Graduate Curriculum

3-Year Program

If an incoming student needs additional design skills to complete the graduate degree, a three-year program (2 additional terms) is offered. The undergraduate courses will be tailored to meet the individual needs of the student. After these two undergraduate terms, the student enters the traditional MGx course track.

2-Year Program

Our regular program consists of 4 full terms plus a Summer term reserved for a studio independent study plus a recommended internship. Please see below our course of study and course descriptions. Please note that some of these offerings might be subject to change.

3 Year Program • 2021 Catalog

Term 1 Fall:

GMGX-401 Graduate Studio 1
Introduces narrative sequence through temporal or spatial means. Messaging in 3 moves or more (images, screens, pages, sentences) or 3 dimensions. Media agnostic (students may choose an appropriate medium or method). Deals with series, stories, sequences, choices, transitions. Project types: Messaging in sequence. Multiple pages or screens. Image or language sequences. Complex grids. Multi-page documents. Motion. Fast prototyping and public dissemination of concepts.

GMGX-403 Graduate Typography 1
This class is designed to give graduate graphic design students a more intensive experience with critical typographic skills. The class will focus on core typographic structure, scale, hierarchy, and composition. This includes typeface identification and choice, grid structures, Adobe InDesign typographic tools, color, and typographic standards (rags, old-style vs. aligning numerals, punctuation, and characters).

GMGX-414 Graduate Motion Design 1
This will be a broad introduction to motion graphics with a double emphasis on technical skills and conceptual development. Students will understand how to design in motion and how this differs from the other disciplines. Introducing them to basic animation techniques with increasing sophistication will allow them to develop their own ideas using the same principles. Projects will have tighter parameters to allow for a more thorough understanding of the medium and verify the details of the process are explored.

GMGX-500 DB: Linkedin Learning 1
The Graduate Digital Basics: Linkedin Learning 1.0 course provides a recap of Adobe Creative Suite products: Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop. The course also covers fundamentals of graphic design history, typography, grids, and logo design.

GMGX-550 DB: LinkedIn Learning 2.0
Digital Basics: LinkedIn Learning 2.0 is a self-directed course completely taught online. It covers the advanced principles of 2D design software such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign and introduces After Effects and Adobe XD. It leverages the unique relationship Art Center has with LinkedIn Learning to educate students via a select set of online videos and tutorials. Students watch the videos, learn the content, and are tested at the end of the term. Homework is assigned, and there is a midterm and final check-in to test skills learned.

Term 2 Spring

GMGX-451 Graduate Studio 2
Developing a graphic voice for the client or message. Consistency of voice through different media/contexts. Importance of design as editing (research, content forms) and designer as content authortent. It may involve branding—more complex problems than Graduate Studio 1. The media is agnostic. Opens up to communicating solutions in print, packaging, motion, interactive, environmental, 3D. Project types: Longer, more in-depth projects, 1 or 2 per term. Possibility of student-generated projects aligned to their individual interests or in collaboration with work in another class.

GMGX-453 Graduate Typography 2
Students in Graduate Typography 2 will refine typographic visual languages, grid structures, and graphic elements. Following skills learned in Graduate Typography 1, projects will range from publications, posters, and screen-based media to environments.

GMGX-454 Graduate Visual Interaction Design
This class is an introductory exploration of the concepts and technologies in web design. Using largely static content, the student learns how to design and prototype a site of a promotional nature that is respectful of the communication objective while being visually distinctive and engaging.

INT-502M Design 1 - Materials Lab
This for Graphic Design students will instruct students in the safe operation of equipment, including the table saw, the band saw, and the lathe, to have access to the shop. Students will receive a shop access pass after the completion of this lab.

GMGX-454 Graduate Packaging Design
Grad PKG Design 1 focuses on the overview of package design basics, including fabricating dimensional forms, packaging typography, & materials. The introduction of 3-D renderings software and manufacturing processes builds the foundation for visualization of concepts in hand and on the shelf. Emphasis on consumer interaction with branding hierarchy, innovative packaging concepts, and exploration of sustainable issues in the global marketplace are addressed. Materials knowledge, printing & manufacturing processes will be critical in the design of packaging solutions.

