Program Overview
Communication Design Program
Overview
The Communication Design program at New York City College of Technology offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree that develops students' abilities to frame, research, and solve complex visual communication problems. The program prepares students for employment as art directors, graphic designers, illustrators, and web designers, and also qualifies them to apply for master's programs in related fields.
Degree Designation
The degree designation for this program is BFA - Bachelor of Fine Arts.
Program Description
The BFA degree builds on the solid foundation in visual expression of the first two years, developing students' abilities to frame, research, and solve increasingly complex visual communication problems. Students develop a professional portfolio that represents their talents and prepares them for employment upon graduation.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the program have been employed by a range of creative agencies, design firms, and organizations, including BBDO, J. Walter Thompson Worldwide, Ogilvy, DDB, Google, and UNICEF USA.
Program Structure
Students take courses from three categories: Studio, Strategy, and Skills. In the required sequence of four Studio courses, students initiate and define the context for substantive projects. Selecting from an elective pool, each student takes three Strategy courses and four Skills courses.
Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the program will be able to:
- Think critically to evaluate evidence and the perspectives of others before accepting or formulating an opinion.
- Think creatively to combine or synthesize existing ideas or images in original ways.
- Organize and interpret complex data.
- Research and evaluate information sources.
- Write to express ideas clearly and concisely.
- Prepare and deliver oral communication that promotes knowledge and understanding.
- Identify, evaluate, and effectively respond to ethical issues as a citizen and a professional.
- Solve problems by designing, evaluating, and implementing a strategy to answer an open-ended question.
- Value cultural diversity and demonstrate the capacity to work with people from diverse backgrounds.
Admission Information
There are many ways a student can enter the Bachelor of Fine Arts program in Communication Design. Students who enter the program as freshmen must meet the college standards. Students who do not meet these guidelines may be admitted into the AAS degree program in Communication Design and apply to transfer into the BFA program after achieving CUNY proficiency in reading, writing, and mathematics.
Advanced Standing Credit
Transfer students may request an application for advanced standing from the Office of the Registrar and file it during the announced filing period. Credit is granted for courses taken at other colleges if the courses are considered equivalent to those offered at New York City College of Technology.
Articulation Agreements
The department has articulation agreements with specific departments and programs at Borough of Manhattan, Bronx, and Kingsborough Community Colleges. Students from these colleges who complete all specific course requirements will not be required to take more than 60 credits to complete the BFA program.
Accreditation
New York City College of Technology is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).
Additional Costs
- Textbooks: $400
- Professional Tools: $1,200
- Materials & Supplies: $1,200
Requirements
General Education
- English Composition: 2 courses
- Mathematical and Quantitative Reasoning: 1 course
- Life and Physical Sciences: 1 course
- Flexible Common Core: 6 courses
- College Option: 12 credits
Required Courses in the Major
- COMD 1100 - Graphic Design Principles I
- COMD 1112 - Digital Media Foundations
- COMD 1123 - Foundation Drawing
- COMD 1127 - Type and Media
- COMD 1162 - Raster and Vector Graphics
- COMD 1200 - Graphic Design Principles II
- COMD 1233 - Figure Drawing
- COMD 1257 - Typographic Design
- COMD 1340 - Photography I
- COMD 2300 - Communication Design I
- COMD 2320 - Introduction to Video
- COMD 2400 - Communication Design II
- COMD 2451 - Web Design I
- COMD 3504 - Communication Design Theory
- COMD 4730 - Senior Project Research
- COMD 4701 - The Design Team
- COMD 4801 - Portfolio
- COMD 4830 - Senior Project
- COMD 4900 - Internship in Communication Design
Art History
- ARTH 3311 - The History of Graphic Design
- 2 additional Art History courses
Overall Requirements
- Complete at least 42 credits of liberal arts and sciences
- Complete a minimum of 30 credits in residence at New York City College of Technology
- Earn at least 120 credits
Degree Map Narrative
A recommended semester-by-semester plan for full-time students is provided, outlining the courses to be taken each semester to complete the program in four years.