Program Description

The Graphic Design program employs an integrated and coherent approach that prepares students with the necessary academic knowledge and technical competencies required for an entry-level position in graphic design. The curriculum is focused on designing and producing work for print, interactive web, and exhibitions.

Program Objectives

Upon completion of their program, the student should be able to:

1. Demonstrate the use of type, imagery, and appropriate technologies and techniques to design socially appropriate solutions to interactive and graphic design problems.
2. Demonstrate a working knowledge of design production tools and interactive and graphic arts systems.
3. Create and maintain a portfolio appropriate for an entry-level position in interactive and graphic arts.
4. Demonstrate the entire creative design and production process from research to delivery of final product to client.
5. Demonstrate appropriate uses of different color modes, including RGB, CMYK, and spot colors.
6. Demonstrate the principles and elements of design as they relate in 2D, 3D, and interactive design.
7. List and describe features of the five families of type and demonstrate using the appropriate font in 2D, 3D, and interactive design.
8. Identify artists, techniques, and works of art from different periods of history.
9. Identify career opportunities in graphic design.
10. Communicate effectively to both individuals and groups, visually, orally, and in writing.
11. Think critically at a conceptual level and by using mathematical analysis as well as the scientific method; write and speak effectively; use basic computer applications; and understand human behavior in the context of the greater society in a culturally diverse world.

Potential Job Position Titles

• Junior Graphic/Web Designer
• Junior Production Artist
• Illustrator

Program Length
The average length of time for a student taking a full course load is five semesters.

Program Content
A minimum of 67 credit hours is required for graduation.

Required Courses
All courses, 36 semester credit hours, are required.

BU 105 Business Principles and Management
This course introduces the environment of American business with an overview of various topics that serve as a foundation for further study of business. Topics include the environments in which businesses operate; the organizational structures of businesses; management functions in an enterprise; and the challenges of managing marketing, operations, information technology, finance, and human resources.

GA 101 Graphic Design Fundamentals
A basic introduction to the design software programs which will be an overview of layout, typography, raster and vector graphics and simple print production techniques.

GA 102 Introduction to Digital Design Applications
This survey course provides an introduction to the current software used in digital design and layout, Web design, and photo archiving. The course will emphasize vector- and raster-based programs. There will be hands-on experience with the Adobe Creative Suite including: Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat, and Bridge.

GA 104 Illustration Fundamentals
Students will develop their basic hand drawing skills. Topics include the use of pencil, marker, charcoal, ink, and other mixed media to render original works of still life and commercial product sketches.

GA 105 Digital Photography-Introduction
This hands-on course teaches you to make the most of your digital photographs by utilizing latest software. Learn techniques for brightening a picture, bringing out colors, cropping, and simple photographic manipulations.

GA 201 Color Theory in Design
In this course the students will examine the nature of color as it relates to various media while implementing the full range of software tools available. Students will be exposed to the principles of color space: additive, subtractive color and color model theory including RGB, CMYK, and The Pantone Color System. This course examines nature of color as it relates to various media. Topics include: the principles of color space including additive and subtractive color; and color model theory.

GA 205 Diagrammatic Design
This vector-based graphics course teaches students to create dynamic visual communications. They will learn skills required to take advantage of powerful software tools to create illustrations, type effects, charts, graphs and diagrams. Students work with colors, gradients, layers, fonts, and photos to create eye-catching illustrations and text effects.

GA 212 Introduction to Typography
In this course, the student will be introduced to and examine the principles of typography. History of type, classifications of fonts, physical components of letters, and legibility will be studied. Typographic vocabulary and terminology will be studied and used to explain design projects. Students will study applications of digital typography in print, Web, and multi-media. Knowing that typefaces can portray emotion, emphasis will be placed on quality of information and communication through the selection of the proper typeface.

GA 215 Web Design Fundamentals
An introduction to basic coding and design fundamentals in advanced design for web. Topics covered will be solid design foundations in layout, typography, color and usability. Studying existing web sites shows real-life scenarios on how concepts are put to work. Application architecture and multiple platform use will be covered.

