Is Parsons Graphic Design OK? In Parsons, there is no major named after Graphic Design directly. It is replaced by three degree courses of Communication Design. However, it is not so much a graphic design major after "cosmetic surgery" as a visual communication design in a broader sense than graphic design. This is also reflected in the professional introduction of Communication Design. As we can see, graphic design is just one of the numerous possibilities officially defined by colleges and universities under Communication Design, and alongside it are illustration, plate and book design, brand design, web design, data visualization, and even MG animation design.

　　 Is Parsons Graphic Design OK?

Introduction to Communication Design MPS

Although such professional positioning is bold, it is indeed the trend of the current visual design industry. At present, almost no graphic designer can be truly "independent", and the project content actually involves more or less interdisciplinary interaction of other visual design related majors.

These fields that interact with graphic design in real practical projects are Parsons School of Design Parsons' Communication Design discipline includes all branches of "communication design". If we look at Parsons as a career oriented discipline, it is actually quite wise and forward-looking.

Returning to the degree courses of Communication Design, in addition to the undergraduate and graduate degree courses we are familiar with, there is also an AAS (Associate Degree Course). Compared with BFA courses, AAS courses have more flexible time and support part-time teaching, which is more suitable for minor courses or part-time work.

Communication Design AAS Professional Detail Page

　　 Parsons Graphic Design Course:

The detailed curriculum is also more basic and practical than the BFA, and it is also one of the three communication design professional degree courses closest to the traditional graphic design (the former name of AAS communication design plan was AAS graphic design).

Today's analysis does not take the AAS course as an example because it is not one of the three projects with the most characteristics of Parsons Communication Design. We chose the most representative BFA course of Communication Design among the three projects to make further detailed analysis for students.

In the first sentence of the professional introduction of Communication Design BFA, it is directly and clearly pointed out that for the study of this major, the most important areas are typography and interaction, followed by the completion of courses, internships and commercial projects arranged by the school, as well as other areas such as editorial design and brand design mentioned in the professional brief.

The high emphasis on the two fields of "typography" and "interaction" seems a bit absurd, but in fact, on reflection, these two fields contain the most important two points in the static and dynamic fields of modern visual design related majors. The main purpose of static plane visual design is to convey information, while dynamic animation visual effect demands more interactive experience with users.

This is very necessary for communication design, which is relatively advanced and has a wide range of concepts, to draw the key points of the subject directly for students.

Similarly, in the detailed introduction of the specialty, Parsons further explained the significance of the specialty setting of Communication Design. As we have analyzed above, the focus of this specialty is to combine the field of visual design with the social, technological and economic realities of the current era.

Curriculum of the second year of Communication Design BFA

In the first academic year, the colleges and universities arranged more basic introductory courses of design than professional settings of each academic year. It is worth noting that the six core courses in the second academic year and the whole year are all centered on font typography and interaction.

The college has set up Studio and Lab courses focusing on practice and professional basic courses focusing on theoretical knowledge in these two fields. This curriculum also echoes the attention of colleges and universities to typography and interactive fields mentioned above.

Curriculum for the third and fourth year of Communication Design BFA

The third and fourth year courses are relatively more inclined to the completion of students' personalized development and creative practice projects. In general, Parsons' Communication Design BFA Study abroad in visual communication design It is not as avant-garde as the professional concept, but it is relatively basic.

Communication Design BFA students' works display

Finally, let's take a look at the excellent student works displayed on the official website. In terms of presentation form, most of them are physical printing and portable communication devices. The content involves commercial font design, the application of visual design of emerging technologies, social problems, personal feelings and other issues.

It can be seen that the official definition of the so-called Communication Design of colleges and universities is more about the form of design communication and expression, and there are no too many requirements and constraints on the content and creativity that students want to express.

Finally, as for the degree of Communication Design that the students are most concerned about, the natural light here really feels that Parsons is a bit unfair. AAS translated into Chinese is an associate degree in applied science. The whole project lasts for two years. In terms of curriculum, it can be said that it is the concentration, advancement and continuation of BFA project curriculum.

On the basis of retaining the core of typography and interactive design, we have simplified the basic courses of general education. Therefore, no matter in terms of degree or curriculum, the AAS degree should not be the reason for students to decide whether to choose Parsons Communication Design. Students should choose appropriate colleges and degree courses based on their own actual conditions.

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