Computer Graphic Design—Web Design Degree (CGW)

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, 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).

Campus/format: This program can be completed during the day at the Gardner Campus.

Transfer options: Transfer agreements exist with Charter Oak State College, New England Institute of Art, and the University of Phoenix. Students are encouraged to continue their education in areas such as electronic media, marketing, or communications. Visit MWCC’s transfer planning services website: http://transfer.mwcc.edu.

3 Plus ONE eligible–go to: www.mwcc.edu/3PlusONE

Special requirements: CGW students should either have a computer at home with Internet access and the Adobe Creative Suite, or be able to spend time outside of class in the graphic design computer labs where Internet access and the Creative Adobe Suite are provided. A grade of C or higher is recommended for students taking CGD courses. Students should follow suggested course sequence since most courses are not offered out of sequence. Technical standards must be met with or without accommodations.

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.

Earning potential: $41,764 to $54,788 per year.

*CGW Restrictive Electives for Web Majors:
CGD102 Publication Design
CGD103 Print Production for Designers
CGD205 Digital Photo Art
CGD235 Typography in Visual Communication
CGD242 Advanced Website Animation
CGD244 Designing for E-commerce

**CGW Professional Electives for Web Majors:
(CGW Professional electives also include the
Restrictive Electives listed above.)
BCT115 Digital Photography
BCT235 DVD Authoring
MKT142 Marketing
MGT110 Small Business Management
CIS109 Programming in Basic
CIS119 JavaScript for Designers
CIS130 Programming for the Web
CIS218 E-commerce Systems
THE113 Speech
BUS125 Communication for Business and Industry

Elective courses by abbreviation

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, 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.

Technical Standards*

*general information about technical standards and accommodation.

Students entering these programs must be able to demonstrate the ability to:

1. Comprehend textbook material at the 11th grade level.
2. Communicate and assimilate information either in spoken, printed, signed, or computer voice format.
3. Gather, analyze, and draw conclusions from data.
4. Write at a college level as evidenced by completion of ENG100 or placement into ENG101.
5. Read and proof printed text from a computer screen, with or without corrective adaptive devices.
6. Exhibit social skills appropriate to professional interactions.
7. Perceive, interpret, and use graphic images in their entirety from a computer screen.
8. Perceive and use computer screen RGB colors.
9. Learn to operate a computer with sufficient manual dexterity to manipulate peripherals such as keyboard, mouse, and graphics tablets.
10. Be physically capable to work at a computer for a minimum of several hours.