Communication Design
Humanities & Social Sciences
Degree awarded: Associate in Applied Science
Two options: New Media and Print/Web
Program Narrative
Communication design is a dynamic and growing profession in the new 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 new 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 be able to use blogs, wikis and YouTube; you'll know how to launch ideas and apps through the iPod, iPAD, and iPhone.
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 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.
Program Requirements
Applicants to the program should contact the Admissions Office at 610-761-5500 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.
Program 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.
Associate in Applied Science Degree
| Course Code | Course Title |
Credits
|
| First Semester |
|
|
| ARTA 101 | Art History Survey |
3
|
| ARTA 107 | Drawing I |
3
|
| ARTA 111 | Principles of 2-D Design and Color |
3
|
| ARTA 170 | Computer Graphics |
4
|
| ENGL 101C | English I |
3
|
|
16
|
||
| Second Semester | ||
| ARTA 110 | Principles of 3-D Design |
3
|
| ARTA 124 | Drawing II |
3
|
| ARTA 130 | Introduction to Web Site Design |
3
|
| ARTA 180 | Digital Design and Typography I |
3
|
| ENGL 151 | English II |
3
|
|
15
|
||
| Third Semester | ||
| ARTA 131 | Intro to 3-D Computer Animation |
3
|
| ARTA 132 | Web Animation with Flash |
3
|
| ARTA 181 | Digital Design and Typography II |
3
|
| ARTA 230 | New Media Theory and Practice |
3
|
| CMTH 102 | Speech Communication |
3
|
| ---------- | Elective + |
3
|
|
18
|
||
| Fourth Semester | ||
| ARTA 133 | Advanced 3-D Computer Animation |
3
|
| ARTA 136 | Interactive Programming with Flash ActionScript |
3
|
| ARTA 231 | New Media Production |
3
|
| ARTA 285 | Portfolio Workshop |
3
|
| ---------- | Social Science: Societies and Institutions over Time Elective (SIT) |
3
|
| ---------- | Social Science: Scientific Study of Human Behavior Elective (SSHB) |
3
|
|
18
|
||
| Total Credits: |
67
|
+ Suggested Elective: ARTA 138, 240, 282.
- One course should be designated as Diversity (D)
- Students must take one Social Science (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.
Communication Design - Print/Web Option,
Associate in Applied Science Degree
| Course Code | Course Title |
Credits
|
| First Semester |
|
|
| ARTA 101 | Art History Survey |
3
|
| ARTA 107 | Drawing I |
3
|
| ARTA 111 | Principles of 2-D Design and Color |
3
|
| ARTA 170 | Computer Graphics |
4
|
| ENGL 101C | English I |
3
|
|
16
|
||
| Second Semester | ||
| ARTA 110 | Principles of 3-D Design |
3
|
| ARTA 124 | Drawing II |
3
|
| ARTA 130 | Introduction to Web Site Design |
3
|
| ARTA 180 | Digital Design and Typography I |
3
|
| ENGL 151 | English II |
3
|
|
15
|
||
| Third Semester | ||
| ARTA 132 | Web Animation with Flash |
3
|
| ARTA 181 | Digital Design and Typography II |
3
|
| ARTA 190 | Creative Designs |
3
|
| ARTA 240 | Advanced Web Site Design |
3
|
| ARTA 282 | Digital Photography |
3
|
|
15
|
||
| Fourth Semester | ||
|
ARTA 210 or |
Package Design or |
3/4
|
| ARTA 285 | Portfolio Workshop |
3
|
| CMTH 102 | Speech Communication |
3
|
| ---------- | Social Science: Societies and Institutions over Time Elective (SIT) |
3
|
| ---------- | Social Science: Scientific Study of Human Behavior Elective (SSHB) |
3
|
| ---------- | Elective + |
3
|
|
18/19
|
||
| Total Credits: |
64/65
|
+ Suggested Elective: ARTA 131, 136, 164 or 256.
- One course should be designated as Diversity (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.
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)