Mr. Todd McLarty
Departments Head
203-797-4460 X4031 / 4051
todd.mclarty@cttech.org

Ms. Karyn Skinner
Instructor
203-797-4460 x4031/4051
karyn.skinner@cttech.org

Connecticut Technical Education and Career System’s Graphic Design course breakdown by grade. Each student is required to complete four years of a Career Technical Education program.

Grade 9 Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12
3 credit 3 credit 3 credit 3 credit
Exploratory and Introduction to Graphics Technology Graphic Communication Fundamentals Graphic Communication Production Graphic Communication Advanced Processes

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Students deciding to enter the field of Graphic Design are instructed in trade-specific safety. They will participate in inside production work that is related to the curriculum. They are introduced to the basic concepts of product layout, various methods of reproduction and the offset printing process. Students will be introduced to the legal restrictions of the printing industry. They receive instruction in safety requirements and demonstrate sound safety practices.

In Grade 10, students receive instruction and demonstrate skills in the offset printing process, fundamentals of type, typesetting, page layout, proofreading, line photography, image assembly, plate making, press and bindery. They continue to receive instruction in safety requirements and demonstrate sound safety practices. Students may participate in in-school graphics projects for customers as related to the curriculum.

In Grade 11, students receive instruction and demonstrate skills in intermediate typesetting, the design of multicolor documents, multicolor pre-press, multicolor press operation, press part identification, press operation, bindery, basic paper type and grades and electronic imaging. They continue to receive instruction in safety requirements and demonstrate sound safety practices. They will participate in school graphics projects for customers. Students reaching an acceptable level of proficiency may be eligible for Work-based Learning (WBL).

In Grade 12, students receive instruction and demonstrate skills in how to estimate jobs, advanced typesetting, color theory, the characteristics of paper grades, advanced press operation and advanced bindery operation. They will participate in in-school graphics project for customers. Students will demonstrate the ability to complete a job application, interview and to perform entry-level job readiness and trade skills. Students reaching an acceptable level of proficiency may be eligible for Work-based Learning (WBL). Each student will take the National Occupational Competency Testing Institute exam, which is a performance-based test.

Students successfully completing this course of study will be able to pursue a two-year graphics design degree at colleges and universities or go on to a four-year degree in graphics design. Students can obtain immediate employment in the graphics field. Jobs include: layout assistant, pre-press production, advertising and quality control. Students graduating from Graphics Technology also find success in the military in fields such as communications and public affairs.