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Course Description

This course introduces students to visual communication and the dynamic relationship between graphic design and illustrative art. Through primary and secondary research, students investigate and reflect on global events, social issues, and personal interests to gather inspiration for concept development and design direction. Students learn and practice the fundamentals of analog and digital illustrative art styles and techniques, combined with the principles of graphic design, including dynamic design layouts with typography and imagery, to craft visual narratives, create 2D and 3D designs, and establish personal design and brand identities. Project explorations include multi-iterative approaches to design and execution. From the start, students keep a design process journal and complete a series of exploratory 2D, 3D, and time-based illustrative design studies based on their original research and concepts. The creative process culminates in a final design presentation in a variety of media and formats, including art publications, promotional and advertising campaigns, brand identity programs, product packaging, animation shorts, etc. Digital tools, including the Adobe Creative Cloud, are introduced.

NOTE: This course requires students to bring a modern computer laptop to class to complete course assignments. The New School provides all degree and credit-seeking students (enrolled in the current term) with subscriptions for the full Adobe Creative Cloud suite of applications.

Learner Outcomes

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the hands-on studio environment and practice by participating in activities including lectures, demos, and discussions; individual and collaborative exercises and projects; and self and peer critiques 
  • Gain a deeper understanding of the practice and application of primary and secondary research and its impact on creative and technical processes, including themes derived from observing and interpreting world events, social issues, and personal experiences
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the iterative creative process by maintaining analog and/or digital creative process journals/sketchbooks documenting research, ideation studies, resolved design, commentary, and self-reflection
  • Demonstrate an understanding of analog and digital illustrative art mediums, styles, and techniques to visually express thematic concepts, craft narratives, and establish personal and brand design identities
  • Gain a deeper understanding of the principles and practices of graphic design to create a visual language through the exploration of typography, image, color, composition, and the organization of information
  • Acquire digital skills including digital photography, digital input, image editing and manipulation, vector tools, typesetting, page layout, and digital output in a variety of presentation formats
  • Acquire the skills to create and curate a cohesive body of design work that supports a visual narrative expressive of an individual and evolving design identity

Additional Information

This course is one offering from our Parsons Summer Intensive Studies program. For more information on schedule, registration, and refund policies, see program details.

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Application

Name
Summer Intensive Studies 2026 - Pre-College Application
Instructions
Click "Apply Now" and provide information about yourself and a short personal statement following the prompt inside the application.

Enroll Now - Select a section to enroll in

Section Title
Visual Communication: Graphic Design & Illustration (Pre-College)
Type
Lecture
Days
M, T, W, Th, F
Time
9:00AM to 3:50PM
Dates
Jul 06, 2026 to Jul 24, 2026
Schedule and Location
Contact Hours
102.5
Delivery Options
Course Fee(s)
SIS Tuition credit (3 units) $5,610.00
Available for Credit
3 units
Drop Request Deadline
Aug 09, 2026
Transfer Request Deadline
Jul 06, 2026
Instructors
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