B.S. Graphic Communications

Turn your passion for visual communications, graphic arts, digital software and print production into a career delivering design to the world.
Degree Type Bachelor of Science
Careers & Salaries Annual Employment Report
Delivery On Campus

Innovative Design Meets Graphic Arts.

Build a career at the intersection of design and production with UW-Stout's B.S. Graphic Communications (GCOM). This program blends creative design, analytical thinking, and production proficiencies to prepare you for a dynamic career in the graphic communications industry. Designed for students with diverse interests, our program emphasizes a holistic approach, combining the principles of marketing, production, and effective project management. Engage with our unique, interdisciplinary curriculum that not only nurtures creativity but also hones strategic expertise essential for success in the evolving digital landscape.

Our graduates pursue challenging and rewarding careers in business, digital imagery, marketing, digital technologies, media and graphics. / UW-Stout
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100% of Graduates Are Employed or Continuing Education


Career-Defining Curriculum.

Graduate ready for a successful career in printing, imaging, marketing, media and graphics. Graphics communications is a perfect degree students who thrive on creative challenges and devising innovative solutions. Our expert faculty will celebrate your mindset and help you develop the knowledge, skills and experience to transform complex concepts into compelling visual narratives. Our interdisciplinary program will teach you:

  • Printing Production Processes
  • Marketing Campaign Management & Deployment 
  • Digital Design Project Management 
  • Digital Workflows & Structured Automation
  • Industry-Related Business Practices
  • Variable Data Applications 
  • Multichannel Marketing Practices
  • Digital Graphics Software & Associated Applied Technologies 
  • Project Management & Graphics Production Logistics

 

 


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Program Overview

View program plans, credit requirements and course descriptions.

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A Comprehensive Learning Experience.

Students participate in hands-on graphic communications coursework.

The field of graphic communications has been revolutionized by technology, and our program is at the forefront of this transformation. Our hands-on design, imaging, and print labs are equipped with the latest software and digital technologies, ensuring that you are adept at using industry-standard tools.

Design & Imaging Applications. Learn visual storytelling with tools like Adobe InDesign™, Photoshop™ and Illustrator™. These applications are the backbone of professional graphic design and imaging.
 
Advanced Digital Tools. Enhance your skills in digital publishing and web design using Acrobat™ and various HTML editors.
 
Specialized Software. Delve into niche areas of graphic communications with Esko™ DeskPack for innovative package design and XMPie™ for variable data projects.
 
Prepress & Production. Gain hands-on experience with Kodak Prinergy™ for prepress workflows and Preps™ for imposition tasks, preparing you for the technical aspects of graphic production.

Our experienced faculty have extensive industry experience and will mentor you through the process of creating and fabricating graphic prototypes. Under their guidance, you will not only develop technical expertise but build strong foundational skills in project and business management.


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Calling All Innovators & Creative Problem-Solvers.

Students in Graphic Communications program engage in hands-on classwork.

For those who thrive on creative challenges and excel at devising innovative solutions, our Graphic Communications program is your ideal arena. Here, your ability to see problems as opportunities will be honed and celebrated, as you learn to transform complex concepts into compelling visual narratives. Our interdisciplinary program will teach you:

  • Printing Production Processes
  • Marketing Campaign Management & Deployment 
  • Digital Design Project Management 
  • Digital Workflows & Structured Automation
  • Industry-Related Business Practices
  • Variable Data Applications 
  • Multichannel Marketing Practices
  • Digital Graphics Software & Associated Applied Technologies 
  • Project Management & Graphics Production Logistics

You will graduate ready for a successful career in printing, imaging, marketing, media and graphics.

 


Graphic Media & Print Management Minor

Build on your current creative, technical, business and management course skills to solve problems, analyze needs, and plan graphic projects.
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Alumni Testimonials

AlumniStories: Megan Albrecht

B.S. Graphic Communications Management, 2013 Graduate
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Danielle Komro

Stout allowed me to earn a quality education, to grow as a strong leader that will be dedicated to the Graphic Communications industry and the communities I shall call home.

