Student Work

Student Work

Check out these examples of student work made in each of our classes so you have a preview of what the projects look like throughout the graphic design program.

GRDSN 1100 – Drawing for Design
Project by Ana Townsend

The goal of this project was to hand illustrate a drawing in 1, 2, or 3 point perspective. Drawing for Design teaches the foundations of drawing illustrative matter for commercial applications using various materials and techniques appropriate to the field of graphic design and illustration. This class emphasizes visualization and sketching of concepts.

GRDSN 1101 – Digital Graphic Applications
Project by Emily Sun

The goal of this project was to design a cityscape that works both in color and black and white using Adobe Illustrator. Digital Graphic Applications explores the software included in the Adobe Creative Suite, focusing on core concepts and techniques that apply to any workflow in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. Emphasizes technical and print production skills necessary to develop effective designs for print, web, and other applications. 

GRDSN 1102 – Graphic Design 1
Project by Chelsea Cabalan

The goal of this project was to design a brand identity for a business concept created by the student. Students did research and created sketches as part of the process work for this project. Graphic Design 1 introduces basic design principles and elements, the history of graphic design, form/symbol development, typography, and color theory. This class provides practical experience in essential studio processes and procedures, critiques, and group discussions.

GRDSN 1104 – Typography
Project by Qiana Caffey

The goal of this project was to design 2 spreads for a cookbook featuring icons and a sidebar. Students created sketches, conducted type studies, and looked at physical cookbook references as part of the process work for this project. Our Typography class gives students an introduction to typographic history, study of letterforms, terms, classifications, and typeface selection. Students will explore type mechanics and aesthetics and use type in a variety of design applications.

GRDSN 1105 – Graphic Design 2
Project by Morgan Marrazzo

The goal of this project was to create a 12-page magazine for a topic of the student’s choosing. Students created moodboards, storyboards, illustrations, and edited text and images as part of the process work for this project. In Graphic Design 2, students explore the integration of typography and imagery. Major themes include: contrast and fusion of graphic form, text/image collage, hierarchy, grid systems, and extended layouts. Critiques and discussions of professional work include traditional structures of books, catalogs, magazines, and brochures.

GRDSN 1106 – Three-Dimensional Design
Project by Nancy Orozco

The goal of this project was to create an identity and style guide for a sweets/snack company, then create and photograph packaging for the same company. Students conducted research, created sketches and dielines, and mocked up their designs using Adobe Dimension as part of the process work for this project. In Three-Dimensional Design, students design and construct three-dimensional forms such as packaging, exhibits, and displays. Students will conceptualize and develop preliminary construction plans, and build mock-ups of three-dimensional communication design projects using a variety of materials and techniques.

GRDSN 1107 – Digital Illustration 1
Project by Martin Cabrera

The goal of this project was to create a self-portrait using royalty free images that represent your interests, dreams, background, etc. without using any photographic likeness of yourself. Students compiled images, created sketches, and edited photos as part of the process work for this project. Digital Illustration 1 is an introduction to creating digital images for use in graphic design. This class focuses on originality of imagery and image creation techniques including collage, montage, and mixed media to create professional quality images. Emphasis on the use of Adobe Photoshop and/or other raster-oriented software in creating projects.

GRDSN 1108 – Digital Illustration 2
Project by Emily Strobehn

The goal of this project was to create an isometric illustration that depicts the student’s personal utopia. Students explored concepts through sketching and utilized an isometric grid in Adobe Illustrator to create this project. Digital Illustration 2 focuses on originality of imagery and image creation techniques including collage, montage, and mixed media to create professional quality images. Emphasizes the use of Adobe Illustrator and/or other vector-based software in creating illustration projects.

GRDSN 2200 – User Experience Design
Project by Danielle Ware

The goal of this project was to design an interactive 6-page website using Adobe XD. Students created user personas and moodboards, conducted viability tests, and created sitemaps as part of the process work for this project. User Experience Design teaches students how to design for interactivity and web, current web design trends, and how to create websites and apps that are accessible so users navigate it properly.

GRDSN 2201 – Graphic Design 3
Project by Jessica Butler

The goal of this project was to create an identity for a brand with 3 subvariants/brands. Students did research, created sketches, moodboards, and personas as part of the process work for this project. Graphic Design 3 covers the development of visual identity systems for organizations and corporations applied to print, web, and broadcast media. Students will focus on how organizations use identity design to express core values and impact consumer perceptions of brand. Processes include research, conceptualization, image, type generation, layout, presentation, and evaluation.

GRDSN 2202 – Web/Interactive Design 1
Project by Sarah Dinius

The goal of this project was to design a 4-page mobile website for a National Park. Students created logos, wireframes, mockups, and sitemaps as part of the process for this project. Web/Interactive Design 1 teaches students how to use HTML and CSS to create interactive websites, create web mockups, and become familiar industry standard programming software.

GRDSN 2203 – Advertising Design
Project by Marie Tata

The goal of this project was to design an Instagram carousel with a character advocating for a social cause of the student’s choosing. Students made a logo for their organization, designed the character advocating for their cause, designed the final carousel, and made advertisements for their organization. Advertising Design teaches students about brand positioning, psychological aspects of advertising, research methods, and consumer behavior.

GRDSN 2204 – Digital Illustration 3
Project by Gracie Bloom

The goal of this project was to design a banner depicting the student’s comfort food. Students created moodboards and sketches as part of the process of this project. Digital Illustration 3 continues the development of skills necessary to create illustration projects. Students will use a combination of traditional drawing skills and current industry standard vector/raster-based software, such as Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop to create projects.

GRDSN 2205 – Graphic Design 4
Project by Sophia Ricciardi, Kaela Echols, TJ Burm, and Michael Stevlic

The goal of this project was to create branding, a logo, a poster, postcards, and stickers in both dark and light themes for COD Votes, a COD organization that encourages students to register to vote. The process for each team in GD4 varies depending on the team and the way they organize their projects. Graphic Design 4 studies the communication of ideas and information through symbols, images, illustration, and typography as applied to print, new media, and other types of graphic design projects. Emphasizes professional design, illustration processes and presentation skills. Students will work in teams for real clients in this class.

GRDSN 2206 – Web/Interactive Design 2
Project by Kendall Molina

The goal of this project was to design a 3-page responsive website for desktop and mobile, then program the website using HTML and CSS. Students created logos, color palettes, wireframes, and mockups as part of their process for this project. Web/Interactive Design 2 continues the study of HTML and CSS to create interactive websites and introduces responsiveness to web designs.

GRDSN 2208 – Portfolio Seminar
Project by Aman Gadri

This student originally created an identity and 3 icons in Graphic Design 3 and then expanded the project in our Portfolio Seminar class. Portfolio Seminar is a capstone course in the development of a personal portfolio of communication design projects. Emphasizes creative self-assessment, portfolio preparation, written communication, presentation, interview, and job search skills. Review of professional portfolio work and exploration of career opportunities in communication design. Students will demonstrate their understanding of design principles and creative problem-solving abilities through a portfolio of professional quality work.

To see more work made by our students, check out our Behance page.

425 Fawell Blvd
Glen Ellyn, IL  60137