Communication Design: Web Design Option

  What is Communication Design: Web Design Option?

Communication design is the process of creating visual materials that effectively convey information using text and/or images. It is a professional field encompassing a broad range of design processes for both print and Web-based media. Web design is a category of communication design that focuses on layout, illustration, typographic design, site structuring and production for Web sites and multimedia projects. Components include interactivity and the use of sound and video on Web sites and multimedia projects. The Web designer's involvement may range from visualizing initial ideas through final production.

  Success Factors

Students who succeed in the communication design: Web design program are creative thinkers who solve problems visually. They enjoy the process of developing multiple solutions to given design problems through research and experimentation. They demonstrate a willingness to work hard, follow directions and meet deadlines to ensure that their assignments succeed.

  Career Possibilities

Graduates of this major pursue careers in a variety of professional settings. These include art studios, printing companies, advertising agencies, television stations or other areas of communications and public relations. Job titles include:

• artist
• graphic designer
• art director
• marketing director
• Web designer

  Majoring in Communication Design: Web Design Option

Communication design: Web design is an associate of applied business degree program with an emphasis on designing for Web-based media.  The program provides students with professional-level design and technical skills to prepare them for a career in the field of visual communication. Full-time students may complete the program in two or three years and will acquire skills in design, typography, illustration and production for Web-based media. Emphasis is placed on merging the creative process and design skills with the technical aspects of producing Web sites and multimedia projects. In addition, the program includes a secondary emphasis on designing for print media and a broad liberal arts foundation. Program curriculum includes instruction in portfolio development.

Students participate in small classes with considerable personal attention and direction from faculty. Art and design classes are taught in well-equipped studio facilities and computer labs using industry-standard computers and software.  The curriculum is based on the philosophy that both design skills and technical skills are essential components of a successful communication designer’s education. Design education encompasses the creation of ideas; technical-skills education focuses on the implementation of those ideas for computer and traditional art production.

An internship option is available with this major. Interns acquire three quarters of professional experience (20 hours per week) while earning college credit, attending classes and receiving a salary. All interns attend a weekly seminar where discussions focus on workplace issues, ethics and procedures.

  Curriculum

This curriculum information is intended as a general information guide for students considering enrollment in this program. These online tools are designed to assist you, but are not a substitute for planning with an academic or faculty advisor.

If you are currently confirmed or enrolled, you can check your degree requirements online. If you are considering transferring to this major from another school use the Course Applicability System (CAS) to see how credits you have earned will apply to this major at UC. For course descriptions by college, click here.

COMMUNICATION DESIGN: WEB DESIGN PROGRAM

FIRST YEAR

Fall Quarter

Course Name	Course Number	Credits
Advertising Layout & Design	28COMD171	3
Fine Arts: Drawing I	28FAST141	3
Computer Graphics in Design	28COMD285	3
History of Art I	28ARTH111	3
Intro to Psychology I	28PSYC101	3
English Comp I	28ENGL101	3
Total		18

Winter Quarter

Course Name	Course Number	Credits
Basic Web Production	28EMDT281	3
Fine Arts: Drawing II	28FAST142	3
Illustration I	28COMD141	3
History of Art II	28ARTH112	3
Intro to Psychology II	28PSYC102	3
English Comp II	28ENGL102	3
Total		18

Spring Quarter

Course Name	Course Number	Credits
Web Production & Design	28COMD164	3
Illustration III	28COMD286	3
History of Art III	28ARTH113	3
Intro to Psychology III	28PSYC103	3
Effective Public Speaking	28COMM171	3
Photography*	28PHTG172	3
Total		18
*or Fund. of Photographic Design	28PHTG174

SECOND YEAR

Fall Quarter

Course Name	Course Number	Credits
Lettering & Typography	28COMD273	3
Web Design Concepts	28COMD266	3
Marker Rendering	28COMD276	3
Graphic Design Conventions & Techs	28COMD189	3
E-Commerce	28IS285	3
World History I	28HIST130	3
Total		18

Winter Quarter

Course Name	Course Number	Credits
Web Design/Graphics	28COMD261	3
Advanced Web Promotion Design	28COMD267	3
Drawing for Design	28FAST271	3
World History II	28HIST131	3
Intermediate Composition	28ENGL289	3
Total		15

Spring Quarter

Course Name	Course Number	Credits
Web Design/Systems	28COMD262	3
Interactive Web Design	28COMD268	3
Symbols & Design Systems	28COMD278	3
Professional Preparation & Practices	28COMD281	3
World History III	28HIST132	3
Total		15

COMMUNICATION DESIGN: WEB DESIGN INTERNSHIP OPTION

FIRST YEAR

Fall Quarter

Course Name	Course Number	Credits
Advertising Layout & Design	28COMD171	3
Fine Arts: Drawing I	28FAST141	3
Computer Graphics in Design	28COMD285	3
History of Art I	28ARTH111	3
E-Commerce I	28IS285	3
English Comp I	28ENGL101	3
Total		18

Winter Quarter

Course Name	Course Number	Credits
Basic Web Production	28EMDT281	3
Fine Arts: Drawing II	28FAST142	3
Illustration I	28COMD141	3
History of Art II	28ARTH112	3
Intro to Psychology I	28PSYC101	3
English Comp II	28ENGL102	3
Total		18

