Major Discovery Series
Communication Design
Bachelor of Fine Arts: Communication Design
Bachelor of Fine Arts: Communication Design/Illustration
With Specialization in: Graphic Design, Advertising Design, Interactive Design, or Illustration
Communication Design is about visual communication; print, film, and electronic communications. The highly creative and
thought provoking work of graduates from the Communication Design department informs and persuades on behalf of
clients in a wide range of organizations and professions. The four year BFA curriculum in Communication Design is
geared toward building student knowledge through a structured fundamental program and a variety of upper-level
concentrations in Graphic Design, Advertising Design, Illustration, Photography and Interactive Design. Employers
recommend one or more internships to be successful and competitive when entering this field.
Career themes associated with Communication Design
Realistic, Artistic, and Enterprising
Related skills, values, and qualities
 Ability to communicate ideas, thoughts, and
feelings visually
 Aptitude in spatial relationships and manual dexterity
 Critical observation and critical thinking skills
 Ability to think creatively
 Strong interpersonal and networking skills
 Ability to persuade, present and communicate ideas
 Ability to meet deadlines
 Concentration and self-discipline
 Ability to withstand scrutiny and criticism
Courses Communication Design majors typically enjoy
 Art
 Drawing and Painting
 Photography
 Video Production
 Animation
 Web Page Design
 Advertising
 Marketing
Common interests of Communication Design majors
 Working part-time or volunteering in an art studio,
museum or advertising agency
 Attending art shows, festivals, and art exhibits
 Drawing and painting
 Photography
 Digital imaging
 Making and editing movies
 Creating advertising material for local community
organizations and other groups
For more information about the major
Contact the Communication Design Department,
302 Sharadin, 610-683-4530,
or visit www.kutztown.edu/CommunicationDesign
KU Majors related to Communication Design
Art Education, Crafts, Studio Art, Marketing,
Electronic Media
Artistic students may also be interested in:
Advertising*, Media, Elementary Education, English,
German, International Studies*, Library Science,
Literature*, Music, Music Education, PA German
Studies*, Philosophy, Professional Writing, Public
Relations*, Secondary Education (English or Modern
Languages), Spanish, or Speech Communication.
*minor only
For More Information on Communication Design Careers or to speak to a Career Counselor, contact
KU Career Development Center • 113 Stratton Administration Center • 610-683-4067 • careerhelp@kutztown.edu • www.kutztown.edu/careercenter
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 Attend your senior kick-off and
other info sessions to prepare
for job search/grad school.
 Enroll in the Career Success

Update your resume and
Certificate.
LinkedIn profile.
 Complete an internship and/or
 Meet with CDC career

Create cover letter drafts.
undergraduate
research.
coach.
Enroll in the Career

Gain experience through

Attend
info
sessions
about
 Attend info sessions to learn
Exploration Certificate.
internships and/or
internships,
interviewing,
job
about resume writing, and
Attend info sessions to learn
undergraduate research.
search strategies, and grad
externships.
about career development

Secure references for job/grad
school.
 Confirm your choice of major
and personal branding.
school applications.

Build
a
LinkedIn
profile
and
and consider options for
Take a career assessment to
continue to monitor your online  Create your “30 second”
double
major
or
minor.
identify and confirm interests.
commercial.
presence.
 Research careers of interest.
Get involved in campus clubs

Meet with CDC to develop

Complete
a
mock
interview.
 Complete a job shadowing
and organizations.
job search strategies.
 Build skills through research
(externship) experience.
Develop basic workplace skills

Research employers.
projects,
part-time
employment,
through jobs or volunteer work.  Seek meaningful employand
volunteer
work.

Network with professionals
ment or volunteer work in a
Talk with professors, family,
through events and social
 Participate in Coffee and
field
related
to
your
major.
and friends about career
media.
Convos & networking programs.

Explore
options
for
underideas.

Join a professional organization

Attend
internship
&
job
fairs.
graduate research and
Conduct informational
in your discipline.
 Take on a leadership role in a
study abroad.
interviews with professionals

Attend the senior etiquette
student
organization
or
work.
 Write a resume and have it
working in fields of interest.
dinner.

Consider
graduate
school
reviewed
by
the
CDC.
Develop a relationship with
 Participate in job fairs and
options
and
prepare
for

Manage
your
online
your professors and faculty
on-campus interviewing.
admissions tests.
presence.
advisor.
Sample Career Titles
Communication Design majors can be found working in a wide variety of career fields. Here are just some
career titles that may be of interest. Please note that some jobs may require further education and training.
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Advertising Artist
Aerial Photographer
Animator
Art Administrator
Art Consultant
Art Director
Art Educator
Artist’s Agent
CD/Record Cover Designer
Creative Director
Designer
Display Designer
Freelance Designer
Freelance Illustrator
Fashion Artist/Designer
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Gallery Owner
Graphic Arts Technician
Greeting Card Artist
Illustrator
Label Designer
Landscape Architect
Magazine Designer/Illustrator
Motion Picture Artist
Motion Picture Scenic Designer
Municipal Graphic Designer
Newspaper Layout Artist
Photographer
Product Designer/Illustrator
Set Designer/Illustrator
Web Designer
To learn more about these careers, visit http://online.onetcenter.org or www.bls.gov/oco.
Common Internship sites and Employers
Communication Design majors often find internships and employment in the following fields/industries.
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Photo Studios
Art Studios
Advertising Agencies
Webpage Companies
Graphic Design Studios
Motion Picture Studios
Schools/Camps
Interior Design Firms
Media Production Companies
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Community Arts Organizations
Magazines/Newspapers
Photo Agencies & Studios
Publishing Firms
KU Career Network is the primary online resource
for preparing and connecting students and alumni with employers.
www.kutztown.edu/KUCN
Useful Websites for Communication Design Majors
Whether you are researching related career fields, applying for internships or jobs, or planning to join
a professional association, these websites are for you!
Industry/Employment Information
Job/Internship Search Boards
Professional Associations
National Endowment for the Arts
www.nea.gov
Greater Phila Cultural Alliance
www.philaculture.org/jobbank
College Art Association
www.collegeart.org
NY Foundation for the Arts
www.nyfa.org
Interior Design Jobs
www.interiordesignjobs.com
Southern Graphics Council
http://sgcinternational.org
ResArtis
www.resartis.org
Internships
Www.Internships.com
Assoc. for the Advancement of Art
www.aaae.org
Art Deadline
http://artdeadline.com
Aquent Talent Agency
www.aquent.com
Nat’l Assoc. of Independent Artists
http://naia-artists.org/
Professional Artist Magazine
www.artcalendar.org
HireSkills
www.hireskills.com
Society of American Graphic Artists
http://saga.monmouth.edu
Graphic Arts & Printing Career Guide
www.khake.com/page27.html
Communication Arts
www.creativehotlist.com
American Association of Advertising
Agencies
www.aaaa.org
Recognition in Advertising
www.oneclub.org
American Institute of Graphic Arts
www.aiga.org
Building Your Resume for a Career in Communication Design
Building a strong resume for your career field starts long before you ever start your job search. Employers want to hire
graduates who not only have the necessary educational background but also have experience applying that
knowledge to real life situations.
Take note of the skills
and knowledge obtained
through your educational
background and
hands-on experiences.
Highlight transferable
skills such as
communication and
technological
proficiencies.
Learn more about your
field and develop the
necessary skills for
employment by gaining
hands-on experience
through externships,
internships, part-time jobs
and related volunteer
positions.
Develop professionally
through campus
involvement and
professional
memberships.
This illustrates
responsibility, leadership
abilities and time
management skills.