B.S. in Communications and Media Design

of Science

Communications and Media Design

Bachelor

SUNY Polytechnic Institute

SUNY Polytechnic Institute, New York’s premier public polytechnic, provides an innovative and affordable higher education for students interested in science, engineering, technology, business, healthcare, and other liberal arts offerings for a well-rounded approach to experiential learning. Our commitment to a hands-on education situates students with both the academic structure customary of undergraduate study and unique opportunities for training and cutting-edge research, ultimately providing learners an unmatched education targeted for success in our fast-changing world. SUNY Poly students enjoy public school tuition with benefits that many small, private institutions boast, including small class sizes, individualized learning experiences, and a tight-knit community.

The Program

The Communications and Media Design (CMD) program deals with all aspects of media content creation, including the planning, organizing, writing, and designing of information and communications. The program emphasizes content creation with advanced digital media tools in the fields of interactive media, application and site design, writing and editing, imaging, photography, animation, and video scripting and production. The program studies how communicating, designing, and creating content in our increasingly saturated media environment is influenced by technological and societal developments, including how social media tools impact contemporary communication and content.

Students choose electives from concentrations in interactive media and game design, graphic design and communication, or digital imaging, video and animation.

Design Studios

SUNY Poly has two 24-station digital design studios to support advanced design, writing, animation, and imaging courses. The studios include dual-boot (PC and Mac operating systems) Apple computers with 27-inch displays and a full suite of software to support game design, graphic design, digital photography, video, animation, photography, text layout and other media design projects. Software includes Adobe Creative Suite products, including Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, and Dreamweaver.

BS/MS Option

Communications and Media Design students have the additional opportunity to complete their undergraduate degree and a master’s degree in Information Design and Technology in as few as five years by joining the well-integrated BS/MS program, which permits students to complete both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in a reduced time frame with a reduced number of total credits.

Concentrations

Interactive Media & Game Design

Prepares students to enter the interactive media and game design industries as lead designers, concept artists, scripters, writers, and project managers. Students will develop requisite programming, design, and management skills with cutting-edge development tools and dedicated studio spaces. Students will be able to choose a focus between programming and art within the track or increase the breadth of their studies within CMD and SUNY Poly.

Graphic Design & Communication

Prepares students to enter the professional world as new media producers and writers, graphic designers, public relations, visualization experts, communication professionals, and social media strategists. The degree also prepares them for graduate work in related academic disciplines. Students will develop proficiencies in industry-standard software and emerging technologies.

Digital Imaging, Video & Animation

Prepares students to enter the video production and digital animation industry as script writers, producers, and creative directors for dramatic, entertainment and educational/training video and animation. Students will develop proficiencies using technologies and software to support writing, storyboarding, producing and editing.

Careers in Information Design

Graduates from the program find employment in interactive media and game design, social media strategy, web design, professional writing and editing, video production, instructional design technologies, training and teaching, communication management, computer documentation, public relations, graphics, journalism, and document design. Students may also go on to graduate study in information design, graphic design, journalism, social media, computer interface design, and media studies.

What you’ll study:

Core Courses

Presentational Speaking

Report

Writing/Technical

Communication

Information Design

Communication Theory

Professional Writing Elective Senior Practicum in Communication

Portfolio and Professional Development

Careers in:

n Game Design

n Graphic Design

n Professional Writing/Editing

n Digital Imaging

n Social Media

Access the SUNY Poly catalog at https://webapp.sunypoly.edu/ undergrad-catalog/ for specific courses and program requirements.

“ SUNY Poly...Encouraging academic and intellectual achievements in a challenging, culturally diverse and supportive educational environment.”

Our Campus

Located in Utica, NY, on hundreds of wooded and landscaped acres, SUNY Poly’s campus is a beautiful living and learning environment. Students live in our modern, spacious residential complexes, including the new Hilltop Hall, SUNY’s first zero-net carbon residence hall, and enjoy an expanding array of student-focused facilities that include our state-of-the-art Center for Global Advanced Manufacturing, Student Center, and Wildcat Field House. Life on campus is enriched by a wide variety of events and activities, including the Wildcats’ championship-winning intercollegiate athletics program, our Wildcat Esports team, and a weekly agenda of intramurals, concerts, comedians, and more. Students can join one of the dozens of clubs and organizations or start one with a group of friends who share an interest.