Graphic & Web Design Track

From the introduction of the first printing press to the colonies in 1639 to the technology of today's digital age, Boston has long been a catalyst for innovations in communication and design.

Students in the Graphic & Web Design track explore the fundamentals of graphic design and interactive media through creative projects and assignments. Internship areas include magazine and book design, publishing, event management, web and DVD development and design, advertising, and animation.

Summer 1: The Academic Phase (May 19 – June 26, 2009)

The dates for the 2010 program have not been announced yet. Please check back on December 15 for next summer's information.

You’ll spend your first six weeks of the Summer Study Internship Program taking two 4-credit courses chosen from the following offerings in graphic and web design. The course section has course descriptions and schedules.

Select Two:

  • CFA AR 389 Graphic Design

    • Principles, problems, and applications of graphic design. Use of the Apple computer as a design tool, emphasizing such programs as Quark-XPress, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe Illustrator. Enrollment limited to 20 students.   [ 4 cr.]

    Offered: Summer 1 2009

    Section Type Instructor Location Days Times
    SA1 IND Ort-dinoor CFA 203 T, W, R 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • CFA AR 581 Web Design

    • This course immerses students in the process of planning and designing web sites. The course is structured within the same methodology that is used by most Internet strategy and web design firms. We focus on the tasks and deliverables associated with each phase of the process—from project definition to site structure to visual design. Throughout the course, we also discuss, review, and experience/learn the fundamentals of all the tools associated with the planning, designing, and launching of a web site including Adobe’s Creative Suite, MindJet’s MindManager and more. This class does not teach programming. Materials and copying costs are extra.   [ 4 cr.]

    Offered: Summer 1 2009

    Section Type Instructor Location Days Times
    SA1 IND Stevenson CFA 203 T, W, R 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
  • CFA FA 501 Arts Criticism: From the Old Media to the New

    • Online offering. The evaluation of the arts is an indispensable part of the conversation of life. Since the late 18th century, arts criticism has been an integral part of that discussion. And that remains true today: general circulation newspapers and magazines may be cutting back on traditional cultural coverage, but online opportunities for writing critically about the arts are growing. In this class students explore the future of arts criticism, studying reviewers from the past and adapting their skills and approaches for the rapidly expanding world of blogs, websites, and podcasting. For further information, please call the Office of Distance Education at 617-358-1960.   [ 4 cr.]

    Offered: Summer 1 2009

    Section Type Instructor Location Days Times
    SOL IND Marx ARR -
  • COM CM 323 Design in Communication

    • Provides knowledge and practice for effective graphic design for all media. Develops a foundation in design principles and software skills including Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign. Students create projects demonstrating how graphic design is used to engage an audience and enhance comprehension of all forms of mass communication from traditional print to new media.   [ 4 cr.]

    Offered: Summer 1 2009

    Section Type Instructor Location Days Times
    SA1 IND Macario COM 206 T, R 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM
  • COM CM 417 Advertising Copy and Design

    • Writing advertising copy and designing effective layouts. Elements of effective advertising: creating ads, motivating the reader, building campaigns, writing and rewriting, and preparing roughs and comps. Developing a portfolio. Emphasizes print advertising; includes radio and television.   [ 4 cr.]

    Prereq: COM CM 317 and COM CM 331; or consent of instructor.

    Offered: Summer 1 2009

    Section Type Instructor Location Days Times
    SA1 IND Fauls COM 106 T, R 1:30 PM - 5:00 PM
  • COM CM 443 New Media and Public Relations

    • Prereq: COM CM 301. Explores the effects of new media on the fundamental theories, models, and practices of public relations. Studies how websites, blogs, citizen journalism, social media, direct-to-consumer communication, podcasting, viral marketing, and other technology-enabled changes are affecting interpersonal, small group, and mass media relationships. Also covers and uses the interactive tools that are re-defining the practice of public relations. The course combines lecture, discussion, guest speakers, case study, and research to help students uncover and appreciate the power and potential of interactive media.   [ 4 cr.]

    Offered: Summer 1 2009

    Section Type Instructor Location Days Times
    SA1 IND Quigley COM 106 M, W 9:30 AM - 1:00 PM
  • COM CM 510 Computers in Communication

    • Introduction to the personal computer as a tool for human communication. Shows how computers are used to design, produce, and deliver communication in publishing, advertising, entertainment, and education. Students learn to use basic computer tools to build works of communication in a variety of media, including text, images, numbers, sound, and video.   [ 4 cr.]

    Offered: Summer 1 2009

    Section Type Instructor Location Days Times
    SA1 IND Lee COM 206 M, W 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM
  • COM CM 561 New Media and Public Relations

    • Summer 1 2009 Topics: A1 Digital Marketing: Creating Brand Dialog, A2 Event Planning and Management.   [ 4 cr.]

    Prereq: consent of instructor.

    Offered: Summer 1 2009

    Section Type Instructor Location Days Times
    SA2 IND O'connor COM 317 T, R 9:30 AM - 1:00 PM
  • MET TM 448 Introduction to E-Commerce & Web Design I

    • The first course in a two course sequence. This course combines (1) the practical aspect of Web design through the use of application software such as Dreamweaver to construct a commercial Web site with (2) a general overview of the marketing, supporting services, systems, security and business strategy issues facing commercial enterprises. 4 cr   [ 4 cr.]

    Offered: Summer 1 2009

    Section Type Instructor Location Days Times
    SA1 IND Lee FLR 264 T, R 6:00 PM - 9:30 PM

Summer 2: The Internship Phase (July 6 – August 14, 2009)

The dates for the 2010 program have not been announced yet. Please check back on December 15 for next summer's information.

For the second six weeks of the program, you’ll be placed as an intern in a Boston-area organization or business that matches your interests and experience. You should expect to work five days a week for a minimum of 35 hours.

Graphic & Web Design Internship Opportunities

Internship placement opportunities are available at magazine and book design firms; publishing companies; event management organizations; Web and DVD development and design firms; advertising and creative agencies; animation companies.

Internship Placement

  • Guaranteed internship placement for 35 hours a week
  • Internship matches are based on your interests, abilities, and experience
  • All internship sites are accessible by public transportation
  • Visit our Placement Process page for additional information

Summer Study Internship Course (May 22 – August 11, 2009)

The dates for the 2010 program have not been announced yet. Please check back on December 15 for next summer's information.

Throughout the 12 weeks of the Summer Study Internship Program, you will participate in a required 2-credit Summer Study Internship Course. This course serves as a means of preparing you for the internship and provides support as you adjust to a new workplace. It will also provide you with an opportunity to explore links between your academic coursework and your work experience.

You’ll have a faculty advisor and a shared forum with other interns to address your expectations, goals, and challenges as an intern. In the Internship Course, you will continue to develop as a professional by addressing topics such as workplace culture, networking skills, and self-assessment.

Internship Profile

Student: John Sotherland
Career Track: Graphic & Web Design
Courses: Graphic Design Workshop, Electronic Commerce and Web Design
Internship Site: Metropolis Creative

On the Job: I came to the internship with conflicting motivations. I wanted to learn what I did not know how to do, but I also wanted to test my preexisting skills. Amazingly, I got to do both. I joined the staff of a very small company, which enabled me to learn about every aspect of how a design firm operates. I worked with clients directly, I designed websites, and I even created new ad campaigns. This program is a great way to get a head start on a career—I now have a real, professional portfolio to show future employers.

Perspectives: My advisor encouraged me to get an internship, and that seemed like a daunting task. But the BU program really worked with me to make it a reality—the internship placement staff listened to my interests and goals, and they took the rest from there.