Bachelor of Arts in Digital Design with an Emphasis in Web Design
Overview
Earn Your Degree in Digital Web Design
With the College of Fine Arts and Production's Bachelor of Arts in Digital Design with an Emphasis in Web Design, you can specialize in an exciting field that combines multimedia and digital design. Under the guidance of experienced faculty, study the fundamentals of effective communication and critical thinking before venturing into your web design focus, and prepare for a creative career in visual arts and design.
The BA web design degree provides you with a well-rounded theory and practice-based education. Study the factors of website design including multi-language programming, concept development and content management. Examine web applications, interactive design, 3D modeling and animation, drawing and photography. Coursework in this web design degree program places emphasis on creative problem solving, aesthetics and advanced technical skills in multimedia technologies using current digital production software. Branding and social marketing are integrated throughout the curriculum as well as opportunities to create digital content, interactive web applications and models using current design software tools, such as Adobe Creative Cloud and Maya. In your final web design course, create your portfolio to demonstrate your ability to provide professional design solutions.
To be successful in our bachelors in web design program, you are required to provide your own laptop and maintain an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription for the duration of your program.
Degree Outcomes
Study Curriculum for Web Design
In Grand Canyon University's (GCU) BA web design program, you study design from a diverse perspective. Gain knowledge and skills in animation, drawing, color, typography, photography and composition in addition to programming and design. Review the factors to operate a design business and the changing trends within the industry. Coursework also surveys digital creativity, communication and problem-solving skills that demonstrate ethical leadership. GCU's global approach to creative education creates skills that can help you succeed in today's marketplace and thrive as you match passion with purpose.
What You Will Learn
Explore Web Design Topics
In this program, review the following course topics:
- Designing with type
- Digital photography
- Web design strategies
- Content management systems and tools
- Web applications and programming
Career Outcomes
Pursue a Career in Web Design
A bachelors in web design degree prepares you to work as a web or graphic designer, designer, creative director and web artist. Web and digital design experts typically work in a variety of creative and corporate industries, including media outlets, retail outlets, advertising agencies and public relations offices. They create concepts, site maps, artwork and assets to be used in websites, applications and interactive documents.
Course List
General Education Requirements
General Education coursework prepares Grand Canyon University graduates to think critically, communicate clearly, live responsibly in a diverse world, and thoughtfully integrate their faith and ethical convictions into all dimensions of life. These competencies, essential to an effective and satisfying life, are outlined in the General Education Learner Outcomes. General Education courses embody the breadth of human understanding and creativity contained in the liberal arts and sciences tradition. Students take an array of foundational knowledge courses that promote expanded knowledge, insight, and the outcomes identified in the University’s General Education Competencies. The knowledge and skills students acquire through these courses serve as a foundation for successful careers and lifelong journeys of growing understanding and wisdom.
Requirements
Upon completion of the Grand Canyon University's University Foundation experience, students will be able to demonstrate competency in the areas of academic skills and self-leadership. They will be able to articulate the range of resources available to assist them, explore career options related to their area of study, and have knowledge of Grand Canyon's community. Students will be able to demonstrate foundational academic success skills, explore GCU resources (CLA, Library, Career Center, ADA office, etc), articulate strategies of self-leadership and management and recognize opportunities to engage in the GCU community.
Course Options
- UNV-103, University Success: 4 credits
- UNV-303, University Success: 4 credits
Requirements
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to construct rhetorically effective communications appropriate to diverse audiences, purposes, and occasions (English composition, communication, critical reading, foreign language, sign language, etc.). Students are required to take 3 credits of English grammar or composition.
Course Options
- ENG-105, English Composition I: 4 credits
- UNV-104, 21st Century Skills: Communication and Information Literacy: 4 credits
- ENG-106, English Composition II: 4 credits
- COM-263, Elements of Intercultural Communication: 4 credits
Requirements
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to express aspects of Christian heritage and worldview. Students are required to take CWV-101/CWV-301.
Course Options
- CWV-101, Christian Worldview: 4 credits
- CWV-301, Christian Worldview: 4 credits
Requirements
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to use various analytic and problem-solving skills to examine, evaluate, and/or challenge ideas and arguments. Students are required to take 3 credits of college mathematics or higher.
