The Graphic Design Certificate provides the opportunity for students to develop their creative potential, explore design areas, learn foundational design principles and processes, and discover career opportunities in graphic design and related design fields. The courses offered in the program balance the basic and vital aspects of graphic design and how they are applied in the field with a grounding dose of historical context so students can appreciate the role graphic design has played over the course of time. The Graphic Design program focuses on conceptual and creative thinking, visual storytelling, and emphasizes the acquisition of technical skills so students can plan and execute the design of visual communications. Some attention is given to how various media and platforms require specific approaches. The program emphasizes design exploration in print, web, and video. It encourages creative problem solving by focusing on critical thinking and process-oriented design explorations. Upon successful completion of the program, entry-level career opportunities exist in graphic and/or front-end visual design, graphic production, content production for social media and blog development, and emerging positions that deal with managing digital assets. Students also have foundation skills to transfer to four-year graphic design programs or related fields. Upon completing the program students have realized a portfolio of design work tailored to each individuals’ needs. Students are prepared for entry-level work in graphic design and may be prepared for employment as a: Graphic Production Assistant, Front-end Visual Designer, Graphic Artist, Content Producer for social media and blogging platforms, Digital Asset Manager, Graphic Designer, Marketing Content Development, and UI Designer.
Major Core Requirements (19 units)
| Course Number | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ARTS031A | Beginning Drawing | 3 units |
| GDES001 | Adobe Creative Apps for Graphic Design | 3 units |
| GDES002 | History of Media and Communication | 3 units |
| GDES003 | Introduction to Graphic Design | 3 units |
| GDES009 | Introduction to Typography | 3 units |
| GDES011 | Blogs and Site Development: WordPress | 1 unit |
| GDES025 | Portfolio Development | 3 units |
Major Electives (6 units)
| Course Number | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ARTS033A | Two-Dimensional Design | 3 units |
| GDES004 | Visual Design Practice | 4 units |
| GDES007 | Digital Illustration: Illustrator | 4 units |
| GDES008 | Photoshop for Designers | 3 units |
| GDES012A | Introduction to Internet Marketing | 1 unit |
| GDES012B | Social Media Marketing | 1 unit |
Total Certificate Units: 25 units
To be awarded a certificate, a student must:
- Complete all the major requirements.
- Earn a grade of “C” (or "P") or better for all required courses.