University Courses (Minimum 60 ECTS Credits)
All students are obliged to take the elementary University courses

Faculty Courses (Minimum 30 ECTS Credits)
Students are encouraged to choose the courses from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Required Courses (Minimum 30 ECTS Credits)
VA 301 Project Studio I
VA 302 Project Studio II
VA 303 Typography I
VA 306 Digital Photo Imaging (Photoshop)
HART 304 History and Theory of Communication Design

Core Courses (Minimum 60 ECTS credits)
VA 204 Language of Drawing II
VA 210 Introduction to Multimedia
VA 304 Typography II
VA 307 Non-Linear Editing I (Adobe Premiere)
VA 308 Compositing and Digital Effects I (After Effects)
VA 309 Sound and Image
VA 310 Advanced Drawing I
VA 311 Advanced Drawing II
VA 312 Photography
VA 313 New Media Art and Culture (Critical Theory and Practice)
VA 314 Non-Linear Editing II (Adobe Premiere)
VA 315 Compositing and Digital Effects II (After Effects)
VA 316 Advertising
VA 320 Editing Concepts
VA 401 Project Studio III
VA 402 Project Studio IV
VA 404 Digital Design
HART 301 History of Art III
HART 305 Nineteenth Century Art
HART 306 From Modern to Contemporary Art


Area Electives (Minimum 24 ECTS Credits)
VA 330 Web Design I
VA 333 Web Design II
VA 415 Design Studio I
VA 411 Digital Vector Graphics I
VA 412 Digital Vector Graphics II
VA 432 Broadcasting Design I
VA 433 Broadcasting Design II
VA 416 Design Studio II
VA 436 Art Studio

Bachelor Thesis (6 ECTS Credits)
Students complete at least 24 ECTS Credits (5+ Courses) from FASS, FENS or FEBA degree programs.

Free Electives (Minimum 30 ECTS Credits)
VA 490 Research Project

Internship
Internship must be completed as described in IUS Internship Regulations.

UNDERGRADUATE COURSES DESCRIPTIONS

VA 102 Introduction to Visual Communication Design
This course teaches an elementary introduction to the principles of visual design and communication. Concepts of form, pattern, color, composition and function, along with basic problem solving strategies in two-dimensional design are studied. Development of visual awareness and visual literacy is also within the interest of this course.

HART 201 History of Art I
This course is recommended for all Fine Arts Students. This course is a slide lecture covers the development of architecture, painting and sculpture from the prehistoric period to contemporary times. This class is open to students with an interest in the artistic development of civilization.

HART 202 History of Art II
This is the second semester of a two-year sequence, which provides painting and sculpture from the prehistoric period to contemporary times. This class is open to students with an interest in the artistic development of civilization.

VA 201 Visual Language I
This course intends to convey the basic knowledge of seeing. Various methods for the organization of visual elements are utilized in the projects produced by students throughout the semester. These projects will be jointly discussed during the studio critiques to develop necessary skills in reading and analyzing visual statements. The material in this course is presented thematically, not chronologically.

VA 202 Visual Language II
The course introduces the beginning design student the principles of three-dimensional design, techniques, and various materials. Students are assigned projects to develop a basic understanding of translating concepts into 3-dimensional forms.

VA 203 Language of Drawing I
This course provides an introduction to visual language of drawing for beginning students who want to develop drawing and observational skills. Basic elements of perception and representation are be introduced, creating awareness of form and structure, and teaching the organization of visual elements such as line, form, value, light, space, shape, pattern, texture. Guidance under studio conditions so as to develop perceptual, analytical and structural drawing skills is combined with lectures and discussions.
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VA 301 Project Studio I
Project Studio I class is a workshop-style class course focused on solutions for Digital Imaging students. Students should come into the course with a project idea, or a project in progress that can be enhanced during the class. Students are expected to develop projects with the presence of a lecturer who will assist them and guide them throughout the process.

VA 302 Project Studio II
Project Studio II class is a workshop-style class course focused on solutions for Non Linear Editing I course. Students should come into the course with a project idea, or a project in progress that can be enhanced during the class. Students are expected to develop projects with the presence of a lecturer who will assist them and guide them throughout the process.

VA 303 Typography
This course covers the fundamentals of typography, its history, technology and theory. Course projects include the study of letterforms, typographic composition, typographic expression and communication. Goals and objectives of the course are: to create awareness of the power and role of typography in constructing meaning, to explore typography as a tool for representation of concepts and to encourage conceptual thinking, to explore the media which mediate typography but also to explore type itself as a medium.

