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Design
By strengthening your visual intelligence, you'll cultivate the artistry you need to create compelling and impactful messages.
Meaningful design is critical to how we build and interpret meaning
Print or digital, our students are immersed in human-centered design, integrating technical skill with critical inquiry, intersectional frameworks, and commitment to audience and community. Students hone both their critical thinking and critical making through hands-on projects and internships.
Design students also incorporate other communications disciplines such as integrated media, media studies, public relations and marketing communications, and journalism in their coursework. That versatility sets our students apart — employers know Simmons graduates understand the bigger picture and can contribute to any creative team from day one.
With highly competitive design skills, you'll find fulfilling and creative internships in places ranging from WGBH to Puma. Our students not only excel in the technical and creative areas, but additionally understand the meaning making practices that afford them a competitive edge.
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.
Communications at Simmons University
See what it's like to be part of our Communications program.
Our Faculty
Kat Lombard-Cook
Assistant Professor
Ellen Grabiner
Adjunct Faculty & Professor Emerita
Briana Martino
Associate Professor and Department Chair
Helen Li
Adjunct Faculty
Judith Aronson
Professor Emerita
Julia Barber
Adjunct Faculty
Luke Romanak
Assistant Director, Student Media and Academic Technology
Kristina Markos
Associate Professor of Practice and Internship Director
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!
Meagan Chambers '13: We Make Miracles Happen
Meagan tells us about her work as a graphic designer for a prominent Boston architecture firm. On her current position I’m a Graphic Designer at Elkus Manfredi Architects . My favorite part of the job is having the opportunity to...
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