Commercial and Advertising Arts (CIP:50.0402 )
About
Program Overview
This clustered program equips creative individuals with professional techniques to effectively develop visual communication solutions tailored to various business and consumer audiences. The curriculum covers concept design, content creation, illustration, fine art, typography, digital photography, digital imaging, web portfolio development, and graphic design. Graduates can pursue multiple career pathways, including entry-level positions in print shops, design studios, corporate art departments, event and studio photography, publishing houses, art studios, and advertising agencies. They may also choose to further their education in graphic design, advertising/marketing, fine arts, art therapy, or art education at a post-secondary institution.
Work Based Learning
It is a privilege for students to partake in the School-to-Career Program. Students are not required to participate; therefore, they can be removed at any time. Due to strenuous liability and accountability issues, under no uncertain terms can this privilege be abused. These experiences are an integral part of the school’s curriculum, and participation will reflect directly on the student’s academic standing. Typically, students must receive a “C” or better and have a good attendance and discipline record. Please see the School to Career Office for more information on a variety of work-based experiences for students, including Cooperative Education, Internships, Job Placements, and School-to-Career transition programs.
Junior and Senior students are eligible to participate in the School-to-Career program after completing a pre-evaluation form.
Additional Requirements (Seniors) – Seniors must complete a minimum of 75% of their task list, maintain a C Final Average in all classes, have zero discipline referrals for Senior year, and less than 10 combined Unexcused Absences and Tardies.
Additional Requirements (Juniors)- Juniors experiences are available after the second marking period. Juniors must complete a minimum of 60% of their task list Maintain a C Final Average in all classes, have zero discipline referrals for Junior year, and less than 10 combined Unexcused Absences and Tardies.
Technical Program Participation During Work-Based Learning- Students are required to check in with their Technical Instructor during the academic rotation and sign in. All students are required to be in for the NOCTI Exam and pre-determined NOCTI Prep days. (Additional options: Students are required to come in one day per rotation. Students are required to stay each morning for theory and will be dismissed for COOP.)
Grading Procedures for Work-Based Learning: Students will be graded by averaging the Employer Evaluation and required classwork.Articulations Agreements
SOAR Credits
- Bucks County Community College
- Penn College of Technology
PDE SOAR Credits may also be available through Butler County Community College, Community College of Allegheny County, Harcum College, Harrisburg Area Community College, and Lehigh Carbon Community College. Click here for SOAR Credits CIP 50.0402
Entrance Recommendations
- Color discrimination
- Spatial acuity
- Eye/hand coordination
- Fine motor skills
- Attention to detail
- Depth perception
- Visual acuity
- Form perception
- Visualization
- Depth perception
- Manual Dexterity
- Self-discipline/Self-Control
Career Pathways
- Entry Level (Program Completion and Industry Credentials)
- Graphic Design Assistant
- Print Production Artist
- Digital Media Technician
- Technical Careers (Apprenticeships, Associate Degree, Advanced Certification, Experience)
- Graphic Designer
- Branding Specialist
- UX/UI Designer
- Commercial Photographer
- Illustrator
- Professional Careers (Bachelor’s, Master’s, Specialized Training, Experience)
- Art Director
- Creative Director
- Marketing and Advertising Designer
- Art Education
- Art Therapy
Industry Certifications
Students in the Commercial & Advertising Art program have the opportunity to earn the following certifications:
- Adobe Certified Professional: Print & Digital Media Publication Using Adobe InDesign/Certiport
- Adobe Certified Professional: Visual Communication Using Adobe Photoshop/Certiport
- Adobe Certified Professional: Graphic Design & Illustration Using Adobe Illustration/Certiport
- OSHA Certification/CareerSafe
Students can earn up to 9 credits in the Graphic Design (curriculum code 1110) and Multimedia (curriculum code 1175) degree programs and Web Design and Multimedia (curriculum code 3147) certificate program at Bucks County Community College. Competencies achieved in the Commercial & Advertising Art program at BCTHS are deemed potentially equivalent to the following Bucks County Community College courses:
- VAFA 160-Introduction to Printmaking OR VAFA 161-Printmaking/Silkscreen (3 credits)
- VAMM 100-Digital Imaging (3 credits)
- VAGD999-Graphic Design & Illustration elective (3 credits)
Class Resources
Shop Highlight Video (COMING SOON)
Instructor
Meet Our Instructor
Name: Ken Smith
Email: ksmith@bcths.com
Phone: 2521
Degrees & Certifications:
-
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) – Temple University, Tyler School of Art
-
1992 VOC II Teacher Certification – Pennsylvania
Years of Experience:
23 Years
Quick Bio:
With 23 years of teaching experience at Bucks County Technical High School, I bring a deep well of industry expertise rooted in a professional career that began in 1992. My background spans roles as a graphic designer, industrial photographer, and ultimately art director in the outdoor advertising industry. I am a proud graduate of Temple University’s Tyler School of Art, where I earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. There, I built a strong foundation in the visual arts—knowledge and skills I now dedicate to cultivating in my students.
