Communication Design

  What is Communication Design ?

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 activities. Included among these are illustration and design for magazines, newsletters and brochures, advertisements, corporate identity systems, catalogs, packages, Web pages, technical literature, and book and CD covers. The communication designer’s involvement may range from visualizing initial ideas through final production of artwork.

  Success Factors

Students who succeed in the communication 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 apply 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
• Technical illustrator
• Package designer
• Web designer

  Majoring in Communication Design

Communication design is an associate of applied business degree program with an emphasis on designing for print media.  The communication design 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 print-based media. In addition, the program includes a broad liberal arts foundation and an introduction to designing for Web-based media. Program curriculum includes instruction in portfolio development.

Students in the communication design program 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 communication design program 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.

Both the communication design program or communication design internship option may be completed full time in either two or three years. Each option is shown below as a two-year outline of courses. Students interested in completing either option in three years should meet with an academic advisor to ensure that they take courses in the correct sequence and that they meet prerequisites. Students may also visit the department Web site (www.rwc.uc.edu/artcomm) to view the curricula listed in a three-year outline and for other information.

COMMUNICATION DESIGN PROGRAM

Winter Quarter

Spring Quarter

SECOND YEAR

Fall Quarter

 Spring Quarter

COMMUNICATION DESIGN INTERNSHIP OPTION

FIRST YEAR

Fall Quarter

Winter Quarter

Spring Quarter

Fall Quarter

Winter Quarter

Spring Quarter

  UC Advantages and Special Opportunities

Students who complete the communication 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: Web option associate degree program for students interested primarily in Web design. 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 and wish to pursue their 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

  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, Print Production Basics, Print Production & Design, Illustration I and II, 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

Transferring to UC Raymond Walters College
A student wishing to transfer to 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.

  Changing Majors within UC Requirements

Students changing majors from other programs or colleges within UC will be considered based on the same criteria as outside transfers.

  International Student Requirements

Students who did not graduate from a high school in the United States of America 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 communication 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.