More and more people are realizing the importance of design that provides high quality aesthetic and functional value. The designers that can provide this understand the specific needs of both their clients and their clients’ customers and are able to create products that perform to their full potential, satisfying both client requirements and consumer desires.
Two of the most important things for designers to understand are how people use products and how they take in information. Whether designing a brochure that advertises a new car, an interactive web site about the new car, or the body of the new car itself, designers must place things where the user needs and expects them to be for the design to be most successful. They must also make everything quick and easy to use and understand.
The Technology Department currently offers three different four-year design majors; Graphic Design, New Media Imaging, and Industrial Design.
This major focuses primarily on print design and visual communications. Majors take a variety of classes to learn about page layout, package design, typography, illustration, advertising, and fine art. Graduates will be able to work in many professions including publication layout, illustration, graphic design, and production management.
This major focuses primarily on 3D design and basic web technologies. Majors take a variety of classes to learn web page design, 3D animation, photo editing, illustration, page layout, and basic programming. Graduates will be able to work in many professions including web site design, 3D animation, photo editing, and graphic design.
This major focuses primarily on designing user-friendly products and systems. Majors take a variety of classes to learn 3D animation, computer aided drafting, illustration, fine art, material processing (wood, ceramic, plastic, and metal), and hydraulics. Graduates will be able to work in many professions including 3D animation, 3D modeling, product design, and manufacturing.
The Technology Department is well equipped to train designers in the latest technologies. Students work on both PCs and Macintosh computers and are able to use cutting-edge software including Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop; Macromedia Freehand, Flash, Fireworks, and Dreamweaver; and QuarkXPress, 3D Studio Max, Final Cut Pro, Rhino, and Solidworks. Students also have access to high quality printers and scanners, a photography darkroom, and fully-equipped welding, woodworking, and metalworking labs.
Our design classes teach students many skills beyond techniques and computer programs. Students learn to meet deadlines, by themselves and in group projects, and to troubleshoot a variety of problems. They also learn effective communication and people skills and how to work with both designers and non-designers. Over 90% of our graduates are able to secure entry-level design jobs within a year after they graduated.
Graphic Artist/Designer:
$23,000–$42,000
Web Site Designer/Developer:
$23,800–$42,000
Industrial Designer:
$39,000–$69,000