SCAD Rising Star Savannah course descriptions 2026
Credentialed SCAD faculty members teach all SCAD Rising Star courses. To ensure a personalized learning environment, each studio course is capped at 20 students, and each lecture course is capped at 30 students. 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
ANIM 101: Animation Pathways: Principles and Prospects
This course introduces students to the pathways of animation as they begin their journey toward a professional career. Immersed in the animation process, students gain an overview of both 2D and 3D animation skills while focusing on a structured production workflow, culminating in the creation of their first animated film.
Applicable majors: Animation or elective credit
ARCH 201: Introduction to Architecture
Architecture shapes how we experience and interact with the built environment. In this course, students explore essential concepts of spatial organization, proportion, and hierarchy through analysis of architectural precedent. By examining key architectural elements and their relationships, students develop critical design thinking skills and a vocabulary for creating intentional, meaningful spaces.
Applicable majors: Architecture or elective credit
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: All majors
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 122: Visual Culture in Context: Making Modernities
Students navigate historical and contemporary expressive practices through critical encounters with visual and cultural productions from across the globe. As they explore the emergence of global consciousness and innovative forms of expression, students engage in research, close readings, and visual analysis of artifacts from the Early Modern, Modern, and Post-Modern periods.
Applicable majors: All majors
ENGL 142: Foundations of Story
Humans are storytellers. In this course, students answer questions about how stories work across genres and mediums, focusing on the universal qualities all good narratives share. Students read classic and modern fairy tales, examples of the epic tradition, fictions, plays, various archetypal approaches to narrative, and the writings of Joseph Campbell and others. Students apply narrative conventions to produce an original story of their own making.
Applicable majors: Acting, Animation, Dramatic Writing, Film and Television, Production Design, Sound Design, Visual Effects, Writing, or general education elective
EQST 110: Equine Care, Behavior, and Handling
Equine behavior is emphasized as it relates to the care, handling, and health of the competitive sport horse. Students experience opportunities for hands-on practical application that are essential to the budding equestrian professional. Fundamental skills, proper use of equipment, and common preventive measures for equine ailments are introduced.
Applicable majors: Equestrian Studies or elective credit
Special note: EQST 110 requires students to have barn boots and long pants and submit a signed liability waiver.
FASH 110: Introduction to Fashion Design
This studio course addresses the basic elements of fashion design. Assignments introduce the design processes of trend and fabric research, storyboarding compiling, color story, design innovation, and the 2D to 3D development of creative ideas.
Applicable majors: Fashion or elective credit
FASM 215: Fashion Aesthetics and Style
In this course, students explore the fundamental principles of fashion aesthetics, including theories of dress, aesthetic norms, color, perceptions, body inclusivity, personality expression, and context. Students gain an understanding of the role aesthetics play in the creation of brand identity. Students are introduced to the fundamental principles of marketing and apply these principles for engaging consumers with the aesthetics and identity of fashion brands.
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, skills, 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
FOUN 110: Design Thinking and Process
Whether natural-born creators or just beginning to explore their creative side, students will be challenged to think differently, dream bigger, and bring their unique vision to life. Students develop creative thinking skills through organizational methods and iterative stages of design. Elements of design and principles of organization are integrated into iterative design processes, with a focus on creative thinking, ideation, and problem-solving. This course launches the development of the first-year portfolio, which documents their journey toward becoming a creative professional.
Applicable majors: All majors
FOUN 111: Sketching and Drawing
From quick sketches to detailed drawings, students build the essential skills that creative professionals use daily. In this course, students develop perceptual drawing skills from direct observation, emphasizing techniques for accurately sighting, measuring, and applying theories of perspective. Through hands-on exercises, students learn to capture proportions and spatial relationships, building the foundation to quickly sketch and visually communicate ideas with clarity and confidence. Students showcase their expertise through professional-level critiques, presentations, and their expanding first-year portfolio.
Applicable majors: All majors
ILLU 100: Introduction 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 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.
Applicable majors: Interior Design or elective credit
PNTG 203: Oil-based Techniques and Exploration
Students explore versatile processes for planning and developing a visual idea using oil-based media. They examine both traditional and contemporary applications while developing their ability to articulate artistic intent. Adhering to professional standards, students also construct painting supports, create grounds for oil-based media, and complete photo documentation of their work.
