Digital Imaging

The Digital Imaging Certificate of Achievement prepares students to develop creative design and illustrative imagery for editorial use, marketing, websites, business, and the arts using industry standard Adobe illustration and photo manipulation software. Students will gain skills required to create digital images for print, web, and screen media. 

This certificate program prepares students for entry-level career positions in digital imaging, graphic design production for opportunities in digital photo labs, newspaper photo departments, and graphic design employment. It provides the skills to increase value in current employment and marketability for students who may already be employed in these fields.

The certificate program is expected to have an enrollment of 10 to 20 annually with about 5 to 10 annual completers. The program expects annual growth in enrollment and completion.  

Cabrillo College is seeking approval from the Chancellor’s Office for the new Digital Imaging Certificate of Achievement in Career Technical Education.  The Digital Imaging Certificate of Achievement is designed to prepare students to take advantage of rich new employment opportunities in fields such as digital image creation for both print and web design, digital image editing and graphic design. This certificate prepares students for entry-level career positions in digital photo labs, newspaper photo departments, and graphic design production, whether they enter the workforce directly or seek a degree at Cabrillo or at a transfer institution.

The need for workers in the diverse field of digital imaging has been advocated for by local businesses in digital media program advisory boards and supported by current, regional labor market research (TOP 1030.00).  The Digital Imaging Certificate of Achievement  is aligned with Cabrillo’s mission, master plan, and statewide community college work in Guided Pathways. Approval of this program will benefit regional employers, fulfill the workforce needs of the local community, augment college enrollment, and support non-traditional and underserved minority students in a viable career and academic path. This program would give our students the knowledge and skills they need to move onwards to a two year degree, a four-year institution, or excel in the workforce. 

Based on the data included in this report, there is a large labor market gap in the Bay region with 2,475 annual openings for the digital imaging occupational cluster and 511 annual (3-year average) awards for an annual undersupply of 1,964 students. In the SC-Monterey Sub-Region, there is also a gap with 382 annual openings and 40 annual (3-year average) awards for an annual undersupply of 342 students.

Based on all available data, there appears to be an “undersupply” of Digital Imaging and typography workers compared to the demand for this cluster of occupations in the Bay region and in the SC-Monterey sub-region (Monterey, San Benito, Santa Cruz counties). There is a projected annual gap of about 632 students in the Bay region and 112 students in the SC-Monterey Sub-Region.

The goal is for students to gainfully employed and continue to the workplace or transfer to a university. Working with employers to identify earning potential is promising, with potential for a starting salary of $25,000-$44,000/yr in jobs such as Digital Imager, Interaction Designer, Motion Designer, Digital Content Producer, Multimedia Artist, Animator, Web Developer, and Interface Designer. It is critical to give community college students educational and professional experience that is necessary to be successful when they enter the workforce or transfer to earn a degree or certificate in other digital imaging professions.

A total of four courses in the digital media department are required totaling 16.00 units. 

Semester 1 (Total 4)

Required DM1 - Introduction to Digital Media   4 units

Semester 2 (Total 4)

Required DM4 - Digital Graphics    4 units

Semester 3 (Total 4)

Required DM12 - Photoshop Techniques I  4 units

Semester 4 (Total 4)

Required DM11 - Digital Illustration   4 units

The Digital Imaging Certificate of Achievement replaces the Graphic Imaging Certificate of Achievement. The program provides a pathway towards a focus within the Graphic Design - Associate in Science.

Monterey Peninsula College has two programs under Top Code 1030.00 - Graphic Art and Design, one A.S. Degree and one Certificate of Achievement requiring 30 to less than 60 semester units. Judy Cutting, Dean of Instruction, Career Education and Workforce Development was contacted on February 2, 2022 and informed of Cabrillo’s development of certificates and degree under Top Code 1030.00 - Graphic Art and Design. Judy Cutting is supportive of Cabrillo’s new programs, especially since the Monterey Peninsula programs focus on print media and supplement the Cabrillo programs.