VA 306 Digital Photo Imaging
This course addresses all aspects of graphic design, typography and images as well as introduction to Adobe Photoshop digital imaging software. Students will use skills in typography, image manipulation and layout basics. This class covers advanced digital imaging concepts including: color correction, advanced photo manipulation and special effects. Also covers advanced digital drawing techniques including: masks, blends, and other advanced techniques. Students learn to integrate artwork created from various applications into the final project, as well as how to use the various applications more efficiently. Emphasis is placed on effective use of design. The course will be organized around a series of assigned projects as well as the opportunity for independent work.

HART 304 History and Theory of Communication Design
Students learn to use the language of visual culture with a particular focus on the symbols, strategies, and messages employed. Incorporating the methods of art analysis, the course introduces students to different forms of visual culture (television, advertising, fashion, gaming, architecture, and the media), while comparing and contrasting these within a philosophical and historical setting.

VA 204 Language of Drawing II
This course is a continuation of VA 203. After basic elements of language of drawing are introduced the course continues with much more advanced subjects, tasks and individual experiments on mid- scale and larger-scale drawings and more advanced renderings that are to be performed in the studio and individually. The focus of the course is on broadening ways of perception, spatial representations, interplay of light and dark, use of color and general improvement of the individual's drawing, analytical skills and conceptualizations. The guidance of the instructor under studio conditions whose aim is to develop perceptual, analytical and structural drawing skills is combined with lectures and discussions.

VA 307 Non Linear Editing I
This course is designed to enable students to construct technically and aesthetically effective sequences using Adobe Premiere digital video editing software. It will give the students an understanding of all the aspects of an editor’s role in film and television production. Students learn how to assemble footage from various sources using the software and concentrating on short format production through project like mood videos, commercials, film trailers, promotional videos etc. End product is to be seamless with incorporated music, sound effects, narration and graphics.

VA 308 Compositing and Digital Effects I (Prerequisite is DIGITAL PHOTO IMAGING)
This course trains students in the essential vocabularies and concepts of design with accent on motion graphics, examining a range of diverse issues of central importance to the broadcast designer. Students will be introduced to the basics and advanced features of the industry standard program for 2D/3D video and animation Adobe After Effects.
Students will be given instruction regarding setting up motion and other changes overtime, image layering, compositing and applying digital video effects. Instruction will be given on practical knowledge for how to animate corporate logos, create titles and other content for broadcast TV and video. Through a series of different projects students should gain in-depth knowledge of the technical and creative planning requirements of television.

VA 310 Advanced Drawing I (prerequisite - Language of drawing I & II)
In this course we will revisit formal elements of drawing (line quality, value, space, composition) and progress through exposure to current technical possibilities and mediums, which extend and broaden the concept of drawing. Through a series of challenging assignments, a more complex understanding of visual dynamics and their relationship to conceptual development will be studied.

VA 311 Advanced Drawing II (prerequisite - Language of drawing I & II)
In this course we will revisit formal elements of drawing (line quality, value, space, composition) and progress through exposure to current technical possibilities and mediums, which extend and broaden the concept of drawing. Through a series of challenging assignments, a more complex understanding of visual dynamics and their relationship to conceptual development will be studied.

VA 312 Photography
The students are expected to acquire the basic technical skills of black and white photographic techniques such as shooting, film processing and enlarging. The students are introduced to photographic equipment, materials, processes and philosophy. The course will make use of black and white materials, small camera operation, roll film processing, enlarging, finishing and presentation. Special emphasis is given to projects involving the development of camera vision and ideas.

VA 313 New Media Art & Culture
This course aims to familiarize students with the basic issues of the image, the visual world, representation and culture at a number of levels. What is seeing, what is hearing and what are the cultural determinants that are at work in the processes of audio-visual perception? The significance of photography and moving images within the framework of art and technology will also be examined.

VA 314 Non Linear Editing II (Prerequisite is NON LINEAR EDITING I)
The course is the continuation of NLE I. It introduces the advanced steps of non-linear editing and digital compositing in the artistic and professional field of montage. The course is structured in hands-on-exercises, theoretical background-information and lectures. This course offers an extensive workshop on film and video editing. Focused especially on tips and tricks of the craft which is also the heart of filmic reality, the course will help students to develop a sense of pacing, timing, rhythm and movement for different genres. Students will work on long format projects such as the documentaries and films.

VA 315 Compositing and Digital Effects II (Prerequisite is COMPOSITING AND DIGITAL EFFECTS I)
This is an advance course in Adobe After Effects. Aside from technical practice with Adobe After Effects, students are introduced to the theory of compositing. This will allow students to create portfolio quality works. The focus is on the more advanced features of the After Effects software as well as 3D, parenting, expressions etc. The specific aesthetic issues of 3D design for television will be addressed throughout the course.

VA 316 Advertising
The role of advertising in a free economy, and its place in the media of mass communications. A study of advertising appeals, product and market research, selection of media, testing of advertising effectiveness and organization of the advertising profession
An introduction to visual communication theory and methodology, principles of design and production processes. Lectures include such topics as symbols, visual perception, conceptualization and layout stages, design principles, typography, illustration and imaging, color and color reproduction, print production, printing processes, computer graphics and video production and graphics.