Term 3 Fall

GMGX-501 Graduate Studio 3
The connection of research, analytic process, and strategy is the starting point of all work. Typography, form, and meaning across media are emphasized. Students will explore communication across multiple media, maintaining a clear messaging. Branded communication across media: print, motion, web, packaging, social media, space, and experience. Personal explorations and risk-taking via disruptive solutions. Fast prototyping and public dissemination of concepts. Starting with his or her goals, the student will create solutions including research and strategy, branding and identity, communication with the client, designer, audience, conceptual deconstruction, the relationship between word, image, symbol, and technology DEI issues.

GMGX-502 Graduate Seminar 3
The Graduate Seminar serves as an exploration of the issues in the profession with an emphasis on critical thinking, history of graphic design, and theory. We explore personal viewpoints and critical perspectives through a mix of dialogue, presentations, visiting artists, and in-class workshops. Students will apply critical thinking and flexibility to formulate appropriate, practical, and actionable responses to any question.

GMGX-503 Graduate Typography 3
This studio focuses on core typographic skills using scale, hierarchy, composition, and type choice. The creation and usage of grids and the highest typographic standards are emphasized. In the tradition of classical Swiss typography, the studio focuses on the clarity and legibility of the message. Students work with quantities of text; sequential page design and detailing; integration of type and image; hierarchies and scale relationships; display typography; typographic wordmarks as identities. Projects will allow students to refine their typographic skills and handle digital tools such as Adobe InDesign to create a variety of forms, including posters, publications, single pages, and three-dimensional forms.

GMGX-504 Graduate Project Writing
The Project Writing course is designed to help students develop proficiency and confidence with tools for writing about design for projects and as a consultant. This includes the ability to initiate, develop, and convey concepts in the text. Students will work in a studio setting on design projects and employ writing to communicate strategy, research, project concepts, team makeup, solutions, and outcome.

Term 4 Spring

GMGX-551 Graduate Studio 4
This studio course begins the process for the graduate thesis. This course introduces entrepreneurial and business issues. Typography, form, and meaning are emphasized. Students will execute and design a solution with appropriate media based on a strategy to meet the project goals. Critical thinking with typography, form, and meaning is explored. Also, students began an examination of other professional aspects: marketing, leadership, business models, branding, entrepreneurial development, self-authorship, social and economic disparity, and design for good.

GMGX-552 Graduate Seminar 4
The Graduate Seminar serves as an exploration of the issues in the profession. Through a mix of dialogue, presentations, visiting artists, and in-class workshops, we unveil a range of personal viewpoints and critical perspectives on all things design. This seminar is a forum for discussion on critical issues in graphic design, including innovative business models and marketing approaches.

GMGX-555 Graduate Typography 4
Students in Graduate Typography 2 will refine typographic visual languages, grid structures, and graphic elements. Following skills learned in Graduate Typography 1, projects will range from publications, posters, and screen-based media to environments.

GMGX-550 Design Research/Strategy
Designers use research as a critical component of the design process to establish a strong problem foundation, to discover fresh, uncharted opportunities, and to test their design hypotheses. This course focuses on methods for design-centric research as an integral component of the design process that can be used in the strategic process.

GMGX-600 2nd term Thesis Review
This review examines progress to date and begins the process for the graduate thesis. Based on work completed during the 1st and 2nd term, the student will present his or her body of work and explanations for each solution. These will include projects showing research and strategy, branding and identity, communication with the client, designer, and audience, conceptual deconstruction, the relationship between word, image, symbol, and technology, focus on DEI issues. The department chair and faculty will meet with the student to identify strengths, weaknesses, areas of interest and jointly plan a course of action for the next two terms and possible thesis concept.

Term 5 Summer

recommended (not required) choose from
GMGX-590 or GMGX-690 Internship (6.00 cr.)
GMGX-595 or GMGX-695 Independent Study (3.00 cr.) GMGX-XXX TestLab Berlin (12.00 cr.)
GMGX-514 Graduate Motion Design 1 (3.00 cr.)

Term 6 Fall

GMGX-601 Graduate Thesis 1
In this class, students will develop the concept and execute the graduate thesis project. The MFA degree requires the completion of a graduate thesis. The thesis is a comprehensive and focused undertaking for advanced study. The thesis enables the student to direct a program of study for a specific experience in graphic design. The thesis is a proposition or argument that is supported through research. The result will be a project that explores and articulates an answer to the proposition in written, oral, and visual forms. The final presentation will be made to a thesis panel.

