The Certificate Program in Graphic Design & Digital Imaging

Now Available Online!

Over the past two decades, the graphic design industry has moved from predominantly design-for-print to a constantly changing mix of print design and interactive design for DVDs, the Web, email, and other media. To succeed in this rapidly changing field, graphic designers need a strong foundation in design principles as well as the technical know-how to incorporate their designs into today's media.

UMass Lowell's Certificate Program in Graphic Design and Digital Imaging offers students interested in breaking into the field of graphic design and electronic publishing an innovative mix of traditional design courses along with several courses in multimedia, web development, desktop publishing, and more. Previously available to students on campus for the past 15 years, UMass Lowell is now pleased to offer this undergraduate certificate program entirely online. As part of the program, students will complete numerous design projects for their portfolios, and get hands-on experience using software such as Adobe InDesign®, Photoshop®, Illustrator® and others.

Certain courses in this program may also be applied towards the certificates in Multimedia Applications and Website Design & Development.

Required Courses: (6)

70.291 Graphic Design I / Intro to Graphic Design - Available Summer 2013!
70.240 Fundamentals of Typography - Available Summer 2013!
70.245 Desktop Publishing: Layout and Production - Available Summer 2013!
70.262 Digital Imaging and Photography: Photoshop® - Available Summer 2013!
70.391 Advanced Graphic Design - Available Summer 2013!
70.400 Portfolio Production Seminar - Available Summer 2013!

Electives - Choose 3:

70.264 Computer Graphics & Illustration - Available Summer 2013!
70.362 Advanced Digital Imaging*
70.376 3D Computer Animation
70.377 Advanced Animation: After Effects®*
70.379 Website Design - Available Summer 2013!
70.384 Advanced Website Design and Development - Available Summer 2013!
70.392 Design for Advertising*
90.230 Introduction to Multimedia - Available Summer 2013!
90.231 Graphics for Multimedia and the World Wide Web - Available Summer 2013!
90.238 Website Development: Microsoft® Expression® Web - Available Summer 2013!
90.247 Web Authoring: Flash® - Available Summer 2013!

If you need assistance with course selection for this certificate program, please email Amy_Yacus@uml.edu

Certificate Requirements

Students enrolled in UMass Lowell certificate programs must complete all courses, generally consisting of both required courses and electives. Students may complete the certificate program at their own pace, enrolling in one or two courses each semester. Courses on-campus typically meet one night per week, three hours each night, during the Fall and Spring semesters. Online students generally log on to their course site one or more times per week to retrieve lectures and assignments or to participate in a chat session. For more information on online courses, visit our online program home page.

In addition to the Fall and Spring semesters, students may also have the opportunity to accelerate their programs of study during two concentrated six-week Summer sessions. Online courses are also offered during the Summer semester, but typically run from May through August unless otherwise noted. All students should anticipate at least two hours of preparation for every hour of classroom instruction. Students are required to maintain a grade point average of 2.0 or better to receive the certificate.

Application into the Program

Those who wish to enroll in the certificate program should submit a completed application form and arrange to have their official high school transcript or GED sent to Continuing Studies. Applications, transcripts, and other correspondence should be sent to: University of Massachusetts Lowell, Admissions/Online and Continuing Education, Dugan Hall, Room 110, 883 Broadway Street, Lowell, MA 01854-5104. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and there is no fee to apply. Upon acceptance, notification will be sent to students.

Registering for Courses

Continuing Studies offers courses during the Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer. Information about current course offerings, schedules, and registration procedures is published regularly on our website. If you would like to receive a printed Course Bulletin, please contact our Faculty and Student Support Center at (978) 934-2474.

You may take courses without being officially enrolled in a certificate or degree program, but you must meet the particular course prerequisites. Registrations are accepted on a first come, first served basis. Class size is limited. We recommend that you register early to reserve your place in class.

Transfer Policy

With the program coordinator's approval, one course may be transferred from another accredited institution to satisfy undergraduate certificate program requirements. The course should be equivalent to UMass Lowell instruction, applicable to the intended program, and the student must have received a grade equivalent to a C- (1.70 on a 4.00 scale) or better.

