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Department of Technology

Curriculum

Graphic Communications Technology graduates become technical creative and management professionals in a variety of markets. The curriculum blends digital media and print media technology with hands-on projects involving the design and production of integrated products that use photography, video, 3D animation, augmented reality, and digital print technology. Graduates develop marketable skills in product management, project management and business.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Create and manage digital media content, including photographic, illustration, video, and animation.
  2. Develop production-ready graphic layouts for both digital media and print products like publications, packages, labels, and signage.
  3. Participate productively in a range of graphic production processes, including printing (litho, flexo, digital), ePublishing, and website development.
  4. Employ a technology management skill set, including project management, quality control, cost estimating, and industry-specific business practices.
  5. Learn independently within the context of the graphic communications discipline.
  6. Solve problems within the context of the graphic communications discipline.

Major Curriculum

The Graphic Communications Technology major requires students to complete 78 hours. These hours are divided into four sections: General Education, Graphic Communications Technology Core, Concentration course, and Elective courses. To learn more about each course, the prerequisites and any additional degree requirements, review the Illinois State University Catalog.

The following information is for students in the 2022- 2023 catalog.
Sample 4-Year Plan of Study
GCT Major Sheet

General Education Courses - Required

  • CHE 102 Chemistry and Society
  • MAT 120 Finite Mathematics
  • MQM 100 Statistical Reasoning
  • PHY 105 Fundamentals of Physics
  • PSY 110 Fundamentals of Psychology

Graphic Communications Technology Core- Required

  • TEC 100 Professional Development in Technology
  • TEC 116 Intro to Technical Drawing and Constraint-Based Solid Modeling
  • TEC 150 Graphic Communications Technology
  • TEC 151 Intro to Computer Systems Technology
  • TEC 152 Digital Media Applications
  • TEC 250 Graphic Media Composition
  • TEC 253 Image Capture and Editing
  • TEC 257 Print Media Production
  • TEC 270 Managing Technological Systems
  • TEC 313 Quality Systems for Technology
  • TEC 317 Computer-Aided Rendering & Animation
  • TEC 320 Project Management
  • TEC 330 Applied Economic Analysis for Technologists
  • TEC 352 Prepress Technology
  • TEC 354 Print Production Planning and Profitability
  • TEC 356 Graphic Comm Business Practices
  • TEC 358 E-Publishing Management

Concentrations - One Required

Students must choose one of the following concentrations.

Marketing Graphics Technology Concentration

  • TEC 350 Package Design and Production
  • TEC 351 Cross Media Technology
  • TEC 353 Color Management

Web Content Management Concentration

  • TEC 283 Information and Imaging Technologies
  • TEC 319 Graphical Software Interfaces
  • TEC 378 E-Commerce

Electives - 3 Hours Required

  • TEC 283 Information and Imaging Technologies
  • TEC 319 Graphical Software Interfaces
  • TEC 350 Package Design and Production
  • TEC 351 Cross Media Technology
  • TEC 353 Color Management
  • TEC 370 Supply Chain Logistics
  • TEC 378 E-Commerce
  • TEC 398 Professional Practice
  • ACC 131 Financial Accounting
  • COM 160 Intro to Mass Communication
  • ECO 105 Principles of Economics
  • FIL 185 Legal, Ethical & Social Environment of Business