Course Options
- MAT-144, College Mathematics: 4 credits
Requirements
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to demonstrate awareness and appreciation of and empathy for differences in arts and culture, values, experiences, historical perspectives, and other aspects of life (psychology, sociology, government, Christian studies, Bible, geography, anthropology, economics, political science, child and family studies, law, ethics, crosscultural studies, history, art, music, dance, theater, applied arts, literature, health, etc.). If the predefined course is a part of the major, students need to take an additional course.
Course Options
- INT-244, World Religions: 4 credits
- PSY-100, Psychology in Everyday Life: 4 credits
- SOC-100, Everyday Sociology: 4 credits
Program Core Courses
Course Description
This survey course introduces majors to theoretical foundations of the visual arts and cultures. Modes of cultural production are explored—including art, photography, film, and design—with focus on influential artists, critics, and theoreticians. Students begin to identify, form, and critically support their own visual interests and opinions in relation to the diverse and changing nature of contemporary culture. Technology requirement: Students provide their own laptop and subscription to the Adobe Creative Cloud.
Course Description
This course is an introduction to the basic elements of design and processes of visual communication using graphic tools standard in the industry. The focus is on mastering pixel, vector, and layout tools to demonstrate two-dimensional graphics, images, symbols, color theory, typography, and composition. Technology requirement: Students are responsible for providing their own laptop that is capable of running the Adobe Creative Cloud. Verify required technical specifications in the University Policy Handbook available on www.gcu.edu.
Course Description
During this course students will apply the concepts of production management, including structuring and preparing electronic files through production for a variety of mediums. Technology requirement: Students are responsible for providing their own laptop that is capable of running the Adobe Creative Cloud. Verify required technical specifications in the University Policy Handbook available on www.gcu.edu.
Course Description
In this introductory digital photography course, students explore basic camera operation, digital capture, photographic principles, lighting, and visual design elements. This course includes reading, writing, and lab assignments and requires the creation and exhibition of student photography. This is not a photo manipulation course. Technology requirement: Students are responsible for providing their own laptop that is capable of running the Adobe Creative Cloud. Verify required technical specifications in the University Policy Handbook available on www.gcu.edu. Students are required to provide their own DSLR camera and tripod.
Course Description
During this course students will apply theories of user experience and interaction to the design of web and mobile products. Technology requirement: Students provide their own laptop, a graphics tablet, external hard drive, and subscription to the Adobe Creative Cloud.
Course Description
In this course, students learn visual design for the Web, building structure and presentation. Web layouts and style, artistic quality and performance, and navigation and accessibility are explored in the development of Web sites using HTML and CSS. The focus of the course is to develop a core foundation in HTML and CSS before the evaluation of other Web development tools. Technology requirement: Students are responsible for providing their own laptop that is capable of running the Adobe Creative Cloud. Verify required technical specifications in the University Policy Handbook available on www.gcu.edu. Prerequisite: DDN-110 or permission of instructor.
Course Description
This course explores fundamentals and traditions for designing with type, as well as corporate design with an emphasis on typography with integration of vector designs and photography into promotional pieces. Students propose and create solutions for visual problems with type. This course includes reading, writing, and lab assignments and requires the creation and exhibition of student artwork. Technology requirement: Students are responsible for providing their own laptop that is capable of running the Adobe Creative Cloud. Verify required technical specifications in the University Policy Handbook available on www.gcu.edu. Prerequisite: DDN-110.
Course Description
This course focuses on intermediate Web design from concept development—including roughs and wireframes—to design comps and interactive mock-ups. Students create sitemaps, flow diagrams, and basic user tests to help determine nomenclature, as well as wireframes that represent working models with page elements and functional specifications. Students learn to evaluate web site usability, as well as to conduct accessibility testing. Technology requirement: Students are responsible for providing their own laptop that is capable of running the Adobe Creative Cloud. Verify required technical specifications in the University Policy Handbook available on www.gcu.edu. Students will also purchase their own domain name and internet hosting service. Prerequisite: DDN-300.
Course Description
In this course, students will learn to use various content management systems for websites, blogs, e-mail marketing, and social media. Technology requirement: Students provide their own laptop, a graphics tablet, external hard drive, and subscription to the Adobe Creative Cloud. Students will also purchase their own domain name and internet hosting services. Prerequisite: DDN-300.
