This degree program emphasizes aesthetics, design and craft using manual and digital mediums. Students will develop their ability to think spatially in two and three dimensions and to use creative problem-solving techniques using images and letter forms. 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; please consult the catalog of the transfer institution for specific requirements. Students interested in pursuing 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:

• Use the vocabulary of the visual arts to express their observations as they perceive and respond to works of art, objects in nature, events, and the environment;
• Apply artistic processes and skills, using a variety of media to communicate meaning and intent in original works of art;
• 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;
• 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;
• 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
Art Director¹
Desktop Publishing
Display Designer
Graphic Designer
Illustrator
Marketing Director¹
Multimedia
Package Designer
Web Page Designer

¹

Bachelor Degree or higher required.

Associate in Arts Degree Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Units
ART-120	Two-Dimensional Design	3
ART-121	Painting I	3
ART-124	Drawing I	3
ART-129	Three-Dimensional Design	3
ART-140	Survey of Western Art I: Prehistory through Middle Ages	3
ART-141	Survey of Western ART II: Renaissance through Modern	3
Select twelve units from the following:		12
ART-104	Artists and Designers Today
ART-119	Color Theory
ART-177	Digital Drawing and Painting
ART-230	Figure Drawing I
ART-240	Portraiture and Character Design
ART-241	Illustration I
GD-105	Fundamentals of Digital Media
GD-110	Graphic Design Principles
GD-126	Adobe Photoshop Digital Imaging
Recommended Electives
ART-135	Watercolor I
ART-151	Chicanx Art
ART-242	Illustration II
BUS-110	Introduction to Business
GD-130	Professional Business Practices
GD-210	Professional Digital Photography I
GD-217	Web Graphics
GD-222	Web Animation
GD-225	Digital Illustration
GD-230	Graphic Design Work Experience
Total Units		30

Plus General Education Requirements