Spring Quarter

Course Name	Course Number	Credits
Web Production & Design	28COMD164	3
Illustration III	28COMD286	3
History of Art III	28ARTH113	3
Intro to Psychology II	28PSYC102	3
Professional Preparation & Practices	28COMD281	3
Photography*	PHTG172	3
Total		18
*or Fund. of Photographic Design	28PHTG174	3

SECOND YEAR

Fall Quarter

Course Name	Course Number	Credits
Lettering & Typography	28COMD273	3
Web Design Concepts	28COMD266	3
Marker Rendering	28COMD276	3
World History I	28HIST130	3
Graphic Design Conventions & Techs	28COMD189	3
Communication Design Internship I	28COMD287	3
Total		18

Winter Quarter

Course Name	Course Number	Credits
Web Design/Graphics	28COMD261	3
Advanced Web Promotion Design	28COMD267	3
Drawing for Design	28FAST271	3
World History II	28HIST131	3
Intermediate Composition	28ENGL289	3
Communication Design Internship II	28COMD288	3
Total		18

Spring Quarter

Course Name	Course Number	Credits
Web Design/Systems	28COMD262	3
Interactive Web Design	28COMD268	3
Symbols & Design Systems	28COMD278	3
World History III	28HIST132	3
Effective Public Speaking	28COMM171	3
Communication Design Internship III	28COMD289	3
Total		18

  UC Advantages and Special Opportunities

Students who complete the communication design: Web design program may expect to enter the professional art field and earn a professional-level salary. Art and visual communication department faculty are committed to transforming students’ expectations into reality through rigorous course standards. The program’s accreditation by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) assures the high standard of education provided to students.

Samples of student work are available for viewing at the department’s Web site, along with course descriptions, outlines of additional department programs, and other information. The department’s Web address is www.rwc.uc.edu/artcomm

The Art and Visual Communication Department also offers the communication design program, an associate degree program for students interested primarily in designing for print media. This program also includes an internship option.

For those who already have a bachelor’s degree, the department offers professional certificate programs in communication design and communication design: Web option. These programs include the internship option, as well. Due to the sequential nature of the professional certificate curriculum, the minimum time necessary for program completion is two academic years. 

Students who graduate with a degree in communication design: Web design and wish to pursue further education are eligible for acceptance with junior-year status into the bachelor's degree programs in graphic design at the College of Mount St. Joseph and Shawnee State University.

  Special Programs

The Art and Visual Communication Department sponsors a student chapter of AIGA, the professional association for design in America. Student members gain access to AIGA resources and activities created to enhance their education and help in their eventual transition to the workplace as professional designers.

  Admission Requirements

This program is open to all students with a high school diploma or GED and the desire to succeed in college. Although admission is open, students accepted into the program must meet the academic standards of the program to advance to upper levels of study.

Some art class experience is recommended for students entering the communication design program. Students who lack formal art training should follow the three-year curriculum plan available from a department academic adviser.

A typing requirement of 30 words per minute is a prerequisite for some computer courses. Students should complete Keyboarding (28 OATN 106) if they cannot meet this requirement.

To participate in the internship option, a student must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• 2.5 college GPA (and maintained throughout internship year)
• 30 WPM typing speed
•  "C" or better in Advertising Layout & Design, Basic Web Production, Web Production & Design, Illustration I and III, Computer Graphics in Design, Fine Arts: Drawing I and II, and Professional Preparation & Practices for a total of 27 RWC credit hours.

  Transferring to UC Requirements

A student wishing to transfer to UC Raymond Walters College from another accredited college or university should be guided by the following statement of policy:

1. Transfer applications are individually reviewed, and acceptance is based on receipt of application materials, as well as official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended. An official evaluation of transfer credit from other colleges will be processed after the student’s file is complete.
2. Credits are accepted from any institution currently accredited by any of the six regional accrediting agencies. Enrollment Services shall have discretionary authority to accept credits from other institutions in consultation with program directors or department chairpersons.
3. Only grades of "C" or better are accepted. Special exceptions may be granted at the discretion of Enrollment Services in consultation with program directors or department chairpersons.
4. There is a 10-year expiration limit for acceptance of transfer credits. Exceptions can be made by Enrollment Services in consultation with the appropriate program directors or department chairpersons.
5. For all situations not covered by the above, the decision will be referred to the department involved when appropriate.

  International Student Requirements

Students who did not graduate from a high school in the United States must take an ability-to-benefit test and achieve the minimum specified score to be eligible for admission to a degree or certificate program at Raymond Walters College. The scores will be used for placement in English courses and general advising for all courses.

  Graduation Requirements

To qualify for the degree, students must fulfill the requirements of the program and must have at least a 2.0 cumulative grade point average. It is the student’s responsibility to take the courses necessary for graduation.

  Application Deadlines

Students may enter the program during any quarter. Many courses are sequential, however, and are offered only one quarter per academic year. Entering during winter or spring quarter may extend the length of the program.

  Accreditation

The University of Cincinnati is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
The communication design: Web design program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). The University of Cincinnati Raymond Walters College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.