CCSD Pathway Profile: Graphic Design and Graphic Communications

Woodstock High School Career Pathway teacher Isobel Mason works with Graphic Design and Graphic Communications program senior Lily Bailey on a T-shirt decal project.

The Cherokee County School District offers 38 Career Pathway high school programs, which provide students with a wide selection of job exploration and preparation electives.  Through CCSD Pathway Profiles, we’ll regularly share highlights with you from one of these programs.  This week’s profile focuses on Graphic Design and Graphic Communications, which is offered at Woodstock HS and Creekview HS …

Woodstock High School Career Pathway teacher Isobel Mason helps her students design their future success.

Through the Graphic Design and Graphic Communications program, students explore careers through real world practical experiences like creating a 64-page book – from brainstorming to binding.

“It takes everything they have learned, and they create something that they are so proud of,” Ms. Mason, a 27-year educator, said of the project, which is her personal favorite.  “I have always stood strong on the belief that students need to find their passion.  What I want to provide for them by being in this class is creative thinking, improved computer skills, attention to quality and pride in their work.” 

Ms. Mason, who previously taught art classes, made the shift to graphic design in 2009 and has seen many students achieve success in the field.  Among her most recent success stories are a former student who started a fashion design company and a former student who is graduating from college this year to pursue a graphic design career.  [Click here [CONTENT_REVIEW InternalLink] to see more photos from her classes.]

“Students are given the opportunity to work on project based assignments that mimic what they would experience working in industry,” Ms. Mason added.  “This opportunity affords our students experiences they would not have otherwise.  Career courses provide valuable insight for our students as they make their way into the workforce and challenge them to seek out future prospects to expand on their skills.”

Senior Oakley Aughtman is among her many current students eyeing a design career.

“The graphic design Career Pathway has shown me that I want to continue graphic design in college and into my career after,” she said.  “It has taught me so much and made me excited to learn more about different programs in the future.”

Within the Pathway, classes offered include: introduction to graphics and design, graphic design and production, advanced graphic design, advanced graphic output processes.  Students can earn Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator industry certifications.  They can compete in SkillsUSA state and national career skills contests.

This Pathway prepares students for careers including, but not limited to: graphic designer, multimedia artist/animator, commercial and industrial designer, prepress technician, art director, lead visual designer, graphic production artist, graphic artist.

The average income range for careers in this Pathway in Georgia is $40,000 - $153,200.  Local and area employers for this Pathway include, but are not limited to: Black Airplane, Blue Sky, Creative Juice, Amazon, Bennett Graphics, Kellen, Ketchum, ERB Industries, Delta, Inspired Designs & Wraps, Lewis Hyman Inc., Kennesaw State University, Disney Parks, Lockheed Martin Corp., Transamerica, Fox Corporation, Northside Hospital.

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