Communication Design
Graphic design is about more than making things look good; it’s about using visual language to communicate ideas, solve problems, and connect with audiences. Designers shape how brands are seen, how information is understood, and how messages move across print, digital, and interactive spaces.
As the graphic design field has evolved, so has its scope. What was once defined primarily by print now includes branding systems, packaging, advertising, motion, digital media, and user experience. Communication design reflects this broader reality: it is the contemporary practice of graphic design across multiple platforms and contexts.
Think design. Think strategy. Think future!
Join us to learn about the Communication Design program and career opportunities in graphic design.
Register for an Info Session »At Alexandria Technical & Community College, the program approaches graphic design as a comprehensive practice of visual communication. Learners develop strong core skills in visual communication, layout, typography, branding, and production while learning to think strategically about audience, message, and medium. The curriculum emphasizes both creative exploration and professional practice, preparing learners for the diverse ways graphic designers work today.
Learners will graduate with:
Professional proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud, including InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, and After Effects
Strong layout and typography skills, including hierarchy, grid systems, and visual organization
Advertising design experience, creating compelling visuals that support messaging and campaign goals
Branding and identity design skills, including logo systems, brand standards, and visual consistency
Packaging design knowledge, with an emphasis on form, function, and shelf impact
Foundational understanding of design history and theory, grounding creative work in the larger discipline
Digital photography fundamentals, including composition, lighting, and image editing
Collaboration and project management experience, working individually and in teams
Introductory client communication skills, with insight into how creative agencies and studios operate
Production design awareness, including file setup, print specifications, and output requirements
Strong file management and general computing skills
Interview preparation and professional presentation skills
A polished, individualized portfolio and the ability to confidently present and discuss their work
Additionally, learners have the opportunity to expand their skill set with illustration and/or web and user interface design, further strengthening their creative versatility and career readiness.
As part of the program, learners receive a brand-new MacBook Pro laptop (theirs to keep) ensuring access to professional tools both in and out of the classroom.
Student Agency: Real Clients. Real Responsibility. Real Design Practice.
A defining feature of the Communication Design program is Studio300, the program’s student‑run design agency. Through Design Production coursework, students become part of the Studio300 team, gaining professional experience that goes far beyond simulated projects or classroom exercises.
Studio300 operates as a collaborative studio environment where first‑year students work alongside second‑year students in a junior–senior designer relationship. This structure mirrors professional practice, allowing students to learn through mentorship, shared problem‑solving, and increasing levels of responsibility. Teams collaborate on projects for real clients, developing strategic design solutions across the full spectrum of graphic design, from branding and identity systems to packaging, print, digital, and web‑based work.
Students take on meaningful professional roles within Studio300, including project management and team leadership. They communicate directly with clients, define project goals, establish timelines, present concepts and proofs, and revise work based on feedback and client briefs.
Studio clients represent a wide range of organizations from across Minnesota and beyond, giving students experience working with diverse needs, constraints, and stakeholders. By the time students graduate, they have practiced how designers actually work: collaboratively, strategically, and in direct partnership with clients.
