Students gain hands-on experience in the foundations of modern visual communication while working in a fully equipped, state-of-the-art Mac lab. The curriculum emphasizes the essential principles of color theory, typography, layout, illustration, photography, animation, and digital media production. Students use industry-standard Adobe Creative Cloud software to create a professional portfolio that includes logos, illustrations, brochures, websites, social media content, advertisements, motion graphics, and packaging design.
With access to a professional garment printer, students learn how to design artwork for apparel, prepare production-ready files, and apply their graphics directly onto fabric. From T-shirt designs to custom merchandise, students gain practical experience in a rapidly growing design sector.
With the increasing demand for strong digital presence across industries, students also explore social media as a design platform, learning to create engaging posts, branded content, visual storytelling, and platform-specific layouts.
Second-year students may also pursue independent-study pathways in Adobe After Effects and Adobe Animate, allowing them to deepen their skills in motion design, video graphics, and 2D animation.
Program Studies
Preparation for ACA Exams
- Career Planning
- Color Theory
- Electronic Design for Print Media
- Illustrator (vector draw software)
- InDesign (page layout software)
- Process and Procedures
- Digital Illustration
- Photoshop (raster paint software)
- Animation Fundamentals
- Social Media Design & Content Strategy
- Apparel Layout (DTG & DTF Production)
- Typography
- Entrepreneurship
College Articulations
Rockland Community College (9 dual credits), St. Thomas Aquinas College (6 dual credits), College of Westchester, Sullivan Community College, SUNY Cobleskill
Professional Certifications
Adobe Certified Associate for Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign
Career Options
Graphic Designer, Animator, Web Site Designer, Video Game Designer, Illustrator, Advertising & Marketing Professional, Special Effects Technician, Entrepreneur, Layout Artist, Social Media Manager, Wide Format Print Operator, Packaging Designer, Custom Print Shop Technician, Apparel Graphic Designer / Merchandise Designer
