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Media Arts: Graphic Design

Award Type: Certificate of Achievement

The Media Arts: Graphic Design Certificate of Achievement prepares students for careers in the visual media industry. The curriculum is designed to help students build strong design foundations, develop visual literacy skills, and become proficient in the technical skills required of a visual designer. Coursework leads to entry-level employment in the region. Electives provide for emphasis in specific areas of interest, including illustration, graphic design, digital publishing, web design, and 3-D design. Capstone courses offer a unique opportunity to create a collective portfolio of student work.

The graduate of the Certificate of Achievement in Media Arts: Graphic Design will:

  • Integrate artistic expression, professional attitudes, and effective working habits as individuals or as members of a collaborative team.
  • Develop a portfolio for transfer, employment, or freelancing in the design and visual communication industry.
  • Discover how visual language communicates global culture through research, innovative thinking, writing, and creative expression.
  • Research, conceptualize and create innovative responses to design projects using knowledge of visual literacy for meaningful communication.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in industry-standard processes and technologies to create, capture and manipulate visual content in developing artwork for digital and print media.

Program Requirements

A major of 36 units is required for this Certificate of Achievement

Required core courses (27 units)

Course Number Course Title Units
ART 108 Design 1 on the Computer 3.000 - 0.000 units
or
GRPH 108 Design 1 on the Computer 3.000 - 0.000 units
or
ART 110 Design 1 3.000 - 0.000 units
GRPH 110 Introduction to Graphic Design 3.000 - 0.000 units
GRPH 112 Digital Imagery 3.000 - 0.000 units
GRPH 113 Digital Illustration 3.000 - 0.000 units
GRPH 115 Digital Design and Publishing 3.000 - 0.000 units
GRPH 116 Web Portfolio & Social Media 3.000 - 0.000 units
GRPH 117 Typography 3.000 - 0.000 units
MMAC 101 Introduction to Multimedia 3.000 - 0.000 units
PHTO 170 Digital Photography 3.000 - 0.000 units

Plus a minimum of 9 units selected from any of the Areas of Concentration listed below:

Option A - General Concentration

Course Number Course Title Units
ART 106 Art of the 20th Century 3.000 - 0.000 units
ART 112 Design Color Theory 3.000 - 0.000 units
ART 120 Drawing 1 3.000 - 0.000 units
ART 122 Life Drawing 1 3.000 - 0.000 units
FILM 101 Film as Art and Communication 3.000 - 0.000 units
FILM 126 Introduction to Motion Graphics 3.000 - 0.000 units
or
MMAC 126 Introduction to Motion Graphics 3.000 - 0.000 units
GRPH 118 User Interface Design 3.000 - 0.000 units
GRPH 120 Advanced Design for Publishing 3.000 - 0.000 units
GRPH 127 History of Graphic Design 3.000 - 0.000 units
GRPH 129 Digital Tools for Visual Media 3.000 - 0.000 units
or
MMAC 129 Digital Tools for Visual Media 3.000 - 0.000 units
GRPH 130 3D Modeling For Production 3.000 - 0.000 units
GRPH 189 Independent Projects in Graphics 1.000 - 3.000 units
MMAC 114 Game and App Design 3.000 - 0.000 units

Option B - Illustration Concentration

Course Number Course Title Units
ART 107 Introduction to Digital Art 3.000 - 0.000 units
ART 120 Drawing 1 3.000 - 0.000 units
ART 121 Drawing 2 3.000 - 0.000 units
ART 122 Life Drawing 1 3.000 - 0.000 units
GRPH 129 Digital Tools for Visual Media 3.000 - 0.000 units
or
MMAC 129 Digital Tools for Visual Media 3.000 - 0.000 units

Option C - Design for Publishing

Course Number Course Title Units
GRPH 120 Advanced Design for Publishing 3.000 - 0.000 units
GRPH 127 History of Graphic Design 3.000 - 0.000 units
GRPH 189 Independent Projects in Graphics 1.000 - 3.000 units
WEE 149 Work Experience Education: Occupational 1.000 - 8.000 units

Option D - Media Concentration

Course Number Course Title Units
FILM 126 Introduction to Motion Graphics 3.000 - 0.000 units
or
MMAC 126 Introduction to Motion Graphics 3.000 - 0.000 units
GRPH 118 User Interface Design 3.000 - 0.000 units
GRPH 129 Digital Tools for Visual Media 3.000 - 0.000 units
or
MMAC 129 Digital Tools for Visual Media 3.000 - 0.000 units
GRPH 130 3D Modeling For Production 3.000 - 0.000 units