Meet Our Instructor
Name: Rosita Mullane
Email: rmullane@bcths.com
Phone: 2514
Degrees & Certifications:
- Bachelor of Graphic Design – Moore College of Art and Design
- Master of Education – Holy Family University
- Tyler School of Art 2013 VOC I Teacher Certification
- Instructional II – Fine Arts
Years of Experience:
15 Years Graphic Design
14 Years Commercial and Advertising Art Instructor
14 Years Commercial and Advertising Art Instructor
Quick Bio:
I am currently in my fourteenth year of teaching within the Commercial and Advertising Arts cluster. My professional background includes 33 years of combined industry experience covering graphic design, fine arts, illustration, photography, print production, advertising, and web design.
I hold a Master’s Degree in Secondary Education from Holy Family University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design from Moore College of Art and Design. I am certified to teach both Fine Arts as well as Commercial and Advertising Arts.
Throughout my career, I have worked on advertisement and page design for notable organizations such as The Philadelphia Daily News, Bucks County Courier Times, Bucks County Community College, Ife Design and Associates, and RRM Graphics. My client list includes Temple University, Extreme Fitness, Edible Delights, Giroud Trees, and The Housing Group.
My goal is to provide our students with the most comprehensive and up-to-date teaching methods, enhancing both their learning and understanding skills.
Thank you!
Program Requirements
Equipment, Materials, Uniform, Other Requirements
Dress Code/Uniform Requirements:
- Each student must wear a “Commercial & Advertising Art shirt or hoodie” on a daily basis along with appropriate jeans and footwear.
- Neat, professional clothing, appropriate shoes. No open-toe shoes, “crocs,” slides, sandals or other open-back footwear.
- No slippers or similar footwear.
- No tank tops, low riding pants, shorts or torn jeans permitted in the program.
Equipment, Materials, Uniform, Other Requirements
- A fully charged Chromebook for the start of each class is required.
- ( 1 ) Box of Drawing Pencils: 2H - 6B
- ( 6 ) Fine tip Sharpies
- ( 6 ) PaperMate Flair - felt tip pens
- Colored Pencils and markers (any brand) up to 12 colors or more per box.
- Elmer’s glue sticks
- Tackle art box for supplies
- ( 1 ) Combination / key lock
- Portfolio - Black, measuring 20x26 (Should hold 15 - 15"x20" mounted boards and a sketchbook.) No sleeves, nor floppy materials please
Textbooks and Learning Management Systems
Textbooks and assignments will be accessed through Google Classroom and delivered by the instructor. Student grading will be completed in Skyward and Program Task Tracking will be completed in CTE360.
The textbooks used in the Commercial & Advertising Art program are:
- Graphic Design Solutions - 6th Edition, by Robin Landa
- Adobe Illustrator Classroom Workbook, by Brian Wood
- Adobe Illustrator CC for Graphic Design and Illustration Workbook, by Chad Chelius with Rob Schwartz
The software applications utilized in the Commercial & Advertising Art program are :
- Adobe Photoshop
- Adobe Bridge
- Adobe InDesign
- Adobe Acrobat Pro
- Adobe Dreamweaver
- Adobe Illustrator