About Graphic Communication

Students enter the GCOM cocoon with open minds and emerge into a glorious new world of shape, color, artistry, motion and interactivity. With solid skills, transferable units, academic certification, and a professional portfolio, our students fly the lush fields of the creative arts professions.

Students in the Graphic Communication Department select from among three distinct, yet intersecting areas of concentration:

Graphic Design
Coursework in the Graphic Design concentration features industry standard software applications and essential design theory and aesthetics for print-based materials. Students build and polish a professional portfolio demonstrating expertise in Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, and QuarkXPress.

Web Design
Students following the concentration in Web Design benefit from close collaboration between industry leaders and GCOM faculty, to ensure marketability through thorough understanding of graphic design and marketing concepts and theory, and proficiency in cutting-edge web technology. Students develop a Web design portfolio demonstrating proficiency using Adobe Flash, Dreamweaver, and Fireworks software, as well as an understanding of usability issues and aesthetics.

Computer Animation
The Computer Animation and 3D Graphics series of classes stress the importance of animation principles while using high-end industry standard software. Computer Animation students will be prepared for transfer to animation schools and four-year college programs, internships in the animation industry, or working as an independent animator/filmmaker.

Video Game Design (beginning Fall '08)
Our newest concentration is the exciting and popular emerging technology of Video Game Design. Students will study the art and science involved in the creation and development of computer games. Students will employee principles of animation, interactive story telling, game theory, character development, and modeling and rigging. Students will be prepared for transfer to a four-year college, internships in the game design industry, or working as an independent designer.