Creative design professionals combine artistic abilities with technical knowledge to create designs used in print and electronic media. During your studies, you will create, maintain and present a professional portfolio showcasing your finest work. As a graduate of the Design and Graphic Technology program, you are positioned for a variety of careers including graphic designer, advertising specialist, digital print technician, publication designer, public relations professional, pre-press technician, and web graphic designer.
Employment Potential
A graduate of this program will have the potential for employment in the following areas:
Desktop Publisher: produces professional publications using electronic publishing software, scans graphic images, places text and graphics files onto the page, and operates output devices.
Graphic Designer: develops advertising concepts and prepares art for the final presentations.
Advertising Assistant: works with the ad director or store manager to plan and prepare advertising for print, radio, and TV use.
Commercial Art Worker: prepares artwork and copy to be used in label production, package design, printed materials; prepares process separations; preflights electronic files; manages color control, and manages fonts.
Digital Print Technician: prepares computer files for variable data printing or produces print on-demand applications.
Layout Designer: designs basic plans for print advertising, passes on work to a commercial artist or copywriter, and is responsible for final electronic files.
Printing Support Worker/Customer Service Representative: handles electronic and pre-press operations, making color separations, electronic scanning, image editing, and color proofing.
Public Relations Assistant: assists in public relations activities helping to produce brochures, press releases, displays, and newsletters; organizes and prepares materials for use in presentations.
Pre-Press Technician: prepares computer documents for printing; trapping, font usage, picture usage, color management, clipping paths, and placing high and low-resolution graphics into documents.
Website Designer: builds graphic elements for functional websites.
With additional education and/or work experience, graduates may find other opportunities for employment.
Account Executive
Art Director
Design Supervisor
Media Buyer
Requirements for Program Entry
Completed application.
High school transcript or equivalent.
Ability to use a computer keyboard.
To be admitted to this program, learners must achieve a prior cumulative high school or college grade point average of 2.6 or higher or a satisfactory academic skills assessment score. College grade point average must be based on 15 credits or more.
Curriculum
Curriculum: Students following the study plan below will complete the Design and Graphic Technology associate degree in the number of semesters shown.
First Semester
Illustrator Fundamentals
Intro to Ethics: Theory & App
English Composition 1
College 101
Photoshop Fundamentals
Graphic Design Fundamentals
Career Planning
Second Semester
Layout & Composition 1
Photoshop Advanced
Oral/Interpersonal Comm
Graphic Design Development
Photography-Digital
Career Preparation
Third Semester
Mathematical Reasoning
Typography
Layout & Composition 2
Principles of Digital Printing
Graphic Design Project Mgmt
Fourth Semester
Digital Print Applications
Intro to Diversity Studies
Des/Graphic Career Experience
Online Media Design
Intro to Psychology
Graphic Design Application
Program Outcomes
Apply the principles of design to develop strategic marketing and communication products and services.
Demonstrate proficiency in the use of design software, tools, and technology.
Implement creative solutions from concept through completion using a formal process.
Apply effective legal and ethical business practices and project management skills.
Communicate artwork rationale in formal and informal settings.
Accreditation
Programs in the College of Business at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs. ACBSP's accreditation process follows the Baldrige model. The accreditation focuses on recognizing teaching excellence, determining student learning outcomes, and a continuous improvement model. ACBSP’s student-centered teaching and learning approach, which is measured and analyzed for quality, ensures that students gain the right skills from their educational investment. Institutions with programs accredited by ACBSP are committed to continuous improvement that ensures their business program will give students the skills employers want.
Study Abroad Opportunities
The International Programs staff continually seeks opportunities for students to travel abroad for educational experiences that may be offered in association with program courses. To find out more about which of your program courses may offer an opportunity during this academic year, contact your academic advisor.
