Computer Graphic Design—Print Degree (CGD)

This program provides students with the visual design, communication, and computer graphic skills necessary to obtain an entry-level position in this field or to continue their education at a four-year college or university. For those already employed, they can enroll in this career program to upgrade their skills for potential advancement. You will learn basic and advanced techniques for creating effective promotional and collateral pieces, publications, packaging design, corporate identity and digital artwork through the use of state-of-the-art computer technology and the latest graphic design software. In addition to learning page layout software, design theory and techniques, and preparing design work for print, you'll learn advanced computer skills such as digital imaging, electronic illustration, and web design. The most current graphic and web design software is used in the CGD program. Including the Adobe Creative Suite 3 (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat, Dreamweaver and Flash), QuarkXPress 6.5, and the latest web browsers (Internet Explorer, Safari, Firefox, Opera and Netscape Navigator).

Campus/format: This program can be completed during the day at the Gardner Campus.

Helpful hints: CGD students should either have a computer at home with Internet access, or be able to spend time outside of class in the computer lab where Internet access is provided.

Transfer options: A Joint Admissions agreement exists with UMASS Lowell. Articulation agreements exist with Charter Oak State College, New England Institute of Art, and the University of Phoenix. This program qualifies for the Franklin University Community College Alliance program. Students are encouraged to continue their education in areas such as electronic media, marketing, or communications. Visit MWCC’s transfer services website: http://transfer.mwcc.edu.

Special requirements: CGD students are required to take all CGD courses as listed by semester, as well as ART263 in the fall. Technical standards must be met with or without accommodations.

Career options: Graphic designers may be employed by advertising agencies, design firms, marketing departments, commercial art, reproduction firms, or printing and publishing companies. Also, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, many graphic designers are self-employed.

Earning potential: $40,451 to 52,207 per year.

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*Note: Should be taken in the fall. CGD104 must be taken first or concurrently with CGD101.
**Note: This course should be taken in the spring.
†Note: This course should be taken in the fall.
††CGD Restrictive Electives for Print Majors:
CGD110 Introduction to Animation and Game Design

CGD112 Communication in Design and Technology
CGD205 Digital Photo Art
CGD235 Typography in Visual Communication
CGD241 Integrated Website Design
CGD242 Advanced Website Animation

CGD244 Designing for E-Commerce (Web Database Design)
‡CGD Professional Electives for Print Majors:
(please consult with your advisor—CGD Professional electives also include the electives listed above.)
ART*** Any Higher Level ART beyond ART263
BCT115 Digital Photography
BCT235 DVD Authoring
MGT110 Small Business Management
MKT142 Marketing
THE113 Speech
BUS125 Communication for Business and Industry

Elective courses by abbreviation

Program Competencies

Upon graduation from this program students shall have demonstrated the ability to:

1. Exhibit a solid understanding of the fundamentals of design, including the elements and principles of design and typography as they are applied to the development of effective communication pieces for both print and web design. (CGD101, CGD102, CGD103, CGD104, CGD105, CGD106, CGD204, CGD235, CGD240)
2. Possess a working knowledge of the design process especially how it relates to: audience definition, research, analysis, and concept development; the production of thumbnail sketches, rough drafts, storyboards, and flowcharts; and the preparation of final comprehensive print layouts and websites. (CGD101, CGD102, CGD103, CGD104, CGD105, CGD106, CGD204, CGD235, CGD240)
3. Transform digital images into new pieces of art through the use of Adobe Photoshop. Employ file manipulation techniques using filters, blending modes, layers, masks, channels, and layer effects with emphasis on the creation of high-quality graphics for print. As well as, create, optimize, and save graphics for the web. (CGD104, CGD204)
4. Have a solid working knowledge of the fundamentals of building web pages using HTML, XHTML, and CSS. Use & understand online/web/ Blackboard courses, as well as the Internet, World Wide Web, and Information Literacy resources. Use media tools such as: e-mail, search engines, newsgroups, blogs, image viewers, web games and PDF documents. View and test web designs using new generation web browsers: Opera, Firefox and Safari. (CGD109, CGD240)
5. Create engaging web pages and websites using Adobe Dreamweaver in Code view and Design view. Possess the ability to design structurally, as well as aesthetically using text, images, and links. Produce single and multiple page websites while applying the Principles of Web Design and accessibility to each project. Use hand-coding; create interactive pages; use CSS navigation and page layout; use forms; add Flash and other multimedia; integrate between Photoshop and Bridge; and use Dreamweaver's Spry Widgets. Exhibit the ability to plan, design, build and publish multi-page websites utilizing Dreamweaver's FTP upload capabilities. (CGD240)
   
6. Use electronic page layout software (QuarkXPress and Adobe InDesign) to create, manipulate, and organize graphic images and text for various visual communication pieces. Exhibit a solid understanding of typography. Produce sophisticated, multi-faceted projects with an emphasis on publication design while utilizing QuarkXPress, InDesign, Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator. Exhibit the ability to work with advanced graphic design principles, grids, typography, and layout techniques, such as master pages and style sheets. (CGD235, CGD102)
   
7. Create complex electronic illustrations and single page layouts with a solid understanding of the tools, palettes, menus and complex functions of Adobe Illustrator. Produce detailed illustration templates and use these templates to produce electronic illustrations. Utilize the Bezier pen tool, as well as make use of specialized techniques for creating line-art, color illustrations, and three-dimensional drawings. (CGD105)
   
8. Possess a working knowledge of print capabilities, the printing process, how to obtain printing quotes, preparing files for high resolution output, and understanding pre-press techniques. Understand special issues, such as handling photography and artwork for premium reproduction quality; use process and Pantone inks; and create PDFs for final output. (CGD103)
   
9. Prepare for the job market with career planning, skill assessment, resume writing, interviewing, and job market analysis. Compile professional-quality print and digital portfolios for entering the job market or for transferring to a four-year program. Manage and create real-world, client-based promotional and visual communication pieces with careful consideration of audience definition, research, concept development, time management, and the implementation of effective design and layout while meeting strict deadlines. (CGD106)

Technical Standards*

*general information about technical standards and accommodation

Students entering these programs must be able to demonstrate the ability to:

1. Comprehend textbook material at the 11th grade level.
2. Communicate and assimilate information either in spoken, printed, signed, or computer voice format.
3. Gather, analyze, and draw conclusions from data.
4. Write at a college level as evidenced by completion of ENG100 or placement into ENG101.
5. Read and proof printed text from a computer screen, with or without corrective adaptive devices.
6. Exhibit social skills appropriate to professional interactions.
7. Perceive, interpret, and use graphic images in their entirety from a computer screen.