The Advertising Design Minor provides students with the opportunity to explore the world of advertising, focusing on how ideas, people, places, and products are branded, packaged, marketed and sold to specific demographics. Students critically engage the intersections between graphic design and advertising, investigating campaign development, art direction, the role of ad agencies, as well as critical issues of ideation, interaction, and social responsibility. This minor includes studio courses in Advertising, Design, and Typography intended to connect students with the skills and process of creating successful campaigns. An Art History course and further electives contribute to an understanding of Advertising’s place within a larger historical and cultural continuum. Advertising Design minors may participate in the Communication Art Department's senior show on a case-by-case basis with approval from the Department Chair.

The Advertising Design minor is offered through the Communication Arts Department

Eligibility

The Advertising Design minor is open to Communication Arts, Digital Media and Fine Arts majors. Architecture/Landscape/Interiors, Fashion Design, Product Design and Toy Design majors are eligible on a case-by-case basis, with approval from their respective Department Chairs, and may require course approvals and/or additional credits over 130 to complete.

Required Courses

*A limited choice of LAS electives will count towards the Advertising Design minor, as determined each semester by the Interdisciplinary Studies Director, Communication Arts Chair and LAS Chair.
**Advertising electives are for Communication Arts majors ONLY.
***A limited choice of Studio Electives will count towards the Advertising Design minor, as determined each semester by the Interdisciplinary Studies Director and Communication Arts, Creative Action, Digital Media, Fine Arts and Product Design Departments.

Course Descriptions are listed in the Communication Arts section of the Course Catalog.  

Download one of the following PDFs to see how the Advertising Design minor fits into your chosen major
For students who entered Otis College as Foundation students in 2015-16 (class of 2019):
Advertising Design Minor Academic Plan 15-16
For students who entered Otis College as Foundation students in 2016-17 (class of 2020):
Advertising Design Minor Academic Plan 16-17
For students who entered Otis College as Foundation Students in 2017-18 (class of 2021):
Advertising Design Minor Academic Plan 17-18
For students who entered Otis College as Foundation Students in 2018-19 (class of 2022):
Advertising Design Minor Academic Plan 18-19
For students who entered Otis College as Foundation Students in 2019-20 (class of 2023):
Advertising Design Minor Academic Plan 19-20

Learn more about Interdisciplinary Studies, eligibility requirements, and the application process.