Visually-oriented classes

(From DGr:)

Russell does a FANTASTIC job in this area. However, his class may be overloaded with ID students, and we need much more than one class.

Though this isn't my current, direct area of research, my degrees are both in graphic design, in addition to working as one for 8 years (mostly at and for Apple Computer) and teaching graphic design/visual communication for the past 17 years. These include years teaching in Fine Arts, Communications, English and Computer Science.

Note that the preponderance of design programs in university art schools are graphic design and architecture.

Fewer programs in industrial design and interior design account for the remainder and reflect industrial need.

The realm of computer-related design has sometimes led to separate programs.

However, by and large, these have been integrated within the above (so-called legacy) programs.

Graphic design is generally concerned with communicating through the use and interplay of text and images.

It has and does include: web design (and web architecture in more progressive schools), information design,

motion-graphics, and interface design, among others.

Attention is paid to the specificity of differing media forms.

Although it is stereotypically referred to as "two-dimensional" design, this is a bit of a misnomer,

since it has always included way-finding (signage), representations of 3D objects and environments,

and more recently, three-dimensional, virtual environments (especially scientific visualization/ bioinformatics).

(From AA:)

Students need practice creating:

• visually communicating ideas/concepts

• interface mockups

• storyboards

• interaction/experience scenarios

• product forms

• info flow diagrams

Using both pencil and paper sketching and more refined versions with drawing programs.

Also, I'd like to see "interface design" (large screen, small screen, controllers, etc) as a separate skill area.

The visual perception side of cognition and HCI should also be built on here ...

not sure it that comes under this category (vs cognition and culture

courses). But just in case -- For example (in no particular order), gestalt

principles of perception, foreground/background, colour, motion, models of

light, luminance etc ...