Cal Poly Graphic Communication Department

Cal Poly GrC!

Graphic Communication is the study of how visual systems are designed, engineered, and managed to drive impact across physical and digital media.

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Our Labs

With over 30,000 square feet of specialized laboratory space, students gain hands-on experience designing, engineering, and implementing graphic systems across digital and physical media.

Create integrated graphic systems for digital and physical media. Students explore typography, layout, hierarchy, and content structure while turning ideas into scalable, high-performing design solutions.
Build skills in photography, retouching, motion graphics, packaging design, and color management. Students use calibrated workflows and production environments to create consistent, high-quality work across media.
Design market-ready packaging systems that connect structure, branding, materials, sustainability, and consumer behavior. Using digital modeling and rapid prototyping, students develop solutions for retail and distribution environments.
Equipped with advanced packaging, materials, and prototyping technology, the lab honors graphic communication leader Harvey Levenson.
Gain hands-on experience with industry-standard production systems. Students use high-volume, specialty, and industrial-scale equipment to understand how graphics are produced accurately, efficiently, and at scale.
Explore how graphic systems operate within organizations through workflow optimization, quality control, estimating, sales, analytics, and entrepreneurship. Applied projects and a student-run enterprise build operational leadership skills.
Item descriptionDesign interactive and immersive visual environments, from user-centered digital systems to AR, VR, and spatial storytelling. Students apply research, usability testing, accessibility, and technical integration to create effective experiences across platforms.

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Experience & Immersive
Media Lab

Innovation Lab for Graphic
Communication Excellence

Design Systems Lab

Photography, Packaging
Design & Color Science Lab

Operations & Enterprise Lab

Media & Productions
Technology Lab

Student Clubs

Join vibrant student communities that foster creativity, collaboration, and professional growth beyond the classroom.

TAGA

Technical Association of Graphic Arts
Every year, Cal Poly TAGA Student Chapter enters a year-long research, development, design, and production process for the international TAGA student competition. Their journal is showcased at the Annual Technical Association of Graphic Arts Conference and competes with other student chapters around the world

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iter8

Cal Poly’s first hands-on product design agency, operated by students from the Graphic Communication and other programs.

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MPP

Mat Pica Pi
Mat Pica Pi is a social and professional development club. MPP aims to help underclassmen better understand the Graphic Communication industry and curriculum by creating a mentorship program with upperclassmen students who have a plethora of knowledge and experience to share.

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SPM

Shakespeare Press Museum
Curious about the age-old practice of setting type and working with letterpress equipment? The Shakespeare Press Museum can help ignite your passion for creativity and craftsmanship. The museum curates rare letterpress equipment, over 500 fonts of handset type, and a variety of paper for crafting artworks. The club prints holiday greeting cards, wedding invitations, bookmarks, posters, and personal projects.on goes here

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Phoenix Challenge

The Phoenix Challenge team focuses on a year-long branding and packaging refresh for a local small business or event. They present their research, design, and quality production at the FTA (Flexo Technical Association) Forum and compete against other colleges and universities.

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UGS

University Graphic Systems
UGS is a student-managed, student-operated commercial printing and digital imaging enterprise within the Graphic Communication Department.

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Student Work

Explore a curated collection of our past work, where imagination meets strategy. Each project reflects our drive to deliver thoughtful, effective solutions.