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Communication Design, Associate in Applied Science

Overview

Narrative

Communication design is a dynamic and growing profession in the media marketplace. Development in new Internet technology and capabilities, as well as the proliferation of PDAs, require people with interactive design skills and knowledge to create content for these new communication networks. The Communication Design program will assist you in developing the creative, conceptual and technical skills necessary to meet the challenge of digital, print, and social media marketplaces and will offer the opportunity to gain employment in the field, or to transfer to a four-year institution. You'll be prepared to work within the social networking world of Twitter and Facebook; you'll know how to launch ideas and apps through smart phones and tablets.

The program offers students an opportunity to select a 'specialized track' in their second year of studies - either Print/Web or New Media.

Hands-On Learning

Northampton's Communication Design program offers you a well-balanced education through classroom and computer lab learning experiences under the supervision of talented and experienced instructors, in the College's state-of-the-art facilities. This education will be critical when you enter the workforce or transfer to baccalaureate degree programs.

Who should apply for this program?

  • High school graduates.
  • College students.
  • Individuals presently employed in the communications field seeking an opportunity to upgrade current skills and knowledge.
  • Individuals considering a career change.

Job Opportunities

As a graduate of the Communication Design program you can expect to find employment as a graphic designer, computer graphics artist, free-lance designer, web designer, or new media designer with such employers as advertising agencies, graphic design studios, newspapers, publication companies, in-house corporate communication departments, to name a few.

Requirements

Applicants to the program should contact the Admissions Office at 610-861-5500 for general information on applying to the College. You can visit the Art Department web site for specific details on the Communication Design program and to view examples of student work. The URL is http://art.northampton.edu.

*Program course of studies offered only in the day.

Career Potential: Assistant Art Director, Computer Graphic Artist, Newspaper/Magazine layout, Package Design, Pre-Press Technician, Illustrator, Web Designer, Corporate Communications Designer

NCC Communication Design graduates have transferred to:

  • Cedar Crest College
  • Kuztown University
  • Moravian College
  • School of Visual (NYC)
  • Pratt Institute (NYC)
  • Tyler School of Art at Temple University (Philadelphia)
  • University of the Arts (Philadelphia)
  • Savannah College of Art and Design (Savannah, Georgia)
  • Ringling College of Art and Design (Sarasota, Florida)
  • Academy of Art University (San Francisco, CA)
  • Rochester Institute of Technology (Rochester, NY)

Outcomes

Graduates of the program will:

  • Recognize and use technical and aesthetic terminology of communication design.
  • Create work that exhibits proficiency in both design and technical aspects of new media including print, web, motion design, and video game design.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the design industries' best-practices and theories that reflect current and historical cultural trends.
  • Understand basic principles and practices of marketing and advertising.
  • Create a professional design portfolio (hard copy and web) and professional identity kit.
  • Be prepared for an entry-level position in communication design.

Courses

Communication Design - New Media Option

First Semester

COLS101College Success

1 credits

ARTA101Art History Survey

3 credits

ARTA107Drawing I

3 credits

ARTA111Principles of 2-D Design & Color

3 credits

ARTA170Computer Graphics

4 credits

ENGL101English I

3 credits

Total Credit Hours:17

Second Semester

ARTA110Principles of 3-D Design

3 credits

ARTA124Drawing II

3 credits

ARTA130Web Design I

3 credits

ARTA180Digital Design & Typography I

3 credits

ENGL151LEnglish II

3 credits

Total Credit Hours:15

Third Semester

ARTA131Intro to 3-D Computer Animation

3 credits

ARTA232User Interface Design

3 credits

ARTA281Digital Design & Typography II

3 credits

ARTA230Motion Graphics I

3 credits

COMM101Introduction to Communication

3 credits

Elective +

3 credits

Total Credit Hours:18

Fourth Semester

ARTA253Guerrilla Marketing Media

3 credits

ARTA236Interactive Design

3 credits

ARTA231Motion Graphics II

3 credits

ARTA285Portfolio Workshop

3 credits

Social Science: Societies and Institutions over Time Elective (SIT)

3 credits

Social Science: Scientific Study of Human Behavior Elective (SSHB)

3 credits

Total Credit Hours:18

Total Credits: 68

+ Suggested Elective: ARTA240, ARTA282.

  • One course should be designated as Diversity and Global Awareness (D)
  • Students must take one Social Science Elective (SIT or SSHB) in a Writing Intensive (WI) section.
  • Computer competencies and mathematics outcomes are included in various courses in this program. Thus, completing the program automatically satisfies the computing and mathematics requirements for this program.

NOTE: This program requires attendance of day classes and cannot be completed taking only evening classes.

Communication Design - Print/Web Option

First Semester

COLS101College Success

1 credits

ARTA101Art History Survey

3 credits

ARTA107Drawing I

3 credits

ARTA111Principles of 2-D Design & Color

3 credits

ARTA170Computer Graphics

4 credits

ENGL101English I

3 credits

Total Credit Hours:17

Second Semester

ARTA110Principles of 3-D Design

3 credits

ARTA124Drawing II

3 credits

ARTA130Web Design I

3 credits

ARTA180Digital Design & Typography I

3 credits

ENGL151LEnglish II

3 credits

Total Credit Hours:15

Third Semester

ARTA190Creative Designs

3 credits

ARTA232User Interface Design

3 credits

ARTA281Digital Design & Typography II

3 credits

ARTA240Web Design II

3 credits

ARTA282Digital Photography

3 credits

Total Credit Hours:15

Fourth Semester

ARTA210Package Design

3 credits

OR

CISC128Client-side Scripting

4 credits

OR

ARTA208Mobile Development

4 credits

 

ARTA285Portfolio Workshop

3 credits

COMM101Introduction to Communication

3 credits

Social Science: Societies and Institutions over Time Elective (SIT)

3 credits

Social Science: Scientific Study of Human Behavior Elective (SSHB)

3 credits

Elective +

3 credits

Total Credit Hours:18-19

Total Credits: 65-66

+ Suggested Elective: ARTA131, ARTA164, ARTA236, or ARTA256.

  • One course should be designated as Diversity and Global Awareness (D).
  • Students must take one Social Science Elective (SIT or SSHB) in a Writing Intensive (WI) section.
  • Computer competencies and mathematics outcomes are included in various courses in this program. Thus, completing the program automatically satisfies the computing and mathematics requirements for this program.

NOTE: This program requires attendance of day classes and can not be completed taking only evening classes.