Graphic Design

The Associate in Science in Graphic Design prepares students to create visual concepts and communicate ideas that inspire, inform, and captivate users in print, screen, and interactive media. Students will use industry-standard digital media software as a tool to create visual solutions to a number of graphic design problems, focusing on the application of design principles and elements, typographic design, creative problem solving, and production practices to visually communicate messages and experiences. Students will evaluate design work, and explore graphic design within different contextual situations in order to develop successful visual communication solutions with a wide range of digital media.

This degree prepares students in the diverse field of graphic design, including: visual branding, logo development, advertising, promotional design, digital publishing, interactive media, motion media, digital art, illustration, digital image editing, UI/UX design, web design, and emerging occupations. 

Students can choose a focus in the degree such as Web and User Interface, Graphic Arts, Digital Publishing, or Digital Imaging and Video by completing the corresponding block of courses listed in each focus, or students may work with an academic counselor to create their own focus. A focus can lead students towards a specific career pathway or educational goal. 

An Associate in Science degree requires 60 units appropriate to your educational goal, including general education and at least 30 units in the major.

General education courses present a broad overview of different academic disciplines. There are different general education patterns available. Please meet with an academic counselor to determine which general education pattern best meets your goals and creates a pathway to completion. Visit the general education page for additional information.

Courses in the major go more in depth into the area of the study. Below are required courses and approved electives for this degree. 

Students planning to transfer should select courses that meet requirements of the intended transfer university. For UC and CSU campuses, these major requirements can be found at www.assist.org.

Meet with an academic counselor to ensure you are taking the best courses given your goal.

The program is expected to have an enrollment of 50 to 70 annually with about 15 to 25 annual degree completers. The program expects annual growth in enrollment and completion. 

Cabrillo College is seeking approval from the Chancellor’s Office for the new Associate in Science in Graphic Design.  The Associate in Science in Graphic Design is designed to prepare students to take advantage of rich new employment opportunities in emerging fields such as UX/UI (User Experience/User Interface), as well as employment in established fields such as graphic design and web design. The degree is designed to train and educate students to work in the fast growing graphic design field, whether they enter the workforce directly or seek more education at a transfer institution. 

The need for workers in the diverse field of graphic design 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 Associate in Science in Graphic Design 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 gain acceptance to 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 Graphic Design 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 Graphic 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 Graphic Designer, 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 Graphic Design professions.

The 16 required units in the Associate in Science in Graphic Design, which include the following courses: Introduction to Digital Media, Digital Graphics, Design for Digital Media, and Digital Media Portfolios  Students can choose a focus with 23 units of electives in the areas of Web and User Interface, Graphic Arts, Digital Publishing, or Digital Photography and Video. The Digital Media Program at Cabrillo College requires a series of competencies and proficiencies that will be obtained through a number of experiences in the classroom, lab, and hands-on coursework. 

Course	Title	Units	Year/Semester (Y1 or S1)
DM1	Introduction to Digital Media	4.00	Y1
DM4	Digital Graphics	4.00	Y1
DM5	Design for Digital Media	4.00	Y1
DM8	Digital Media Portfolios	4.00	Y1
Electives	varies depending on focus/pathways	19.00-23.00	Y1/Y2

According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and local labor market research demand for Graphic Design professionals is high. 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 Graphic Design 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. The Associate in Science in Graphic Design supports Cabrillo College’s mission statement:  “to empower students to be effective communicators, critical thinkers, and responsible world citizens.  With a commitment to quality and equity, we connect all learners to pathways that propel them from where they are to where they aspire to be, including academic, personal, and career growth.” The Associate in Science in Graphic Design will provide academic and future occupational opportunity for students and supports Cabrillo College’s Student Equity Plan and College Strategic Plan, Goal #2. Many graphic design jobs are available with a two year degree or a certificate. The Associate in Science in Graphic Design will serve students by providing a wider pathway for those who have traditionally been underrepresented in graphic design careers by increasing access and career and transfer success. The Associate in Science in Graphic Design supports Cabrillo College’s mission statement: “With a commitment to quality and equity, [DM shows great promise in] connect[ing] all learners to pathways that propel them from where they are to where they aspire to be, including: academic, personal, and career growth.” The Associate in Science in Graphic Design is a pathway that prepares students for career opportunities in the field of graphic design  and students who want to up-skill into better employment opportunities.  

The Associate in Science in Graphic Design is modeled to be consistent with similar programs in the California Community College system.  We have modeled  from successful programs such as Foothill College, located in our regional service area and Santa Barbara City College, outside of our regional service area.  We plan to provide a comprehensive curriculum for our students and continue to develop strong workforce professionals in the area of graphic design.  The sequencing of courses is designed to prepare students to join the workforce at entry level positions or transfer to a university to continue their education. Furthermore, program content and program mapping have been chosen based on industry needs as expressed by our advisory committee. Based on the Labor Market Information data, there is a large labor market gap in the Bay region with 2,475 annual openings for the graphic design 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.