This program is designed for students seeking a career in the New York area’s multi-billion dollar communications industry which includes advertising, publishing, corporate communications, design studios, out-of-home graphics, printing and packaging.

Students in this associate degree program receive a solid foundation in typography, color and design through coursework such as Graphic Design Principles I, Type and Media and Digital Photography. In addition to honing their creative skills, students in this degree program learn about the technical and financial challenges of producing and distributing content across digital and traditional media. Students produce projects during classwork lab times utilizing current professional specifications and standards. Coursework includes field trips, guest speakers and participation in conferences and professional association educational events.

The college’s general education required and flexible core provides associate degree students with a strong grounding in the liberal arts and sciences, building their written, quantitative and analytical skill sets while allowing them to explore areas of interest related to the field such as art history and psychology.

Placement in the Associate Program

Placement in the associate in Communication Design Management requires a high school diploma or GED. Students need not have majored in art in high school, but it is desirable that entering students have familiarity with a computer operating system and have taken some prior courses in typography, layout, and design.

Students may obtain the AAS degree and then continue their studies in the BTech in Communication Design Management. It is not necessary to complete the AAS degree to transfer to the baccalaureate program. This may be done after completing 24 credits and achieving CUNY proficiency in reading, writing and mathematics. The AAS degree will be earned upon completion of the required 60 credits.

Program Outcomes

Like the Communication Design associate degree, the associate degree in Communication Design Management serves two purposes. It may either provide preparation for more advanced study and entry into a baccalaureate degree program in Communication Design Management or serve as a technical degree providing baseline skills for entry-level employment in the communications industry as a production assistant or production manager. Graduates have proficiency in a range of software applications for publishing, digital imaging and web design. Since they take many of the same studio courses as the Communication Design associate students, they are able to apply design and studio skills to assist advertising design art directors, graphic designers, and web designers.

Graduates will be able to:

• Think critically and creatively to develop design management solutions.
• Demonstrate breadth of knowledge in communication design topics and career paths.
• Research and evaluate information sources.
• Communicate clearly and concisely in speech and writing.
• Demonstrate proficiency with current technology relevant to the design field and project management
• Continue on to baccalaureate coursework in communication design management

Employers of graduates include RR Donnelley, Barclays, Time-Warner, JCrew, Victoria Secret, Condé Nast Publications, Complex Media, Young & Rubicam Advertising Agency, The New York Times, Rolling Press, Quad Graphics and Quebecor.