Get creative

Students in the School of Communication Arts make the most of their artistic talents in this highly sought after program. Instruction is provided in impressive commercial working environments which utilize state-of-the-art equipment and advanced laboratories. Members are encouraged and challenged to express their creativity through fine arts, graphic design, and audio visual production. One of our most popular and anticipated events is the annual art exhibition, which showcases the incredible skills and talents of students in this program. Those who select the School of Communication Arts may choose one of the following career paths:

Advertising Art & Design combines the fundamentals of traditional media with digital art and design software. Students cultivate skills in drawing and other traditional media, as well as the graphics programs of Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. They are exposed to typography, iconography, layout fundamentals, rendering, and so much more. Familiarity with these areas allows for a seamless integration between traditional and digital mediums, which prepares students to enter and advance in the Advertising Art & Design industry. Audition and portfolio submission are required for admission consideration.

Graphic Design & 3D Animation embraces a creative process that pairs art with technology in order to effectively communicate ideas. Student designers work with a variety of tools to visually convey a client’s message, product, or service to an intended audience. Projects utilize industry standard software and hardware in classrooms that simulate real-world design studios. Students learn the principles of design processes and work with programs such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and Autodesk Maya. They execute projects from concept to finish, utilizing technology that includes drawing tablets, digital cameras, scanners, and more.

Audio Visual Production puts students behind the television camera and inside the control room. As its name suggests, students develop production and editing skills, as well as a detailed understand-ing of writing for television. Classes are conducted in a fully functioning studio complete with recording and editing software and industry standard equipment. Students learn to develop content for filming—from script writing and shooting, to operating all required equipment in the teleproduction facility.

Students of the School of Communication Arts graduate with Adobe Certification.

Career Pathways

Exciting Learning Environments

Instruction is provided to Communication Arts students in an impressive environment utilizing state-of-the-art equipment.

Advertising Art & Design combines the fundamentals of traditional media with digital art and design software. Students cultivate skills in drawing and other traditional media, as well as in the graphic programs of Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. They are exposed to typography, iconography, layout fundamentals, rendering, and so much more. Familiarity with these areas allows for a seamless integration between traditional and digital mediums, which prepares students to take charge and advance in the Advertising Art & Design industry.

Graphic Design & 3D Animation embraces a creative process that pairs art with technology in order to effectively communicate ideas. Student designers work with a variety of tools to visually convey a client’s message, product, or service to an intended audience. Projects utilize industry standard software and hardware in classrooms that to simulate re- al-world design studios. They learn the principles of design processes and work with programs such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and Autodesk Maya. They perfect projects from concept to finish, utilizing technology that includes drawing tablets, digital cameras, scanners, and more.

Audio Visual Production puts students behind the camera and inside the control room. As its name suggests, students develop production and editing skills, as well as a detailed understanding of writing for television. Classes are conducted in a fully functioning studio complete with recording & editing software and industry standard equipment. Those interested in this particular career learn to develop content for filming—from script writing and shooting, to operating all required equipment in the teleproduction facility.

Professional Instructors

School of Communication Arts instructors have professional experience in the given areas, offering the latest techniques and technology used in today’s workplace.

"College Connection Program" Earning College Credits in High School

The school of Communication Arts is affiliated with the Art Institute of Philadelphia, Bergen Community College, Passaic County Community College, Berkeley College. Upon completion of the program, students from the Advertising Art & Design and Graphic Arts fields can earn up to 18 college credits through the STEM Grant with Passaic County Community College, 12 credits with Berkley College, and 6 credits from Bergen Community College towards their Communication Arts Major.

Organizational Affiliations

All Communication Arts students join SkillsUSA, a national vocational organization. The program has also partnered with local Design Firms, print houses, and production studios to provide job shadowing opportunities and industry trends.

College Affiliations

Some of PCTI’s higher education affiliates include: The Art Institute of Philadelphia, William Paterson University, Berkeley College, Passaic County Community College, NJIT (New Jersey Institute of Technology), School of Visual Arts, Pratt, Montclair, and Bergen Community.

Certification

Students of the School of Communication Arts graduate with Adobe Certification.

School to Careers Experience

PCTI maintains a very strong and supportive School to Careers program, offering 9th, 10th, and 11th graders the opportunity to “job shadow,” and 11th & 12th graders the chance to put their skills to work at a paid position in the workplace. Hundreds of students participate. . . and hundreds of business leaders support our efforts by employing our students.

Awards and Honors

• NJAFPA Cover Design Contest Winner
• William Paterson Art Start Competition
• 1st Place VFW Patriotic Art Contest
• 1st Place Ladies Auxiliary Art Contest
• 1st Place Arbor Day Contest
• Passaic County Film Commission Logo Design - 1st place
• 1st Place - 8th Congressional District Art Award (artwork on display in Capital Building, Washington, DC)
• Dozens of public relations publications, printed by Graphic Arts, have been honored with Awards of Merit and Excellence at the state and national levels.
• Student artwork exhibit / 3 time winner of NJSBA Fall Convention Award of Excellence
• Skills USA winner at the local, regional, state and national level
• Over 90% success rate in Adobe Certification Exams
• Passaic County Film Festival Winners
• Montclair Film Festival recognition
• Alliance for Community Media - Hometown Festival “Passaic Tech Today”