Graphic Design, A.A.S.

CIP Code: 50.0409

NOVA Code: 5110

Offered through AL, LO

Purpose: The curriculum is designed for individuals who seek full-time employment in the graphic design field. Job opportunities include graphic designer, art director, illustrator, production artist, package designer and web content developer, among others in the graphic design marketplace.

Recommended Preparation: Proficiency in high school English and a satisfactory aptitude for drawing.

Equipment and Supplies: Graphic Design students are required to purchase certain basic equipment and materials necessary to achieve professionally oriented objectives. Most of the equipment is purchased in the beginning class, ART 140 Introduction to Graphic Skills , and can be used throughout the two-year program.

Two Years

1st Semester

ART 121 - Drawing I (3 CR.)
ART 131 - Fundamentals of Design I (3 CR.)
ART 140 - Introduction to Graphic Skills (3 CR.)
ENG 111 - College Composition I (3 CR.)
SDV 100 - College Success Skills (1 CR.) OR
SDV 101 - Orientation to (a Specific Discipline) (1 CR.)
___ ___ - Social/Behavioral Sciences Elective (3 CR.) ¹

Total 16 credits

2nd Semester

ART ___ - Elective (3 CR.) ²
ART 116 - Design for the Web I (3 CR.)
ART 135 - Visual Communications (3 CR.)
ART 141 - Typography I (3 CR.)
ART 251 - Communication Design I (3 CR.) ³ OR
PHT 270 - Digital Imaging I (3 CR.) ³

Total 15 credits

3rd Semester

ART 142 - Typography II (3 CR.)
ART 217 - Graphic Design I (3 CR.)
ART 265 - Graphic Techniques (3 CR.)
ART 281 - Illustration for Designers (3 CR.)
MTH 154 - Quantitative Reasoning (3 CR.) ⁴ OR
___ ___ - Physical or Life Science Elective w/Lab (3-4 CR.)

Total 15-16 credits

4th Semester

ART 218 - Graphic Design II (3 CR.)
ART 250 - History of Design (3 CR.)
ART 268 - Professional Practices in Communication Design (3 CR.)
ART 287 - Portfolio and Resume (1-4 CR.) (3 CR.)
CST 110 - Introduction to Communication (3 CR.)
___ ___ - Humanities/Fine Arts Elective (3 CR.) (non-Art) ⁵

Total 18 credits

Total credits for the A.A.S. Degree in Graphic Design: 64-65 credits

¹ See social/behavioral science courses listed under General Education Electives . Electives should be selected with advice of a counselor or academic advisor to meet the requirements of the transfer institution.

² Approved ART Electives: ART 209 is recommended. May also take ART 132 , or ART 122 or division approval for other ART courses. For students double majoring in both the Graphic Design and Graphic Design Interactive Specialization A.A.S. degrees there must be a total of 25% difference in ART credits between the degrees.

³ PHT 270 will teach digital imaging from a photography perspective, whereas ART 251 provides a design perspective.

⁴ Division approval required for substitution. The science elective may be selected from biology, chemistry, ENV 121 -ENV 122 , physics, geology, or natural science courses with a lab component, listed under General Education Electives . Some four-year colleges require a two-semester sequence.

⁵ See humanities/fine arts courses other than ART listed under General Education Electives . Electives should be selected with advice of a counselor or academic advisor to meet the requirements of the transfer institution.