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Careers & Employers

Your knowledge of how digital content originates will prepare you for a career as:

  • Sales Representatives
  • Media Buyers
  • Marketing Managers
  • Estimators
  • Creative Artists
  • Publishers
  • Pre-press Specialists
  • Digital Content Management
  • Web Developers
  • Packaging Account Managers
  • Project Managers
  • Customer Service Representatives
  • Technical Trainers
  • Graphics Coordinators
  • Web Analytics Professionals
  • Production Workflow Managers
  • Schedulers
  • Production Operations Management
  • Quality Management Directors
  • Process Improvement Specialists
  • Research & Development Specialists
  • Logistics Managers
  • Purchasing Administrator
  • Materials Management Officer
  • Fulfillment & Operations Specialists
  • Shipping Expert
  • Material Handling Director
  • Inventory Management Advisor
  • Equipment Sales & Support
  • Software Developers
  • Supply Distributors
  • Director of Manufacturing 

Stout Graduates at Work

Arandell CorporationMenomonee Falls, WI
BelmarkDe Pere, WI
BemisSheboygan Falls, WI
Bic GraphicRed Wing, MN
CGSMinneapolis, MN
Colony Brands, IncMonroe, WI
Color InkSussex, WI
Daily Printing, Inc.Plymouth, MN
Global Printing, Inc.Alexandria, VA
GLS CompaniesBrooklyn Park, MN
Great Northern CorporationChippewa Falls, WI
Green Bay PackagingGreen Bay, WI
Imagine Print SolutionsShakopee, MN
Inland LabelLa Crosse, WI
IWCO DirectChanhassen, MN
Japs-Olson CompanySt. Louis Park, MN
Letterhead PressNew Berlin, WI
Liberty Carton-Liberty Diversified International Minneapolis, MN
Menard’sEau Claire, WI
Menasha PackagingNeenah, WI
Mittera GroupDes Moines, IA
Nosco, Inc.Gurnee, IL
OEC Graphics, Inc.Oshkosh, WI
Patterson CompaniesMendota Heights, MN
Philipp Lithographing CompanyGrafton, WI
Powertex GroupEau Claire, WI
Precision Color GraphicsFranklin, WI
Push SolutionsNew Berlin, WI
Quad GraphicsSussex, WI
Ripon PrintersRipon, WI
Royle PrintingSun Prairie, WI
RR DonnelleyWarrenville, IL
ShutterflyShakopee, MN
Spectra PrintStevens Point, WI
TargetMinneapolis, MN
Taylor CorporationMankato, MN
Tempt In-Store ProductionsNew Berlin, WI
The Marek GroupWaukesha, WI
Thomson-ReutersEagan, MN
Tilsner Carton CompanySt. Paul, MN
US Government Printing OfficeWashington D.C.
Wetzel Brothers, Inc.Cudahy, WI
Worzalla PublishingStevens Point, WI
Wikoff Color CorporationRoseville, MN
Program Advisory Committee

Advisory Committee Members

DarrenCotchPackaging Director, Owned BrandsTarget Corporation
AlexDeArmondProfessor, DesignUW Stout
AndrewDelongLecturer/Program DirectorUW-Stout
NancyDibbCustomer Service ManagerJaps-Olson Company
Mike DraverSenior Vice President/General ManagerLetterhead Press
Steve FischerColor & Print Technology ManagerHAVI
EmilyGustfasonPresidentStout Typographical Society
ErikHaapakoskiGraphics SupervisorAmerican Packaging Corporation
TimHughesDirector, Manufacturing Client ServicesThomson-Reuters
WendyHunjadiDirector, Sales SupportArandell Corporation
BridgetJohnsonSenior Strategic Account SpecialistQuad
Eric KuhnBusiness Development- Sales ManagerMittera
Joe Lyman President/CEOGreat Lakes Graphics Association
GregMeersmanVice President, Sales & MarketingTaylor Corporation-Commercial Print Group
ChadNysethInstructional SpecialistUW-Stout
KristinPiling-DavisExecutive Director/Director, Education & EventsPrinting Industries Midwest
JakePomputisAccount ExecutiveImagine
KimTaylorEmployee Engagement & Development ManagerNosco
BethanyWheelerInstructorUW-Stout

Graphic Communications

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Real-world experiences on and off campus prepare students for industry in need of skilled graduates