Academics
Digital Publishing Certificate
Our world is filled with visuals, from the icon on your desktop to the stitching on your shirt.
Every time you see a billboard, read a newspaper, or browse a website, you are seeing graphic communication at work. Every day, ideas are shared and promoted through the expertise of graphic artists who make visual dialogue possible.
If you are interested in logos, illustrations, advertisements or want to learn how to communicate visually then the Illinois Central College Graphic Communications Program is for you!
“To design is to communicate clearly by whatever means you can control or master.” – Milton Glaser, American Graphic Designer best known for the “I Love NY” logo
Preparing Students for Success
Since 1972, the Graphic Communication and Digital Publishing department at Illinois Central College has provided the resources and training essential to helping individuals take the next step in their education. Students can earn an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Graphic Communication/Digital Publishing or take a more narrow focus with one of our many certificates in Digital Publishing.
What is GCOMM?
- Digital photography & scanning techniques
- Magazine & e-book layout with Adobe InDesign
- Vector logo design with Adobe Illustrator
- Interactive PDF development
- Website design, construction, and maintenance
- 3D modeling and animation with Autodesk Maya
- Hands-on experience in offset lithography and screen-printing
- Image manipulation and outputting through Adobe Photoshop
“The courses were based around every part of the industry from the prepress to the finishing of a product. Knowing all of the steps that it takes to create something has helped me in this industry.” – Brandon Noll, ICC GCOMM graduate and State Farm Digital Press Technician
Start a Career in a Booming Industry
The Graphic Communications industry employs over 900,000 people in a wide array of jobs like: sales, customer service, designer, management, estimating, print buying, scientist, computer programs, engineers, researcher, teachers, photographer, database developer, material handlers and printers. The industry is huge with a list of products that could fill a book, from patches that deliver medication, to variable data marketing campaigns.
In order to be successful in any industry you have to know what the industry needs. That’s why our training focuses on the technical issues that employers need while giving students the necessary tools to learn how to problem solve and understand the complete workflow of a project. Not only that, but our students also get career insight from guest lecturers who speak about needed skills in the industry and the current career paths available.
Our Approach:
- Practical hands-on experience
- In depth comprehensive technical training
- Learning all aspects from the computer software to the operation/maintenance of traditional machines (i.e. printing presses)
“The true strength of our program is that we teach students about the complete workflow of a project because the more skills you have in this industry the better.” – John Baggett, GCOMM Professor & Program Coordinator.
Continuing Education
Our program has 2 + 2 degree relationships with ISU, WIU and UW – Stout that will allow you to get a bachelor’s degree in Graphic Communications. In addition to that you can continue on to Rochester Institute of Technology, Clemson and Cal-Poly to get a Master’s degree.
Degree
Certificate (Certificate Program)
Total Credit Hours: 34
Program Requirements
Select a course number below to see a course description.
Required Program Courses
| Course | Name | Credit Hours |
| GCOMM 110 | INTRODUCTION TO GRAPHIC COMMUNICATIONS | 4 |
| GCOMM 112 | VECTOR GRAPHICS WITH ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR | 3 |
| GCOMM 130 | PAGE LAYOUT WITH ADOBE INDESIGN | 3 |
| GCOMM 230 | ADVANCE PAGE LAYOUT AND INTERACTIVE CROSS MEDIA | 3 |
| GCOMM 235 | DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY AND SCANNING FOR PUBLISHING | 3 |
| GCOMM 245 | WEB PUBLISHING WITH ADOBE DREAMWEAVER | 3 |
| GCOMM 247 | ADVANCE WEB PUBLISHING WITH ADOBE DREAMWEAVER AND FLASH | 3 |
| GCOMM 248 | MODELING AND ANIMATION WITH AUTODESK MAYA | 3 |
| GCOMM 250 | BEGINNING ADOBE PHOTOSHOP TECHNIQUES | 3 |
| GCOMM 251 | ADVANCED ADOBE PHOTOSHOP TECHNIQUES | 3 |
| GRDSN 143 | COMPUTER ILLUSTRATION I | 3 |
Recommended Course Sequence
| Semester | Courses |
| Fall Semester 1 | GCOMM 110; GCOMM 112; GCOMM 130; GCOMM 250; GCOMM 245 |
| Spring Semester 1 | GCOMM 230; GCOMM 235; GCOMM 251; GCOMM 247; GCOMM 248; GRDSN 143 |
Program Contact Information
Graphic Communication and Digital Publishing Program Coordinator
AIT Building, Room 241
(309) 694-5147
Illinois Career Cluster
Arts, Audio/Video Technology and Communications
Career Pathway:
Printing Technology