What is a B.S. Degree in Graphic Communications?
NOTE: The following information is a brief description of the Graphic Communications (GCOM) program and its requirements. Please refer to the Graphic Communications Handbook for a complete description of Graphic Communications and its emphasis areas and the Graphic Communications policies, including applying for program admission, registering for courses and graduation requirements.
Upon graduation, you will receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Graphic Communications, with an emphasis in 3D Graphics, Digital Design and Production, or Interactive Multimedia. Graduates of this program are skilled in many of the areas of the graphics industry. This background provides them experiences in computer graphics, multimedia, photography, printing, advertising, graphic design, presentation graphics, television, CAD, and computer animation.
Graphic Communications and Its Related Disciplines
Graphic Communications, while dealing with design, focuses more on the production and technology aspects of the graphics industry. A degree in Graphic Design focuses more on design and aesthetics, and incorporates fine arts and art history courses into the degree. A Mass Communications degree in more involved with content and placement of mass media, such as public relations and advertising, journalism, and photojournalism.
Graphic Communications Emphasis
The Graphic Communications degree with an emphasis in Digital Design and Production involves primarily the Adobe Creative Suite applications. Classes are focused on using the software to design graphics and layouts, create new graphics and images, and manipulate and enhance images. Projects are prepared from concept to production. At the 400 level, students take prepress and production courses in which they learn to prepare projects for an offset lithographic press using digital prepress techniques. Graduates work in advertising agencies, newspapers, magazines, printing companies, in-house corporations, and music industry and multimedia production.
The Graphic Communications degree with an emphasis in Interactive Multimedia concentrates on multimedia and web design and development. Within this emphasis students take classes using software such as Flash, Dreamweaver, Photoshop, Javascript, and PHP/SQL. Classes may also include scripting and audio production. Graduates work in multimedia houses, web design firms, production houses, video editing, television stations, music industry, and advertising agencies.
The 3D Graphics emphasis in the Graphic Communications program concentrates on technical graphics, 3D modeling, animation game graphics and simulations. Within this emphasis students take classes using software such as; 3D Studio Max, MAYA, AutoCAD, Pro Tools, Final Cut Pro. Classes also include video and audio production. Graduates may find employment with video production houses, video editing, television stations, music industry, multimedia and web design firms, and advertising agencies.
For all students within the Graphic Communications major there is a common core of courses. The core includes all of the introductory courses that lead into both emphases to ensure all graduates have a basic knowledge of both areas. This also helps students make an educated decision about which emphasis to focus. The common core also includes upper level classes such as project management and the GCOM final project.
Declaring a Graphic Communications Major
Before declaring a Graphic Communications major, students must first complete the Pre-Graphic Communications program (see GCOM Handbook). Once completed, students must apply for admission to the Graphic Communications program.
Graduation Requirements for a Graphic Communications Major
To graduate with a B.S. degree in Graphic Communications, students must complete ALL of the courses in the major with a "C" or above and have an overall GPA of atleast 2.5.