College Of DuPage Graphic Design Program Guide

GRAPHICDESIGN

Graphic designers create visual concepts, using computer softwareor by hand, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform and captivateconsumers. They develop the overall layout and production design forvarious applications such as advertisements, brochures, magazines andcorporate reports. The College of DuPage Graphic Design, Advertising,Web and Illustration program serves high school graduates, personsseeking to make career changes, professionals who are upgrading oradding to their job skills, and those who seek personal enrichment bydeveloping their artistic talents.Graphic Design coursework includes study in graphic design,illustration, typography, web design and advertising. Great facilitiessuch as Macintosh-equipped computer design studios, with the latestdesign and illustration software and color printers, allow students todevelop professional quality portfolios. With great curriculum, awardwinning teachers and great facilities, our program is among the best incommunity college graphic design programs in the Midwest.WHY COLLEGE OF DuPAGE IS RIGHT FOR YOU Dedicated instructors with years of professional experience Instruction utilizing top-notch facilities, equipment and resources Affordable programs to help students achieve success withoutcreating overwhelming debt or draining a savings account Small class sizes that ensure students receive personalized attentionfrom instructors Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design(NASAD) An articulated transfer programASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE (A.A.S.)DEGREE IN GRAPHIC DESIGNThe Graphic Design program emphasizes portfolio developmentthrough the study of principles and elements of design, typographyand illustration, identity design, advertising design, web designand simulated studio work. Students gain experience in the useof traditional and digital design tools and software. Articulationagreements exist to continue education beyond the AAS degree.The Graphic Design degree requires a minimum of 66 credits inprogram requirements and general education in the coursesASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE (A.A.S.)IN INTERACTIVE MEDIAThe Interactive Media degree provides students with interdisciplinary,theoretical and application knowledge in the design, developmentand production of interactive media, including web-based and otheremerging media, to create interactive design solutions for a varietymedia such as web sites, digital interfaces and applications. TheInteractive Media degree consists of a minimum of 64 credits in programrequirements, program electives and general education courses.GRAPHIC DESIGN FOUNDATION CERTIFICATEThe Graphic Design Foundation certificate provides afoundation in the principles and elements of design, typography,drawing and illustration, using traditional and digital design toolsand software.WEB DESIGN CERTIFICATE“At COD, I felt connected to a campus forthe first time,” she said. “I made more of acontribution to student life and the campuscommunity than I ever did at either of myprevious schools.” Dianne HlinskyIn 2016, Hlinsky earned her Associate inApplied Science degree and was namedone of the College’s two OutstandingGraduates. She now works full-time asa graphic designer in the Marketing andCommunications department at Collegeof DuPage.The Web Design certificate provides a foundation in design,principles of interactivity and the use of web-authoring software.Major Employment Areas Graphic Designer Web Designer Creative Director Art Director Illustrator Senior Designer Package Designer Layout Artist Computer Artist

CREATE YOUR PORTFOLIO FOR SUCCESS!Marketability is determined by the creativity and quality ofwork exhibited in the graduate’s portfolio. The Graphic Designprogram at College of DuPage guides students toward building asuccessful portfolio. This portfolio is a culmination of your time atCOD and is showcased at the annual PORTFOLIOS Exhibition.This event allows each student completing the program toshow off their hard work. Our mission is to help you developthe skills necessary to build a portfolio that demonstrates yourcreative, problem-solving and verbal presentation abilities for theprofessional fields of graphic design, advertising and illustration.Your portfolio can be used to seek entrance to a baccalaureategranting institution or art school, or for professional employment ina creative field.STUDENT ORGANIZATIONThe American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) is a professionalorganization for design and is the largest design organization inthe country. Its members practice all forms of communicationdesign, including graphic design, typography, interaction design,branding and identity. Members of COD’s student club areaffiliated with the Chicago chapter of AIGA. The AIGA StudentGroup seeks to extend students’ involvement with design throughcreative collaborations and student gallery shows.

AVAILABLE SCHOLARSHIPSScholarships are another fund source that students can applyfor at College of DuPage. Eligibility varies, as does the amountof each scholarship. Scholarships can be based on academicachievement, financial need, field of study and population. Studentsare strongly encouraged to apply for scholarships through Collegeof DuPage or outside resources. Remember, the more scholarshipsand grants you receive, the less loan money you may needto borrow! Go to cod.edu/costs/scholarships/index.aspx formore information.TRANSFER OPPORTUNITIESAn Associate of Arts degree is recommended for transfer to a fouryear institution. The Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) facilitates thetransfer of students from one Illinois institution to another. Botha general education core curriculum and a lower-division majorrecommendation course listing has been developed.For more information on transfer opportunities at College ofDuPage, visit cod.edu/academics/transfer/index.aspx.We are always adding to the list. Go to cod.edu/academics/transfer/index.aspx for more information.Samantha RagusinAfter returning from the Disney program inMay 2013, Ragusin was offered an internshipthrough CMO Graphics in Chicago. As a graphicdesign major, she utilized her skills and workedon advertising products for Kraft Foods andMondelez International.“If I hadn’t attended COD, I don’t think I wouldhave had these incredible opportunities,” shesaid. “Disney taught me how to be part of themagic and how to create magical moments forothers. CMO Graphics taught me about designand how to make things look visually appealing.”Ragusin transferred to the Milwaukee Instituteof Art and Design, where she had “a greatexperience.” Having earned her bachelor’sdegree in Communication Design, she workedat Morgan Design Group as a graphic designer/production artist and is now at Zoom Media as asenior graphic designerGETTING STARTED: Visit our website:cod.edu/academics/programs/graphic design/index.aspx Consult with faculty member or a specialist:Gautam Wadhwa, Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator,wadhwag@cod.edu, MAC 257A, (630) 942-2082Brian Blevins, Associate Professor, blevins@cod.edu,MAC 255A, (630) 942-3415John Callegari, Professor, calleg@cod.edu, MAC 252A,(630) 942-3418David Rogers, Professor, rogersd@cod.edu, MAC 259A,(630) 942-3029Lisa Saltiel, Program Support Specialist, saltiell@cod.edu,MAC 169, (630) 942-3303The College will not discriminate in its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, religion,creed, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, arrest record, military status or unfavorable militarydischarge, citizenship status, or physical or mental handicap or disability.For ADA accommodations, please call (630) 942-2141 or email access@cod.edu. Please requestaccommodations two weeks in advance. 2020 College of DuPage. All rights reserved. ACH-20-134376(7/20)

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DEGREE IN GRAPHIC DESIGN The Graphic Design program emphasizes portfolio development through the study of principles and elements of design, typography and illustration, identity design, advertising design, web design and simulated studio work. Students gain experience in the use of traditional and digital