The Mass Communication Foundations (MCF) - Graphic Design course is a four-week resident course conducted at 6500 Mapes Road, Ft. Meade, Md. 20755.

This course operates on a fiscal year schedule from October 1st to September 30th. All courses offered after October 1st of a particular year are considered part of the next fiscal year. For example, if a course begins Oct 1, 2025, it is listed under FY 2026.

For registration, please visit the Army Training Requirements and Resource System (ATRRS) at https://www.atrrs.army.mil **Please note that ATTRS requires an NIPR computer and CAC card.**

For assistance, please email: registrar@dinfos.edu 

Course Description

In the Mass Communication Foundations (MCF) - Graphic Design course, students will learn their roles as communicators and problem solvers in every phase of production. In an extension of the Mass Communication Foundations Course, students use a project-oriented approach, students communicate with customers to understand and address client needs, and use critical, creative and design thinking to identify problems and generate solutions in support of Department of War (DoW) themes and messages.

Students learn to conceptualize and use design thinking and the design process, and apply the key elements and principles of design as they create distinctive visual designs, communicating themes and messages accurately and thoughtfully into graphic design products. Students will examine and apply brand identity in the design process, and gain skills in digital illustration and page layout, applying best practices in typography, color theory, layout, composition, and visual hierarchy to print, interactive and Internet design projects. In a project-oriented approach, instruction includes managing creative workflow through project-management best practices. Students will to conceptualize ideas through traditional and digital techniques and the use of digital drawing tablets. They learn graphic design concepts and skills, with emphasis on design and layout techniques, as well as image composition, editing tools, and managing color and format while creating products for delivery across multiple platforms.

Students will learn and apply various vector- and raster-based design techniques, including shading, blending and color application, and use design software to create vector- and raster-graphics, create animation, and learn to package their products into interactive multimedia products for use in web and browser-based platforms, and in multiple print applications. In the course capstone, each student will produce a portfolio of their work. They will demonstrate their design skills and abilities in an individual presentation to peers, faculty and staff, and will receive both peer and instructor feedback and critique on their presentations.

Prerequisites

DINFOS courses have specific requirements that define who can attend and what background or experience they need. Prerequisites are updated each fiscal year, and the most current details are listed below and on the ATRRS course pages.

FY 26 Course Information

MCF-GD FY 26 Course Prerequisites: 


BMIC, BMRC-USMC, BMCSC-USN, MCF

MCF-GD FY 26 Service Prerequisites:
 
  • United States Army, Army Reserve, Army National Guard - 46V: Must be enlisted E-1 through E-5. Soldiers must meet prerequisites outlined in DA PAM 611-21. Army 46V students must be a graduate of DINFOS-MCF-46V1 Phase 1 and MCF-VD Phase 2.
    POC: publicaffairseducation@army.mil
     
  • United States Marine Corps - Must be enlisted E-1 through E-5. Minimum GT score of 110 (waiverable to 107). Minimum VE score of 45. Must have normal color vision. Must be a United States Citizen. Must be eligible for a SECRET security clearance.
     
  • United States Navy - Must be enlisted E-1 through E-5. ASVAB: VE + AR = 115, VE minimum 53 (non waiverable) or PC + AR = 115. Normal color vision. Must be a United States Citizen. Remaining enlistment of 5 years. Must be eligible to obtain a SECRET security clearance. Prerequisites are non-waiverable.
     
  • United States Air Force - Must be enlisted E-1 through E-6. Minimum score of 72 on general area of ASVAB; AFAQE score of 43. Must have distant visual acuity correctable to 20/20 with normal color vision. Must be eligible for SECRET security clearance.
     
  • United States Coast Guard -  Must be enlisted E-3 through E-6. Auxiliary PAO with service chief approval. ASVAB requirement of minimum VE+AR=99 and minimum VE score of 54. Up to 5 points can be waived in any areas of the ASVAB by commanding officers (applicable to any area of the ASVAB) Type minimum of 20 wpm. Must have a current driver's license. Must be eligible for a SECRET security clearance. Any waivers of listed prereqs must have written approval from the Public Affairs Rating Force Master Chief. Students who are graduates of the following courses are eligible for MCF-GD: Mass Communication Foundations (MCF).
     
  • International Students - Not eligible to attend this course.
  • Interagency Students - Not eligible to attend this course.
MCF - Graphic Design FY 26 Dates 

Fiscal year 2026 course dates are available on the MCF - Graphic Design FY 26 Dates page.

FY 27 Course Information

MCF-GD FY 27 Course Prerequisites: 


BMIC, BMRC-USMC, BMCSC-USN, MCF

MCF-GD FY 27 Service Prerequisites:
 
  • United States Army, Army Reserve, Army National Guard - 46V: Must be enlisted E-1 through E-5. Soldiers must meet prerequisites outlined in DA PAM 611-21. Army 46V students must be a graduate of DINFOS-MCF-46V1 Phase 1 and MCF-VD Phase 2.
    POC: publicaffairseducation@army.mil
     
  • United States Marine Corps - Must be enlisted E-1 through E-5. Minimum GT score of 110 (waiverable to 107). Minimum VE score of 45. Must have normal color vision. Must be a United States Citizen. Must be eligible for a SECRET security clearance.
     
  • United States Navy - Must be enlisted E-1 through E-5- ASVAB: VE + AR = 115, VE minimum 53 (non waiverable) or PC + AR = 115. Normal color vision. Must be a United States Citizen. Remaining enlistment of 5 years. Must be eligible to obtain a SECRET security  clearance. Prerequisites are non-waiverable.
     
  • United States Air Force - Must be enlisted E-1 through E-6. Minimum score of 72 on general area of ASVAB. AFAQE score of 43. Must have distant visual acuity correctable to 20/20 with normal color vision. Must be eligible for SECRET security clearance.
     
  • United States Coast Guard -  Must be enlisted E-3 through E-6. Auxiliary PAO with service chief approval. ASVAB requirement of minimum VE+AR=99 and minimum VE score of 54. Up to 5 points can be waived in any areas of the ASVAB by commanding officers (applicable to any area of the ASVAB). Type minimum of 20 wpm. Must have a current driver's license. Must be eligible for a SECRET security clearance. Any waivers of listed prereqs must have written approval from the Public Affairs Rating Force Master Chief. Students who are graduates of the following courses are eligible for MCF-GD: Mass Communication Foundations (MCF).
     
  • International Students - Not eligible to attend this course.
  • Interagency Students - Not eligible to attend this course.
MCF - Graphic Design FY 27 Dates 

Fiscal year 2027 course dates are available on the MCF - Graphic Design FY 27 Dates page.
 

More Information

Service Detachment Information