Art + Design
Design and Communication Studies, BA
Integrate the study of communication skills and processes with the design of messages, interactions and experiences.
This combined major integrates visual and verbal aspects of the ways in which communication takes place. Students learn the fundamentals of communication theory and practice, and develop a distinct area of emphasis, such as argumentation and advocacy, organizational and health communication, international and intercultural communication, or digital communication and social media. They take a holistic and integrative approach that focuses on the quality of the human experience in concrete situations. Developing a broad understanding of the principles and systems of perception, students apply visual form and the interrelationships of text and image to construct narratives and create meaning. Enhancing the understanding of human communication in a variety of contexts, empowers students to become informed and engaged citizens.
Co-op Opportunities
design and media sectors
Ronik Design + Development, Sametz Blackstone Associates Inc, Rue Gilt Groupe, BounceX, Ifactory Inc., JCDecaux North America, Mullen Advertising Inc, NBC Universal, Unispaceb Smartwebs, Inc., AutoDesk, Hubspot, Ogilvy, IDEO
news and publishing sectors
The Boston Globe LLC, Patriot Ledger, Harvard Business Publishing, HMH Books and Media
arts sectors
The Museum of Fine Arts, Boch Center
food and beverage sectors
America's Test Kitchen, Kind LLC, Best Bees Company, BevSpot Inc., The Boston Beer Company, Inc
fashion and travel sectors
New Balance Athletic Shoe Inc, Reebok International Ltd., Wayfair, The TJX Companies, Inc., Trip Advisor LLC
government and civic sectors
City of Boston, City of Cambridge, Boston Neighborhood Network, Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, MassDOT/MBTA
health care and pharmaceutical sectors
Brigham and Women's Hospital, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Inc., Massachusetts General Hospital, Imprivata, Inc., Vertex Pharmaceuticals
educational sector
NU Center for Advancing Teaching and Learning through Research, edX, EF Education First, WGBH Educational Foundation
financial and business sector
Commonwealth Financial Network, Fidelity Investments, John Hancock, MFS Investment Management, State Street Corporation, Thomson Reuters, The Boston Consulting Group International Inc, Talent Acquisition Group
Career Opportunities
Account Executive
Brand Manager
Communications Manager
Content Insight Specialist
Content Marketing Manager
Designer
Director of Design and Marketing
Event Planner
Experience Designer
Graphic Designer
Information Designer
Interaction Designer
Media Planner
Product Designer
Public Relations Specialist
Social Strategist
Social Media Coordinator
UI/UX Designer
Multidisciplinary Skills
collaboration
creative problem-solving
critical thinking
data analysis
design research
design software
graphic representation
fabrication
facilitation
human factors
information design
leadership
listening
observation
personas
programming
project management
problem framing
rapid prototyping
semiotics
typography
experience mapping
user stories
user testing
verbal and written communication
visual synthesis
visualization
Learning Outcomes
Communication Studies learning outcomes
Communication is a diverse discipline and every department is unique. At Northeastern, the Communication Studies curriculum was designed to achieve three distinct learning objectives:
- Basic communication skills, including the ability to research a question, prepare and deliver a compelling speech, and think critically and write effectively.
- An understanding of the communication discipline including an appreciation of the history of communication studies, familiarity with important theoretical principles, and the ability to apply this knowledge to contemporary problems.
- A distinct area of emphasis that distinguishes their major. Some of the more popular areas include argumentation and advocacy, organizational or health communication, digital communication, and media production.
Design learning outcomes
- 1. Apply iterative design processes to create, revise, evaluate, and develop effective prototypes and innovative solutions.
- 2. Engage human-centered design research methods and systems thinking to identify and understand values, goals, motivations of intended audiences as a mode of inquiry, question framing and guide to action.
- 3. Develop a high level of craft and technical skills in a relevant range of media and tools and effectively weigh applicability for intended audiences and outcomes.
- 4. Develop and realize intent, concept and content with awareness of context and consequence.
- 5. Implement visual patterns incorporating text, image, diagram including temporal and spatial representations to recognize, categorize, and articulate significant form and meaning
- 6. Employ and embody ethical practices, team and cross-disciplinary collaboration, and effective communication and 6. presentation skills.
- Apply relevant communication theories and principles and appreciate the pervasive and long-term impact of design decisions on people and societies.