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Communication Design, B.S.

Preparing tomorrow’s leaders in visual communication to creatively shape how information is presented and consumed in today’s digital world.

Student looking at a laptop on a desk

As a Communication Design major you’ll develop the creative, technical, and professional skills it takes to enhance user experiences across platforms with compelling visual narratives, games, and interactive content.

Blazing Innovative and Creative Professional Paths

You’ll graduate prepared and ready to play a crucial role as a visual communication professional, creating accessible, engaging, and compelling interactive content in various settings that could include health care, education, advertising, media, and entertainment.

You’ll join a proven and respected legacy of success, with our network of Communication Design graduates achieving impressive things at top organizations, including:

  • Akorbi 
  • Apple
  • Bar Association of Erie County 
  • Barn2Door
  • Bellevue Healthcare
  • California Department of Water Resources 
  • Carmel Realty 
  • Central Coast Energy Services 
  • Coinbase 
  • CoinBase 
  • Electronic Arts (EA)
  • Fast Signs 
  • Global Overview (Amazon) 
  • Grocery Outlet 
  • HTLF 
  • KAZU 90.3 FM 
  • Montage Health 
  • Monterey County Rape Crisis Center 
  • Monterey Mushrooms, LLC
  • Precision X-Ray 
  • Sports Design, Santa Cruz 
  • TMD Creative 
  • YipitData

You’ll gain a vast range of hands-on skills and sharpen your creative edge in ways that will open doors to any number of professional roles, including:

  • Art director
  • Branding designer
  • Character designer
  • Creative director
  • Digital media designer
  • Environment designer
  • Environmental graphic designer
  • Graphic designer
  • Illustrator
  • Layout designer
  • Level designer
  • Motion graphic designer
  • Packaging designer
  • Photo editor
  • Product designer
  • Production artist
  • Social media designer
  • User experience (UX) designer
  • User interface (UI) designer
  • Visual designer
  • Web designer

Each year, graduates of our program are accepted into some of the top graduate programs in the country, some of which include:

  • Academy of Art University
  • Arizona State University
  • Quinnipiac University
  • University of Washington
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Public University Price, Private University Experience

A Lifetime of Value

Tuition & Fees Financial Aid

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:

Complete all of the following courses:

VISUAL DESIGN CONCENTRATION

Complete all of the following courses:

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

GAME DESIGN & INTERACTIVE MEDIA CONCENTRATION

Complete all of the following courses:

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

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.

News

Read about our student success and faculty innovation in CSUMB News
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Questions? We’re Here to Help!

Don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions you have about the Communication Design program.

Our experienced and supportive admissions staff is here to provide all the individualized guidance you need.

Study Communication Design in an inspiring coastal environment where we are truly committed to mentorship and an engaging student experience.