Graphics (GRPH Courses)
GRPH 108 Design 1 on the Computer
3.0 units.
Acceptable for credit: Transfer CSU
Grading Method: Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass
A basic study of visual design elements and principles, using the computer. This course
is not open to students who are enrolled in or have received credit for Art 108.
GRPH 110 Introduction to Graphic Design
3.0 units.
Advisories: ART 110 - Design 1 ; or GRPH 108 - Design 1 on the Computer ; or ART 108 - Design 1 on the Computer ; or PHTO 110 - Basic Photography
Acceptable for credit: Transfer CSU
Course Offered:
Fall, Spring
Grading Method: Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass
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.
GRPH 111 Digital Imagery Lab
1.0 unit.
Prerequisite: Completion of or concurrent enrollment in; GRPH 112 - Digital Imagery
Acceptable for credit: Transfer CSU
Grading Method: Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass
This course teaches students how to construct, edit and process digital images using
Adobe Photoshop software and Apple Macintosh computers, color scanners, and digital
color printers for a variety of black/white and color projects. Students will explore
creative solutions to assignments and utilize current technology to develop and process
digital images for various industries including printing, digital publishing, photography,
animation and video editing.
GRPH 112 Digital Imagery
3.0 units.
Corequisite: Completion of or concurrent enrollment in Graphics 111
Acceptable for credit: Transfer CSU
Course Offered:
Fall, Spring, Summer
Grading Method: Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass
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 113 Digital Illustration
3.0 units.
Advisories: GRPH 108 - Design 1 on the Computer ; GRPH 110 - Introduction to Graphic Design ; or GRPH 112 - Digital Imagery
Corequisite: GRPH 114 - Digital Illustration Lab
Acceptable for credit: Transfer CSU
Course Offered:
Spring
Grading Method: Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass
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.
GRPH 114 Digital Illustration Lab
1.0 unit.
Advisories: CBIS 381 - Introduction to Mac OS
Corequisite: completion of, or concurrent enrollment in GRPH 113
Acceptable for credit: Transfer CSU
Grading Method: Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass
This lab provides opportunities to create and develop digital illustrations and graphic
designs utilizing current Adobe Illustrator software and Apple computers in a studio/lab
environment. Students will explore the tools, techniques and processes used in developing
artwork for graphic design and illustration projects for single and multi-color printing,
publishing, and manufacturing processes.
GRPH 115 Digital Design and Publishing
3.0 units.
Advisories: GRPH 110 - Introduction to Graphic Design ; or GRPH 112 - Digital Imagery ; or GRPH 113 - Digital Illustration
Acceptable for credit: Transfer CSU
Course Offered:
Spring
Grading Method: Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass
This course examines layout and design for printing and digital publishing. Students
develop artwork and productions skills for printing and publishing projects such as
business stationery systems, brochures, booklets, and ebooks. Topics include current
production strategies for single and multi-color layouts, variable data and emerging
publishing technologies using current version of Adobe InDesign and other Adobe Creative
Suite software on Apple Macintosh computers and digital printers.
GRPH 116 Web Portfolio & Social Media
3.0 units.
Acceptable for credit: Transfer CSU
Course Offered:
Spring
Grading Method: Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass
Introduces fundamental concepts, terminology and techniques to design and manage digital
portfolios and develop brand identity for web and social media. Topics include designing
for web and social media; presentation techniques for digital portfolios and using
social media applications such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Tumblr, and emerging
social media platforms.
GRPH 117 Typography
3.0 units.
Advisories: GRPH 108 - Design 1 on the Computer ; GRPH 110 - Introduction to Graphic Design
Acceptable for credit: Transfer CSU
Course Offered:
Fall
Grading Method: Letter Grade Only
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.
GRPH 118 User Interface Design
3.0 units.
Advisories: GRPH 112 - Digital Imagery ; or GRPH 113 - Digital Illustration
Acceptable for credit: Transfer CSU
Course Offered:
Fall
Grading Method: Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass
Introduction to digital interface design with an emphasis on usability and design
aesthetics for developing web sites. Graphic design principles and human-centered
design concepts are integrated to help develop and build successful interfaces that
are meaningful to users and easy to navigate. Topics include designing for interactivity
and efficiency; branding; visual content file formats and resolution; visual flow
and composition; color, and typography. Software used: current versions of Adobe Creative
Suite. Languages taught include HTML and CSS.
GRPH 120 Advanced Design for Publishing
3.0 units.
Prerequisite: GRPH 115 - Digital Design and Publishing
Acceptable for credit: Transfer CSU
Course Offered:
Spring
Grading Method: Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass
This course is designed to advance the skills learned in GRAPH 115 to design for print
and digital publishing systems. Production, management, and creative skills for printing
and publishing processes are further explored using current versions of Adobe InDesign,
Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator and other Adobe Creative Suite software. The lab
experience allows for the development of complex projects in a professional publishing
environment equipped with Apple Macintosh computers and high quality digital printers.
GRPH 127 History of Graphic Design
3.0 units.
Acceptable for credit: Transfer CSU
Course Offered:
Fall
Grading Method: Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass
A study of the development of visual communication in art, graphic design, illustration
and popular culture. Emphasis is on the role of graphic designers and illustrators,
the impact and interpretation of graphic images, symbols, and typography used in informative
and persuasive media. The course is designed for graphics majors who want to transfer
and is a Humanities elective for general education requirements.
