AAS in Communication Design
Northampton Community College
Key Information
Campus location
Bethlehem, USA
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
4 semesters
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
USD 2,535 / per semester *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Aug 2024
* Northampton County PA: $2,535 Monroe County PA: $3,990 Other PA County: $5,325 Out of State/Country: $7,410. Additional fees may apply
Scholarships
Explore scholarship opportunities to help fund your studies
Introduction
If you’re creative with an eye for design and possess strong problem-solving and brainstorming skills, a career in graphic design could be an option for you. Graphic designers prepare artwork for many purposes, from video game design to web animation or print media. The designer's process is a fascinating one. It involves analyzing, conceptualizing, and developing ideas that are "outside the box" to address client needs and market to a target audience in a visually compelling way.
Our accredited program provides students with a balanced curriculum that combines a solid foundation in the elements and principles of design, editorial design layout, typographic design, photography, web design, 3D computer animation, and motion graphics with real-world, hands-on projects that address current industry trends and needs in a learning-intensive atmosphere. If you're looking to become part of a fast-paced, ever-changing industry, our program will equip you with the training and skills you need to begin a successful graphic design career.
The program offers students an opportunity to select a 'specialized track' in their second year of studies - either Print/Web or New Media.
Exhibitions
Communication Design students display their creative designs in Communications Hall and on the NCC Art Department website.
Capstone experience
A portfolio review is the capstone experience in the Communication Design program. During this portfolio review, students have an opportunity to showcase their digital portfolios to professionals in the communication design industry in the Lehigh Valley.
Gallery
Ideal Students
- 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
Admissions
Curriculum
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.
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 website for specific details on the Communication Design program and view examples of student work.
Communication Design - New Media Option
First Semester
- COLS101College Success
- ARTA101Art History Survey
- ARTA107Drawing I
- ARTA111Principles of 2-D Design & Color
- ARTA170Computer Graphics
- ENGL101English I
Second Semester
- ARTA110Principles of 3-D Design
- ARTA124Drawing II
- ARTA130Intro to Web Site Design
- ARTA180Digital Design & Typography I
- ENGL151LEnglish II
Third Semester
- ARTA131Intro to 3-D Computer Animation
- ARTA132Web Animation
- ARTA281Digital Design & Typography II
- ARTA230New Media Theory and Practice
- CMTH102Introduction to Communication
- Elective +
Fourth Semester
- ARTA233Advanced 3-D Computer Animation
- ARTA236Interactive Design
- ARTA231New Media Production
- ARTA285Portfolio Workshop
- Social Science: Societies and Institutions over Time Elective (SIT)
- Social Science: Scientific Study of Human Behavior Elective (SSHB)
+ 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 can not be completed by taking only evening classes.
Communication Design - Print/Web Option
First Semester
- COLS101College Success
- ARTA101Art History Survey
- ARTA107Drawing I
- ARTA111Principles of 2-D Design & Color
- ARTA170Computer Graphics
- ENGL101English I
Second Semester
- ARTA110Principles of 3-D Design
- ARTA124Drawing II
- ARTA130Intro to Web Site Design
- ARTA180Digital Design & Typography I
- ENGL151LEnglish II
Third Semester
- ARTA132Web Animation
- ARTA281Digital Design & Typography II
- ARTA190Creative Designs
- ARTA240Advanced Web Site Design
- ARTA282Digital Photography
Fourth Semester
- ARTA210 Package Design
or
CISC128 Client-side Scripting
or
ARTA208Mobile Development - ARTA285Portfolio Workshop
- CMTH102Introduction to Communication
- Social Science: Societies and Institutions over Time Elective (SIT)
- Social Science: Scientific Study of Human Behavior Elective (SSHB)
- Elective +
+ 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 by taking only evening classes.
Program Outcome
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.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
Graphic designers create visual concepts, by hand or using computer software, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, or captivate consumers. They help to make an organization recognizable by selecting color, images, or logo designs that represent a particular idea or identity to be used in advertising and promotions. Most of these workers are employed in specialized design services, publishing, or advertising, public relations and related services.
According to the United States Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics ( bls.gov), employment of graphic designers is projected to increase by 13 percent by 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
As an undergraduate or graduate of the Northampton Community College graphic design program, you'll have access to our career services to kick-start your professional career - it's never too early!
Future Career Paths
- Assistant Art Director
- Newspaper/Magazine layout
- Pre-Press Technician
- Web Designer
- Computer Graphic Artist
- Package Design
- Illustrator
- Corporate Communications Designer