Academic Advising

Program Coordinators and Faculty and Student Support Specialists are available by appointment to help students determine appropriate course loads, discuss admission requirements, and review the transferability of courses. For online advising, email us at Continuing_Education@uml.edu. To schedule an appointment with a Program Coordinator or Faculty and Student Support Specialist, please call Online and Continuing Education at (978) 934-2474. General academic advising is also available at the Faculty and Student Support Center on a drop-in basis, located in Southwick Hall, Room 202 on UMass Lowell North. Call (978) 934-2474 or stop by the office Monday through Thursday between 8:30am-8:00pm and on Friday between 8:30am-5:00pm.

Awarding of Certificates

Upon successful completion of the certificate program, students must submit a completed Certificate Petition Form to Online and Continuing Education. Upon verification, students will be mailed their certificates. Receipt of the certificate will be noted formally on the student's transcript with an award date of October, February, or June.

Tuition

Please refer to our current course listings published online each semester for up-to-date pricing information or refer to the Online and Continuing Education Course Bulletin each semester.

For More Information

For additional information on any of our programs, call Online and Continuing Education at (978) 934-2474 or email Continuing_Education@uml.edu.

For information on Financial Aid, call the Financial Aid Office at (978) 934-4220.

Gainful Employment Disclosure Information

Completion rates, median loan debts and program costs are outlined for each certificate program.

Undergraduate Certificate Gainful Employment Disclosure Information

Course Descriptions

70.240 Fundamentals of Typography

Studies lettering concepts, techniques, and the creative use of type in visual communication. Emphasis will be placed upon the history of type design and its context within the graphic design industry. 3 credits. Prerequisite: Macintosh proficiency. Special Notes: Graphic Design & Web Students: Ask your software reseller if they offer academic pricing on Adobe software. Affordable pricing may be available to you if you provide your reseller with proof of your student status. Some resellers may accept your semester schedule as proof, which you can access at isis.uml.edu. NOTE: This course will not transfer directly into the Art Department's BA/BFA day school degree program, but certain two-course clusters may be accepted for transfer upon department approval.

70.245 Desktop Publishing: Layout and Production

Introduces students to the complexities involved in preparing their designs for print: electronic page layout and design, proofing, specifying inks, trapping, cropping, overprinting, printing separations, proofing, and more. Students will learn about the differences between preparing their design work electronically or manually and will learn more about the different printing processes that are available. Printing terminologies and printing industry standards will be covered. Field trips may be made to area printing companies for demonstrations on the print production process. 3 credits. Prerequisite: 70.291 Special Notes: Graphic Design & Web Students: Ask your software reseller if they offer academic pricing on Adobe software. Affordable pricing may be available to you if you provide your reseller with proof of your student status. Some resellers may accept your semester schedule as proof, which you can access at isis.uml.edu. NOTE: This course will not transfer directly into the Art Department's BA/BFA day school degree program, but certain two-course clusters may be accepted for transfer upon department approval.

70.262 Digital Imaging and Photography: Photoshop®

This course will offer the student a transition between traditional photographic imaging and digital photographic imaging. The course will cover the fundamentals of digital scanning, digital capture and image manipulation. Image preparation for other media will also be explored. Basic familiarity with the Mac OS and/or Windows platforms required. 6 Contact Hours required for Day School students. 3 credits. Prerequisite: Basic Macintosh or Basic Windows proficiency. Special Notes: Graphic Design & Web Students: Ask your software reseller if they offer academic pricing on Adobe software. Affordable pricing may be available to you if you provide your reseller with proof of your student status. Some resellers may accept your semester schedule as proof, which you can access at isis.uml.edu. NOTE: This course will not transfer directly into the Art Department's BA/BFA day school degree program, but certain two-course clusters may be accepted for transfer upon department approval.

