SCAD Rising Star Atlanta course descriptions 2025

Credentialed SCAD faculty members teach all SCAD Rising Star courses. Each studio course is capped at 20 students and each lecture course is capped at 30 students to ensure a personalized learning environment.

Upon successful completion of their courses, students gain credits toward a SCAD degree or may transfer credits to another complying institution. The course offerings below are subject to change.

8 a.m. (ET) course offerings

ACT 199: Acting for the Camera: Fundamentals
In this introductory course, students learn the terminology for on‐camera acting and practice the precise and subtle techniques for film and television performance. They analyze characters and scene structure to create believable characters within a specific dramatic or comedic context. Through exposure to a variety of genres, students gain confidence in modulating performance styles for the camera.

Applicable majors: acting, dramatic writing, or elective credit

ADBR 150: Introduction to Advertising
Every great campaign begins with an idea that sparks the creative process. Equipped with a clear understanding of strategy, audience, and brand purpose, students leverage industry trends and begin to concept these big ideas. Guided by the brand brief, students practice skills of copywriting and art direction to execute original solutions to brand problems.

Applicable majors: advertising and branding, social strategy and management, or elective credit

ANIM 190: Survey of Animation: Professional Pathways
Unlocking the pathways of animation, students begin their journeys toward a professional career. Immersed in the animation process, students gain an overview of both 2D and 3D production workflows, resulting in the creation of their first film.

Due to the intensity of this course, prior approval is required to enroll. Students should submit a portfolio of five to 10 works that show a technical understanding of the basic art and design principles, such as line weight, balance, perspective, and depth. Portfolios should be submitted to SAVsummer@scad.edu (Savannah) or ATLsummer@scad.edu (Atlanta).

Applicable majors: animation or elective credit

FASH 105: Introduction to Textiles
This lecture/studio course introduces students to the qualities and properties of fashion fabrics. By investigating the fibers, quality, construction, care, and finishing of textiles, students learn the basics of fabric identification and specific uses in the fashion industry. The course requires studio projects and provides demonstrations of basic methods of textile design development, weaving, and dyeing.

Applicable majors: fashion or elective credit

FASM 215: Fashion Aesthetics and Style
This course introduces students to the theories of dress, aesthetic norms, color, perceptions, body concerns, personality expression, and context. Students demonstrate the ability to effectively combine design elements and principles through creative design projects.

Applicable majors: fashion marketing and management or elective credit

FILM 100: Digital Film Production: Story to Screen
Through the collaborative stages of digital film production, students acquire the terminology and techniques to visually tell stories. As they create their first film, students take on a variety of roles, learning the fundamentals of script development and preproduction, camera, lighting and sound techniques, and editing.

Applicable majors: dramatic writing, film and television, production design, or elective credit

GAME 130: Digital Design Aesthetics
This course provides the foundation for visualizing and understanding the essential vocabularies, principles, and concepts of design, color, and visual literacy as applied to interactive digital work.

Applicable majors: interactive design and game development or elective credit

GRDS 201: Introduction to Graphic Design
In this comprehensive introduction to the field of graphic design, students explore the principles, techniques, and tools of the profession. Students study various fundamental aspects of discipline, including typography, composition, visual hierarchy, and design elements. Through the combination of text, images, and messaging, in a variety of communications modes and media, students effectively deliver messages to targeted audiences and incite the intended reaction.

Applicable majors: graphic design, user experience research, or elective credit

IDUS 100: Introduction to Industrial Design
This course introduces students to the industrial design profession. Lectures and problem‐solving exercises explore industrial design as a creative process, examine its history, and provide insight into professional opportunities in the field.

Applicable majors: industrial design or elective credit

ILLU 100: Intro to Illustration Strategies
Professional illustrators strategically solve visual problems to engage clients and markets. While discovering strategies for effective visual communication, students explore the illustration process through the creative application of distinct materials and techniques. Students conceptualize the framework of their portfolios within the context of professional expectations.

Applicable majors: illustration or elective credit

INDS 101: Introduction to Interior Design
An introduction to the profession of interior design, this course provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the role of the interior designer and the scope of the profession. Lectures, discussions, problem-solving, and design application allow the student to explore interior design as both a creative process and a profession.

PHOT 113: Camera Exploration and Technique
Digital photography is a powerful communication tool central to a variety of creative careers. While experimenting with manual camera controls and digital workflow in the context of professional conventions, students explore imaginative visual communication applications and dynamic career trajectories within fine art, advertising, and editorial photography.

Applicable majors: photography or elective credit

SEQA 100: Introduction to Sequential Art
Introducing the components of sequential art, this course explores visual narrative theories and techniques. Students become familiar with the discipline of sequential art and the various standard tools and techniques involved.

Applicable majors: sequential art or elective credit

2 p.m. (ET) course offerings

BUSI 110: Business I: Fundamentals
Knowledge of business fundamentals is essential for careers in creative industries. Covering topics such as business research, accounting, finance, organizational structure, human resources, intellectual property, and marketing, this course introduces students to the terminology and basic tenets of business and finance through case studies and real-world applications.

Applicable majors: accessory design, advertising and branding, business of beauty and fragrance, equestrian studies, fashion marketing and management, furniture design, graphic design, illustration, industrial design, interactive design and game development, interior design, jewelry, motion media design, performing arts, photography, preservation design, sequential art, sculpture, service design, social strategy and management, user experience (UX) design, visual effects, writing, or elective credit

COMM 105: Speaking of Ideas
Societies flourish when citizens engage in thoughtful public discourse and communication about ideas that shape the human experience. From history, religion, and identity to innovation, creative expression, and beyond, students study rhetorical concepts and exemplars to make informed contributions and enrich their skills in authentic self-presentation.

Applicable majors: all majors

CTXT 121: Pre-Modern Global Perspectives
The study of human culture and experience is grounded in the investigation of creativity, continuity, and invention. Through a close examination of artifacts from across the globe within key historical moments, students build a language that allows them to describe and contextualize global visual productions by a range of cultures. Critical readings inform analytical thinking and writing as students explore significant contributions to the development of cultural expression from the Paleolithic to the late Medieval period.

Applicable majors: all majors

DRAW 100: Drawing I: Form and Space
Students learn basic skills and techniques from direct observation using subjects such as still life, landscape, and architecture. The depiction of form, light, and spatial depth is emphasized along with accurate proportion and scale. Research tools such as thumbnail sketches, quick studies, sketchbooks, and digital resources are used to develop ideas. Analysis of drawings, critiques, and classroom discussions build vocabulary and enrich the students’ understanding of drawing.

Applicable majors: all majors

DSGN 100: Design I: Elements and Organization
Students develop an understanding of the organizational methods used in 2D work. They utilize the elements and principles of design while working in black‐and‐white and color media. Problem‐solving processes and research are integrated into the development, refinement, and evaluation of images. The work of professionals in a variety of art and design fields is analyzed to understand the application of 2D design. The importance of presentation and craftsmanship is emphasized.

Applicable majors: all majors

ENGL 142: Foundations of Story
Humans are storytelling animals. This course helps students answer questions about how stories work across genres and mediums and what universal qualities all good stories share. Students read classic fairy tales, ancient epics, fiction, plays, and the writings of Aristotle and Joseph Campbell, and apply classical narrative conventions to produce an original "myth" of their own making.

Applicable majors: animation, dramatic writing, film and television, performing arts, production design, sound design, visual effects, writing, or general education elective