UW-Stout's B.S. Graphic Communications (GCOM) program combines creative, analytical and technical studies. The program's design, technology and project management focus prepares you for a dynamic career. Graphic communication careers are attractive to students with diverse interests. We encouraged you to take a look at our unique interdisciplinary program.
Note: Admission to the B.S. Graphic Communications program has been temporarily suspended. While the program is not currently accepting applications, we are working diligently on a new program structure with the hopes of reopening enrollment for Fall 2024. If you will begin your education at UW-Stout before Fall 2024, our college and industry partners encourage you to discover the natural alignment between your professional interest in graphic communications and these related career-focused degree programs:
- B.S. Business Administration
- Completion of a minor is required for this degree. Interested students should consider the Graphic Media and Print Management Minor.
- B.S. Packaging
- B.F.A. Graphic Design and Interactive Media
Program Overview
How you will learn
You'll learn how graphic communication specialists communicate ideas, instructions and concepts. From design to production, you'll train in all phases of a finished graphics product.
Technology has transformed the way people create, distribute and work with graphics. Our hands-on design, imaging and print labs have the most current software and digital technologies:
- InDesign™
- Photoshop™
- Illustrator™
- Acrobat™
- HTML editors
- Esko™ DeskPack for package design
- XMPie™ for variable data
- Kodak Prinergy™ for prepress
- Preps™ for Imposition
Industry experienced faculty will guide you through the creation and fabrication of graphic prototypes. You'll also develop strong foundation skills in project and business management.
99% of Graphic Communications Graduates are Employed or Continuing their Education
Perfect fit for a creative problem-solver
If you are a find the solution and make it work person, you are a perfect fit for graphic communications! Our interdisciplinary program will teach you:
- Printing production processes
- Marketing campaign management and deployment
- Digital design project management
- Digital workflows and structured automation
- Business practices used in graphic communications
- Variable data applications across media
- Marketing channels applied to print, web, and social media
- Digital graphics software use and associated applied technologies
- Project management and logistics for graphics production
You will graduate ready for a successful career in printing, imaging, marketing, media and graphics.
Your knowledge of how digital content originates will prepare you for a career as:
- Sales Representatives
- Media Buyers
- Marketing Managers
- Estimators
- Creative Artists
- Publishers
- Pre-press Specialists
- Digital Content Management
- Web Developers
- Packaging Account Managers
- Project Managers
- Customer Service Representatives
- Technical Trainers
- Graphics Coordinators
- Web Analytics Professionals
- Production Workflow Managers
- Schedulers
- Production Operations Management
- Quality Management Directors
- Process Improvement Specialists
- Research & Development Specialists
- Logistics Managers
- Purchasing Administrator
- Materials Management Officer
- Fulfillment & Operations Specialists
- Shipping Expert
- Material Handling Director
- Inventory Management Advisor
- Equipment Sales & Support
- Software Developers
- Supply Distributors
- Director of Manufacturing
Stout Graduates at Work
| Arandell Corporation | Menomonee Falls, WI |
| Belmark | De Pere, WI |
| Bemis | Sheboygan Falls, WI |
| Bic Graphic | Red Wing, MN |
| CGS | Minneapolis, MN |
| Colony Brands, Inc | Monroe, WI |
| Color Ink | Sussex, WI |
| Daily Printing, Inc. | Plymouth, MN |
| Global Printing, Inc. | Alexandria, VA |
| GLS Companies | Brooklyn Park, MN |
| Great Northern Corporation | Chippewa Falls, WI |
| Green Bay Packaging | Green Bay, WI |
| Imagine Print Solutions | Shakopee, MN |
| Inland Label | La Crosse, WI |
| IWCO Direct | Chanhassen, MN |
| Japs-Olson Company | St. Louis Park, MN |
| Letterhead Press | New Berlin, WI |
| Liberty Carton-Liberty Diversified International | Minneapolis, MN |
| Menard’s | Eau Claire, WI |
| Menasha Packaging | Neenah, WI |
| Mittera Group | Des Moines, IA |
| Nosco, Inc. | Gurnee, IL |
| OEC Graphics, Inc. | Oshkosh, WI |
| Patterson Companies | Mendota Heights, MN |
| Philipp Lithographing Company | Grafton, WI |
| Powertex Group | Eau Claire, WI |
| Precision Color Graphics | Franklin, WI |
| Push Solutions | New Berlin, WI |
| Quad Graphics | Sussex, WI |
| Ripon Printers | Ripon, WI |
| Royle Printing | Sun Prairie, WI |
| RR Donnelley | Warrenville, IL |
| Shutterfly | Shakopee, MN |
| Target | Minneapolis, MN |
| Taylor Corporation | Mankato, MN |
| Tempt In-Store Productions | New Berlin, WI |
| The Marek Group | Waukesha, WI |
| Thomson-Reuters | Eagan, MN |
| Tilsner Carton Company | St. Paul, MN |
| US Government Printing Office | Washington D.C. |
| Wetzel Brothers, Inc. | Cudahy, WI |
| Worzalla Publishing | Stevens Point, WI |
| Wikoff Color Corporation | Roseville, MN |
GCOM Advisory Committee
| Darren | Cotch | Packaging Director, Owned Brands | Target Corporation |
| Alex | DeArmond | Professor-Design | UW Stout |
| Andrew | Delong | Lecturer / Program Director | UW-Stout |
| Nancy | Dibb | Customer Service Manager | Japs-Olson COmpany |
| Mike | Draver | Senior VP and GM | Letterhead Press |
| Steve | Fischer | Color & Print Technology Manager | HAVI |
| Emily | Gustfason | President | Stout Typographical Society |
| Erik | Haapakoski | Graphics Supervisor | American Packaging Corporation |
| Tim | Hughes | Director; Manufacturing Client Services | Thomson-Reuters |
| Wendy | Hunjadi | Director; Sales Support | Arandell Corporation |
| Bridget | Johnson | Senior Strategic Account Specialist | Quad |
| Eric | Kuhn | Business Development- Sales Manager | Mittera |
| Joe | Lyman | President/CEO | Great Lakes Graphics Association |
| Greg | Meersman | VP of Sales & Marketing | Taylor Corporation-Commercial Print Group |
| Chad | Nyseth | Instructional Specialist | UW-Stout |
| Kristin | Piling-Davis | Exective Director & Director of Education& Events | Printing Industries Midwest |
| Jake | Pomputis | Account Executive | Imagine |
| Kim | Taylor | Employee Engagement and Development Manager | Nosco |
| Bethany | Wheeler | Instructor | UW-Stout |
