On September 2nd at 12:45 PM, new students will be able to click on the Zoom link and meet with faculty and students from the Communication Design Department.  Please join us and meet fellow new students: 

Communication Design Department Zoom Link

Passcode for Zoom: 072454

Welcome from the chair,  Daniel Wong

Welcome to the Department of Communication Design (COMD). For over 60 years, COMD has been preparing students for rewarding careers in the dynamic field of visual communications and media management. 

Communication Design is the strategic and conceptual development of visual information to tell stories and convey ideas and emotions. The department prepares students to contribute in the fields of advertising and design by cultivating conceptual thinking, creativity, and collaborative skills in all students. Despite restructuring in the publishing industry, the media and advertising sector remains one of New York City’s biggest employers.

We offer a two-year foundation to give students a strong base in visual expression and communication during which students take a broad range of basic courses – including figure drawing, design, color, typography, and photography. In the upper level, students specialize in one of five modules: Advertising, Graphic Design, Web Design, Broadcast Design, or gaming, animation, and Illustration. All students complete an internship and graduate with real-world experience. As a graduate of our program, a student can expect to find employment as an art director, graphic designer, web designer, broadcast designer, animator, and game design graphics designer.

Given the rapid pace of technological change in the design field, the department is committed to keeping its course offerings current, and its computer labs and software up-to-date with industry standards. Our 16  full-time faculty and over 80 adjunct faculty all have professional experience in their fields as well as a commitment to teaching. To foster networking and professional development, students can join the Art Director’s Club on campus and attend the speaker series Meet the Pros, which brings leading industry figures to the campus. Our curriculum also connects students with the rich cultural and professional resources in New York City.

Thank you for your interest in our programs. I hope City Tech can be part of your future success!

Daniel Wong
Chair, Department of Communication Design

Department mission statement

The Department of Communication Design is committed to providing a public avenue to the range of professions that utilize creativity, technology and design. The foundation of our program is based on integrating fundamental theory and concepts with applied technology. We believe in building a culture that encourages conceptual thinking, creativity and collaboration. Our approach harnesses the wealth of our students’ diversity to inspire ideas, enrich communications and produce solutions.

The Communication Design Department (COMD) is committed to developing creative visual literacy in critical thinkers and problem solvers who are empowered to meet design industry needs with functional knowledge and technological skills. Building on a proven foundation of communication design theory and concepts, COMD coursework is also focused on integrating applied technology for successful “real world” results. There is a focus on fundamental lessons through experiential, project-based learning.

The curriculum builds on a study of big ideas where communication design is interpreted through multiple media channels using creative, effective and sustainable metrics. Creative applications in all media follow best practices, specifications and standards to prepare graduates for employment in advertising, publishing, packaging, corporate communications and commercial or non — commercial marketing services. The BFA degree, building on the solid foundation in visual expression of the first two years, develops students’ abilities to frame, research and solve increasingly complex visual communication problems. Students develop a professional portfolio that represents their talents and prepares them for employment upon graduation as art directors, graphic designers, illustrators and web designers. They are also qualified to apply for Masters programs in related communication design fields. COMD faculty and students benefit from a diverse mix of professional backgrounds and experiences. The COMD department is uniquely positioned to offer a rigorous and reflective college education to prepare graduates for life-long learning.

The department offers three clubs that allow students to network here at City Tech and also with professionals in the Tri-State area. The Art & Design Club hosts a speaker series called “Meet the Pros” that allows students to hear from distinguished designers here on campus. The Ink Club meets during club hours and also hosts a table at MOCCA, the New York area’s largest independent comic, cartoon and animation festival.

Fun facts

Many COMD students with have gone on to win industry accolades such as Emely Perez whose work was recognized at the London International Award Show and the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity and made the 4As 2017 list of 100 People Who Make Advertising Great. Last year, COMD Alumni Ameru Lulu, who interned with the One Club and is now an art director at Ogivly, was named to the Drum’s 50 Under 30 to watch of emerging female talent.

One alumnus of the Communication Design AAS program, Distinguished Professor and world-renowned graphic designer and typographer Tony Di Spigna, has donated his 50-year archive to the department’s Grace Gallery in what will become its first permanent collection. Professor Di Spigna, who was a student in the program from 1962 to 1964, recalls the heritage of the department he graduated from and looks forward to what it will accomplish in the future: “The two-year program has done wonders for students and their professional careers. Now that it’s a four-year B.F.A. program, imagine how much more it will do.”

Mr. DiSpigna was also featured in a documentary called “Imported from Brooklyn” directed by COMD faculty member, Assistant Professor Josh Kapusinski. This documentary won an Emmy in Spring 2016.

Please complete the Connect Days feedback survey.