Design

By strengthening your visual intelligence, you'll cultivate the artistry you need to create compelling and impactful messages.

Simmons students working in and walking through the Ifill School lobby

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.

Design is offered as both a stand-alone minor and as a concentration within the Communications major.

Degree Requirements

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

Step Four: Capstone

Students take at least 4 credits of an independent learning Capstone in the senior year:

COMM370	Internship	4
COMM380	Capstone Internship	0
COMM390	Studio 5: A Communication Workplace	4

Concentrations in the Communications Major

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

Minor Requirements

Required

COMM121	Visual Communication	4
COMM210	Introduction to Graphic Design	4

Electives (8 credits, choose two)

COMM240	Typography	4
COMM241	Design Thinking	4
COMM244	Web Design	4
COMM246	Digital Imaging for Design	4
COMM286	Intro to Advertising Practice and Branding	4
COMM333	Responsive Design	4
COMM340	Advanced Design	4

COMM 328: when appropriate

Tech Courses (2 credits, choose two)

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

Internships and Research

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.

An overview of the Communications program at Simmons University.

Communications at Simmons University

See what it's like to be part of our Communications program.

Our Faculty

Kat Lombard-Cook

Assistant Professor & the Design Track Director and the Integrated Media Track Director

Briana Martino

Associate Professor and Department Chair

Helen Li

Adjunct Faculty

Julia Barber

Assistant Teaching Professor

Luke Romanak

Associate Director, Student Driven Media and Academic Technology

Kristina Markos

Adjunct Faculty

Spotlight on Design Students and Alums

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Linda Siperstein Adler ’73 seated at a table during her 50th class reunion

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.

Careers and Internships