Commercial Art

CIP Code – 50.0402

This program introduces students to visual design, graphic design, and the interactive design industry. In a world where commercial art has never been more relevant, DCTS Commercial Art offers students a community in which to develop the conceptual foundation and skills needed for admission to a post-secondary institution to refine their skills. Students learn the fundamentals as they finish each project and work to build a professional portfolio. They are introduced to the Adobe Creative Cloud and explore media messages for print and digital.

Students explore graphic design, advertising, print design, illustration, digital photography, and video production. Students gain an exceptional amount of knowledge and understanding of creative software such as Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and Premiere Pro.

Explore This Program

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Overview Video

Instructors

Is This Career Right For you

Do you have a strong interest in art?

Do you enjoy being creative and exploring the use of different types of media?

Do you have the ability and interest to apply technology to your creative endeavors?

Do you have interest in the fields of advertising and marketing?

Are you a good planner and organizer?

Skill Alignment Chart (Click to Expand)

Educational & Physical Attributes	Expectations
Program Safety & Physical Considerations	Hand Dexterity Able to sit for long periods of time Stamina (ability to focus at work station for long periods of time)
Essential APTITUDES for this lab–Recommended Levels	Excellent eye hand coordination Critical thinking skills Color discrimination Finger dexterity Academic skills Art skills
Reading	Explain the main ideas or draw accurate conclusions after reading text Follow a complex multi–step procedure independently Evaluate how an author’s point of view or purpose shapes the content and style of a text Analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of an author’s creative brief, including whether the structure makes points clear, convincing, and engaging Evaluate how words and phrases shape meaning and tone in texts Comprehend written text and apply it to understand tables, charts, and other visuals Learn and apply content–specific symbols, acronyms, and abbreviations correctly Apply content–specific vocabulary correctly Identify and explain how different ideas connect throughout text Read and understand diagnostic and schematic data to solve a problem Compare & contrast information in a text Summarize information from different written resources By the end of grades 9–10 & 11–12 read & comprehend technical texts independently & proficiently
Writing	Write with a sharp, distinct focus identifying topic, task, and audience Develop and analyze the topic with relevant, well–chosen, and sufficient facts, extended definitions, concrete details, quotations, appropriate visuals, or other information and examples appropriate to the audience’s knowledge of the topic Organize complex ideas, concepts, and information so that each new element builds on that which precedes it Use precise language, domain–specific vocabulary, and techniques such as metaphor, simile, and analogy to manage the complexity of the topic Establish and maintain a formal style and objective tone Produce clear & coherent writing Identify and evaluate different viewpoints using specific evidence in a constructive manner Develop and strengthen writing by brainstorming, revising, editing & rewriting Write with awareness to audience using program–specific vocabulary Write routinely over short/long time frames for a range of tasks, purposes & audiences Clearly convey with precision step–by–step work completed Write fast–paced, accurate reports Use technology to produce, publish or share writing
Math Levels	Numbers and Operations: Grade 6 – Fluency in operations with whole numbers and decimals Grade 6 – Fraction computations. Grade 7 – Fraction to decimal conversion Grade 7 – Percent and ratio problems Grade 8 – Decimal to rational number (fraction) conversion Algebra 1 – Problem solving with real world units, including conversions Measurement: NG – Units: English, Metric, Pixels, Picas, Points Precision: Nearest 1/16 inch, 1 mm Grade 6 – Unit conversion within and between measuring systems Algebraic Concepts: Grade 8 – Linear relationships – rate of change and initial value – analyzing meaning Algebra 1 – Analyze graphs – include those with different scales Geometric Concepts Grade 7 – Scale drawings of geometric figures Data and Probability: Grade 6 – Dot plots, histograms, box–and–whiskers plot Grade 8 – Investigate relationships between two sets of data Algebra 1 – Interpret data on various displays – use to make predictions
Theory Time	30 minutes/day
Homework	Occasional Weekly Sketch Book
Lab Time	5 hours/day
Tests	5–6 Project Based Assessments per quarter Quizzes (4 per quarter) NOCTI (mandatory for all CTE programs Industry Certifications: OSHA Industry Certification Adobe Certified Associate
POS Academics and Electives Recommended	English & Math are a component of the DCTS program
Study & Other Skills	Ability to work independently Ability to work in small groups Excellent oral & written communication skills Good judgement & decision making Self–control Critical thinking skills Follows oral & written communication skills Time management skills Attention to detail is extremely important Artistic talent
Technology Skills/Knowledge	Use and navigate school–issued laptop Use and navigate school–issued desktop Use various operating systems Use cameras and printers Web navigation Email management Navigate learning management system and instructional technology tools Video conferencing
Certifications Offered	Adobe Certifications Illustrator InDesign Premier Pro Photoshop
Post–Secondary Options and Continuing Ed	Associates Graphic Design Associates Fine Art B.A. Fine Art B.A. Graphic Art Media Production Professional Advertising Professional Game Production Speciality School (example Full Sail, FL)

Articulation Agreements

Dauphin County Technical School strives to provide an industry standard education in accordance with needs of the workforce and the curriculum of post-secondary institutions. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Diam sit amet nisl suscipit adipiscing bibendum. Enim ut sem viverra aliquet eget sit amet tellus.

Articulation Document

Possible Careers & Local Wages

Click each career path for more information

Multimedia

Entry Salary:
$???

Average Local Salary:
$???

Experienced Salary:
$???

Job Description:
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Commercial & Industrial Designer

Entry Salary:
$39,230

Average Local Salary:
$62,070

Experienced Salary:
$98,550

Job Description:
Design and develop manufactured products, such as cars, home appliances, and children’s toys. Combine artistic talent with research on product use, marketing, and materials to create the most functional and appealing product design.

Graphic Designers

Entry Salary:
$30,140

Average Local Salary:
$49,510

Experienced Salary:
$80,140

Job Description:
Design or create graphics to meet specific commercial or promotional needs, such as packaging, displays, or logos. May use a variety of mediums to achieve artistic or decorative effects.

Desktop Publishers

Entry Salary:
$24,220

Average Local Salary:
$43,390

Experienced Salary:
$87,250

Job Description:
Format typescript and graphic elements using computer software to produce publication-ready material.

Potential Certifications

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Employability: Interviewing Skills Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Egestas maecenas pharetra convallis posuere morbi. Tempor commodo ullamcorper a lacus vestibulum. Congue eu consequat ac felis donec. Nullam vehicula ipsum a arcu cursus vitae congue.

Adobe Certified Associate in Graphic Design & Illustration using Adobe Illustrator Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Adipiscing tristique risus nec feugiat in fermentum posuere urna. Faucibus a pellentesque sit amet porttitor eget dolor.

Adobe Certified Associate in Print & Digital Media using Adobe InDesign Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Egestas maecenas pharetra convallis posuere morbi. Tempor commodo ullamcorper a lacus vestibulum. Congue eu consequat ac felis donec. Nullam vehicula ipsum a arcu cursus vitae congue.

Adobe Certified Associate in Visual Design using Adobe InDesign Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Adipiscing tristique risus nec feugiat in fermentum posuere urna. Faucibus a pellentesque sit amet porttitor eget dolor.