Design and Visual Communications 

Freshman Program

The program of DV consists of commercial, advertising & marketing arts including graphic design, illustration, drawing photography, videography, web design, animation and photo manipulation. During exploratory, we do our best to touch base on all the elements while allowing the students to spend enough time to truly understand what it may be like to work in the shop and in industry. Students will have the opportunity to meet other instructors in the program from different grade levels, and spend time with their course of study specialties in their prospective areas. Projects include Photoshop photo manipulation, digital graphics, graphic design, traditional illustration, animation, and logo creation using Adobe Illustrator.

Sophomore Program

The sophomore shop consists of a balanced knowledge of the following industries; technical and scientific illustration, drawing, graphic design, photo editing, page layout, logo creation, package design, storyboarding, 2D & 3D animation, script writing, intro to web design, and intro to videography. Programs used are Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Indesign, Wix, Adobe Premiere Pro & Lightwave.

Sophomore Related Class 2

Media Skills

Media Skills is designed for students to work on expanding skills in graphic design, art, and publishing. Students will use Adobe Photoshop and Adobe InDesign and utilize skills with drawing tablets and printing.

Junior Program

The junior shop split into two main focuses: the study of Media Technology with a concentration of Video Production, Photography and Introduction to Web Design and the study of the Visual Arts.   In the study of media technology, students will gain an understanding of storytelling from pre to post production and have an opportunity to demonstrate their creativity in a hands-on medium that consists of a lot of movement and collaboration in order to produce final pieces of art.  In the study of the visual arts, students will become increasingly proficient in all Adobe products while learning the key steps on how to create design work for personal and client publication purposes.  Students will demonstrate proficiency in creative process techniques using various materials/media including drawing and sketching techniques.

Television Production

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the complexities, both technologically and organizationally, that are involved in television productions.

• Develop an awareness of the three stages of television production.
• Develop an awareness of current industry practice at each of the three production stages.
• Understand legal and ethical issues associated with television production, and become familiar with the process of obtaining copyright permission.
• Develop knowledge of basic video editing concepts, equipment, and processes.
• Develop knowledge of basic audio production concepts, equipment, and processes.
• Demonstrate basic understanding of television production through the development of projects.
• Demonstrate effective pre-production practices.
• Demonstrate effective production practices.
• Demonstrate effective post-production practices.
• Discuss the fundamentals of television technologies.
• Produce digital video projects such as a public service announcement, commercial, short film, documentary, music video and movie trailer.
• Demonstrate a high level of critical and creative thinking regarding decision-making and the application of techniques and practices recommended within the industry, in projects.
• Throughout the course, students will participate in hands-on production-oriented activities and projects. Students will also engage in research and use industry specific terminology. The course will encourage students to work as a contributing member of a production team, engaged in processes commonly used within the communication production industry.

Introduction to Web Design

Students will learn the fundamentals in Web Design of content creation and visual communication by using a free online tool, WordPress, to blog and customize a website with responsive, mobile-ready design and themes. After learning free online options for web design, students will focus on graphic design and capturing by using Adobe Muse and Adobe Photoshop to create photojournalism websites on student-driven themes. Students will explore the history and current industry trends in social media and marketing. Finally, students will be introduced to web jargon and graphic design techniques used in web design to learn the fundamental coding language of HTML and CSS.

The Visual Arts

Students will continue to develop software skills using Adobe® Creative Suite® for design, publishing and interactive/rich media. Students will build their first live website using Adobe Muse, Photoshop, and Adobe Dreamweaver. The primary objective is to create a living portfolio document display that will be used to gain admission into a two or four year college, and for future job applications.

Students will become increasingly proficient in all Adobe products while continuing to create design work, including brand identity, posters, flyers, web sites, consumer products, and brochures. Students will also demonstrate proficiency in the use of relevant design technology in the problem-solving and creative process. Photography study will advance into lighting for portraiture and landscape using natural and supplemental light. Students will explore advanced photography and video based Adobe® Creative Suite Software.

Students will learn the best practices when choosing typefaces for communication projects in both printed form and for screen viewing. Students will demonstrate proficiency in creative process techniques using various materials/media including drawing and sketching techniques.

Students will be introduced to storyboarding 2D and 3D design methodologies.

Junior Related 2

Film Study

The Film Study course is designed to introduce students to the art of film and to think of it as more than just a means of entertainment. Students will discuss various ways of how film can be categorized and discover complex aspects of film. By the end of the course students will sharpen their observation and critical thinking skills when viewing films. Students in this course will be viewing one film per cycle and discussing various topics (i.e. cinematography, lighting, sound, and thematic element.) Students will have daily assignments related to the films viewed and will be assessed on written work as well as class participation. Due to the fact that film study is a primarily analytical course that relies heavily on critiquing and writing, other assessments such as class discussion, director reports and visual references will be used.

Junior Related 4

Design and Visual Communication Foundation

This curriculum on the Principles and Concepts of Design aligns with AIGA standards and industry best practices, focusing on the use of the Adobe Creative Suite. It aims to cultivate creative thinking and problem-solving skills essential for success in the advertising and design industry.

The course covers foundational design principles, including balance, contrast, hierarchy, and alignment, while encouraging students to explore various mediums and techniques. Through a combination of theoretical instruction and hands-on projects, participants will learn how to apply these principles effectively across different formats.