VA 320 Editing Concepts (Prerequisite is NON LINEAR EDITING I)
This course examines the history, aesthetics and theories of motion picture editing and the technical aspects of digital video editing. Students examine and evaluate editing techniques by watching select films and engaging in critical discourse on topics such as linkage, montage, rhythm, timing and continuity. Student activities include viewing and evaluating films as cinematographic case studies of the technical and aesthetic aspects of film production, conducting projects in digital photographic practices and writing critical analyses of project studies and films.

VA 401 Project Studio III (Prerequisite is PROJECT STUDIO II)
Project Studio II class is a workshop-style class course focused on solutions for Non Linear Editing II course. Students should come into the course with a project idea, or a project in progress that can be enhanced during the class. Students are expected to develop projects with the presence of a lecturer who will assist them and guide them throughout the process.

VA 402 Project Studio IV (Prerequisite is PROJECT STUDIO III)
Project Studio II class is a workshop-style class course focused on solutions for Compositing and Digital Effects II. Students should come into the course with a project idea, or a project in progress that can be enhanced during the class. Students are expected to develop projects with the presence of a lecturer who will assist them and guide them throughout the process

VA 404 Digital Design
Students explore the wide range of project management and presentation skills within this pre-production activity. Concepts covered in this course include scene set-up, camera maps, camera angles, staging, camera motion, and presentation techniques for effective boards. Production techniques include the use of a variety of materials used to formulate rough thumbnail sketches from shot description boards to final animatics. Students discuss story board formats, the visual industry standard method of communication.

VA 435 Introduction to Visual Storytelling
Introduction to techniques and strategies for visual storytelling. Visual language and syntax for narrative, non-linear, alternative and experimental storytelling methodologies will be explored. Story structure, character development, style, premise, genre, and format (commercial ad, interstitial, PSA, short, feature, music video, Web, games, etc.) will be discussed.

HART 306 From Modern to Contemporary Art
This course responds to the diverse and personal nature of contemporary art. It profiles outstanding artists from many aesthetic backgrounds, offering students significant examples to evaluate. Through exploring various theoretical models, students are encouraged to consider the position of art and its histories within the socio-cultural realm.

AREA ELECTIVES

VA 330 Web Design
This course is an investigation of interactive and time based media on the WWW. Information architecture and navigation structure will be explored, as well as usability and advanced web design strategies. Projects will include the use of video and streaming, JavaScript, and extensive Flash.

VA 430 3D Design I
Like many creative activities, 3-dimensional design and modeling combines technical skill with artistic imagination. Understanding the intricacies of software-manipulated objects is of little value unless accompanied with a strong awareness of creative self-expression. The 3D Design course is also intended to offer students an introduction to the world of computer generated 3-D modeling by using Rhinoceros 3D software.

VA 411 Digital Vector Graphics
This course provides the basic skills necessary to utilize Adobe Illustrator software on a Macintosh operating system to produce vector graphics for digital prepress production. Trapping and color separation are included.

VA 431 3D Design II
Like many creative activities, 3-dimensional design and modeling combines technical skill with artistic imagination. Understanding the intricacies of software-manipulated objects is of little value unless accompanied with a strong awareness of creative self-expression. The 3D Design course is also intended to offer students an introduction to the world of computer generated 3-D modeling by using Rhinoceros 3D software.

VA 432 Broadcasting Design I
This course discusses historical and contemporary broadcast packages as they relate to design, marketing strategies and branding. These concepts are useful in the creation of show openings, tags, bumpers and other elements that develop network identities and broadcast entities.

VA 433 Broadcasting Design II
This course prepares students for employment in the broadcast design field. Students are expected to investigate career opportunities and the requirements of positions of interest. Development of a portfolio and demo reel is enhanced through the continued study of motion graphics, compositing and sound.

VA 434 Photography for Graphic Designers
This course is for students providing opportunities to develop a range of skills and techniques in the fields of art, photography and related multimedia specialisms. Students initially experience a variety of disciplines and then specialise in one of two pathways, covering Photography and Graphic Design.

VA 436 Art Studio
This course is an introductory course on visual arts. Basic concepts and information on different fields such as painting, printmaking, sculpture, and ceramics are taught. The possibilities of diverse media are introduced within the frame of studio studies

VA 437 Marketing
This course examines the psychological and sociological factors that influence consumption and decision-making. Students learn the practical implications of consumer attitudes and behavior for such marketing activities as merchandising, market research, distribution, product development, pricing, branding, and e-commerce. They learn the principles involved in locating market opportunities and developing growth plans for traditional and electronic commerce businesses. Course discusses the role of advertising in different business environments such as technology driven markets and electronic commerce.