Overview
Students in the Graphic Design program begin their studies with emphasis on two-dimensional art and design, both traditional and computer-based, using industry-standard software products. After successful completion of a required portfolio review process, students focus on advanced skills such as brand design and implementation, and motion design.
Currently many courses required for the degree are scheduled between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Some of the required courses also are offered in the evening or on weekends.
Students entering the Graphic Design program are expected to own a laptop computer and a subscription to cloud-based software used in classes.
Graduates earn an Associate of Applied Science degree. Job titles for graduates include graphic designer, motion designer, production artist, or web graphics/interface designer.
Contacts
Program Chair
Co-op Coordinator
Career Outlook
Graduates Are Prepared To
- Create 2-D vector-based and raster-based illustration and composition
- Digitally create original art
- Model, texture, light, render, and animate in 3-D
- Use basic video skills including shooting, digitizing, and post-processing
- Use 2-D and 3-D software applications, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and Maya
- Use web languages and tools such as HTML and Flash
Representative Job Titles For Graduates
- 3-D Artist
- Graphic Designer
- Multimedia Designer
- Production Artist
- Texture Artist
- Web Graphics Designer
Graduate Employment Outlook
Good, although competition for employment is significant. Opportunities are best for designers with skills in web and multimedia design as well as print communication. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of graphic designers will increase by 3 percent through 2031. About 25,000 openings for graphic designers are projected each year, on average, resulting from the need to replace workers who move to other occupations or retire.
$26,000 to $44,000 annual salary
Graduate Starting Salary Projections
Contacts
Program Chair
Co-op Coordinator
Curriculum
Effective 2023-2024 academic year
Graphic Design (GRD)
| Semester 1 | Lec | Lab | Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ART 125 | Design Principles ( B) | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| ENG 101 | English Composition 1 ( G) | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| MID 120 | Drawing Fundamentals for Multimedia Information Design ( B) | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| FYE 1XX First Year Experience Elective (B) | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| MKT 115 | Marketing Research for Multimedia Professionals ( B) | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Semester 2 | ||||
| ART 120 | Design History ( G) | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| GRD 120 | Beginning 2D Graphics: Bitmap ( B) | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| GRD 130 | Beginning 2D Graphics: Vector ( T) | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| MAT 105 | Quantitative Reasoning ( G) | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| WEB 111 | Web Development 1 ( B) | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Semester 3 | ||||
| GRD 150 | Design Concepts: Typography ( T) | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| GRD 200 | Graphic Design Portfolio Review ( T) | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| GRD 215 | Applied 2D Graphics: GRD ( T) | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| GRD 250 | User Interface Design and Implementation ( T) | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| MID 190 | Career Preparation: Multimedia Information Design ( B) | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Semester 4 | ||||
| ENG 10X English Composition Elective (G) | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| XXX XXX Animation Elective (T) | 2 | 3 | 3 | |
| XXX XXX Social/Behavioral Science Elective (G) | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| GRD 240 | Packaging Design ( T) | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Semester 5 | ||||
| GRD 230 | Brand Identity Development ( T) | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| GIT 255 | Graphic Imaging Production Processes ( T) | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| GRD 290 | Graphic Design Capstone ( T) | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Semester 6 | ||||
| GRD 294 | Internship 1: Graphic Design ( T) | 1 | 40 | 2 |
| Total Credits: | 48 | 81 | 63 | |
Electives
| First Year Experience Elective | ||
| FYE 100 | College Success Strategies: Overview | 1 |
| FYE 105 | College Success Strategies: Overview and Application | 2 |
| FYE 110 | College Success Strategies: Practice and Application | 3 |
| English Composition Elective | ||
| ENG 102 | English Composition 2: Contemporary Issues | 3 |
| ENG 103 | English Composition 2: Writing about Literature | 3 |
| ENG 104 | English Composition 2: Technical Communication | 3 |
| ENG 105 | English Composition 2: Business Communication | 3 |
| Animation Elective | ||
| AVP 240 | Motion Graphics/Compositing: After Effects | 3 |
| GRD 260 | 3D Visualization | 5 |
| Social/Behavioral Science Elective | ||
| Any CRJ, ECO, GEO, HST, LBR, POL, PSY, SOC | 3 | |
G = General Education course in this curriculum
B = Basic Skills course in this curriculum
T = Technical course in this curriculum
• This curriculum displays only course numbers without the added letter.
• The alternative version, when available, meets the requirements of the course version without the added letter.