Semester(s) Offered: Fall / Spring
Credits: 4
Course Call Number: GAMES-UT 201
Prerequisite(s): None
Taught By: Burgess Voshell / Winnie Song

Introduction to Visual Communication builds a foundation for visual literacy and visual design thinking. The class focuses on the fundamentals of visual communication – line, color, composition, typography – as well as their application in a variety of contexts. You may or may not end up being a visual designer or artist, but all kinds of game design and development involve visual thinking. The philosophy of the class is learning by doing. Each week, in-class and out of class, you will be creating visual projects on and off the computer. Sometimes you will be drawing in a sketchbook or making paper collages. Other times you will be using visual design software, such as the Adobe suite.

The goal of the course is to connect the visual exercises to skills and issues related directly to games. Sometimes we will be working on fundamental skills. Other times, we’ll be applying those skills to game-related problems.

Upon completion of this course, the student will:
1) Learn how to think visually​, including processes and methods for solving visual problems and how to think about games and other media visually.
2) Understand the fundamental elements of visual design,​ including line, color, composition, and typography.
3) Become comfortable and fluent in presenting visual work.
4) Get practice in discussing and critiquing the visual design​. Learn how to give and receive thoughtful and helpful feedback.
5) Learn about the visual culture and languages of other forms of art, media, entertainment​ and how games relate to the rest of the culture.
6) Gain a basic fluency with visual design software​, such as Photoshop & Illustrator.