“BUILDING CAREERS IN DESIGN”

Design Communication [DesCom] is a unique two-year course developed for students who are considering careers as design professionals.

The classroom/lab environment is the model of a professional design studio and represents the most current technology in equipment and resources. The studio accommodates each student at their own computer and drawing workstation where they maintain their own digital portfolios, access daily work assignments, the internet, design resources and share information and ideas through a local network. Students have full access to an extensive design periodical, reference and career exploration library, the latest in digital imaging equipment including tablet monitors, cameras, scanners, printers, large format plotters and the most current releases of professional design software from Autodesk and Adobe.

The Level 3 four-semester, four-credit curriculum presents students with contexts within which to explore and develop professional skills through direct, realistic learning experiences representing many different design disciplines. The Project Lead the Way Architecture and Civil Engineering course is integrated with the curriculum to provide specific architectural and civil engineering contexts.

Students develop competency in design skills required of today’s designers and students of design through instruction and application that fully integrates traditional communication methods- sketching, instrument technical drafting, hand-rendering and model making, with new technology methods- vector and raster graphics, CADD, parametric BIM modeling and three-dimensional visualization and rendering.

Through active engagement, students can acquire the technical skills and the creative techniques necessary to compete and succeed in the pursuit of a design career including architecture, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, packaging design, industrial design, computer-aided drafting and design, interior design, graphic design, technical illustration, urban and preservation planning, building contracting and construction. Portfolio development and career and college planning is valuable to students planning to apply to post-secondary schools of design.