Overview
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Introduction to Graphic Design
The Graphic Design Program provides students with a comprehensive educational experience that develops creativity, technical expertise and professional industry knowledge. The curriculum integrates theory and practice that fosters each student’s ability to create expressive, effective visual communication. As students’ progress through the coursework, they will gain proficiency in traditional media, computer design skills and cultivate critical thinking and analytical skills. The curriculum is supplemented with guest lecturers, service learning projects, internships and other experiential learning opportunities. Students will create a well-rounded, professional digital portfolio that showcases a variety of skills and projects and includes a resume, contact information and references. The program concludes with capstone courses where students will apply newly acquired skills, professional job attitudes and explore career opportunities in graphic design.
Successful candidates to this program have:
- Sufficient speech and language ability to express, comprehend and exchange information and ideas verbally, non-verbally and to interact clearly and logically with professors, peers and clients.
- Eye-hand coordination to perform intensive project construction.
- Maturity to accept critique of work and perform changes based on constructive criticism.
- Capacity to work in teams to solve design problems.
- Ability to meet deadlines under stressful conditions.
Program Goal
The mission of the Graphic Design program is to provide students with a solid foundation in design education for entry level careers and/or transfer to four-year institutions.
Program Modality
Students have the option to complete the degree fully on campus, fully online, or a hybrid of both.
Course Sequencing
Degree Program – First Year
Degree Program – Second Year
Program Outcomes
Students who graduate from this program will be able to:
- Demonstrate proficiency with graphic design principals and elements including color and type.
- Show the ability to conceptualize design solutions.
- Possess a skillset of digital tools used in graphic design software.
- Showcase the capability to learn and create in a progressive digital environment.
- Exhibit evidence of verbal and visual presentation skills.
Admission Requirements
In addition to college-wide admissions requirements students must:
- An interview with a member of the full-time faculty prior to admission to the program.
- An Adobe Creative Cloud Subscription.
- A computer/laptop that supports Creative Cloud system requirements.
Transfer Credit Policy
Appropriate transfer credits for courses within the major may be accepted within a five-year time frame. Transfer of courses more than five years old will be evaluated by the Department Chair on an individual basis.
Employment Opportunities
Graduates of the Graphic Design program possess the skills and knowledge to obtain entry-level positions in advertising agencies, printing companies, publishing firms, and companies that maintain in-house design departments.
Transfer Opportunities
Graduates of MCC’s Graphic Design program have transferred to the University of New Hampshire, New Hampshire Institute of Art, Keene State College, Plymouth State University, The New England Institute of Art, UMass at Lowell and Southern New Hampshire University.
Graphic Design Certificate
Successful graduates of the Graphic Design certificate program will be able to add to their professional portfolio. They will be prepared for continued growth in their career field and for entry-level jobs in advertising agencies, printing companies, publishing firms and companies that maintain in-house graphic design departments. Co/prerequisite requirements for courses listed in the certificate will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
Admission Requirements
In addition to college-wide admission requirements, student must have:
- An interview with a member of the full-time faculty prior to admission to the program
- An Adobe Creative Cloud subscription
- A computer/laptop that supports Creative Cloud system requirements
- Be currently employed in the field of graphic design and need to update professional and technical skills or have already completed a college degree
Successful candidates to this program have:
- Sufficient speech and language ability to express, comprehend and exchange information and ideas verbally, non-verbally and to interact clearly and logically with professors, peers and clients
- Eye-hand coordination to perform intensive project construction
- Maturity to accept critique of work and perform changes based on constructive criticism
- Capacity to work in teams to solve design problems
- Ability to meet deadlines under stressful conditions
Academics
of MCC classes have 19 or fewer students.
