Courses

The Graphic Communications Department provides instruction in:

• Concept development and design
• Typography
• Production art tools and processes
• Traditional and digital print production

Our programs will prepare you for entry-level employment or transfer to a four-year institution. Click here for further information on the specifics of the degree and certificate programs. You may also consult the current catalog, available in the bookstore or online at www.ccsf.edu/catalog.

Information about the course schedule and registration may also be found on CCSF's main web site at www.ccsf.edu.

First Semester Credit Courses

These four courses are the foundation of our program of study. Most are prerequisites to advanced courses. As a new student, you should take these courses before any others. If you believe you already have these skills, follow the prerequisite challenge procedure.

GRPH 21. Visual Literacy (3)
Lec-3, lab-3
A visual fundamentals course. Visual organization, sketching, creative problem-solving and analysis of communications media. CSU

GRPH 23. Orientation to Design and Graphic Communications (2)
Lec-2
Survey class acquainting students with areas of study and employment in graphic design, illustration, industrial design, prepress, print production. CSU

GRPH 25. Introduction to Graphic Arts Microcomputer (3)
Lec-3, lab-1, field trips
Introductory Macintosh computer class covering hardware, operating system, word processing, raster and vector graphics software. CSU

GRPH 27. Survey of Print Production (3)
Lec-2, lab-4
Practical, hands-on course covering the print production process: copy prep, paste-up, camera, film assembly and press will be covered.

ART 125A. Basic Design (3)
Lec-2, lab-4, field trips
Advise: Completion/concurrent enrollment in ART 130A
Repeat: max. 6 units
Basic design elements; color and the concepts, operations, and methods of the two-dimensional design process as related to all well-ordered form. Emphasis on experimentation, exploration, and criticism intended to develop creativity and manipulative ability. CSU/UC/CAN ART 14

Intermediate and Advanced Credit Courses

These courses deliver the theory, skills and practical experiences required in our program. Please pay attention to the prerequisite and/or corequisites when selecting courses.

GRPH 35. Graphic Design (3)
Lec-2, lab-4, field trips
Prereq: GRPH 21 or DSGN 101 or ART 125A or IDST 125
Intro to design for communication: principles, elements, audience, and the development of creativity and problem-solving skills. CSU

GRPH 36. Publication Design (2)
Lec-1, lab-3, field trips
Prereq: GRPH 35 and 99A
Continued graphic design study focusing on the effective design of publications: design strategies, typography, grids, and communications systems. CSU

GRPH 37. Advanced Graphic Design (3)
Lec-2, lab-4, field trips
Prereq: GRPH 36
Advanced study of two and three-dimensional design with an emphasis on conceptual skills and portfolio development. CSU

GRPH 40. Digital Printing/Publishing (3)
Lec-3, lab- 3, field trips
Introduction to digital printing using a Xerox Docutech 135. Production concepts and practices including job programming, system features, maintenance, workflow management and customer service. CSU

GRPH 53A. Basic Typography (3)
Lec-3, lab-1, field trips
Prereq: GRPH 21 or DSGN 101 or ART 125A or IDST 125; and GRPH 25 or IDST 120
Coreq: GRPH 99A
Beginning typography with a study of the history, classification, terminology, and use of type in communications. Students will develop an understanding of type mechanics and design issues through practical exercises and assignments. CSU

GRPH 53B. Typographic Design (3)
Lec-3, lab-1, field trips
Prereq: GRPH 53A
Continued study of typography with an emphasis on developing an awareness of typographic form and structure. Practical exercises and creative projects. CSU

GRPH 60. Product Finishing (2)
Lec-1.5, lab-1.5 CR/NC avail.
Advise: GRPH 72A or 40
Instruction and practice in commercial binding techniques, including operation of a drill, stitcher, cutter and folder. CSU

GRPH 67. Digital Print Production Lab (3)
Lec-2, conf-2, lab-4, field trips
Prereq: GRPH 25 or IDST 120; and GRPH 40
Advise: GRPH 60 and CNIT 100
A practical, hands-on course in digital print production. Topics include: digital print networks, preflighting, font management, file management, archiving, customer service, estimating, job programming, and file transmission. CSU

GRPH 68. Prepress Production Laboratory (3)
Lab-8
Prereq: GRPH 98A or 99A or 100A
Repeat: max. 9 units
In-house design and production internship for the development of advanced skills. Repeatable. CSU

GRPH 69. Press Production Laboratory (3)
Conf-1, lab-7
Prereq: GRPH 60; and GRPH 40 or 72A
Repeat: max. 9 units
A special production laboratory in which advanced students use the skills and techniques learned in press classes. Production jobs will range from simple one color work to more complex multicolor work. Students will become fluent on all models of presses in the shop. Students will learn methods of product finishing appropriate to the particular job. CSU

GRPH 70A. Electronic Imposition (2)
Lec-1, lab-3
Instruction and practice in job layout and negative assembly, including multiple burns, tints, step and repeat with fundamental pin-register systems. CSU

