The Bachelor of Arts Degree in Graphic / Information Design provides professional instruction in the areas of Graphic Design, Website Design, Interactive Multimedia Design, History of Design and 3-D Animation and Design.

The Master of Arts Degree in Information Design provides professional instruction in the areas of Advanced Graphic and Information Design Theory, Design Practice, Research for Graphic / Information Design, History of Design, and Interactive Multimedia Design.

Practical Design Experience:
Design Internship - Upper level undergraduate students may apply to participate in our, for credit, Graphic Design Internship experience with a professional Graphic Design Studio, Advertising Agency, Publisher (print or web), Corporate Design Department or Multimedia Design Company. Internship is required at the Masters level.

Central Design Studio - Upper level students may apply to participate in our award winning, for-credit, student-operated full-service design studio. The Central Design Studio, under faculty supervision provides design services to selected real world clients.

International Experience:
International Student Exchange - Upper level students are encouraged to apply to participate in the universities International Student Exchange program, which provides opportunities to study abroad.

Please note that the Department of Design (Graphic / Information) is separate from the Department of Art and the Department of Computer Electronics and Graphics Technology.

The Master of Arts Degree in Information Design at CCSU promotes professional studies in the areas of traditional graphic design as well as other forms of digital information including web site design, and interactive multimedia design. Graduates are expected to take leadership positions in the design industry, including Graphic Design, Publishing, Advertising, Multimedia Design, Web Design, Digital Imaging and Corporate Information Design. The degree program is unique in curriculum and structure, including course work in Design Practices, Marketing, Management, Computer Applications, Design Theory, Research Methods, History of Design and Internship. The program, similar to the professional practice of design, addresses not only the theoretical, creative and technical aspects of visual design, but business applications as well, this unique degree program delivers graduates who meet and exceed the challenges of the rapidly evolving field.

PLEASE NOTE:
Advising and program information provided on this website is for general information and guidance only. It does not constitute a contract, either express or implied, and is subject to revision at the University’s discretion. Students should be further aware that additional licensure and certification requirements may be imposed by outside licensing or accrediting agencies even after a plan of study has been approved or after a student has entered a professional program. A plan of study may be subject to revision to reflect such additional requirements.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
Students in the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Graphic/Information Design are expected to:

• Apply Design Theory - demonstrate understanding of design principles by applying design theory and process from an artistic perspective;


• Think Critically/Use Design Vocabulary - Apply critical thinking to create, organize, and evaluate a graphic/information design portfolio and be able to use design vocabulary appropriately and accurately;


• Design Web/Social Media - Apply creative problem solving and technical skills in the creation of effective design solutions for social media and web;


• Design Print Media - Apply creative problem solving and technical skills in the creation of effective design solutions for print;


• Design Motion Graphics/Multimedia/3D - Apply creative problem solving and technical skills in the creation of effective design solutions for motion, 3D and multi-media project work.
  

Students in the Master of Arts (M.A.) in Information Design are expected to:

• Outcome 1 [ Creative Problem Solve ] : Students identify a problem, and apply design process and research methodology towards the creation of a solution from an artistic perspective. Students will have demonstrated a familiarity and working knowledge of the different theories and philosophies of graphic/information design;


• Outcome 2: [ Create (generate/plan/produce) a Professional Design Portfolio ]: Students apply critical thinking, research methodology, and design practice, to create a well-developed defendable body of design work, demonstrating advanced capabilities with technologies, documentation, and presentation of a professional design portfolio;


• Outcome 3: [ Leadership Ability ] : Students demonstrate creative problem solving skills and knowledge of design theory and practice necessary for a leadership position in a design-related field. Student’s familiarity with current trends and issues in the design field is evaluated by design faculty and professionals in the design field, based on community and professional engagement/participation in addition to the student’s Capstone Project;


• Outcome 4: [ Communicate Effectively Across Digital Media ] : Students write and create design work for research, e-publication, and presentation. Student work provides evidence of an ability to effectively organize, interpret, synthesize, evaluate and produce knowledgeable and successful projects in print media, Web, / Social Media, and Motion Graphics / Multimedia, that situate themselves into the framework of the contemporary graphic/information design field.

Facilities:
The department of Design is located on the third floor of the Robert C. Vance Academic Center. The Department houses a state of the art print center and three Macintosh computer laboratories that are dedicated to various aspects of design study. Faculty and staff with software and design background operate these facilities.
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The Alumni:
Our Graduates are highly successful working as designers and art directors with nationally known Graphic Design firms, Advertising Agencies, Corporate Design and Communication Departments, Broadcasters, Publishers (both print and web), Multimedia and Animation Studios. Graduates of the program have produced design solutions for the following:

McDonalds, Volkswagen America, Nike, Mercedes Benz, Guess, Del Monte, HBO, ESPN, Advest, Pepsi International, Citibank, M&M Mars, Frito lay, AT&T, IBM, Christies Auction House, General Electric, Dunn and Bradstreet, Chase Manhattan Bank, The McGraw Hill Companies, Aetna, Xerox Corporation, Coty, Guinness Imports, AiWA, Sony, Avon, Duracell, ABC, Ocean Spray, Subaru, Strathmore, Smith and Wesson, Bayer, Coke, Hertz, Jovan, Panasonic, Nabisco, Hilton Hotels, Nestle Waters and many others.

Telephone: 860-832-2557
Fax: 860-832-2628
www.design.ccsu.edu

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