GMGX-601L Graduate Thesis 1: Lab
The direction of the course supports the student’s role as a junior designer/art director within a studio or in-house setting and the role of a freelance graphic designer. Lectures and guest speakers will focus on expectations of the recent graduate as a working professional. The designer’s professional responsibility, personal attitude, studio structure, and client/vendor relationships will be discussed. In this class, each student transforms his/her body of work into a unique presentation of their individual talent, potential, and interests. Emphasis is on creating an immediate sampling of ideas, visuals, and writing that reflect the student’s preparedness to produce work of the highest caliber in a professional setting. The Thesis and personal artist statements are created and refined. Presentation visually and orally is a focus.

GMGX-600 Professional Leadership
In this course, students will learn leadership techniques for individuals, teams, and organizations. They will understand how to create entrepreneurial ventures from self-initiated projects and manage existing projects of different scales. They will learn how design is developed with a collaborative structure and how leadership skills vary based on the business context.

Term 7 Spring

GMGX-651 Graduate Thesis 2
In this class, students will execute the graduate thesis project. The MFA degree requires the completion of a graduate thesis. The thesis is a comprehensive and focused undertaking for advanced study. The thesis enables the student to direct a program of study for a specific experience in graphic design. The thesis is a proposition or argument that is supported through research. The result will be a project that explores and articulates an answer to the proposition in written, oral, and visual forms. The final presentation will be made to a thesis panel. A hardbound process book is required for the final.

GMGX-651L Graduate Thesis 2: Lab
The direction of the course continues to support the student’s role as a junior designer/art director within a studio or in-house setting and the role of a freelance graphic designer. Lectures and guest speakers will focus on expectations of the recent graduate as a working professional. The designer’s professional responsibility, personal attitude, studio structure, and client/vendor relationships will be discussed. In this class, each student transforms his/her body of work into a unique presentation of their individual talent, potential, and interests. Emphasis is on creating an immediate sampling of ideas, visuals, and writing that reflect the student’s preparedness to produce work of the highest caliber in a professional setting. The Thesis and personal artist statements are created and refined. Presentation visually and orally is a focus.

GMGX-700 Final Thesis Review
In this review, students will present the final graduate thesis project. The MFA degree requires the completion of a graduate thesis. The thesis is a comprehensive and focused undertaking for advanced study. The thesis enables the student to direct a program of study for a specific experience in graphic design. The thesis is a proposition or argument that is supported through research. The result is presented here with a project that explores and articulates an answer to the proposition in written, oral, and visual form. The final presentation will be made to a thesis panel, including a hardbound process book.

Area of Emphasis Graduate Elective Choices:

GMGX-604 Graduate Transmedia

GMGX-600 Graduate Editorial

GMGX-600 Graduate Design Atlas

or others

Note: curriculum may change

2 Year Program • 2021 Catalog

Term 1 Fall

GMGX-501 Graduate Studio 3
The connection of research, analytic process, and strategy is the starting point of all work. Typography, form, and meaning across media are emphasized. Students will explore communication across multiple media maintaining a clear messaging. Branded communication across media: print, motion, web, packaging, social media, space, and experience. Personal explorations and risk-taking via disruptive solutions. Fast prototyping and public dissemination of concepts. Starting with his or her goals, the student will create solutions including research and strategy, branding and identity, communication with the client, designer, and audience, conceptual deconstruction, the relationship between word, image, symbol, and technology, focus on DEI issues

GMGX-502 Graduate Seminar 3
The Graduate Seminar serves as an exploration of the issues in the profession with an emphasis on critical thinking, history of graphic design, and theory. Through a mix of dialogue, presentations, visiting artists, and in-class workshops, we explore personal viewpoints and critical perspectives. Students will apply critical thinking and flexibility to formulate appropriate, practical, and actionable responses to any question.

GMGX-503 Graduate Typography 3
This studio focuses on core typographic skills with the use of scale, hierarchy, composition, and type choice. The creation and usage of grids and the highest typographic standards are emphasized. In the tradition of classical Swiss typography, the studio focuses on the clarity and legibility of the message. Students work with quantities of text; sequential page design and detailing; integration of type and image; hierarchies and scale relationships; display typography; typographic wordmarks as identities. Projects will allow students to refine their typographic skills and handle digital tools such as Adobe InDesign in the creation of a variety of forms, including posters, publications, single pages, and three-dimensional forms.

