Communication Design & Strategy Curriculum
Communication Design students enrolling at CCS will be required to own or purchase a laptop computer for their studies.
| Course # | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SLP 007 | CCS First Year Experience* | 1 |
| DFN 119 | Digital Techniques | 3 |
| DFN 137 | 2D & 3D Integrated Design Studio | 3 |
| DFN 139 | Color & Light Studies | 3 |
| CDS 151 | Typography I | 3 |
| AHV 100 | Introduction to Material Culture | 3 |
| Course # | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DFN 138 | 4D Design Studio | 3 |
| DFN 142 | Performative Spaces | 3 |
| CDS 152 | Typography II | 3 |
| CDS 124 | Motion Essentials | 3 |
| WRT 101 | Composition I** | 3 |
| Course # | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CDS 251 | Typography III | 3 |
| CDS 263 | UI Design | 3 |
| CDS 211 | Design Semiotics | 3 |
| WRT 102 | Composition II | 3 |
| Choose One: AHV 201 AHV 202 AHV 200 | Visual Narration: Africa Visual Narration: Asia Western Art History/Visual Culture | 3 |
| Course # | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CDS 264 | UX Design | 3 |
| CDS 212 | Design Research | 3 |
| CDS 224 | Motion Narratives | |
| AHV 247 | History of Communication Design I | 3 |
| DHU --- | Humanities Course | 3 |
| Course # | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CDS 311 | Brand Strategies | 3 |
| CDS 317 | Professional Studio Practice I | 3 |
| CDS 365 | XR Design | 3 |
| AHV 261 | History of Communication Design II | 3 |
| D--- 200-400 | General Education Elective | 3 |
| Course # | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CDS 312 | Campaign Strategies | 3 |
| CDS --- | CDS Elective | 3 |
| D--- 200-400 | General Education Elective | 3 |
| ACI 200-400 | Science Elective | 3 |
| D--- 100-400 | Open Elective | 3 |
| Course # | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CDS 411 | Integrated Brand Strategies | 3 |
| CDS 418 | Professional Studio Practice II | 3 |
| CDS --- | CDS Elective | 3 |
| AHV 200-400 | Art History Elective (or) Visual Culture Elective | 3 |
| D--- 200-400 | General Education Elective | 3 |
| Course # | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CDS 412 | Design Theory | 3 |
| CDS --- | CDS Elective | 3 |
| CDS --- | CDS Elective | 3 |
| D--- 200-400 | General Education Elective | 3 |
| D--- 100-400 | Open Elective | 3 |
​Catalog Year 25/26 Total Credits 120-121
*International students that require ELS-101 (4.0 cr); Total Credits = 121/122
First Year Experience=1; Foundations=15; Major=60; Gen Ed=39; Open Electives=6
General Education Electives – Successfully complete any 200-400 level Liberal Arts course (i.e. AHV, BUS, DHS, DPL, DSS, SCI, WRT, LIT)
Open Electives – Successfully complete any (3.0 credit) 100-400 level course from any Undergraduate subject (Studio or Lecture).
This plan is provided for use as a guide only and is based on full-time status with successful completion of credits outlined per semester. Degree Timelines and requirements may vary based on actual program, credits completed per semester and/or catalog year. Students are responsible for confirming completion of all requirements before graduating (use program/student resources to support degree progression). Minimum Cumulative GPA of 2.0 required.
Vision Statement
The Communication Design & Strategy Department at CCS develops multidisciplinary designers. Through our innovative curriculum we foster strategic thinking and engagement with emerging technologies so that our graduates are ready to respond to evolving challenges of culture (theory) and the impact on our creative industry (practice).
Mission Statement
The Communication Design & Strategy Department is a multidisciplinary program that combines graphic design, motion graphics, UX design, and advertising to develop strategic communication systems. We work collaboratively to create compelling solutions that simplify complex concepts and make them accessible to diverse representations and audiences. We welcome curious minds to help shape the next generation of empathic design leaders.
Program Learning Outcomes (PLO)
Upon graduation, students in the BFA Communication Design & Strategy program will be able to:
- Demonstrate an ability to use a variety of research methodologies, in developing communication strategies and solutions relevant to intersectional human centered needs.
- Analyze shifts in emerging technology and their dynamic impact on communication to design solutions relevant to evolving user needs.
- Prioritize experimentation and play as a means to know and understand content that moves beyond Euro-centric histories to include diverse visual and lingual design contexts.
- Develop the ability to use informed critical judgment in selecting and utilizing components to achieve strategic solutions that work across a dynamic system of communications, while challenging normative expectations.
- Produce design solutions that utilizes storytelling to present clear concepts and deliverables through the development of content and application of visual components like typography, language, formats, colors, images, symbols, sounds, motion/video, gesture, sequencing, and interaction to achieve communication goals.
- Consider the importance of ethical judgment in all aspects of the design process from research to implementation.