GRPH 72A & 72B. Offset Press Operations (3)
Lec-2, lab-6 CR/NC avail.
Prereq: GRPH 72A or GRPH 27 when taking GRPH 72B
Instruction and practice in offset duplicator reproduction, including plate-making, ink mixing, and use of the two-color press. Beginning and advanced levels. CSU

GRPH 78. Digital Scanning and Correction (2)
Lec-1, lab-2
Prereq: GRPH 25 or IDST 120
Coreq: GRPH 27
Study of digital input and output using desktop scanners, Adobe Photoshop and imagesetters. Grayscale and color image correction will be covered. CSU

GRPH 91A. InDesign for Quark Users (1)
Lec-1, lab-1 CR/NC avail.
Prereq: GRPH 99A; and 98A or 100A
Intensive, hands-on course in which students use their previous knowledge of QuarkXPress and Adobe Illustrator to quickly become proficient in Adobe InDesign. CSU

GRPH 92A. Letterpress Printing (2)
Lec-2, lab-2 CR/NC avail.
The art and craft of letterpress printing and hand set type. Skills development in typesetting, proofreading, polymer plate usage, stock selection, calculation and presswork. Repeatable. CSU

GRPH 98A. Beginning Adobe Photoshop (3)
Lec-3, lab-1
Prereq: GRPH 25 or IDST 120
Hands-on course in digital imaging using the program Adobe Photoshop. CSU

GRPH 98B. Advanced Adobe Photoshop (3)
Lec-3, lab-1
Prereq: GRPH 98A
Advanced hands-on course in digital imaging using the program Adobe Photoshop. CSU

GRPH 99A. Beginning QuarkXPress (3)
Lec-3, lab-1
Prereq: GRPH 25 or IDST 120
Coreq: GRPH 27
Advise: GRPH 21 or IDST 125 or ART 125A
Intro to page layout and typography using the program QuarkXPress. CSU

GRPH 99B. Advanced Page Layout (3)
Lec-3, lab-1
Prereq: GRPH 99A
Advanced class in page layout covering color separation, trapping, fine typographic control, simple imposition, page design and typography. CSU

GRPH 100A. Beginning Adobe Illustrator (3)
Lec-3, lab-1
Prereq: GRPH 25 or IDST 120
Coreq: GRPH 27
Introduction to the program Adobe Illustrator and its use in graphic design and illustration. CSU

GRPH 100B. Advanced Adobe Illustrator (3)
Lec-3, lab-1
Prereq: GRPH 100A
Advanced class in digital illustration, focusing on the development of illustration skills. CSU

GRPH 101A. Beginning Adobe InDesign (3)
Lec-3, lab-1
Prereq: GRPH 99A
Advise: GRPH 98A or 100A
In-depth hands-on study of Adobe InDesign. Using InDesign's unique features to create single-and multipage documents. Comparisons with other programs. CSU

GRPH 123A. Industrial Design (3)
Lec-2, lab-4, field trips
Lab fee required
Historical evolution of industrial design from its inception through present concepts and trends. Student research, sketches and drawings will be used to manufacture products, utilizing various materials such as cardboard, modeling clay, plaster and plastics. Emphasis on technical development, design and problem solving as demonstrated by the finished assignments. CSU

GRPH 123B. Industrial Design Workshop (3)
Lec-2, lab-4, field trips
Repeat: max. 6 units
Lab fee required
Advanced study in designing and constructing utilitarian objects and prototypes; advanced exploration of materials and processes. Assigned and elective projects. CSU

GRPH 124. Computer Drawing for Industrial Design (3)
Lec-2, lab-4, field trips
An advanced Macintosh computer drawing class that builds on the knowledge and skills gained in the prerequisite courses. Exploration of drawing programs, use of a scanner for image manipulation, and model building techniques. Emphasis on technical computer drawing as related to industrial design. Construction of prototypes based on technical plan drawings. CSU

GRPH 130. Digital Prepress Seminar (3)
Lec-3, field trips
Prereq: GRPH 98A or 99A or 100A
Prepress course for design/production majors. Topics include file preparation, trapping, color management and working with service bureaus and printers. CSU

GRPH 133. Visual Communication - Animation (3)
Lec-3, lab-1
Prereq: GRPH 21 or ART 125A or IDST 125; and GRPH 25 or IDST 120
Advise: GRPH 100A and 98A
The theory and methods of communicating through animation for new media. Character development and storyboarding will be emphasized. Students will be introduced to simple animation on the computer via animated GIFs and software such as Macromedia Flash. CSU

GRPH 140. Graphic Design for New Media (3)
Lec-3, lab-3, field trips
Prereq: GRPH 35
Coreq: IDST 130
The design process for interactive media: information design, content/structure relationships, interface design and navigation, and presentation design issues. The design and production of a prototype for a simple interactive project. CSU

GRPH 145. Publishing for New Media (3)
Lec-3, lab-3, field trips
Prereq: GRPH 35; and GRPH 25 or IDST 120
The design process for World Wide Web publishing. Analysis of the principles of print publishing as applied to the Web. Technical topics include bandwidth, graphic formats, type, and color. Design and maintenance of a Web publication as an ongoing project. CSU

