Graphic Design from Concept to Completion:
For Future Professional Artists


As part of the Inspirational Arts Program, the college offers a variety of Graphic Design courses that can be taken as part of the A.A. and B.A. degree in Living Wisdom Studies for those with a focus in Inspirational Arts & Graphic Design. This focus gives young artists interested in art and consciousness a venue for creating their work in a practical way that also prepares them for a future career in the many areas of graphic design.

FNA 230/330 Introduction to Graphic Design
(3 units)

This introductory course gives an overview of graphic arts and its many applications in everyday communications with an emphasis towards creating professional design that uplifts humanity. Students will study everything from package design, printed media and advertising to web design, corporate communications, posters, book design and film. The course includes an experiential hands-on graphic arts studio intro to pencil and pen drawing, basic layout, spatial design, typography, illustration, as well as photography, printing and production and an introduction to In Design, Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop computer design programs.

FNA 350 Intermediate & Advanced Graphic Design
(3 units, can be repeated)

Study the essentials of graphic design including typography, layout, photography, illustration and copy writing with an emphasis on expressing higher consciousness in this course for intermediate and advanced students. Students will work on such projects as packaging design, corporate communications including logo and letterhead design, print advertisements, brochures, newsletters, web sites, short digital films, and book & CD design. Students are guided through the entire design process from initial input meetings and creative brainstorming to client presentations, design, production and printing. There will be intermediate & advanced training for students who are familiar with In Design, Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. Advanced students will be guided to create an extensive portfolio (print, digital, web) while interning in the college’s in-house graphic design & marketing department.

FNA 371/471 Graphic Design Practicum
(3+ Units)

The Graphic Design Practicum is an upper-level course offering advanced design students the opportunity to create real world graphic design projects while being guided and instructed by professional graphic artists and the college graphic arts faculty. This internship will provide students with opportunities either in the college graphic design department or with an outside agency. Feedback and guidance will be provided as an aid towards helping students work towards independence and confidence in their own graphic design ability.

FNA 372/472 Entrepreneurial Graphic Design
(3+ Units)

This is an upper level course for those students with a focus in Inspirational Arts & Graphic Design planning to create their own Graphic Design Business. The student will create their own design portfolio for both hard copy and on line professional presentations. Students study the art of working with clients, deadlines, budgets, estimates, contracts, professional responsibility, billing, taxation and current laws that govern graphic design sale and production. A student will learn to lead projects from “concept to completion” with an emphasis on positive business ethics.

FNA 306 Photojournalism, Film & Consciousness
(3 units)

An introduction to the art of telling a story with photos, this course uses the tools of meditation and intuition as a foundation for creating art that communicates an uplifting and consciousness-raising message. Basics of photography, composition, light and color will be studied with the goal of creating a final student art show or film. Use of digital cameras, computer slide shows and low-budget films & documentary production and art techniques will be explored.

FNA 101 Creativity & Self Awareness
( 3 units)

This visual arts course offers both the theory of “Art & Consciousness” together with studio arts experiences. Art history is explored from the standpoint of understanding how art has evolved to modern times. Students learn to develop intuition, self-expression, harmony & aspiration in the arts, and how to express their own unique artistic “voice.” Studio exercises include pencil and ink drawing, watercolor, acrylic painting, pastels, sculpture and mixed media.

FNA 302 Intermediate & Advanced Painting Studio
(3 units) (can be repeated)

Students will study the essentials of painting using a variety of mediums along with the study of art for higher consciousness. This course offers ample time in the painting studio exploring acrylic painting, pastel painting, watercolor and mixed media. Students will be required to present a study or series of thematic paintings or illustrations for either portfolio development or art gallery showing.

FNA 360 Inspirational Arts: Performance for Higher Consciousness
(6 units min.)

This upper-level course is designed for those students who are focusing their Living Wisdom Studies degree in the area of Inspirational Arts. Working with one of the Inspirational Arts faculty members, students design individual or collaborative performance creations using the arena of visual arts, music, drama, film and/or dance. Student-proposed scripts, original music, poetry, set design, documentary or creative films or multi-media productions are encouraged. Students are guided towards investigating new ways to approach themes that uplift humanity, awaken awareness of spirituality, exploring global unity and harmony, inner peace, happiness and higher consciousness - all themes that make the college unique in its liberal arts offerings.

FNA 200/300 Musical Expression & Higher Consciousness
(3 units)

This course provides an in-depth look at various classical and contemporary forms of music with an emphasis on understanding the effects of music on human consciousness. The course includes an experiential component of participation in choral and/or instrumental performance.

FNA 360 Individual Projects
(variable units, can be repeated)

Special topics of creative exploration proposed by upper-level division students in consultation with Inspirational Arts faculty.


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