Media Arts: Visual Design - Certificate of Achievement

This program map only provides one possible pathway for degree and/or certificate obtainment and is for reference only. Please schedule an appointment with a counselor to develop your individualized Student Education Plan.

The Certificate of Achievement in Visual Design prepares students to work in a specialized field of graphic design as production artists, graphic designers, and digital imaging professionals. This one-year, fast-track program emphasizes design and production principles and helps students develop the knowledge and skills required to solve graphic design and layout problems encountered in various print media. The program is designed for both those seeking to enter a career in graphic art and those already working in the field who wish to advance and update their knowledge and skills.

The pathway below represents an efficient and effective course taking sequence for this program. Individual circumstances might require some changes to this pathway. It is always recommended that you meet with an academic counselor to develop a personalized educational plan.

Discover how visual language communicates global culture through research, innovative thinking, writing, and creative expression.

Demonstrate proficiency in industry-standard processes and technologies to create, capture and manipulate visual content in developing artwork for digital and print media.

Produce work for a digital portfolio that showcases graphic design competencies.

Program Map

Requirement
GE General Education
E Elective

Fall Year 1

9 units
GRPH 110
Introduction to Graphic Design
This course is an introduction to the theories, principles and processes of Graphic Design. Students develop visual communication skills and create digital artwork for printing, publishing and manufacturing industries. Topics include graphic design history; developing strong conceptual and production skills. Students work in a digital studio environment using Apple computers, current Adobe Creative Suite software and digital printing equipment.
  1. Advisories: ART 110
  2. Advisories: GRPH 108
  3. Advisories: ART 108
  4. Advisories: PHTO 110
          GRPH 112
          Digital Imagery

          Introduces students to the use of Apple computers and Adobe Photoshop for developing and editing digital images for use in graphic design, photography, web, video and motion graphics production. Students will learn raster image resolutions, file formats, color systems and professional creative practices for acquisition, creation, editing and processing for various industries including printing, digital publishing, animation, and video editing.

                    GRPH 117
                    Typography
                    This class is an investigation of the expressive potential of typography as a critical element of visual communication and digital media. Students will be introduced to the history of letterforms, elements of basic typography, typographic styles and production techniques. Projects focus on the mechanics of type design, visual appropriateness, and type legibility. Students explore the creative use of typography as a fundamental communication tool using both traditional and digital media. This 3 unit course is a lecture/lab combination and lab work is on Apple computers using current Adobe Creative Suite Software.
                    1. Advisories: GRPH 108
                    2. Advisories: GRPH 110

                            Spring Year 1

                            6 units
                            GRPH 113
                            Digital Illustration

                            This course is an introduction to the field of illustration and vector-based drawing using Adobe Illustrator software and Apple computers. Emphasis will be placed on developing skills for producing graphics and illustrations for various commercial art marketplaces. Critical thinking and visual problem solving skills will be integrated with current digital illustration practices, tools and publishing technologies.

                            1. Advisories: GRPH 108
                            2. Advisories: GRPH 110
                                    Digital Tools for Visual Media - select one from the following:

                                    This course teaches the fundamentals of professional digital applications used in the creation and production of digital media across various channels. Students will apply art and design theory to create and edit vector graphics, digital images, designs for publishing, video, and web design. The course teaches basic computer skills, digital image capture, image manipulation, illustration, layout, time-based media, 3D, and emerging technologies and techniques for effective experiential design. The course is not open to students who are enrolled or have completed MMAC 129.

                                              This course teaches the fundamentals of professional digital applications used in the creation and production of digital media across various channels. Students will apply art and design theory to create and edit vector graphics, digital images, designs for publishing, video, and web design. The course teaches basic computer skills, digital image capture, image manipulation, illustration, layout, time-based media, 3D, and emerging technologies and techniques for effective experiential design. The course is not open to students who are enrolled or have completed GRPH 129.