Graphic Design Minor -Rafik Hariri University

Graphic Design Minor

Total Credits

Rationale

The Design department offers a minor in Graphic Design for RHU students. It is designed for students who want to gain basic proficiency in graphic design to enhance and supplement their major program.

Program Objectives

The aims of a minor in Graphic Design are:

Provide RHU graduates with a basic proficiency in graphic design
Support RHU graduates with essential design skills desired/demanded by the market

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this minor, the student is expected to:

Identify the key elements and principles of design
Apply design thinking and the design process to create effective visual solutions
Use the required technical skills learned to develop print and web design solutions
Experiment with layouts, grids, images, graphical elements, typography and color to communicate an intended message to a target audience

Entrance Requirements

This minor is offered to all RHU students.

Early in their major, interested RHU students need to fill the appropriate form declaring that they will be minoring in Graphic Design while completing their regular major.

Graphic Design Minor Policies

Obtain a Minor Cumulative Grade Point Average (MCGPA) of no less than 70 %
Overlapped courses between student major requirements and GD minor requirements are counted to fulfill the GD minor requirements.

Career Options

This GD minor allows its holders to seek career opportunities in a variety of sectors (banks, TV channels, advertising companies…) no matter what a student’s major is. Graduates from this minor can seek jobs related to branding, advertising, and motion graphics.

Curriculum and Program

The Graphic Design minor consists of six mandatory courses (18 credits) selected to satisfy the requirements of the proposed program objectives and learning outcomes.

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Courses

Program Requirements

Minor Graphic Design Program (18 cr.)

GRDS 203 - Introduction to Graphic Design 3

Graphic design is a creative process that combines art and technology to visually communicate ideas. This course introduces students to the discipline of graphic design by exploring the elements, principles and design process. It focuses on the process of design from the initial stage of choosing a topic through the intermediary working stages till the final presentation. It is a theoretical course that includes practical exercises in visual communication, organization and perception. Projects explore the various dimensions of design to fully comprehend its expressive power as a visually communicative tool and a problem solving method. Prerequisite: GRDS 205.

GRDS 205 - Type I 3

Type, characters, and letterforms are the essential building blocks of visual communication. In this course, students learn how to express ideas not only through the meaning of words but also through manipulating the shape of a typographic character, which improves the quality of information and communication. This introductory course teaches students the anatomy of type, essential type terminology, the history of type categorization and standardization, and the difference between calligraphy and typography.

Prerequisite: GRDS 220.

GRDS 220 - Introduction to Digital Media 3

In this course, students will develop a solid foundation of Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop tools and techniques. Students will learn the difference between vector-based and pixel-based programs and how to integrate both work fields to produce creative graphics. Moreover, students will be introduced briefly to Adobe InDesign, including workspace, functions, and tools.

GRDS 230 - Photography I 3

This course teaches students the basics of black-and-white digital photography. It is a lecture-based course with extensive hands-on practical training. Students learn how to develop an eye for taking pictures and framing objects. They also enhance their knowledge about the different parts of a camera and the mechanism of printing and developing films while continuously scanning other photographers from contemporary and historical scenes.

GRDS 310 - Design I 3

This course investigates the creative process the designer goes through while designing the main elements of visual communication: symbols, pictograms, icons, and logos. Students will be asked to create a visual vocabulary (corporate identity) with enough credibility to convince the target audience to purchase a certain service or product. It is an intensive insight into planning and developing a corporate image: logos and other business communication applications. In addition, students learn to design a complete restaurant branding image from the initial concept to the final execution.

Prerequisites: GRDS 203; GRDS 220.

GRDS 423 - Motion Graphics 3

A rapidly expanding and thriving field, motion graphics gives designers new opportunities to work in television, film, and web design. This course focuses on motion graphics and its diverse methodologies to lay down the necessary specialized essentials. Adobe After Effects and Flash teach the foundations of compositing, video editing, and special effects. Assignments center on upholding a certain amount of experimentation and are process‐oriented. Students will learn to animate graphics and type to communicate ideas better visually.

Prerequisite: GRDS 220.

Other majors in College of Arts and Sciences

Contact Info

If you have a query about a specific major or application, please contact the relevant Administrative Assistant.

MS. NISRINE MAHMOUD

Administrative Assistant
Tel: +961 5 60 30 90 Ext. 701

E-mail: da_cas@rhu.edu.lb

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