Computer Graphic Design Web Design - Mount Wachusett Community College

Computer Graphic Design Web Design from Mount Wachusett Community College is a Campus Associate Information Technology degree that prepares you for a IT career. This program provides students with the visual design , communication, and computer graphic skills necessary to obtain an entry-level position in this field or to continue their education at a four-year college or university. For those already employed, they can enroll in this career program to upgrade their skills for potential advancement. Students learn basic and advanced techniques for creating effective, well-designed, and interactive websites. Students are taught basic design theory, digital imaging and electronic illustration skills and techniques, in addition to learning basic hypertext markup languages and top level authoring software using what you see is what you get (WYSIWYG) technology. The most current graphic and web design software is used in the CGW program. This includes: the Adobe Creative Suite 4 (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat, Fireworks, Dreamweaver and Flash), QuarkXPress 8.0, and the latest web browsers (Internet Explorer, Safari, Firefox, Opera). Career options: Web designers may be employed by advertising agencies, design firms, marketing departments, commercial art, reproduction firms, and other businesses that maintain websites. Also, many web designers/coordinators are self-employed. Program Competencies Upon graduation from this program students shall have demonstrated the ability to: 1. Exhibit a solid understanding of the fundamentals of design , including the elements and principles of design and typography as they are applied to the development of effective communication pieces for both print and web design . 2. Possess a working knowledge of the design process especially how it relates to: audience definition, research, analysis, and concept development; the production of thumbnail sketches and rough drafts; and the preparation of final comprehensive print layouts and websites. 3. Exhibit a solid understanding of the principles of visual communication coupled with an understanding of current web and multimedia tools, concepts, terminology, and techniques. 4. Exhibit measureable proficiency in the following industry standard graphic design software: Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, and Flash. As well as, demonstrate a solid working knowledge of Adobe InDesign, Acrobat Professional, and Fireworks. 5. Transform digital images into new pieces of art through the use of Adobe Photoshop and Fireworks with emphasis on the creation of high-quality graphics for print and the web . 6. Create complex electronic illustrations and single page layouts while exhibiting a solid understanding of the complex functions of Adobe Illustrator. 7. Plan and design websites utilizing basic and advanced web authoring techniques while exhibiting proficiency in the use of HTML, XHTML, CSS layouts and techniques, Adobe Photoshop, and Dreamweaver. 8. Create dynamic, animated computer art, web motion graphics, and websites through the use of Adobe Flash. 9. Prepare for the job market with career planning, skill assessment, resume writing, and interviewing, as well as compile a professional-quality portfolio for entering the job market or for transferring to a four-year program. 10. Manage and develop client-based websites with the use of effective navigational architecture and interface design while meeting strict deadlines. View more details on Mount Wachusett Community College . Ask your questions and apply online for this program or find other related Information Technology courses.