Students will engage in collaborative projects that simulate real-world design challenges, fostering teamwork and communication skills. Emphasis will also be placed on developing a critical eye for design, allowing students to evaluate and refine their work in line with industry standards.

By the end of the course, students will not only have a robust understanding of design principles but also the creative problem-solving skills necessary to thrive in a competitive advertising and design landscape. This comprehensive approach ensures that graduates are well-prepared to navigate the complexities of contemporary design practices.

 Senior Program

The senior shop split is the two main focuses: the study of Media Technology with a concentration of Web Design, Photography and Broadcast Journalism and the continued study of the Visual Arts.   In the study of media technology, students will gain an in-depth understanding of storytelling and communication via the creation of websites, podcasts, and a school newscast, VTTV News .  In the study of the visual arts, students will participate in Senior Project preparation/presentation, which focuses on portfolio, entrepreneurship and job readiness skills. Students will work on jobs for clients and gain confidence in meeting with and presenting to customers.

Advance Web Design and Multimedia Communications

In Advance Web Design and Communications, seniors will learn the  fundamentals of UX/UI Design in the fourteen-cycle course. Students will utilize  prior knowledge of the Adobe platform and will create wireframes, site maps and layouts for various websites that follow current trends in web design and multimedia marketing.  

Students become front-end designers that will not only know the language of visual design but create logos/headers/icons and other visuals needed in a website. Students will master the languages of HTML and CSS with the  abilities to read more complex codes, such as Javascript and Jquery. Students will then take these languages to produce the content  (both written and visual) and make a website function.  There is a key focus on using formal writing and creative writing along with video and audio production to enhance the delivery of the message of their websites. Styles of written content or production will be formally taught or reviewed and will be expected to follow the appropriate  guidelines of its genre.  Students will work individually and collaboratively to produce various website styles such as; a personal podcast website, global awareness marketing and an online senior portfolio using a content management site.

Students will collaborate with their peers and teachers from other career majors to coordinate a documentation of the activities of their classes and update an aspect of the school’s website accordingly. The students will focus on creating and maintaining the marketing materials following the style trends set in place by the GNBVT marketing team.

Broadcast Journalism

The purpose of this course is to have students acquire an understanding of the elements involved in producing Electronic News Gatherings (ENG) and Electronic Field Productions (EFP).

• Understand the role and influence of broadcast news production in today’s world.
• Discuss the fundamentals of broadcasting technologies.
• Demonstrate an understanding of broadcast news through the development of producing news segments for a newscast.
• Continue to develop an awareness of the three stages of video production.
• Continue to develop knowledge of advanced video editing concepts, equipment, and processes.
• Continue to develop knowledge of advanced audio production concepts, equipment, and processes.
• Continue to demonstrate advanced effective pre-production practices.
• Continue to demonstrate advanced effective production practices.
• Continue to demonstrate advanced effective post-production practices.
• Produce 3-5 minute segments for the VTTV Magazine show.
• Produce 1–2 minute highlight videos for each career major at GNB Voc-Tech.

Throughout the course, students will continue to participate in hands-on production oriented activities and projects. Students will also engage in research and use industry specific terminology. Wherever possible, students will continue to learn concepts, vocabulary, and skills within the context of an actual broadcast news production experience.

The course will encourage students to work as a contributing member of a production team, engaged in processes commonly used within the communication production industry.

The Visual Arts

Students will demonstrate proficiency in creative process techniques using various materials and media, including drawing and sketching techniques; they will create original images, artwork, and consumer brand identity using these methods and mediums. Curriculum will emphasize content creation skills and career portfolio development (physical and electronic web platform portfolio) with accountability in job search/application, and college preparation/application.

Students will participate in Senior Project preparation/presentation, which focuses on portfolio, entrepreneurship and job readiness skills. Students will work on jobs for clients and gain confidence in meeting with and presenting to customers.

Photography study will advance into lighting for portfolio image duplication. Students will participate in fine art photography, prints and sculpture with exposure in development, printing, archival mounting and exhibition opportunities. 2D and 3D design methodologies with Adobe® Creative Suite® skills will expand upon student-driven interests and competencies in the creative field.

Senior Related 2

Advance Digital Photography – Elective

The Advanced Digital Photography course is a continuation of Digital Photography in the Media Technology program. Students will become proficient in implementing the elements and principles of design into their photographic work through the use of Adobe Photoshop software. Students will develop the knowledge and skills to be able to produce, direct and edit their own video production. In the Advanced Digital Photography course students will use digital cameras and computer software to create original works of art. Students will be introduced to digital imaging technology, cameras and editing software such as Photoshop, and proper composition and lighting techniques. Artists’ works will be used as inspiration for many of the assignments. Artists as well as art movements will be discussed in class. Principles and elements of design will also be discussed and incorporated into projects. Students learn in ways that are identifiably distinctive. In order to ensure that all students are learning classroom material, various forms of assessment must be employed. Advanced digital photography assignments will consist of photographic assignments, Adobe Photoshop projects, written assignments on various photographers and artists, self-critiquing and formal presentation of works.

Senior Related 4

The Visual Arts Related 2

Certifications

• OSHA 10 
• Adobe Certified Professional

Post-Secondary Education

Upon completion of this Technical Program, students will be better prepared for post-secondary education either an associates or bachelors in then following courses of study:

• Photography
• Animation
• Web Design
• Fine Art
• Art Education
• Communications
• Marketing/Advertising
• Social Media Marketing
• Illustration
•