By MARY LYNNE O'NEAL

Staff Writer

Starting next fall, Tech's graphic design program will have a new name.

Dean Dablow, the director of the School of Art, announced Jan. 25 that the graphic design program received permission from the Board of Regents to officially change its name from graphic design to communication design effective fall quarter 2005.

"It was felt that the designation 'graphic design' had become too limited as to what the program presently teaches its students, such as web design, multimedia presentation and video capture," Dablow said.

"The old description was not accurate."

Dablow said that the curriculum will remain unchanged for the program.

Lisa Stimers, a sophomore graphic design major, said she believes the name change will have very positive effects for those in that field.

"Over the Mardi Gras break, I went looking for job internships and it really helped to have that new title of communication design," Stimers said.

"The old name was too specific because there are a lot more aspects of art than just graphic design."

Stimers said the School of Art has grown so much and will continue to grow and develop over time, as proven by the name change.

"I think the curriculum will eventually change, now that this new name has come into effect," Stimers said.

Jonathan Donehoo, program coordinator for graphic design and a professor of graphic design, said the announcement was once a rumor floating around campus.

Eventually, a letter was mailed to all graphic design majors confirming the issue and explaining why the name change took place.

"Years ago, this major was known as commercial art and was almost entirely print-based," Donehoo said. "The change to communication design encompasses more of what we do now, such as video and web design."

Ryan Oswald, a graduate student in graphic design, said he supports the name change and thinks it will be beneficial for future majors.

"As you go out into the work field, [the degree] is not as specialized," Oswald said.

"Technology has evolved so much over the past and continues to evolve."

Donehoo said that graphic design students will not see any changes until they get ready to be advised in the spring for fall quarter 2005.

Donehoo said, "We are planning to meet with the entire student body in graphic design to go over the changes at the beginning of next fall."