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.
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