What is 'Graphic Communication Art & Design? (GCAD)'

Graphic Communication Art & Design, or more commonly referred to as "graphic design" by industry professionals, is a career that combines creative thinking with visual, technical and artistic skills, for the purpose of communicating ideas and messages to a specific audience. Graphic designers help deliver their clients' message by giving it a visual form appropriate to the message and audience. A graphic designer can find employment in advertising agencies, graphic design studios, in-house design & marketing departments and printing establishments.

For more in-depth reading on the subject, see the American Institute for Graphic Arts article titled What Is Graphic Design?

Is it for you?

Are you creative? Do you enjoy the challenge of coming up with multiple solutions to a problem? Do you ever look at magazine ads, logos or package designs and think you'd enjoy coming up with the concept and artwork for those materials? Graphic designers must use a blend of both creativity and technical skills on the job. In today's job market, designers are expected to not only be able to conceptualize multiple design solutions for a wide variety of communication media (brochures, posters, logos, package design, etc) but also be able to create the electronic files necessary to produce & print these projects. Graphic design is an exciting and varied career field, and it requires designers to be adaptive and flexible. Designers must also be: attentive to detail (creatively and technically); willing to take initiative; able to think analytically; and be a good communicator.

EXTRA COSTS, TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT

The student is required to purchase approximately $100 worth of tools and equipment each quarter.

Jobs and Salary Expectations

• In Nebraska, the median wage for graphic designers is $32,094 per year.*
• For region- and nation-wide salary statistics, see the AIGA|Aquent Salary Survey
• Employment for graphic designers may be found in:
  
  • Advertising agencies
  • Graphic design studios
  • In-house or corporate design departments
  • Printing companies
  • Signage companies
  • Newspapers
  • Mailing and copying companies
  • Other service-oriented businesses
• Graphic designers create designs using print, electronic and film media.*
• Graphic designers may work part time or full time, and may work overtime to meet deadlines.*
• There is no licensing required in the graphic design field; therefore, graduates with a marketable portfolio will be able to fully display their work to potential employers.
• Students are encouraged to contact the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) for membership and conference dates.  Visit the AIGA Nebraska chapter website for local design events.

*Statistics taken from the Nebraska Department of Labor (NCIS).

Program Faculty

• Jim Hanson
• Luann Matthies (Program Coordinator-Winter & Spring quarters)
• Jim Wolf (Program Coordinator-Summer & Fall quarters)

Program Descriptions

The Graphic Communication Art & Design program awards an associate degree. After approximately two years of full-time study, you will learn cutting-edge technical skills to effectively communicate ideas conceptually and visually through print media, using industry standard computers and software on the Macintosh platform.

See the GCAD catalog page for complete degree requirements and course descriptions.

Visit MCC's website www.mccneb.edu/articulation for the most current transfer listings.

Credit Classes and Registration

• Find Class Schedule
• Register for Classes