In the marketplace, those skills can bring $20,000–$45,000 per year, according to HCC Graphic Design Professor John Favret. “These jobs offer you the potential to double your salary in 12–18 months,” he said.

Graphic designers, he continued, can find positions in newspaper and magazine journalism, website design, printing, color separation, and digital photography. “Digital photography is a growing field with tremendous potential,” he said.

HCC offers aspiring designers two-degree options: a two-year associate degree in graphic design and a two-year associate in graphic design with a computer graphics specialty. “Both programs give students strong foundation in design, something that is often overlooked in graphic design programs,” he said.

The graphic design program covers the programs Quark, Photoshop, and Illustrator, Professor Favret said. The computer graphics specialty covers these as well as Dreamweaver and Flash.

Students receiving either degree can enter the workforce immediately or go on to receive a four-year degree.

The college also offers a graphic design certificate program.

Registration sessions will be held at the college on Monday, August 30, from 2:30 to 6:30 pm; Tuesday, August 31, 10 am to 2 pm; Thursday, September 2, 2:30 to 6:30 pm; and Friday, September 3, f 10 am to noon.

A special registration session for senior citizens and high school partnership students will be held September 3 from 1:30 to 3 pm. Classes start September 7.

For more information, contact Ron Abbe at 203-332-5131 or rabbe@hcc.commnet.edu, John Favret at 203-332-5116 or jfavret@hcc.commnet.edu, or the Admissions Office at 203-332-5100.

In response to increased enrollments and changing workplace needs both regionally and nationally, HCC has increased the number of programs offered from 43 to 63 since moving to its new campus. The campus is at 900 Lafayette Boulevard in downtown Bridgeport, less than 150 yards off I-95 (Exit 27) and Route 8 (Exit 1).