Our Program

 

Animation by Kristina Peebles

Pictures and words. The essential elements of commercial art. Think about this! Practically everything we use and see has been touched by the hand of a graphic designer, a web designer, or a photographer. Next time you're at a restaurant, check out the menu a little closer. When you read the paper tomorrow, give it a second look. Look at the way the pictures and words are presented on the page. Or the next time you take a drink from that cola can or bottle. Where do you suppose that symbol or logo came from? Your favorite music CD's, your movie/video covers, your favorite TV shows, movies, the Internet, your favorite T-shirt, even the license plate on your car...all emblazoned with graphic images from the hand of a designer, a photographer, or a web designer. The fact is, graphic images are used to enhance everything from brochures, posters, publications and packages to websites, films and television.

 

In the next century, designers, photographers, and web designers will be in even greater demand. Prospective employment opportunities include advertising agencies, photography studios, design studios, news media, public relations firms, marketing firms, corporations, interactive studios, television, films, department stores, and the Internet. More and more avenues of communication are opening with ever increasing frequency. This means higher demand for graphic images that will help sell products, communicate needs, and provide information.

 

To create these images, you'll need the ability to visualize or form a picture of your ideas and prepare them for printed or electronic reproduction. In order to visualize them, you'll need certain skills. Drawing, problem-solving and idea development, along with technical expertise in composition, layout, typography, digital imagery, and computer graphics will be essential skills for a career in commercial art.

 

We offer three Associate in Applied Science degree tracks: Advertising Design, Commercial Photography, and Webpage Design, as well as a Multimedia Certificate option.

 

The Communication Arts Technology Program at Jefferson Community & Technical College is a two-tiered, open admission Associate Degree program. Students are guided byreal world professionals working in the design, photography, and web design fields. Classes have been structured to simulate the realities of typical business situations.

 

First tier students are taught basic skills in the first two semesters, giving the student a strong foundation. Skills are developed through hands-on training using Macintosh computers and software with an early emphasis placed on form, color, composition, lighting, typography and the development of visual skills. Later, students are introduced to computer photo-manipulation using the industry standards in hardware and software in our state-of-the-art labs. This approach gives our students a broad understanding of electronic design studios, photography studios, and web design studios.

 

All students are required to submit a portfolio at the end of each course. These portfolios are enhanced as students move up through the second tier, advanced courses in the Communication Arts Program. Then, at the end of the program, students are required to submit their overall program portfolio for a Final Portfolio Review. At this stage, students present portfolios that are a culmination of their most outstanding work in their chosen degree option to be judged by professionals in the field.