Unlock Your Potential

By in Around Campus Student Submissions

By Rebecca Richardson
Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015

A look inside ICC’s Graphic Communications Program

On the other side of campus, nestled within the AIT building, students are hard at work. They are busily laying out pages in InDesign, developing t-shirt designs and learning how to use a screen press. The Graphics Communications program at ICC is a hybrid course, providing training in both graphic design, production and marketing for entering the varied field of Graphic Communications.

According to program director, John Baggett “Graphic communication is the third largest industry in the U.S. One hundred and seventy billion dollars a year is spend in the domestic and six hundred and eighty billion dollars a year global on graphic communication. Walk into any store and look at all the different type of packaging. The boxes, bags and bottles all have printing and graphics on them that a company has to make.  In addition to the growing demand for products there is an aging population that is retiring from the industry and business are looking for the labor force of the future”

Students who pursue a degree in this field have a wide variety of options waiting for them once they complete their degree. The Harbinger sat down with Mr. Baggett for an in-depth interview on the Gcomm program and opportunities available to those who enroll.

Welcome Mr. Baggett. Let’s get started. Firstly, what is the difference between a graphic design and graphic communication program?

The Graphic Communication program represents a huge communications industry that requires the knowledge and a hands on skills needed to create: web pages, packaging, publications, signage, 3D print models and screen-printed garments. The focus of this program is to train students how understand the production workflow and technology that businesses used to create on all these forms of visual communication.

What type of student would benefit from a degree in this field?

Students of any age and background can benefit for our classes.  We have students that range for still being in high school to working in the graphic communication industry to retired people. The information that we deliver has benefits to someone who is:

    • interested in photography (GCOMM235),
    • wanting to start their own screen printing business (GCOMM112 and 225),
    • needing skills in 3D modeling and animation for game development (GCOMM248),
    • needing to update their skills in adobe software (ALL GCOMM)
    • wanting to develop a web page for their current business GCOMM 245, 247)
    • edit and enhance images for use in print or online publications (GCOMM 250 and 251)
    • wanting to create large format signage
    • get the skills to make packaging and publications (GCOMM 140)
    • Wants to develop or manage the production of graphic products. (Ex. eBooks, web pages, books, magazines, t-shirts, signage, packaging, 3D printed items …)(ALL GCOMM)

Is it a fairly full market? Can students expect to find work after successful completion?

Yes, there are jobs:

    • Screen printer – t-shirts, and stickers
    • Packaging – boxes, bags, shrink wraps
    • Sign maker – vehicle wraps, poster, building signs and poster
    • Quick print shops – flyer, booklets
    • Commercial printer magazines, books, manuals
    • Direct mail – promotion items

What classes does one take in this program?
 We offer classes Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign, Dreamweaver and Maya. Photoshop and Indesign have a beginning and advanced course in.  All of the classes work together to help students understand how to correctly use the Adobe suite tools. You can’t make everything in Photoshop.  You really have to use the right tool for the job. Yeah, sure you can make a webpage in MS Word but the features, and flexibility over the design development and ability to quickly updating is outstanding with tools like Dreamweaver.
If you are interested in 3D technology our 3D Modeling and Animation class teaches students how to model, animate and print 3D object.  This year I will be show students how to create 3D such as people by scanning them.  

How long does it take to get through it on average?

We have several options for students to pick from. The Applied Science Associates is a two-year degree.  The Digital Publishing certificate is all the same Graphic Communications class without the Gen Ed courses.  Most people that pursue the certificate option are ready have a degree or have a career that they need more skilled knowledge for. If you don’t have the time or money to take an either of those we developed a series of stackable certificates in: Page Layout, Digital Imaging, Print and iMedia. These certificates that are made up of 3 to 5 courses that allows people to get a certificate as a part-time student in one specific area of graphic communications. So you can start out by getting a certificate in digital imaging, then page layout, then print and finally iMedia. To pick up these certificates as you earn your

“I can’t draw, so this is not the program for me right?’

That couldn’t be further from the truth.  If you have a good eye for detail and have good organizational skills those are the most important skills to start out with. Another great trait is an interest in technology, the field is constantly changing and there is always something new to learn or explore.

Are there other basic Gen Eds required to graduate from this program?

    • Math 110
    • Eng 110
    • Psy 110
    • Math 110
    • COMM 110
    • Humanities
    • Lab Science

If you are interested in pursuing a bachelor’s degree we have an 2+2 articulation agreement with ISU in Graphic Communications that requires POLSC 115 American National Government, PHY 115 Foundations of Physics and MAT 134 Finite Mathematics.  We also have certificates that don’t require any GEN EDs.

Are their scholarships opportunities available?

Yes, we have a wide range of scholarship the main ones that I promote are:

All of these scholarships are specifically setup to assist students that want to pursue careers in the graphic communications industry. Please check out all of your information at http://www.icc-gcomm.com

Thank you for taking the time to share information about this “hidden gem” inside ICC. Is there anything more prospective students should know?

Only that they can stop by the AIT building and set up an appointment with me to take a tour of the facility and have any questions they might have answered. There is a wealth of opportunity out there for dedicated students in this field. I personally work with several companies in the surrounding area in an effort to help place students in a field appropriate for their skills upon successful completion.

To learn more contact John Baggett at (309) 694-5147 or visit the AIT Building, Room 241.

 

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *