The Communication Design Program focuses on developing effective communication through the study and practice of design. We use methods that synthesize traditional approaches with relevant technology to meet societal and environmental needs. Our program draws upon the strengths of the liberal arts, the scientific and creative disciplines of our leading research university. This enables our students to become well-rounded problem solvers, preparing them to shape a better future.

We teach students to communicate in various contexts through storytelling, organizing information into systems, and visualizing ideas so that they are understandable to audiences. They work in both physical and digital environments giving form to typography, graphics and images. Students move seamlessly between various media, quickly generating and expressing ideas that educate, inform, and delight audiences.

After four years, students graduate with a BFA in Communication Design. They often choose to work at companies like Facebook, Apple, Google, NYTimes, and R/GA; join start-ups, non-profits, and public service organizations; or pursue additional degrees.


Description of Courses
Required studio courses introduce principles of communication with type and image in both static and dynamic forms. Students take a sequence of typography studios as well as color and digital imaging classes. Through the four-year curriculum, students start with exploration of typographic form in space and time, and move on to study visual combinations of words and images, personal voice in visual communication, and finish with addressing problems of communicating complex information in both physical and digital environments.

Design electives address a range of areas important to communication design and may include journal design, kinetic maps, narrative structures in video, kinetic typography, and interface and interaction design. The design studies sequence of courses covers design history, design and social change, design and perception, and aesthetics. In general, topics will change based on faculty research and the specializations of visiting designers.