Chair

Professor George Garrastegui
Namm Building, room N-1113
Phone: 718-260-5175

Description

Communication design is a vital and constantly-changing field and a broad industry with many jobs. Everything that you see on your smartphone, stream on your tv, interact with on your computer, and view on any device is created with a designer on a team. The designers, art directors, creative directors, visual developers, or other “creatives” have studied design elements, processes, techniques, and strategies for communication design.

The Communication Design program (COMD) at New York City College of Technology (City Tech) has its roots in a vocational college dating back to the late 1800s. The college and our COMD program are constantly evolving, answering the calls for visual communications and the needs of the diverse creative industries in New York City and beyond. Our work as designers includes a range of activities. We create visual presentations that move, tell stories, use images and iconography, develop characters that have personality, build websites, and design applications that help people to learn, work, share, meet, entertain, experience, and grow. It involves designing and presenting information and offering fresh ideas and new products. We create visual solutions that offer information through the use of technology. We change the hearts, minds, and inspire the souls of those around us.

Explore the Communication Design Department on the City Tech website.

Mission

The Department of Communication Design (COMD) is committed to increasing the variety of voices in professions that utilize creativity, technology, and design. The foundation of our program is based on integrating fundamental theory and concepts with applied technology. We believe in building a culture that encourages creativity, collaboration, and conceptual thinking. The department is uniquely positioned to provide a level playing field through a rigorous creative and technical education.

At COMD, we believe that design has the power to inform, inspire, and transform. Our mission is to cultivate the next generation of creative professionals who will shape the future of communication design.

With a faculty of industry professionals and state-of-the-art resources, we ensure that our graduates are well-equipped to meet the demands of the ever-changing creative landscape. Through internships, professional networking, and collaboration with industry leaders, our students gain real-world experience that prepares them for success in New York City’s thriving design and media industries.

At COMD, we believe that design has the power to inform, inspire, and transform. Our mission is to cultivate the next generation of creative professionals who will shape the future of communication design.

Degree Programs

The associate in applied science in program provides students with a solid foundation in the theory and current practices of the design profession, grounded in general education. The foundation years teach the skills and techniques used by communication designers. Students explore visual expression through a range of courses in figure drawing, design and color, typography, photography, video, and web design. The program prepares students to continue on to upper-level course work and specialization in the design field.

The bachelor of fine arts in program, building on the solid foundation in visual expression of the first two years, develops students' abilities to frame, research and solve increasingly complex visual communication problems. Students develop a professional portfolio that represents their talents and prepares them for employment upon graduation as art directors, graphic designers, motion designers, illustrators, and web designers.

Accreditation

New York City College of Technology is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

Advisory Commission

Bonnie Blake, President, Bonnie Blake & Company, Inc.

Wilbert Gutierrez, Head of UX Design, Money Movement Experiences, U.S. Bank

Ellen Faith Hurwitch, Director of Operations - The Americas, RedTie, Inc.

Luke Janka, Multilingual Learners/English Language Learners Services Administrator, NYC CUNY & Urban Assemble Schools

Ben Miftari, Work-Based Learning Coordinator & CTE Department Leader, The High School for Innovation in Advertising and Media

Stacey Panousopoulos, Executive Director, AIGA NY

Patricia Persaud, User Experience Lead, Platform Foundations, ZS

NiRey Reynolds, Global Director of Creative Excellence, Momentum Worldwide

Priscilla Rios, Creative Associate, Integral

Keni Thacker, Founder/CCO, 100 Roses from Concrete

Bill Wadman, Photographer/Videographer, Bill Wadman Photography

Name	Degree	Type	NYSED Code	HEGIS Code	CIP Code
Communication Design	AAS - Associate in Applied Science	Major	01355 - AD-AAS	5012.00	50.0402
Communication Design	BFA - Bachelor of Fine Arts	Major	21403 - COMD-BFA	0601.00	50.0401

Department: Communication Design