An introduction to the fundamental visual components of graphic design such as layout, and typography and conceptual components such as design thinking and visual metaphor. As an introductory class, emphasis is placed on the elements of art and design as well as 'form and visual ordering’ as the foundational and objective language of visual communication. Sequential and thematic in-class assignments are designed to build skills and become conceptually more complex. They emphasize both two dimensional design principles and design oriented problem solving and involve traditional media and computer applications such as Photoshop, Illustrator and Indesign