The reimagined Graphic Design classroom is designed not only for teaching but for inspiring. Bright new floors and a signature NHCC blue accent wall welcome students into a space that radiates energy, setting the stage for creative exploration.
Thanks to strategic electrical rewiring and sleek new tables, students work in collaborative pods. This setup enhances learning through peer-to-peer engagement and creates clearer sightlines to the professor’s demos and presentations.
The room feels less like a classroom and more like a creative workshop, where students can imagine, experiment, and bring their visions to life. Instructors can easily move between groups while they coach, encourage, and celebrate progress as projects take shape. The design is rooted in NHCC’s mission to foster interactive learning that empowers students to reach their academic goals.
Designed for Everyone
At NHCC, inclusive education is a core commitment. The remodel prioritizes ADA compliance, ensuring all students, regardless of ability, enjoy full access to the learning experience. Every student deserves an equal chance to learn, and the updated layout ensures that promise.
A Makerspace That Opens Doors
An exciting addition is a makerspace, an area where ideas jump from the screen into the real world. Students can use tools like a t-shirt press, hat press, Cricut machines, and 3D printers to experiment with pre-production mock-ups. For a graphic designer, seeing how a logo looks on fabric or how a 3D model functions in real life is invaluable. It’s not just theory; it’s hands-on learning that mirrors the professional world students are preparing to enter.
The Power of Critique
Beyond the creative tools, the remodel provides a dedicated critique space. Students gather to present their designs, explain their concepts, and receive feedback. For many, it’s the first step toward learning how to communicate ideas to clients or colleagues. It’s one thing to create a design but it’s another to stand confidently in front of peers and explain your choices. The critique space builds that confidence. It transforms classroom assignments into professional practice.
Beyond the Classroom: Paid Internships
NHCC’s Graphic Design program doesn’t stop at the classroom door. Through the Xperience Project, students can participate in paid summer internships with local businesses. This program gives NHCC students a head start: they earn while they learn, build real portfolios, and make valuable connections. Employers benefit from fresh ideas, and students graduate not only with a degree but with experience that sets them apart.
Inspiring Careers Begin Here
The remodeled studio and expanded resources speak to something bigger than paint, furniture, or new technology. They tell a story of how NHCC prepares students for careers, equipping them with the tools, spaces, and experiences they need to thrive in a growing field. Students don’t just leave with a diploma - they leave with confidence, skills, and the knowledge that they’ve already worked at a professional level.
The Graphic Design program is a powerful example of NHCC’s mission in action: provide a high-quality, accessible education that changes lives and strengthens our community. With each critique session, each makerspace project, and each internship, students are building futures in design and NHCC is proud to provide them the space to dream big.