Communication Design, B.S.

The Communication Design program empowers students for academic and professional success through a unique, relevant focus on user-centered design, professional communication, computing and programming, development of a professional ethos, and application and synthesis.

Educational Objectives

Our Bachelor of Science degree sets our students apart from those with the Bachelor of Arts, integrating the kind of technical and analytical approach to design education that today’s employers seek.

Our interdisciplinary approach means you’ll engage and collaborate with fellow students and faculty in the Computer Science and Instructional Science and Technology programs, offering you a more well-rounded technical learning experience.

Our blend of creative, technical, and professional skills will empower you with the most well-rounded learning experience possible, including foundational knowledge in coding and programming, essential skills that will set you apart in the job market. 

Our real-world experience and team-based projects deliver the practical, hands-on knowledge to hit the ground running upon graduation, as well as the mentorship of industry professionals which forms a valuable future network.

Complete all of the following courses with a grade of C- or above in order to fulfill pre-requisites to more advanced courses:

• CST 201 - Media Tools I Units: 3
• CST 227 - Design Fundamentals Units: 3
• CST 251 - Web Tools Units: 3
• CST 300 - Major ProSeminar Units: 4
• CST 304 - Typography Units: 4
• CST 346 - Human-Computer Interaction Units: 3

Complete all of the following courses:

• CST 202 - Drawing for Digital Media Units: 2
• CST 202L - Drawing for Digital Media Lab Units: 1
• CST 230 - Media Tools II Units: 3
• CST 252 - Scripting for Multimedia Units: 3
• CST 302 - History of Communication Design Units: 3
• CST 316 - Computing for Designers Units: 3
• CST 345 - Visual Thinking Units: 3
• CST 446 - User Research and Experience Design Units: 3
• CST 462S - Race, Gender, Class in the Digital World Units: 3
• CST 498 - Communication Design Capstone Units: 3

VISUAL DESIGN CONCENTRATION

Complete all of the following courses:

• CST 327 - Experimental Typography Units: 3
• CST 351 - Web Design Units: 4
• CST 377 - Business of Design Units: 3
• CST 404 - Publication Design Units: 4
• CST 406 - Graphic Identity Units: 3

Complete at least five (5) units from the following elective coursework:

• CST 321 - Game Design and Interactive Media I Units: 4
• CST 322 - Environment Modeling Units: 2
• CST 323 - Character Design Units: 2
• CST 423 - Character Animation Units: 2
• CST 421 - Game Design & Interactive Media II Units: 4
• CST 422 - Level Design Units: 2
• VPA 307 - Diverse History of Contemporary Art Units: 4
• VPA 310 - Mixed Media Units: 3
• VPA 316 - Photography as Art Units: 3

GAME DESIGN & INTERACTIVE MEDIA CONCENTRATION

Complete all of the following courses:

• CST 321 - Game Design and Interactive Media I Units: 4
• CST 322 - Environment Modeling Units: 2
• CST 323 - Character Design Units: 2
• CST 421 - Game Design & Interactive Media II Units: 4
• CST 422 - Level Design Units: 2
• CST 423 - Character Animation Units: 2

Complete at least five (5) units from the following elective courses:

• CST 327 - Experimental Typography Units: 3
• CST 351 - Web Design Units: 4
• CST 377 - Business of Design Units: 3
• CST 404 - Publication Design Units: 4
• CST 406 - Graphic Identity Units: 3
• VPA 307 - Diverse History of Contemporary Art Units: 4
• VPA 310 - Mixed Media Units: 3
• VPA 316 - Photography as Art Units: 3

The scenic beauty of our inspiring coastal setting will provide an abundance of creative inspiration throughout your journey, while our close proximity to the Bay Area and Silicon Valley positions you near industry heavyweights like Apple, Salesforce, Google, Lemonaid Health, and NVIDIA. In fact, many of our graduates work at these leading organizations and regularly look to engage with students coming through the program.

The program offers extensive opportunities for service learning, enabling students to work on projects for local non-profits and startups providing visual design solutions and enhancing their operational capabilities. 

You may participate in projects that address community needs, such as organization rebranding, creating marketing materials for community events, designing educational resources, and branding for local causes. The program also partners with community organizations including Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey County Transportation Authority, and First Night Monterey on a range of service projects.