ART DIRECTION

First Quarter:

Concept Basics (AD101)
A good ad is first, and foremost, a good idea. Class focus is developing an understanding of how advertising concepts are created and why they’re really, really important to making good creative.
Intro Type and Design (AD102)
Art directors need to bring a working knowlege of graphic desing skills to the team, including familiarity with layout, color, balance, and type.
Intro Print Campaigns (AD103)
What are we waiting for? Let’s make ads. First quarter class for copywriters and art directors with focus on developing print advertising solutions.
Basic Computer Skills (AD104)
Students must demonstrate an understanding of basic computer skills and pass a competency test to demonstrate a working knowledge of the Mac OS, PhotoShop, InDesign, Font management and digital imaging.

Second Quarter:

Working as a Team (AD201)
Print assignments concentrating on working as a partner in an art director/copywriter team. Focus on the ethics, etiquette and skills needed to prouduce great work when working with a partner.
Art Direction Skills (AD202)
Workshop class for beginning art direction candidates with focus on developing print advertising visuals and layouts. Assignments include working with type and layouts.
Creative Writing (AD203)
Finding your voice as a writer is crucial for anyone who hopes to produce clear and clever work. Assignments focus on producing work that is distinctive and insightful.
Print Campaigns (AD204)
Weekly assignments for print campaigns consisting of simultaneously working on concept development and creative development.

Third Quarter:

Account Planning/Strategic Briefs (AD301)
Creatives have to do be their own researchers. Class concentrates on learning the basics of account planning, market research, and how to develop insights and strategic briefs that will lead to successful creative solutions.
Nontraditional Media Concepts (AD302)
We live in a communication environment where creating buzz counts more and more. Assignments will concentrate on creating campaigns using non-traditional media nsightful.
Advanced Print Campaigns (AD303)
Weekly assignments for print campaigns consisting of simultaneously working on concept development and creative development.
Art directing a look (AD304)
Learning to concept and art direct a cohesive extended look for print ads. Assignments will focus on creating campaigns using visual intensive choices.

Fourth Quarter:

Marketing your Book (AD401)
Workshop class for last quarter portfolio candidates with focus on final production of campaign work and portfolio, developing online web book and marketing their portfolios to agencies.
One Show Assignment (AD402)
Seminars concentrating on competing in the One Show Student Competition. And winning. Focus on developing a variety of campaigns to a specific brief and timetable.
Advanced Print Campaigns (AD403)
Print assignments concentrating on working as a partner in an art director/copywriter teams.
Improv/Stand Up Comedy/Presentation Skills (AD404)
Learning the lessons of Improv (“Yes and...) to improve team building and presentation skills and Stand Up comedy to develop conceptual skills are an invaluable resource.