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Design

Build visual intelligence, create compelling messages
In our design minor and concentration, you will explore human-centered design, learning about different perspectives and focus on the audience and community. You will combine technical skills with critical thinking through hands-on projects and internships.
Our curriculum covers a variety of communications disciplines. You'll engage in coursework in integrated media, media studies, public relations and marketing communications, and journalism.
That versatility will set you apart. Employers know Simmons graduates understand the bigger picture and can contribute to any creative team from day one.
What can you do with a minor in design?
Our location in Boston means access to exciting internships and real-world experience. With highly competitive design skills, you'll find fulfilling and creative internships in places ranging from WGBH to Puma.
As a design student, you won’t just learn to make things look visually appealing. You’ll understand how design creates meaning, builds connections, and drives impact.
Design is offered as both a stand-alone minor and as a concentration within the communications major.
The communications department offers a program in Communications with concentrations in Design, Journalism, and Integrated Media, a joint program between Communications and the Business in Public Relations and Marketing Communications, a joint program between Communications and Computer Science in Web Design and Development, an Interdisciplinary major in Arts Administration, and three Complete Degree programs, which are entirely on-line and geared toward adult learners. The course requirements for these programs follow.
BA in Communications
Communications majors complete 42 credits in Communications, including 3 required core courses, 2 1-credit technology courses, 4 courses in their concentration, 2 courses outside their concentration, and an independent learning Capstone experience.
Step One: Core Requirements
All Communications students take a three-course introductory core:
COMM121 | Visual Communication | 4 |
COMM122 | Media Writing and Editing | 4 |
COMM124 | Media, Messages and Society | 4 |
Step Two: Technology Courses
All students complete at least two-credits of technology skill-based courses:
COMM110 | Introduction to 2D Design Technology 1 | 1 |
COMM112 | Introduction to Animation & Motion Graphics Technology 1 | 1 |
COMM114 | Introduction to Audio and Video Editing | 1 |
Step Three: Concentration Courses
Courses are broadly organized around the concentrations of Design, Integrated Media, and Journalism.
Students take 4 courses in one of the concentrations below, and 2 courses distributed among the other two concentrations. At least two of these six courses should be at the 300 level.
Design | Integrated Media | Journalism |
---|---|---|
COMM 210 Introduction to Graphic Design | COMM 120 Communications Media | COMM 181 Public Speaking and Presentation |
COMM 241 Design Thinking | COMM 163 Radio Operations and Podcasting |
COMM 215 Blogging and Op/Ed Writing |
COMM 240 Typography | COMM 186 Introduction to Public Relations and Integrated Marketing Communications | COMM 260 Journalism |
COMM 244 Web Design | COMM 224 Storytelling | COMM 263 Social Media Journalism |
COMM 246 Digital Imaging for Design |
COMM 220 Video Production |
COMM 310 In-Depth Storytelling |
COMM 248 Type and Image | COMM 222 Animation | COMM 312 Health Communications |
COMM 286 Advertising Practice and Branding | COMM 262 Media Convergence | COMM 320 Media and the First Amendment |
COMM 333 Responsive Design |
COMM 269 Globalization and Intercultural Communications (periodic travel course) | COMM 322 Video Journalism |
COMM 340 Advanced Design | COMM 281 Content Creation and Strategies |
COMM 327 Culture of the News |
COMM 323 Digital Cultures |
||
COMM 324 Social Media: Social Listening and Analytics |
Integrated Media Concentration
Students in Integrated Media complete the Communications Core, 2 Technology courses, 4 courses in the Integrated Media concentration, 2 courses in Design and/or Journalism, and a Capstone.
Integrated Media Courses:
COMM120 | Communications Media | 4 |
COMM163 | Radio Operations and Podcasting | 4 |
COMM186 | Introduction to Public Relations and Integrated Marketing Communications | 4 |
COMM220 | Video Production | 4 |
COMM222 | Animation | 4 |
COMM 224 | Storytelling | 4 |
COMM262 | Media Convergence | 4 |
COMM269 | Globalization and Intercultural Communication | 4 |
COMM281 | Content Creation and Strategy | 4 |
COMM323 | Digital Cultures | 4 |
COMM324 | Social Media: Social Listening and Analytics | 4 |
Journalism Concentration
Students in the Journalism Concentration complete the Communications Core, 2 Technology courses, 4 courses in the Journalism concentration, 2 courses in Design and/or Integrated Media, and a Capstone.
Journalism Courses:
COMM181 | Public Speaking and Presentation | 4 |
COMM 215 | Blogging & Opinion and Editorial Writing | 4 |
COMM260 | Journalism | 4 |
COMM263 | Social Media Journalism | 4 |
COMM310 | In-Depth Storytelling | 4 |
COMM312 | Health Communications | 4 |
COMM320 | Media and the First Amendment | 4 |
COMM322 | Video Journalism | 4 |
COMM327 | Culture of the News | 4 |
Design Concentration
Students in the Design Concentration complete the Communications Core, 2 Technology courses, 4 courses in the Design concentration, 2 courses in Journalism and/or Integrated Media, and a Capstone.
Design Concentration Courses:
COMM210 | Introduction to Graphic Design | 4 |
COMM240 | Typography | 4 |
COMM241 | Design Thinking | 4 |
COMM244 | Web Design | 4 |
COMM246 | Digital Imaging for Design | 4 |
COMM248 | Type and Image | 4 |
COMM286 | Intro to Advertising Practice and Branding | 4 |
COMM333 | Responsive Design | 4 |
COMM340 | Advanced Design | 4 |
Internships are a key component of the Design program. In a cultural center like Boston, there are a myriad of opportunities to build your skills, resume, and networking relationships with organizations in the city and beyond. Recent internship placements include WGBH and Puma.
Our Faculty

Kat Lombard-Cook
Assistant Professor & the Design Track Director and the Integrated Media Track Director

Briana Martino
Associate Professor and Department Chair
Julia Barber
Assistant Teaching Professor

Luke Romanak
Associate Director, Student Driven Media and Academic Technology

Kristina Markos
Adjunct Faculty
Spotlight on Design Students and Alums

Linda Siperstein Adler ’73 Writes (Technically) for Robots
Linda Siperstein Adler shares her career experiences in publishing and technical writing, and her work as chair of the 50th Reunion Committee for the Class of 1973.

Equalizing the Market: Bringing Power to Women-Owned Businesses with Vanessa Bruce '09
Start-up founder, Vanessa Bruce '09, is driving money directly to women-owned businesses with her online marketplace, Dough. Now a community of over 30,000 users, Dough is shaking up how women-led businesses are funded and tackling economic equity.

Passionate Leaders Project: Fall 2020 Cohort
The Passionate Leaders Project supports undergraduate students seeking to enrich their academic and professional interests by funding learning opportunities beyond the boundaries of the traditional classroom.

Bridget Fong '21: Never Regret Following Your Passion
Congratulations to Bridget Fong '21, recipient of the Ifill Scholarship!
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