Applicable majors: Painting 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
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: Concept to Content
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 101: Animation Pathways: Principles and Prospects
This course introduces students to the pathways of animation as they begin their journey toward a professional career. Immersed in the animation process, students gain an overview of both 2D and 3D animation skills while focusing on a structured production workflow, culminating in the creation of their first animated film.
Applicable majors: Animation or elective credit
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: All majors
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 122: Visual Culture in Context: Making Modernities
Students navigate historical and contemporary expressive practices through critical encounters with visual and cultural productions from across the globe. As they explore the emergence of global consciousness and innovative forms of expression, students engage in research, close readings, and visual analysis of artifacts from the Early Modern, Modern, and Post-Modern periods.
Applicable majors: All majors
ENGL 142: Foundations of Story
Humans are storytellers. In this course, students answer questions about how stories work across genres and mediums, focusing on the universal qualities all good narratives share. Students read classic and modern fairy tales, examples of the epic tradition, fictions, plays, various archetypal approaches to narrative, and the writings of Joseph Campbell and others. Students apply narrative conventions to produce an original story of their own making.
Applicable majors: Acting, Animation, Dramatic Writing, Film and Television, Production Design, Sound Design, Visual Effects, Writing, or general education elective.
FASH 110: Introduction to Fashion Design
This studio course addresses the basic elements of fashion design. Assignments introduce the design processes of trend and fabric research, storyboarding compiling, color story, design innovation, and the 2D to 3D development of creative ideas.
Applicable majors: Fashion or elective credit
FILM 100: Digital Film Production: Story to Screen
Through the collaborative stages of digital film production, students acquire the terminology, skills, 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
FOUN 110: Design Thinking and Process
Whether natural-born creators or just beginning to explore their creative side, students will be challenged to think differently, dream bigger, and bring their unique vision to life. Students develop creative thinking skills through organizational methods and iterative stages of design. Elements of design and principles of organization are integrated into iterative design processes, with a focus on creative thinking, ideation, and problem-solving. This course launches the development of the first-year portfolio, which documents their journey toward becoming a creative professional.
Applicable majors: All majors
FOUN 111: Sketching and Drawing
From quick sketches to detailed drawings, students build the essential skills that creative professionals use daily. In this course, students develop perceptual drawing skills from direct observation, emphasizing techniques for accurately sighting, measuring, and applying theories of perspective. Through hands-on exercises, students learn to capture proportions and spatial relationships, building the foundation to quickly sketch and visually communicate ideas with clarity and confidence. Students showcase their expertise through professional-level critiques, presentations, and their expanding first-year portfolio.
Applicable majors: All majors
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
The course introduces students to the fundamentals of industrial design through hands-on projects in design thinking, sketching, prototyping, and presentation. Students will explore the creative process, develop essential visualization skills, and experience the joy of designing through iterative exercises and critiques.
Applicable majors: Industrial Design, or elective credit
MOME 101: Professional Pathway in Motion Design
From advertising to entertainment to live performance, motion media is all around us; these days, if there’s a screen, there’s animation. In this course, students explore the vast styles of design and animation inherit to motion media design through hands-on, project-based learning. Through creating short-form animations, students learn the basics of design principles and typography, animation principles and keyframe animation, and compositing principles and compositing techniques.
Applicable majors: Motion Media Design, or elective credit
PROD 103: Introduction to Entertainment Design
Students examine the fundamentals of production design, including costume, set and lighting design. Emphasis is placed on the importance of these elements to the communication of story in film, television, theater and themed entertainment productions.
Applicable majors: Production Design, 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
VFX 101: Survey of Visual Effects
Recognizing the pivotal role of visual effects and animation in modern media, this course explores their history and development through lectures, readings, screenings of important work, and hands-on projects. Students examine the various ways in which artistic and technological tools have been used to create convincing visual effects and animations for film, television, and games. With this background, students will then be exposed to modern techniques and positions within the VFX industry.
Applicable majors: Visual Effects, or elective credit