First and foremost, the CSUN Department of Art and Design's Communication Design program both challenges and prepares students to become informed, critical-thinking designers working creatively and collaboratively as problem solvers. Effective communication is required in order to meet the evolving demands of commerce, community, and culture. For this reason, the designer's role has substantially expanded. Students must learn to craft impactful and appropriate messages within a broad range of design media and emerging technologies. Our curriculum is built on big ideas and the process of interpreting messages through a myriad of media channels, using research, data, and strategy to achieve and measure real-world results. Communication Design coursework involves exploring, researching, strategizing, and developing solutions through a creative process. Courses in our program include in-depth study of communication design theory, design history, visual design, illustration, photography, typography, motion, interaction, and user experience while utilizing the latest technology and design management tools.