Design & Visual Communications

Program Overview

The Design and Visual Communications program trains students to become professional artists and designers. The curriculum includes the elements and principles of art and design, fine art and perspective drawing, graphic design, web design, animation, video and digital photography. Creative and conceptual problem-solving projects will teach students how to resolve visual consumer communication needs and how to prepare creative art for reproduction.

Each student is required to present a comprehensive portfolio of their work during their senior year in preparation for employment and/or the college admission process. In the spring, the Senior class invites family, friends and the community to attend a gallery showing where each graduating student displays samples of their work.

Program of Study

Grade 9

Freshmen begin their artistic journey with fundamentals in design and studio art. Starting with the core building blocks of creativity we focus on the foundations of art and design. Students learn the creative process, how to draw using basic shapes,and have exposure to a variety of studio materials and techniques. In the Digital Art Computer Lab students receive an introduction to Adobe Creative Cloud platform with a primary focus on learning photo manipulation and digital painting using Adobe Photoshop.

Grade 10

Sophomores begin their extensive training primarily in Digital Art and Design, with a secondary focus on Studio Art. Students dive deeper into Photoshop training while being immersed in digital drawing with Adobe Illustrator. Success is achieved through a series of training exercises broken down into small sections. Students learn through teacher instructions and demonstrations. This is followed by a project based on the skills they’ve acquired. Studio instruction continues with exploration of color theory and traditional painting techniques.

Grade 11

Juniors continue their extensive training primarily in Portfolio Prep, with a focus on studio and digital art, starting with reviewing the basic fundamentals. Students will learn how to successfully create a professional Portfolio, achieved through a series of training exercises broken down into small sections. Students will learn through teacher instructions and demonstrations. This is followed by a project based on the skills they’ve acquired.

Grade 12

Seniors continue the development of a professional artist portfolio and acquire skills necessary to thrive in a creative career. Students create a brand identity and learn how to market themselves as professional artists and designers equipped with a personal logo, business card and resume. Seniors sum up their Madison career through the development of a year long 8 piece capstone project that encompassess all of the skills acquired through DVC. Seniors participate in the end of the year gallery style Capstone showcase.

Career Paths

Graphic Designer

Art Director

Illustrator

Digital Media Artist

Freelance Designer

Studio Artist

Sign Maker

Advertising Representative

Fashion Designer

Textile Designer

Production Artist

Creative Director

Architect

Meet the Instructors

Gregory Falta

Design & Visual Communications Instructor
gfalta@bostonpublicschools.org

Geo Ortega

Design & Visual Communications Instructor
gortega@bostonpublicschools.org