B.S. Graphic Communications

Graphic communication is everywhere - in education, engineering, marketing, film production and public relations. Graphic communication is one of the most powerful tools available to communicate ideas, concepts, messages and instructions. An integral part of our society, all businesses use graphics to promote their products.

UW-Stout's B.S. in Graphic Communications (GCOM) program combines creative, analytical and technical studies. The program's design, technology and project management focus prepares you for a dynamic career.

Graphic communication careers are attractive to students with diverse interests. We encouraged you to take a look at our unique interdisciplinary program. Our graduates pursue both challenging and rewarding careers in business, digital imagery, marketing, digital technologies and technical support.

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.”

How you will learn

You'll learn how graphic communication specialists communicate ideas, instructions and concepts. From design to production, you'll train in all phases of a finished graphics product.

Technology has transformed the way people create, distribute and work with graphics. Our hands-on design, imaging and print labs have the most current software and digital technologies:

InDesign™
Photoshop™
Illustrator™
Acrobat™
HTML editors
Esko™ DeskPack for package design
XMPie™ for variable data
Kodak Prinergy™ for prepress
Preps™ for Imposition

Industry experienced faculty will guide you through the creation and fabrication of graphic prototypes. You'll also develop strong foundation skills in project and business management.

What you will learn

The Graphic Communications program's core coursework includes:

Campaign anatomy and delivery	Color science and applications
Creative graphics software tools	Data; organization, analytics & graphics production
Diagramming how things happen	Visual graphics & conditional imagery
Cost Analysis for graphics projects	Fundamental of package manufacturing
Organizations and their leadership	Photography & Video basics for graphics
Planning for digital production	Production planning and best-fit techniques
Professional practices in graphics	Project management
Using print and imaging technologies	Working with graphics clients
Building digital media files	Web graphics

Difference between Graphic Communications and Graphic Design

Read a side-by-side comparison of the Graphic Communications and Graphic Design & Interactive Media programs.

Perfect fit for a creative problem-solver

If you are a find the solution and make it work person, you are a perfect fit for graphic communications! Our interdisciplinary program will teach you:

Printing production processes
Marketing campaign management and deployment
Digital design project management
Digital workflows and structured automation
Business practices used in graphic communications
Variable data applications across media
Marketing channels applied to print, web, and social media
Digital graphics software use and associated applied technologies
Project management and logistics for graphics production

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

99% of Graphic Communications Graduates are Employed or Continuing their Education

Career opportunities in graphic communications

Our graduates use creative, technical, business and management skills in sustainable and meaningful careers. You'll solve problems, analyze customer needs, plan project production and lead teams. During your career, you'll work with exciting customers, build workflows and develop media campaigns.

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 Corporation	Menomonee Falls, WI
Belmark	DePere, WI
Bemis	Sheboygan Falls, WI
Bic Graphic	Red Wing, MN
CGS	Minneapolis, MN
Colony Brands, Inc	Monroe, WI
Color Ink	Sussex, WI
Daily Printing, Inc.	Plymouth, MN
Global Printing, Inc.	Alexandria, VA
GLS Companies	Brooklyn Park, MN
Great Northern Corporation	Chippewa Falls, WI
Green Bay Packaging	Green Bay, WI
Imagine Print Solutions	Shakopee, MN
Inland Label	La Crosse, WI
IWCO Direct	Chanhassen, MN
Japs-Olson Company	St. Louis Park, MN
Letterhead Press	New Berlin, WI
Liberty Carton-Liberty Diversified Int’l	Minneapolis, MN
Menard’s	Eau Claire, WI
Menasha Packaging	Neenah, WI
Mittera Group	Des Moines, IA
Nosco, Inc.	Gurnee, IL
OEC Graphics, Inc.	Oshkosh, WI
Patterson Companies	Mendota Heights, MN
Philipp Lithographing Company	Grafton, WI
Powertex Group	Eau Claire, WI
Precision Color Graphics	Franklin, WI
Push Solutions	New Berlin, WI
Quad Graphics	Sussex, WI
Ripon Printers	Ripon, WI
Royle Printing	Sun Prairie, WI
RR Donnelley	Warrenville, IL
Shutterfly	Shakopee, MN
Target	Minneapolis, MN
Taylor Corporation	Mankato, MN
Tempt In-Store Productions	New Berlin, WI
The Marek Group	Waukesha, WI
Thomson-Reuters	Eagan, MN
Tilsner Carton Company	St. Paul, MN
US Government Printing Office	Washington D.C.
Wetzel Brothers, Inc.	Cudahy, WI
Worzalla Publishing	Stevens Point, WI
Wikoff Color Corporation	Roseville, MN