GA 235 Corporate Identity Design
In this course students will begin to develop a full-scale campaign including corporate identity, corporate branding materials, direct mail advertising and web design. Students will prepare for business success through strategic marketing and design.

GA 245 Web in Motion
Students will learn to create graphics for web sites with vector and pixel images. They will develop sophisticated user-face interactive elements including rollovers, navigations bars and dropdown menus. This course will teach professional techniques including layering, text formatting, dynamic graphics, hyperlinks, templates, tables, frames, style sheets, and forms in order to develop a well organized, state-of-the-art web site.

HU 320 Art History
This course is a survey of Renaissance and modern art history. Topics include defining and identifying artistic eras and movements and identifying major artists and their periods, techniques, and works of art. Emphasis will be placed on discussing how major artists are affected by the social and cultural climates in which they have created their work.

Electives
A minimum of 8 semester credit hours of open electives is required. Most students choose to take GA 294 (Career Internship) to fulfill this requirement, in which case PD 214 is a prerequisite.

General Education Requirements
Students enrolled in associate degrees must complete a minimum of 21 semester credit hours in general education. *

1 Semester Credit Hour in Information Literacy
3 Semester Credit Hours in English Composition
3 Semester Credit Hours in Speech
4 Semester Credit Hours in Computer Applications
4 Semester Credit Hours in Mathematics (College Algebra or Above)
3 Semester Credit Hours in Social or Behavioral Science
3 Semester Credit Hours in Science or Humanities with a Critical Thinking Focus **
* Transfer students may use three semester credit hour courses transferred from other colleges to satisfy these discipline requirements. Any resulting deficiency in the total of 37 semester credit hours required in general education may be made up with general education electives from any of the listed disciplines.

** A course with a critical thinking focus would be a course that addresses the theories and application of critical analysis with an emphasis on developing sequential reasoning skills. Examples may be courses in critical thinking, philosophy, logic, or science.

Personal Development Courses
A minimum of two semester credit hours is required in addition to PD 214.

PD 100 Student Success Skills
This course provides instruction in the both theory and practice of personal growth that lead to successful life experience. Topics include research in critical self-analysis of student habits and attitudes; and psychological impediments to successfully setting and achieving personal goals. 1.0 credit hour. Prerequisite: None.

PD 120 Personal Financial Management
This course deals with the concepts of personal financial planning and financial control. Topics center on critical self examination of student planning techniques through analysis and research of personal financial legal documents, checking accounts and banking services; income tax procedures; savings methods; investment planning; risk management and insurance; and credit records, credit law, and the cost of credit. 1.0 credit hour. Prerequisite: None.

PD 150 Client Services
This course provides a critical examination of issues embedded in the practice of providing client service. Topics include research about best practice in customer service and communication techniques; psychologically based methods for dealing with the management of customer complaints; and the roles of a customer service employee and supervisor within ethical boundaries and common business practice. 1.0 credit hour. Prerequisite: None.

PD 200 Career Development Seminar
This seminar provides an opportunity for the student to apply critical self-examination techniques and processes for developing a career path and an awareness of the need to embed life-long learning into career management. Topics include career planning research, job searching, developing career search documents, and refining interview and communication skills within an awareness of psychological boundaries implicit in this process. Successful completion of this course requires the creation of a professional resume suitable for e-mail. 1.0 credit hour. Prerequisite: None.

PD 214 AS/AAS/BS Internship Preparation
This course will assist students in finding and securing the elective internship experience for credit in either an Associate or Bachelor program. Students must pass this course in order to be cleared to start working at their internship site. Students will discover ways to approach a facility about an internship, access the tools they will need to successfully get your internship approved and successfully land an internship that correlates to your field of study.

(Courses are subject to change. Please call (330) 724-1600 or toll free at (800) 311-0512 to request the current course schedule.)