GRPH 129 Digital Tools for Visual Media
3.0 units.
Acceptable for credit: Transfer CSU
Course Offered:
Fall
Grading Method: Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass
A hands-on overview of computer operations, industry standard software and equipment
common to digital visual communication. Students will apply art and design theory
in the exploration of tools used in vector graphics, digital imaging, motion graphics
and animation, and digital media interface design. Topics include media development,
interactivity, file formats, storage and file management, industry trends and career
options. Familiarity with current design software, hardware, input, and output devices
will be established. Assignments integrate digital tools, techniques, and creative
design using text and image, digital video and audio, and interactivity. The course
is not open to students who are enrolled or have completed MMAC 129.
GRPH 130 3D Modeling For Production
3.0 units.
Advisories: GRPH 112 - Digital Imagery ; or GRPH 113 - Digital Illustration
Acceptable for credit: Transfer CSU
Course Offered:
Spring
Grading Method: Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass
A study of 3D modeling as it applies to industrial design, packaging and animation.
Topics include render theory and practices; and surface manipulation of objects. Polygonal
and subdivision operations for 3D modeling will be stressed. 3D computer graphics
will utilize programs such as Maya and Mudbox. Prior experience will raster and vector
elements is desirable. This course is an elective for Applied Design/Media.
GRPH 189 Independent Projects in Graphics
1.0 - 3.0 units.
Acceptable for credit: Transfer CSU
Grading Method: Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass
Courses for students capable of independent work who demonstrate the need or desire
for additional study beyond the regular curriculum. Enrollment allows students to
pursue activities such as directed field experience, research, or development of skills
and competencies under faculty advisement and supervision. Independent projects may
be earned in most disciplines.
Students wishing to enroll in Independent Projects should contact the appropriate
instructor identified in the class schedule. If the project proposed is acceptable
to that instructor, a contract will be developed. All contracts for these classes
must be completed and submitted to the Records Office no later than the end of the
second week of the semester. Students may enroll for any combination (unit value)
of Independent Projects 189 and/or 389 for a total of four semesters in a specific
discipline. Units are awarded depending upon satisfactory performance and the amount
of time committed by the student to the course. Allowable units vary according to
discipline, and are based on the following formula:
1 unit - 48 hours per semester
2 units - 96 hours per semester
3 units - 144 hours per semester
GRPH 360 Applied Design Graphics Lab 1
0.5 - 1.0 units.
Corequisite: Completion of, or concurrent enrollment in; any of the following: ART 107 or ART 108 or GRPH 108 or GRPH 110 or GRPH 112 or GRPH
113 or GRPH 115 or GRPH 116 or GRPH 117 or GRPH 118 or GRPH 120 or GRPH 130
Acceptable for credit: D - Credit - Degree Applicable
Course Offered:
Fall, Spring
Grading Method: Pass/No Pass
This lab is designed to provide beginning level students the opportunity to refine
and expand artistic and technical skills learned in ART 108, ART 107, GRPH 108, 110,
112, 113, 115, 116, 117, 118, 120, and/or 130. Students work on diverse imaging software
including Adobe Creative Suite, Maya, and Mudbox on Apple Macintosh computers and
have access to digital printers.
GRPH 361 Applied Design Graphics Lab 2
0.5 - 1.0 units.
Corequisite: ART 107 or ART 108 or GRPH 110 or GRPH 112 or GRPH 113 or GRPH 115 or GRPH 116 or
GRPH 117 or GRPH 118 or GRPH 120 or GRPH 130
Prerequisite: GRPH 360 - Applied Design Graphics Lab 1
Acceptable for credit: D - Credit - Degree Applicable
Grading Method: Pass/No Pass
This lab is designed to provide intermediate design students opportunities to refine
and expand intermediate level artistic and technical skills learned in ART 107, ART
108, GRPH 108, GRPH 110, GRPH 112, GRPH 113, GRPH 115, GRPH 116, GRPH 117, GRPH 118,
GRPH 120, and/or GRPH 130. Students work on diverse imaging software including Adobe
Creative Suite, Maya, and Mudbox on Apple computers and have access to digital printers.
GRPH 362 Applied Design Graphics Lab 3
0.5 - 1.0 units.
Corequisite: Completion of or concurrent enrollment in any one of the following: ART 107 or ART
108 or GRPH 110 or GRPH 112 or GRPH 113 or GRPH 115 or GRPH 116 OR GRPH 117 or GRPH
118 or GRPH 120 or GRPH 130.
Prerequisite: GRPH 361 - Applied Design Graphics Lab 2
Acceptable for credit: D - Credit - Degree Applicable
Grading Method: Pass/No Pass
This lab is designed to provide advanced design students opportunities to refine and
expand advanced level artistic and technical skills learned in ART 107, ART 108, GRPH
108, GRPH 110, GRPH 112, GRPH 113, GRPH 115, GRPH 116, GRPH 117, GRPH 118, GRPH 120,
and/or GRPH 130. Students work on diverse imaging software including Adobe Creative
Suite, Maya, and Mudbox on Apple computers and have access to digital printers.