This degree program provides students with strong foundational coursework emphasizing typography, design principles, and utilizes the manual and digital media needed to enter the field of graphic design. Students receive hands-on experience in the fundamentals of typography and design principles, using the most current industry software to create projects for the real world. Students will develop a professional portfolio for placement at a four-year university. Designed for students interested in pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design at a four-year university; please consult the catalog of the transfer institution for specific requirements.

Students interested in pursuing career education at the entry level, two-year associate degree or certificate in graphic design, should refer to the Graphic Design program.

Program Learning Outcomes 

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

1. Use the vocabulary of the visual arts to express their observations as they perceive and respond to works of art/design, objects in nature, events, and the environment.
2. Apply artistic processes and skills, using a variety of media to communicate meaning and intent in works of art/design.
3. Analyze the role and development of the visual arts in past and present cultures throughout the world, noting human diversity as it relates to the visual arts and artists.
4. Analyze, assess, and derive meaning from works of art, including their own, according to the elements of art, the principles of design, and aesthetic qualities.
5. Apply what they learn in the visual arts across subject areas; develop competencies and creative skills in problem solving, communication, and management of time and resources that contribute to lifelong learning and career skills; and identify careers in and related to the visual arts.

Career Opportunities

Advertising Director¹
Advertising
Desktop Publishing
Display Designer
Graphic Designer
Multimedia
Package Designer
Web Media Designer

¹

Bachelor Degree or higher required

Associate in Arts Degree Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Units
Core
ART-120	Two-Dimensional Design	3
ART-124	Drawing I	3
ART-140	Survey of Western Art I: Prehistory through Middle Ages	3
ART-141	Survey of Western ART II: Renaissance through Modern	3
GD-105	Fundamentals of Digital Media	3
Select two of the following:		6
ART-129	Three-Dimensional Design
GD-110	Graphic Design Principles
GD-125	Typography
Select three of the following:		9
ART-104	Artists and Designers Today
ART-119	Color Theory
ART-121	Painting I
ART-125	Drawing II
ART-177	Digital Drawing and Painting
ART-230	Figure Drawing I
Recommended Electives
ART-151	Chicanx Art
ART-242	Illustration II
GD-126	Adobe Photoshop Digital Imaging
GD-130	Professional Business Practices
GD-210	Professional Digital Photography I
GD-222	Web Animation
GD-225	Digital Illustration
GD-230	Graphic Design Work Experience
Total Units		30

Plus General Education Requirements