Design & Visual Communications
Minuteman High School
Minuteman High School
Welcome!
Students enrolled in Design and Visual Communications (DVC) explore the power of visual messages through analysis and application. DVC introduces students to graphic design as a form of visual communication through the use of type, image, form and color. Students learn fundamental concepts of art and graphic design for continuation in post-secondary education or the workforce.
Through a combination of demonstrations and hands-on projects, students acquire an understanding of design elements, design principles, color theory, typography, drawing, video editing, web design, animation, user experience design and digital photography. Using industry-standard software programs, such as the Adobe Creative Cloud, students plan, design, and produce print and digital media for a specific purpose and audience in formats such as magazines, advertising, websites, animation, and more.
Through engaging classroom critique sessions, students will develop communication and presentation skills that will strengthen their reading and writing ability. Students will be ready for prospective employers and college recruiters by compiling their work into a professional digital student portfolio.
Students are also given the opportunity to complete credentialing in a variety of Adobe programs where they can achieve a Adobe Certified Professional (ACP) certification which can be used toward college or career.
Support Mattie's Cancer Battle
Minuteman DVC 2022 Graduate
Taken from GoFundMe: Mattie is one of the strongest, driven, most tenacious and inspiring young women out there. She was just 19 years old when she moved into her own apartment, which she managed solely on her own. In the same year she bought her first car with a hefty down payment she saved over 2 years while working two jobs. Now 20 yrs old, Mattie’s independence is paramount to most things for her; it’s really everything. It’s something she had to sacrifice and work hard for, and discipline herself for years to accomplish. It is also a great source of pride for her.
In early May 2024, Mattie was diagnosed with stage II Nodular Sclerosing Hodgkins Lymphoma (NSHL). She started chemotherapy a week after her diagnosis in mid-May. As of the day this was written, she has undergone 2 infusions. As she works in the service industry, her normal duties are already proving too taxing to continue working either of her jobs. Instead of worrying about the usual, like hair loss and depleting energy levels, she’s worried most about all her hard work and efforts being for nothing and having to start from scratch, and only then after she completes treatment at the end of this year.
Her independence was hard-won and not something she is ready to give up. We’re asking for help to fund not only her medical expenses for her care at Dana Farber Cancer Institute, but also her independence (in the form of rent, utilities, car payment, insurance coverage, groceries, etc.). Funds will go directly toward these purposes only and any excess funds will be donated to The Jimmy Fund.
Your contribution, no matter the amount, will make a significant difference in Mattie's journey. Thank you so very much for considering a donation.
Meet the Teachers
Ms. Allison Barry
In 2002, Allison earned a B.S. degree in Communications with a concentration in Graphic Design from Fitchburg State University. Shortly thereafter, Allison started her career working in the offset printing industry as a graphic designer building custom calendars and converting logos for embossing. Later, she worked as a senior graphic designer; specializing in graphic design, web design, prepress, and variable data processing. After 13 years in the business she found that the part of the job she enjoyed the most was showing other designers how to make designs that were technically sound. She then became a teacher at Minuteman where she has spent the last 8 years educating graphic design students.
Industry Certifications
Awards
2020
Carl J. Schaefer Memorial Award
CTE Teacher Award
Mr. James McNamara
In 2009, Jim earned a B.S. degree in Communications with a concentration in Graphic Design from Fitchburg State University. Shortly after graduation, Jim entered the "industry" after accepting a job as a digital marketing specialist for family-owned retail company. This job evolved several times over his ten-year career, giving him the opportunity to leverage his affinity for website design, video editing and social media marketing. Before leaving the industry to embark on his teaching career, Jim had worked his way up to become the Digital Marketing Manager for this company which involved overseeing a creative team and managing the digital marketing budget and company initiatives. After two and a half years of teaching at a local vocational school in Leominster, Jim accepted a job teaching DVC at Minuteman in 2020 and has never looked back.
Industry Certifications