Academic Policies and Procedures - Central Maine Community ...

programs
of study
Graphic Communications (GRC)
Program Description
Graphic Communications is a program that prepares students for employment
in a variety of communication areas, from the printing and publishing
industry to the applications found on the World Wide Web.
An intensive group of foundation courses introduces the printing process
from design, digital imaging, and press and finishing operations. A balance
of classroom study and practical experiences assures the development
of a solid theoretical background, production skills, and appropriate
work habits. The program offers three concentration areas of study: Digital
Imaging, Graphic Design, and Press/Bindery.
Digital Imaging concentration:
The Digital Imagining option prepares students with the technical skills
needed to become imaging technicians, desktop publishers and/or media
specialists in the commercial printing, publishing, and media markets.
Through both theoretical and practical instruction, the course of study
includes typography, electronic page layout, image editing, digital color,
prefl ighting, imposition creation, computer-to-plate technology, traditional
and digital work fl ows, web page creation, job planning, and costing. Students
gain foundational knowledge of press/bindery operations, as well
as creation of fi les for both small and large format offset printing and the
World Wide Web. Upon success completion, students are able to seek
employment in a variety of commercial printing and media industries.
Graphic Design concentration:
The Graphic Design option prepares students with the artistic and creative
skills to set the mood and style of the printed piece. Students learn basic
and advanced techniques for designing and creating effective promotional
pieces, publications, digital art, and web pages. Courses include art, typography,
design, digital photography, color, and web page development.
In addition, students gain a foundational knowledge of the processes behind
press/bindery, and digital imaging.
Press and Bindery concentration:
The Press and Bindery option prepares students for employment
in the printing industry as duplicator and/or lithographic press operators
and bindery technicians. Through theoretical and practical
instruction, the course of study includes printing methods, platemaking,
paper, ink, press adjustments, maintenance, quality control,
bindery and fi nishing operations, and pressroom production
requirements. An intensive laboratory component gives students a
thorough practical pressroom/bindery experience.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of this program may pursue careers in the following options;
•Seek employment in the commercial printing, publishing and digital media
industries.
•Continue their education at a four year institution e.g. University of Southern
Maine, Franklin Pierce University, N.H. and Lyndon State College, VT.
•Pursue self employment options.
Program Educational Outcomes
Upon completion of the Associate of Applied Science in the Graphic
Communications program, the graduate is prepared to:
1)Employ the specifi c skills and work habits required in today’s
graphic communications industries.
2)Using the team approach, analyze, design and safely produce
quality images and printed products as recommended by PrintED
standards.
3)Demonstrate interpersonal, written and presentation skills
required for successful employment in the graphic communications
fi eld.
4)Understand the need for lifelong learning through formal
education, on the job training and/or independent participation in
other technical/trade resources.
Distribution of A.A.S. Credit Hour Requirements in
Prepress Area of Concentration
Humanities and Social Science - 12 (17.7%)
COM 100 or ENG 201 or COM 101; one Humanities elective; and one
Social Science elective
Mathematics and/or Science - 9-10 (13.2%)
MAT 101, and two Mathematics/Science electives
Concentration - 44 (64.7%)
GRC 100, GRC 104, 105, 111, 113, 131, 155, 176, 281, 285, 292 (or 293),
and two GRC electives
Elective - 3 (4.4%)
Distribution of A.A.S. Credit Hour Requirements in
Press/Bindery Concentration
Humanities and Social Science - 12 (17.1%)
COM 100 or ENG 201 or COM 101; one Humanities; and one Social Science
elective
Mathematics and/or Science - 9-10 (12.9%)
MAT 101, and two Mathematics/Science electives
Concentration - 46 (65.7%)
GRC 100, 104, 105, 111, 131, 132, 141 or 151, 281, 286, 233, 234, 235,
293, or 294 and one elective
Elective - 3 (4.3%)
High school prerequisite for admission to this program: H.S. diploma or
GED
62 www.cmcc.edu 2010 ~ 2011