Graphic Design

Northwestern’s Graphic Communication Design option is designed to prepare students for transfer and career opportuni ties in the field of graphic design. The program prepares students for employment with printers, corporate graphic design department, design studios, advertising agencies, commercial and photographic studios, fashion, marketing and media buy ing organizations, video and media promotion departments, newspapers and publishers, signage and environmental design businesses, and animation and internet design studios. Northwestern’s graphic design students learn the principles and processes of graphic design while working in up-to-date computer and photography studios. They develop a portfolio of original works of graphic design, computer art and fine art, which can be used for employment and transfer.

Advisor: Susan Berg, sberg@nwcc.commnet.edu, 860-738-6342

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of all program
requirements, graduates should be able to:

1. Demonstrate critical thinking and visual problem solving ability.

2. Use a variety of studio art tools, processes and media to produce original works of art.

3. Compile and present a portfolio of two and three dimensional art work.

4. Recognize and apply principles of effective design, composition and
color theory.

5. Understand the relationship of form to content in a work of art; demonstrate the ability to use form to convey a specific content.

6. Recognize the commonalities and interrelationships that exist between all forms of visual art studies in the program – drawing, painting, two dimensional design, three dimensional design, pottery, painting, photography, basic graphic design.

7. Show knowledge of selected artists and aesthetic movements from the history of art; understand art as an expression of the human condition.

Associates Requirements Credits:

ART* 111 Drawing I 3
ART* 112 Drawing II 3
ART* 113 Figure Drawing 3
ART* 141 Photography I 3
ART* 142 Photography II 3
ART* 121 Two-Dimensional Design 3
ART* 122 Three-Dimensional Design 3
ART* 131 Sculpture OR 3
ART* 163 Ceramics Handbuilding 3
Total Credits: 24

Specialized Program Requirements

ART* 274 Video & Motion Fundamentals 4
ART* 275 Digital Video Postproduction 3
ART* 276 Introduction to 3D Animation 3
ART* 277 3D Character Animation 3
ART* 278 Experimental Animation 3
Total Credits: 16
Grand Total: 61 (including basic acedemic classes)

Certificate Requirements Credits:

ART* 141 Photography I 3
GRA* 151 Graphic Design I 3
GRA* 252 Graphic Design II 3
GRA* 253 Graphic Design III 3
Total Credits: 12

Digital Publishing Certificate Requirements: