Graphic Design and Visual Communications --- The conceptual part of the course covers the graphic design theory discourse. Students will reinforce the practical application of critical thinking, analyze and process of making and conceptualizing, learn how to "read" designs and how to apply them into a broader cultural, technological, and social context. In the hands-on part of the course, students will gain necessary software skills, learn how to follow or establish brand/identity guidelines, prepare work for print or web production, and select the right tools, media, and budget for their projects. Students will improve their aesthetic sensibilities and design skills through mastering visual language vocabularies, understanding principles of effective visual communications, solving creative problems, and developing analytical thinking, promoting thus their ability to respond professionally to rapidly changing needs of the modern world. Students should have familiarity with MS Office or iWork, Adobe Acrobat or Preview.