At the Creative Academy, you’ll move through a lockstep program designed to immerse you in design thinking, creative practice, and professional application from day one. Each quarter builds on the last, helping you grow from foundational skills to advanced, portfolio-ready projects.
Explore the global story of visual communication and the graphic arts—from print to digital media. Learn how design has always reflected culture, technology, and commerce, and how today’s designers continue to shape the world.
Your introduction to the language of design. Through hands-on projects, you’ll practice visual thinking, experiment with form, and learn how to communicate ideas effectively—both by hand and digitally.
Discover the power of vector graphics with Adobe Illustrator. You’ll learn essential tools, workflows, and creative techniques for building logos, icons, and illustrations.
Step into User Experience Design (UX). Learn HTML and CSS basics while exploring user research, personas, and prototyping. By the end of the quarter, you’ll build responsive websites that put users first.
Work across disciplines in collaborative, project-based learning. This course connects you to real-world creative challenges, builds teamwork skills, and prepares you for the collaborative nature of today’s creative industries.
Learn the art and craft of typography—letterforms, spacing, hierarchy, and meaning. You’ll experiment with expressive type while building a strong foundation in readability and design structure.
Dive into color theory and application. Through projects and discussions, you’ll explore how color shapes culture, emotion, and design outcomes across both digital and print.
Master Adobe InDesign for page layout. Learn to combine text, images, and grids into compelling visual narratives, from simple documents to multi-page publications.
Continue building your UX toolkit with Design Thinking, Empathy Maps, and advanced prototyping tools. Explore how design systems bring consistency to digital products.
Collaborate across Graphic Design and Visual Media programs on integrative assignments. You’ll strengthen your communication, production, and teamwork skills in a project-based environment.
Work with grids, page construction, and hierarchy to take your typographic layouts to the next level.
Develop pixel-based skills in Adobe Photoshop. Learn professional techniques in photo editing, compositing, and non-destructive workflows.
Advance your web design skills with CSS Grid, animation, and emerging technologies like AR and voice design.
Learn how to frame problems, generate creative solutions, and present your work with confidence. This course blends design methodology with storytelling and presentation skills.
Capstone-style collaborative projects bring together everything you’ve learned so far. Build professional contacts while gaining real-world experience.
Explore advertising and art direction. Learn how to research markets and craft campaigns that connect audiences with ideas.
Focus on editorial design for magazines, newspapers, and brochures. Learn how multi-page layouts communicate across platforms and audiences.
Work with advanced interaction design, eCommerce, and CMS tools like WordPress. Explore digital strategy for the public good.
Step into motion graphics with Adobe After Effects. Create engaging animation and video for web, TV, and film.
Pursue a self-directed project to deepen your interests and create portfolio-ready work.
Explore poster design as both art and communication. Learn to push concepts, experiment with grids, and print at a large scale.
Work on brand development for real-world organizations, from strategy to creative execution.
Examine human-computer interaction and design interfaces that bridge print and screen-based experiences.
Bring design into physical spaces through wayfinding, exhibit design, and environmental branding.
Continue self-initiated projects with an emphasis on research, process, and professional outcomes.
Design and install the annual Creative Academy Portfolio Show. Learn exhibition design and collaborate on print, digital, and motion displays.
Engage in professional client work—writing proposals, negotiating fees, and practicing ethical business standards.
Your capstone interactive project: design, build, and present a polished portfolio website while practicing professional presentation and interview skills.
Finalize your portfolio and personal brand with guidance from faculty and feedback from industry professionals.
Complete a final self-directed project to showcase your skills, research, and creativity as you prepare for your career.