GMGX-504 Graduate Project Writing
The Project Writing course is designed to help students develop a level of proficiency and confidence with tools for writing about design for projects and as a consultant. This includes the ability to initiate, develop, and convey concepts in the text. Students will work in a studio setting on design projects and employ writing to communicate strategy, research, project concepts, team makeup, solutions, and outcome.

GMGX-500 DB: Linkedin Learning 1.0
The Graduate Digital Basics: Linkedin Learning 1.0 course provides a recap of Adobe Creative Suite products: Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop. The course also covers fundamentals of graphic design history, typography, grids, and logo design.

INT-502M Design 1 - Materials Lab
This for Graphic Design students will instruct students in the safe operation of equipment, including the table saw, the band saw, and the lathe, so that they may have access to the shop. Students will receive a shop access pass after the completion of this lab.

Term 2 Spring

GMGX-551 Graduate Studio 4
This studio course begins the process for the graduate thesis. This course introduces entrepreneurial and business issues. Typography, form, and meaning are emphasized. Students will execute and design a solution with appropriate media based on a strategy to meet the project goals. Critical thinking with typography, form, and meaning is explored. In addition, students began an examination of other professional aspects: marketing, leadership, business models, branding, entrepreneurial development, self-authorship, social and economic disparity, and design for good.

GMGX-552 Graduate Seminar 4
The Graduate Seminar serves as an exploration of the issues in the profession. Through a mix of dialogue, presentations, visiting artists, and in-class workshops, we unveil a range of personal viewpoints and critical perspectives on all things design. This seminar continues to be a forum for discussion on critical issues in graphic design, now including innovative business models and marketing approaches.

Term 3 Summer

choose from
GMGX-590 or GMGX-690 Internship (6.00 cr.)
GMGX-595 or GMGX-695 Independent Study (3.00 cr.) GMGX-XXX TestLab Berlin (12.00 cr.)
GMGX-514 Graduate Motion Design 1 (3.00 cr.)
or others

Term 4 Fall

Area of Emphasis Graduate Elective Choices:

GMGX-604 Graduate Transmedia
Graduate Transmedia will explore how typographically-driven identity systems function seamlessly within a variety of traditional and emerging media. Emphasis will be placed on understanding each media type's unique opportunities through Print, Screen, and Spatial contexts. Students will be encouraged to develop innovative design solutions in response to visual communication's changing social and technological conditions.

GMGX-600 Graduate Editorial
In this class, students are asked to develop the name and content for their own magazine project, designing a format and stylistic model for a full issue and several covers. Emphasis is placed upon the seamless integration of type and imagery, with attention to typographic detailing and the selection, editing, and art direction of photography and illustration. Innovative content development and narrative structures are explored to create fresh and stimulating publications.

GMGX-600 Graduate Design Atlas
In Graduate Design Atlas, students will gain experience in self-initiated work, deep research, recognizing lesser-known design histories, critical analysis, understanding context, curation, editing, documentation, archiving, publishing, teaching, expanding the design canon.

Term 5 Spring

Area of Emphasis Graduate Elective Choices:

GMGX-604 Graduate Transmedia

GMGX-600 Graduate Editorial

GMGX-600 Graduate Design Atlas

or others

Note: curriculum may change

Facilities

Studio Space
The MGx program is housed in an innovative space in the new 1111 building at the south campus. In line with the full design management training that the MGx program provides to students, space is an experimental area to be given shape each term by the students in the program. This is to provide students with a complete ‘studio development capability.’ The students are given a ‘Kit of Parts’ to design a fully functioning studio space for their work area for the term. This program is supported by the research arm of a major American furniture manufacturer who will assist the students in developing concepts for their space and provide research resources to confirm the value of the space design executed. Each Term, the students will have the opportunity to learn from the space design concepts from previous terms to refine the space to suit the team's needs.

Hoffmitz Milken Center for Typography [HMCT]
The mission of the Hoffmitz Milken Center for Typography [HMCT] is to set the global standard of excellence in typography and design education; provide a valuable service to the educational and professional communities as well as the public, reinforcing the meaning and value of typography; elevate and advance the teaching and understanding of both letterform design and typographic practice; and honor the past while also anticipating the future of typography in print, digital, and emerging media.

