Here is a list of course I taught under the current GCM curriculum.
GCM 110 Intro to Graphic Communications: This course introduces students to graphic communications manufacturing processes with emphasis on the variety of methods available and their applications. Subject matter includes design, copy preparation, premedia, proofing, materials, various printing processes, post-press, health and safety, sustainability, and accessibility considerations. Students learn about the global and Canadian impact of the print industry.
GCM 111 Graphic Communications Technology: This course offers an in-depth examination of the technologies and processes used to design, process, print and output jobs for a variety of end-use applications. Subject matter includes image capture and manipulation, file formats and resolutions, screening, premedia considerations, plate output, and conventional and digital printing processes, systems, and equipment. Students also learn about related non-print media output applications.
GCM 120 Graphic Communications Processes 1: This introductory lab-based course provides students with an experiential overview of the complete graphic communications process. Projects will explore concept and design, premedia, printing, and binding and finishing. Projects include one and two-colour printing, such as business cards, labels, notepads, greeting cards, and design and production of related web pages, social media sites and epub tablet publishing. Basic press functions and controls will be explored through the use of printing presses and press simulators. Basic bindery operations such as cutting and trimming are introduced. Students will use industry-standard tools and techniques to learn the importance of job planning, basic production workflows, and correction loops and will develop an appreciation of the requirements of each process.
GCM 121 Graphic Communications Processes 2: This lab-based course builds on the experiences of GCM 120 to provide students with an experiential overview of the complete graphic communications process. Projects will explore concept and design, image capture, premedia, printing, binding and finishing and output to tablet and online formats. Projects include one and two-colour offset, flexographic and digital printing jobs, including wide-format, of student-designed work, and design and production of related web pages and epub tablet publishing. Printing presses and simulators are employed with a focus on troubleshooting. Students will develop a more detailed understanding of production workflows, with focus on attention to detail and process documentation. Additional bindery operations, including drilling and padding are introduced.
GCM 220 Graphic Communications Processes 3: In this lab-based course, students will explore halftone and four-colour printing by producing traditional printed and digital outputs such as tablet and online media. Through project-based learning, students will use graphic communications concepts to carry out a communication campaign. Students will develop graphic communication products with consideration of client and end-user requirements, with the expectation that they will demonstrate an appropriate intermediate level of technical expertise. Technologies used include offset, flexographic and digital presses. Finishing technologies including mechanical binding and laminating are used. Students will use printing press simulators and presses to identify and correct press problems.
GCM 240 Material Science for Print: This course introduces students to the science of materials, including paper, ink, toners and other materials used in the printing industry. Tests are conducted for printability, runability and end-use properties. Students learn how to interpret observations and raw data, and through various testing protocols, learn how to meaningfully report results, and make evidence-based recommendations. Students learn how to collaborate with clients, designers and printers to select the best materials for a printing project.
GCM 420 Advanced Print Production: This senior-level project-based course builds upon intermediate knowledge of graphic communications processes. Students determine and implement an appropriate efficient process to produce quality student-created graphic communications products from concept, design and prepress through printing and finishing. Projects may include the Grad Brochure, Colloquium and other event materials, products for student competitions or events. Students will be evaluated on their ability to effectively and successfully manage and complete projects, adhere to deadlines, and demonstrate attention to detail and end-use considerations. Print projects may include a non-print graphic communication element. Students complete a written comprehensive process analysis, including recommendations for optimization.