70.264 Computer Graphics & Illustration

Students will produce a number of illustrations, starting with the traditional approach to illustration and then rendering their concepts using computer illustration and imaging software. Topics include methods for rendering artwork, capturing an expressive illustrative style, and portraying different moods or messages within the illustration. Students will learn to illustrate effectively using the many tools available to them within several software applications. 3 credits. Prerequisite: Basic Macintosh/Windows familiarity Special Notes: Graphic Design & Web Students: Ask your software reseller if they offer academic pricing on Adobe software. Affordable pricing may be available to you if you provide your reseller with proof of your student status. Some resellers may accept your semester schedule as proof, which you can access at isis.uml.edu. NOTE: This course will not transfer directly into the Art Department's BA/BFA day school degree program, but certain two-course clusters may be accepted for transfer upon department approval.

70.291 Graphic Design I / Intro to Graphic Design

Exercises, lectures and projects will introduce students to graphic design principles and techniques. Course will begin with a fundamental study of image, form, and space relations, then cover such topics as working with grids, typography basics, page layout, the introduction of color, rendering techniques, history, and more. Students will be assigned a series of projects to enhance their visual communication skills. 3 credits. Prerequisite: Basic Macintosh or Windows proficiency Special Notes: Graphic Design & Web Students: Ask your software reseller if they offer academic pricing on Adobe software. Affordable pricing may be available to you if you provide your reseller with proof of your student status. Some resellers may accept your semester schedule as proof, which you can access at isis.uml.edu. NOTE: This course will not transfer directly into the Art Department's BFA day school degree program, but certain two-course clusters may be accepted for transfer upon department approval.

70.362 Advanced Digital Imaging

Students will continue to develop their creative conceptualization skills and practice using advanced-level techniques in Photoshop as they create a number of visually compelling images. Projects will address visual problem solving for commercial applications and digital imaging as an emerging medium in fine art. Students should have basic knowledge of Photoshop and design composition skills prior to registering for this course. 3 credits. Prerequisite: 70.262 or comparable knowledge. Special Notes: Graphic Design & Web Students: Ask your software reseller if they offer academic pricing on Adobe software. Affordable pricing may be available to you if you provide your reseller with proof of your student status. Some resellers may accept your semester schedule as proof, which you can access at isis.uml.edu.

70.376 3D Computer Animation

Students will learn the fundamentals of computer generated 3D modeling and animation. the emphasis will be on virtual sculpting, digital cinematography as well as the fundamental process of animation production including script & concept development, storyboarding, modeling, animating, rendering and post-production. Various independent short animations will be screened for aesthetic and critical inquiry along with the lectures dedicated to the production techniques. The course will also introduce the student to historical and contemporary perspectives related to the discipline. 3 credits. Prerequisite: 70.264 or 90.231 or instructor permission. Special Notes: This course will not transfer directly into the Art Department's BA/BFA day school degree program, but certain two-course clusters may be accepted for transfer upon department approval.

70.377 Advanced Animation: After Effects®

This advanced-level course is designed for students who have completed 3D Computer Animation and who are interested in exploring the narrative possibilities in animation. Conceptual drawings and storyboarding will be required. The course will cover advanced sequencing, motion paths, editing, audio, and virtual environments. Special effects compositing will be introduced. Other course topics will include media preparation for output to film, video, and CD-ROM. Basic familiarity with Mac OS and/or Windows platforms required. 3 credits. Prerequisite: 70.376. Special Notes: This course will not transfer directly into the Art Department's BA/BFA day school degree program, but certain two-course clusters may be accepted for transfer upon department approval.

70.379 Website Design

This course will focus on the creation of visual content for the web and will explore what constitutes a visually exciting and engaging site. Other topics that will be covered are: file formats, compression, web color strategies, and platform standards. Basic familiarity with Mac OS and/or Windows platforms required. 3 credits. Prerequisite: Basic HTML and Photoshop familiarity required. Special Notes: Graphic Design & Web Students: Ask your software reseller if they offer academic pricing on Adobe software. Affordable pricing may be available to you if you provide your reseller with proof of your student status. Some resellers may accept your semester schedule as proof, which you can access at isis.uml.edu.

70.384 Advanced Website Design and Development

This advanced-level course is designed for students who have completed Website Development (90.238) and Website Design (70.379). The course will cover advanced topics such as user-centered design, information architecture, testing, and usage analysis. Students will have the opportunity to further develop their design, development, and conceptualization skills. 3 credits. Prerequisite: 70.379 Special Notes: Graphic Design & Web Students: Ask your software reseller if they offer academic pricing on Adobe software. Affordable pricing may be available to you if you provide your reseller with proof of your student status. Some resellers may accept your semester schedule as proof, which you can access at isis.uml.edu.