HMCT serves as an educational and professional forum, a design laboratory, a research center, and an archive, and a meeting place for learning, discussion, and the exchange of ideas and skills. HMCT holds workshops and special classes, symposia, lectures, exhibitions, and residency programs dedicated to all aspects of the typographic field.

The HMTC was established to honor the legacy of ArtCenter professor Leah Toby Hoffmitz Milken, a dedicated educator, and renowned letterform designer and typographer. It was created to be a home and a catalyst for the advancement of typography and letterform design.

http://hmctartcenter.org/

Archetype Press
Archetype Press at South Campus is a unique creative resource for students and the community that continues the tradition of letterpress printing technology. The 3,500-square-foot facility, established in 1989, includes eight Vandercook proof presses, a Chandler & Price platen press, a Heidelberg Windmill press, and 2,400-plus drawers of rare American and European metal foundry type, wood type, and ornaments, possibly the largest such collection of any design school.

Technical Skill Center
The Shops are the creative heart of the Art Center and consist of the Model Shop, Paint Booths, Rapid Prototyping, Metal Shop, CNC, Laser, Plaster room, Sanding room, Composite Lab and the Tool Crib. Students from all departments may get trained to use the Shops and have access to professional instructors, quality modeling facilities, and cutting-edge tools and technology to acquire expert skills.

The work areas in The Shops are equipped with the latest professional equipment required to complete projects in woodworking, metal fabrication, vacuum forming, plastic sheet fabrication, and fiberglass and composite fabrication. There are dedicated facilities for sanding and buffing, rubber-mold making, plastic casting, sandblasting, spray-painting and plaster fabrication.

All Art Center students, with approved projects, have access to the latest in rapid prototyping technologies in our 3D prototyping shops, including various types of 3D printers, mills, and routers. Laser cutters are also available to cut or etch plastic, wood, or composites for a wide range of projects. The Shops also feature a well-stocked tool and equipment checkout area and a retail material sales area, making it easy to finish projects without driving to home supply centers.

Printmaking Studio
Art Center’s printmaking facilities enable students to explore intaglio, screen printing, stone and plate lithography, and various photographic printmaking techniques. The 3,000 square-foot Printmaking Studio houses a press room, etching room, darkroom, and storage and office space.

James Lemont Fogg Memorial Library
The Library serves as an informal, collaborative learning environment, where students gather to do research, work on projects, and study, supported by librarians offering research assistance.

The Library offers a comprehensive collection of resources on art and design, including over 86,000 books chosen for the practicing designer and artist; online resources in dozens of design disciplines including color forecasting, materials, business, entertainment, photography, and fine arts; 8,000 films on DVD and other cinema formats; and high-resolution visual images. Limited and signed editions, portfolios, and pop-up books can be found in the Rare Book Room. Subscriptions are maintained for more than 400 magazines, while Web-based subscriptions provide thousands of magazine articles access. Macintosh computers offer wireless Internet access and e-mail.

The Library also oversees the Art Center’s history in the College Archives in Room 202A. With more than half a million volumes, the library at nearby Occidental College serves as another resource for Art Center students.

Color, Materials, and Trends Exploration Laboratory
To provide artists and designers with the resources to become better problem solvers, innovators, storytellers, and leaders, Art Center has developed an innovative program to provide expanded resources and expertise in color and materials technologies and understanding global trends. Supported by funding from Nokia and Avery Dennison, CMTEL hosts various events, lectures, and courses on topics such as sustainable design, trend forecasting, lighting technologies, and more.

Computer Labs
Art Center’s computer facilities are constantly evolving, as are the various ways users interact with these spaces. The College provides a variety of campus computing options, including free wireless access. With an eye on the future, Art Center’s model for classroom computing is becoming more mobile and ubiquitous to accommodate design education in the digital age.

Digital Imaging Lab
Workstations for high-resolution scanning, digital printing from desktop to wide format, and manipulation are available. A film recorder enables digital files to be output as black-and-white or color film in any format up to 4″ x 5″.

Copy Services
The Copy Center offers large format, color laser, and inkjet output from digital files. Color copying is also available. Self-serve, black-and-white copy machines are available for student use at both campuses.

Link to artcenter.edu facilities
http://www.artcenter.edu/accd/campus/resources.jsp