Are you having a hard time deciding what courses to take next semester or next year? Struggling with deciding what art classes to take? Hi! I am Hannah Paseltiner, a sophomore Graphic Design major, and I am happy to share some of my experiences studying in the art department! Here are some recommendations for classes to take in the semesters to come. Whether you are a declared art major or looking to get creative, here are some that must be added to your course load!
First up, we have Drawing I. This class is both required as an art major and a good beginner’s course for those looking to bring out their artistic skills, offered in both the fall and the spring. In the course, you gain a good beginner’s foundation of knowledge about drawing and different techniques to use. One thing I found really interesting that I took away from this class was sighting. This skill allows you to better understand proportions in drawings in order to more accurately recreate something right in front of you. Even though I had to take this class for my degree, I found it really beneficial to develop a deeper understanding of basic drawing skills.
Secondly, if you are an art history buff, I recommend History of Graphic Design in the fall. Overall, I really enjoyed the material of this course and the different topics covered. Whether you love historical flyers or the origination of popular magazines, this class covers it all. In addition, this course is open to all Harpur students and is really popular for the Aesthetics requirement, so you will likely meet new people outside of your major classes you wouldn’t normally meet. Being able to learn interesting design topics and meet new people at the same time? I wish I could take this class again!
Finally, for the Graphic Design majors out there, you cannot graduate from Binghamton without taking Intro-Graphic Design Software. Offered in both the fall and the spring, I can say without a doubt that it has been the most beneficial course I have taken so far. The class revolves around learning multiple Adobe programs, some of which include Photoshop, Illustrator, and more. Since Graphic Design is an ever-evolving field, it’s really important to be in the know on what digital platforms are being used by professional designers. This class provides a really good basis for popular programs being used by millions. It is also a really good technical skill to add to your resume to make you seem more well-rounded when looking for a job after graduation.
Overall, there are so many courses being offered in the art department that are worth checking out. Even if you aren’t a design major, it could be really beneficial to get out of your comfort zone and bring out your creative side. College is all about experimentation and taking different classes to figure out what subjects most interest you. Now is the time to try studying something new- it could lead you to a new passion you never knew you had or change your career path to something more creative!
By,
Hannah Paseltiner
