Graphic Communications, Other.

Degree Overview

Graphic Communications, Other (CIP 10.0399) is a specialized field that focuses on the creation and production of visual messages across various media, specifically targeting areas that fall outside of traditional graphic design or standard printing. This "Other" designation often includes niche programs like security printing (for currency or passports), environmental graphics (signage for cities/buildings), or advanced packaging engineering that integrates digital technology with physical materials.

This degree is ideal for students who are "practical artists"—individuals who love the creative process but are equally fascinated by the industrial and technical systems required to reproduce art at scale. It is a path for those who want to see their designs out in the real world, whether on a product shelf, a digital billboard, or as part of a complex brand identity system.

What Is a Graphic Communications (Other) Degree?

A Graphic Communications (Other) degree combines artistic design principles with industrial technology. While a graphic designer might stop at the digital file, a graphic communications specialist understands the entire production workflow, including color science, material substrates (like plastic, metal, or paper), and the machinery used for high-volume output. Programs under this code often focus on the "engineering" side of graphics, ensuring that a design looks consistent across every possible format.

Schools offer this degree to:

• Train specialists in advanced prepress and digital imaging workflows
• Prepare professionals to manage large-scale printing and packaging facilities
• Develop experts in color management and quality control across diverse media
• Address the growing intersection between digital design and physical manufacturing (such as 3D printing and laser engraving)

What Will You Learn?

Students learn to manage the journey of a visual idea from a computer screen to a finished physical or digital product.

Core Skills You’ll Build

Most students learn to:

• Master professional design suites (Adobe Creative Cloud) with a focus on production output
• Understand Color Theory and Management to ensure color accuracy across different devices
• Operate and maintain high-tech industrial printing and finishing equipment
• Design for 3D surfaces, such as product packaging or architectural signage
• Manage digital assets and "Preflight" files to catch errors before production begins
• Implement sustainable practices in the use of inks, chemicals, and materials

Topics You May Explore

Coursework is a blend of creative studio time and technical lab work:

• Advanced Prepress Technology: Preparing digital files for complex industrial processes.
• Packaging Design and Engineering: Learning how graphics interact with structural shapes.
• Digital Asset Management: Organizing and protecting large libraries of visual data.
• Substrates and Inks: The chemistry of how different materials react to color.
• Quality Control and Lean Manufacturing: Ensuring every copy is identical and minimizing waste.
• Environmental Graphics: Creating visual systems for physical spaces (wayfinding and exhibits).

What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?

Graduates often fill roles that require a high level of technical oversight in the creative world.

Common job roles include:

• Production Manager: Overseeing the workflow of a design agency or print house.
• Packaging Specialist: Designing the technical and visual aspects of product containers.
• Prepress Technician: Ensuring digital designs are perfectly formatted for mass production.
• Color Scientist: Calibrating equipment to maintain brand consistency for global companies.
• Large Format Print Specialist: Managing the production of vehicle wraps, billboards, and banners.
• Quality Assurance Manager: Inspecting finished products for color and structural accuracy.

Where Can You Work?

Professionals in this field are found in any industry that produces physical or high-stakes digital media:

• Advertising and Design Agencies: Handling the technical production of client campaigns.
• Packaging Companies: Designing the boxes and labels for food, tech, and retail brands.
• Publishing Houses: Managing the production of high-end books and magazines.
• In-House Corporate Marketing Departments: Maintaining brand standards for large companies.
• Signage and Exhibit Firms: Creating the graphics for museums, trade shows, and airports.
• Specialty Printing: Working in security printing, textile printing, or wallpaper manufacturing.

How Much Can You Earn?

Because this field requires specialized technical knowledge, salaries are often higher than entry-level general graphic design roles.

• Graphic Communications Managers: Median annual salary of approximately $65,000–$85,000.
• Packaging Engineers/Designers: Salaries typically range from $70,000 to $95,000.
• Prepress Managers: Median annual salary of around $55,000–$70,000.
• Production Directors: With experience, salaries can exceed $100,000 in major markets.

Is This Degree Hard?

The academic work is a mix of art and engineering. The "difficulty" lies in the extreme attention to detail required. If you are off by a fraction of a millimeter or a single shade of blue, thousands of dollars of product can be wasted. You must be comfortable with specialized math, computer software, and mechanical hardware simultaneously.

Who Should Consider This Degree?

This degree may be a good fit if you:

• Love art but also enjoy seeing how machines and factories work
• Are a "perfectionist" who notices small mistakes in printing or packaging
• Enjoy working with your hands and physical materials as much as a computer
• Want a career in the creative world that has a strong "industrial" backbone
• Are interested in the science of color and how it affects the way we see the world

How to Prepare in High School

• Take classes in Art, Graphic Design, Chemistry, and Geometry
• Join the school yearbook or newspaper to learn about layout and deadlines
• Practice using design software like Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop
• Volunteer at a local print shop or makerspace to see industrial equipment in action
• Focus on building strong organizational skills—production is all about the schedule

A blend of artistic vision and technical precision is the hallmark of a successful professional in graphic communications.