GRPH 147. Adobe Acrobat (1)
Lec-1, lab-1
Prereq: GRPH 25 or IDST 120
Use of Adobe Acrobat to create PDFs to be viewed and printed from any computer. Emphasis on creating files that print accurately. CSU

GRPH 148. Professional Practice (2)
Lec-2, field trips
Prereq: Successful completion of three semesters of study in the Graphic Communications Department
A course focusing on graphic design business issues: résumé writing, portfolio preparation, self-promotion, contracts, billing and freelancing. CSU

GRPH 151. Lettering and Type (1)
Lec-1, lab-1, field trips
Prereq: GRPH 21 or consent of instructor.
Advise: GRPH 53A
Repeat: max. 2 units
What is the tie-in between calligraphy and type design? Why study handlettering in the digital age? Probe these questions through hands-on study, practice and creative techniques of various lettering styles. CSU

GRPH 152. Digital Font Creation (1)
Lec-1, lab-1, field trips
Prereq: GRPH 21, 100A
Advise: GRPH 78, 53A, 151
Ever wonder how fonts are made? Ready to put your béziers to work in drawing letterforms? This class offers hands-on experience making fonts for the Macintosh computer using FontLab 5. CSU

GRPH 154. Hand Printed Book: Design and Production (3)
Lec-2, lab-4
Repeat: max. 9 units
The bookmaking process focusing on the design of pages using fine art printmaking combined with letterpress and digital typesetting technologies. Participation in the bookmaking process as author, illustrator, and publisher. Research on the history of the book and an examination of the book arts community in San Francisco and beyond. CSU
GRPH 154 = ART 154

GRPH 155. Bookbinding (3)
Lec-2, lab-4
Repeat: max. 9 units
Study and practice of bookbinding. First: basic structures and craftsmanship. Second: innovative bindings and conservation techniques. CSU
GRPH 155 = ART 155

GRPH 197. Graphic Design Work Experience/Internship (1)
Work-5
Prereq: GRPH 53B and 36
Coreq: Enrollment in at least 7 units of coursework including this course and consent of instructor
Repeat: max. 2 units
Application of graphic design skills and development of proficiency in a supervised work environment. CSU

GRPH 198. Production Art Work Experience/Internship (1)
Work-5
Prereq: GRPH 53A, 98A, 99A, and 100A
Coreq: Enrollment in at least 7 units of coursework including this course and consent of instructor
Repeat: max. 2 units
Application of production art skills and development of proficiency in a supervised work environment. CSU

GRPH 199. Print Production Work Experience/Internship (1)
Work-5
Prereq: GRPH 25 and 40 or 72A
Coreq: Enrollment in at least 7 units of coursework including this course and consent of instructor
Advise: GRPH 60, 67
Repeat: max. 2 units
Application of print production skills and development of proficiency in a supervised work environment. CSU

Non-Credit Courses

For non-credit classes, you can preregister in the counseling office (Mission Campus, Room 109) or attend the first day of class.

TIPL 9657. Offset Press Operations
Intensive instruction and practice in offset duplicator reproduction, including plate-making, ink mixing, and use of the two-color press.

Design Collaborative Courses

For more information, contact Jerry Lum at 415.239.3264 or jlum@ccsf.edu

DSGN 101. Design Fundamentals (3)
Lec-3, lab-3, field trips
Advise: ESL 150 or ENGL 92
Repeat: max. 6 units
A visual design course, covering the theories, processes, vocabulary, techniques and skills common to design disciplines. CSU/UC

DSGN 110. Rapid Visualization (3)
Lec-3, lab-3, field trips
Advise: ESL 150 or ENGL 92
Repeat: max. 6 units
A free-hand drawing course for the development of skills for the rapid visualization of ideas in design. CSU/UC

DSGN 150. Color in Design (3)
Lec-3, lab-3, field trips
Prereq: DSGN 101 or ART 125A or ARCH 21 or PHOT 53 or GRPH 21 or IDST 125.
An interdisciplinary study of the basic properties and theory of color; creating color relationships and harmonies; and optical, psychological and spatial effects of color in various media. CSU/UC

Multimedia Studies Courses

For more information, contact Beth Cataldo at 415.452.5107 or bcataldo@ccsf.edu

IDST 110. Orientation to Multimedia Careers (2)
Lec-2, field trips
Survey class acquainting students with areas of study and employment in the multimedia industry. CSU

IDST 120. Computer Skills for Multimedia (3)
Lec-2, lab-4
Introductory Macintosh computer class covering hardware and software, word processing, raster and vector graphics, digital sound, digital video, utility software, and more. CSU

IDST 125. Multimedia Content and Form (3)
Lec-3, Lab-3, field trips
Analysis of function and importance of visual elements and design principles in multimedia products. CSU

IDST 130. Multimedia Process and Production (3)
Lec-3, lab-3, field trips
Prereq: IDST 120 or GRPH 25
Overview of multimedia development, planning, and production. CSU