Course Description
In this course, students shoot RAW and apply advanced photography techniques (e.g., corrections, masks, blends, filters and composites) to create visual art. Studio lighting and high dynamic range imaging are explored to create styles and various uses of photography. This course requires Web-based presentations, competitions, and the creation and exhibition of student artwork. Students must provide their own digital SLR camera for this class. Prerequisites: DDN-215. Technology requirement: Students provide their own 35mm DSLR camera and tripod. Personal laptop and Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom are recommended, however computers are available in the Design Lab for processing images.
Course Description
This course focuses on the planning, design, and implementation of dynamic websites. Using modern content management tools, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, the course explores how to manage and distribute digital content, videos, photos, animations, and articles. Students explore website creation tools such as Wordpress, Joomla!, and Drupal, with a strong focus on creating and managing digital content for multiple platforms. Lastly, the course covers how to keep data safe and secure using cyber security best practices. Technology requirement: Students provide their own laptop and subscription to the Adobe Creative Cloud. Prerequisite: DDN-300.
Course Description
This course is an introduction to Web programming, Web server technologies, HTTP/HTTPS servers, Web security, PHP and ASP.net, and Unix/Linux open-source-based applications. Technology requirement: Students provide their own laptop and subscription to the Adobe Creative Cloud. Additional programming tools will be assigned at the start of the course. Prerequisite: DDN-350.
Course Description
During this course students will create animated graphics in a variety of mediums to meet client business needs. This course includes reading, writing, and lab assignments and requires the creation and exhibition of student artwork. Technology requirement: Students provide their own laptop and subscription to the Adobe Creative Cloud, external drive for back-ups, mouse and/or graphics tablet for input.
Course Description
This writing intensive course focuses on the history of visual arts, graphic design, and animation; genres of design; and the influence of artists, graphic artists, and animators through the ages. Emphasis is placed on the history of and current developments in the digital and information age. Technology requirement: Students provide their own laptop and subscription to the Adobe Creative Cloud.
Course Description
This course focuses on advanced Web programming. Students work in a production environment resolving code issues, providing “work-arounds,” and improving Web design. Prerequisites: DDN-430. Technology requirement: Students provide their own laptop and subscription to the Adobe Creative Cloud. Additional programming tools will be assigned at the start of the course.
Course Description
During this course students will forecast new technologies in order to enhance user experience. Technology requirement: Students provide their own laptop, a graphics tablet, external hard drive, and subscription to the Adobe Creative Cloud.
Course Description
This writing intensive course focuses on the essential business skills necessary for the design practice and professional. Business development, legal issues, project management, finances, human resources, and other management issues are explored as they relate to the design profession. Technology requirement: Students provide their own laptop and subscription to the Adobe Creative Cloud.
Course Description
This course explores the use of interactive Web tools, rich Internet applications, and interactive Web games. The integration of music, sound, video, and animation is considered in design. Students use object-oriented scripting language and standard Web tools to create dynamic Web sites. Prerequisites: DDN-430. Technology requirement: Students provide their own laptop and subscription to the Adobe Creative Cloud. Additional programming tools will be assigned at the start of the course.
Course Description
In this advanced design course, students incorporate their personal style into the development of a portfolio. Professional design projects for a variety of campus and studio-based projects provide opportunities for students to fine-tune solutions for customer-driven, reality-based design problems. Students propose design solutions, practicing their communication and presentation skills while exploring career opportunities. The ethics of business practice is incorporated into studio projects. Technology requirement: Students are responsible for providing their own laptop that is capable of running the Adobe Creative Cloud. Verify required technical specifications in the University Policy Handbook available on www.gcu.edu. Prerequisite: Senior standing.
Course Description
During this course students will create self-directed web projects to meet client business needs. Technology requirement: Students provide their own laptop, a graphics tablet, external hard drive, and subscription to the Adobe Creative Cloud. Students will also purchase their own domain name and internet hosting service. Prerequisite: DDN-430.
Program Locations
Campus
Online
Evening
* The Department of Education defines how an institution must calculate a program's On-Time Completion rate for federal disclosure purposes. The On-Time Completion rate is based on a program's published required number of months to complete all degree requirements as provided in the institution's catalog. Completion statistics are updated every January and are based on the cohort of students who started the program in the same year and then graduated within the published program length.
Online and Evening program disclosures On-campus program disclosures* Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Program subject to change.