Semester 3: Specialization

Deepen Your Strategy & Spatial Design.

Elevate your visual solutions through strategic brand development, deep creative research, spatial environmental design, and design history. Semester 3 shifts your focus from software mechanics to high-level strategic thinking.

GRDS-104: Researching and Concepting

  • 3 Credits (Prerequisite required)

  • Focus: Master ideation and creative problem-solving techniques. Learn to conduct targeted user research, build mood boards, execute mind mapping, and generate original creative concepts before jumping into software.

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GRDS-121: Exhibition Design

  • 3 Credits (Prerequisite required)

  • Focus: Translate 2D design into 3D environmental spaces. Learn spatial planning, trade show booth concepts, museum exhibit graphics, environmental signage, wayfinding systems, and large-format print prep.

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GRDS-126: History of Design

  • 3 Credits

  • Focus: Explore the evolution of visual communication from early typography and print movements (Bauhaus, Swiss Style, Art Nouveau) to digital interfaces. Use historical contexts to inform modern graphic solutions.

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GRDS-142: Brand and Media Strategies

  • 3 Credits

  • Focus: Develop comprehensive visual identity systems and brand strategy frameworks. Learn market positioning, brand touchpoints, style guide authoring, and multi-channel campaign execution across modern media.

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Featured Semester 3 Student Projects

MATC Graphic Design

Next Steps & Program Progression

Move to Semester 4

After completing Semester 3, you’ll enter your final capstone term—working with real Milwaukee clients, preparing your final portfolio, and completing senior portfolio assessment.

VIEW SEM 4 COURSES

What You'll Create

  • Environmental & Exhibition Display: 3D trade show booth renders, gallery exhibit graphics, and architectural wayfinding plans (GRDS-121).

  • Comprehensive Brand Style Guide: A complete brand identity system, including logo usage rules, typography, color palettes, and brand voice guidelines (GRDS-142).

  • Research & Concept Case Study: A full design-thinking discovery document detailing mood boards, ideation sketches, and strategy research (GRDS-104).

  • Historical Design Homage: A modern campaign or poster series built around a historical movement or design icon (GRDS-126).

CONTACT A FACULTY ADVISOR