
Introduction to type as symbols, individual letter forms, shape and space
Trademarks
Students learn that a logo is a simple visual representation (a symbol!) of a brand and it’s personality – and it’s not as easy as it looks, even in black-and-white. Brands vary, some deadlines are weekly, others longer, but the clarity and development of the idea is most important – not the execution.
Design Concepts
This class addresses the strategy/concept/design process by assigning a variety of creative problems. Strategy, concepting, new media, logos, 3-D, type, color and layout are addressed to create a clear, cohesive, communicative, original end product.
User Experience
Incorporates principles from Information Architecture and focuses on how the design and design principles affect the user’s ability to experience interactive content and projects.
Packaging
Products still come in packages, so students will develop skills to create and design for a variety of 3D problems.
Interactive Design
Students concept and design for the web, apps, games, wearables, retail, embedded interfaces, IoT, and more.
Motion Graphics
Students learn the fundamentals of using After Effects for motion graphics.
Publications
Students create and design a publication (print and digital) that speaks about a subject with a clearly defined visual tone and personality. It’s like Creative Thinking and Type 3 had a baby.
Board Games
A graphic design student and copywriting student partner to create and develop a board game (associated with an existing brand). Throughout the process, the team works on game-play, packaging, all the pieces necessary, advertising and a digital component.
Deathmatch
Projects are diverse and, as in real life, deadlines are short – usually weekly. So students must learn to think and work quickly. There may be some situations where the weekly assignment involves a teammate – usually a writer who needs help. The work is judged weekly, which determines the grades for the class.
Open House – January 29th
Are you curious about what professional Graphic Designers actually do? What exactly goes on at portfolio school? And why is The Creative Circus named that and will your family and friends think you’re in clown school? Answers to these burning questions and more await. Join us on January 29th at 10 AM for an Open House event.
Graduation Requirements
To graduate from The Creative Circus, a Graphic Design student’s portfolio must show proficiency in strategic thinking, conceptual interpretation, and creative execution. The work in the portfolio should also show a range of creative solutions, audiences, types of media, and voices. Prior to graduation, every student creates a personal identity package, a resumé, mini-books, and a web site.
Career Services
During the final quarter, students meet with the Director of Career Services to discuss career goals and objectives. Graduating Graphic Design students also work with an industry professional on personal presentation skills that will benefit them during interviews or presentations to a client. Graduates have access to our alumni listings, agency contacts, portfolio reviews and direct personal assistance from the Director of Career Services, whose services alumni can continue to use the throughout their career.
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Resources
Program Director
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Chris Silich
Program Director, Design & Creative Technology
Chris has been making interactive stuff for about 18 years, and teaching for almost that long. He’s an Aussie by birth, a Kiwi by nationality, a Georgia State Graphic Design alumni, a self-taught developer in Javascript, PHP, and half a dozen other languages, and an avid video game player (and occasional developer). He’s enjoyed creating interactive experiences for some cool clients, such as Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, PBS, Lego, and MODA. His goal at the Circus is to help create interactive rock-stars who will change the world.
christopher.silich@creativecircus.edu
678.851.1069