Course Syllabus

Advertising Design & Commercial Art teaches the technology, skills and procedures used in the print and digital design industry. These theories are applied to projects that start with textbook study (advertising design), continue with teacher direction (screen printing, for example), then district/community service (mural painting and yearbook production), and regional/state/national contests such as SkillsUSA.

All students are trained to use Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign CS2. They also learn the Fundamentals of Design, Design Theory and the Creative Design Process and develop solid drawing skills along with website design and banner/poster production.

Students learn both personal computer and iMac technology as a solid foundation for art school and/or industry. The class is aligned with an advertising and design standardized test given at the end of the program that measures competency in written and performance areas. Students who pass that test are qualified for entry-level positions in the advertising design field.

Students can take advantage of an articulation agreement with the Art Institute of Philadelphia for an average of 12 free credits (four courses), in any of several art careers.

Third year seniors in good standing are eligible to participate in the Cooperative Industrial Education (C.I.E.) and receive release time from class to work as interns at career-related jobs.

This is the most advanced career training program for designers and artists at the secondary level in Cape May County. Students have graduated from or are attending colleges and universities including the Art Institutes of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, Full Sail University, Brigham Young University, Lehigh University, Rochester Institute of Technology, Drexel, Moore College of Art, Savannah College of Art, Fashion Institute of Technology, Pratt Institute, Kean University, and Johns Hopkins University.

Graduates who choose to pursue a career are working with local printing and publishing companies or have developed their own freelance businesses.