70.391 Advanced Graphic Design

Students will be assigned a variety of advanced-level projects dealing with areas such as logo design, publication design, interactive screen design, direct mail projects, corporate identity systems, poster design, and more. Projects in this class are designed to better develop the students' ability to take a project to its final stage and render it as a professional portfolio piece. 3 credits. Prerequisite: 70.291, 70.240, and 70.245 or permission of instructor Special Notes: Graphic Design & Web Students: Ask your software reseller if they offer academic pricing on Adobe software. Affordable pricing may be available to you if you provide your reseller with proof of your student status. Some resellers may accept your semester schedule as proof, which you can access at isis.uml.edu. NOTE: This course will not transfer directly into the Art Department's BA/BFA day school degree program, but certain two-course clusters may be accepted for transfer upon department approval. Typically offered in the Fall semester.

70.392 Design for Advertising

Instruction in lettering and layout of commercial media as well as in the creative aspects of advertising are an integral part of the course. Practical problems and technical guidance from preliminary layouts to finished work will help prepare students for the commercial art field. Students will prepare an advertising campaign concept and translate it into a professionally designed commercial series for use in their portfolios. This course will focus on the integration of design with the overall advertising message. 3 credits. Prerequisite: 70.291, 70.240, and 70.264 or permission of instructor. Special Notes: This course will not transfer directly into the Art Department's BA/BFA day school degree program, but certain two-course clusters may be accepted for transfer upon department approval.

70.400 Portfolio Production Seminar

This course is designed to help students to organize their work into a professional package and prepare it for presentation. Students may decide to rework existing portfolio pieces or complete additional design projects to enhance their existing portfolios and fully demonstrate their design capabilities. Mock interviews will be conducted in which students will have an opportunity to discuss their work. Includes an end-of-semester portfolio review. 3 credits. Prerequisite: 70.291, 70.240, 70.245 and 70.391 or permission of instructor Special Notes: Graphic Design & Web Students: Ask your software reseller if they offer academic pricing on Adobe software. Affordable pricing may be available to you if you provide your reseller with proof of your student status. Some resellers may accept your semester schedule as proof, which you can access at isis.uml.edu. NOTE: This course will not transfer directly into the Art Department's BA/BFA day school degree program, but certain two-course clusters may be accepted for transfer upon department approval. Typically offered in the Spring semester.

90.230 Introduction to Multimedia

Provides participants with an overview of multimedia and its professional applications in training, education, marketing, and entertainment. Scanning images, digitizing video and audio, and exploring the design and production of interactive multimedia are the focus of this class. Includes technical/hardware considerations and production procedures pertinent to interactive multimedia. 3 credits. Prerequisite: P: Basic Macintosh or Windows proficiency

90.231 Graphics for Multimedia and the World Wide Web

The focus of this class is on the basic components of shape, color, texture, typography, and images as they are applied to multimedia and web interface design. Other topics covered include scanning, image editing, resolution and color palettes. Students will work on projects that integrate elements such as buttons, navigation bars, and background images to communicate creative visual information. Photoshop will be used. 3 credits. Prerequisite: 90.230 Special Notes: Formerly Graphics for Multimedia

90.238 Website Development: Microsoft® Expression® Web

This course focuses on the design, development, and implementation of websites using available visual development tools. Each participant will design, build, and maintain their own websites. Topics covered include: basic navigational structure; page layout incorporating tables and frames; graphical design and placement; image maps; streaming audio and video; and basic website administration. 3 credits. Prerequisite: 90.291; 90.231 recommended

90.247 Web Authoring: Flash®

This course will demonstrate how to use web authoring applications to create cutting-edge interface, navigation, and streaming animation. Using open standard vector formatting, you can create interactive capabilities on the web similar to CD-ROM screens. Learn how to use drawing tools to create websites that include sound, clickable buttons, interactivity, and exciting animations. 3 credits. Prerequisite: 90.230 or 90.231 helpful; programming familiarity