Typography

The Typography Certificate of Achievement prepares students to create visual typographic design solutions that communicate ideas and captivate users in print, screen, and interactive media. Students explore professional typography techniques and use type to communicate messages with intent and clarity. Students use Adobe software as a tool to develop an understanding of typography in the larger context of graphic design. Students discover techniques to make text look more professional, and explore the application of the typographic design processes in a variety of situations and graphic design projects. The certificate provides skills to increase marketability in the graphic design job market or move onward to a degree in graphic design.

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

Cabrillo College is seeking approval from the Chancellor’s Office for the new Typography Certificate of Achievement in Career Technical Education.  The Typography Certificate of Achievement is designed to prepare students to take advantage of employment opportunities in fields such as graphic design and web design. The certificate is designed to prepare students to work in the fast growing graphic imaging field, 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 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 Typography 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 to 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 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 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 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 graphic imaging professions.

The program requires 18.00 total units including 6 units in the art department and 12 units in digital medial

Semester 1 (Total 7)

Required ART4 - Beginning Design: Design and Color   3 units

Required DM1 - Introduction to Digital Media   4 units

Semester 2 (Total 7)

Required ART28 - Lettering/Typography    3 units

Required DM4 - Digital Graphics   4 units 

Semester 3 (Total 4)

Required DM5 - Design for Digital Media   4 units

The Typography Certificate of Achievement is a new certificate of achievement. The digital media program collaborated with the art department to offer courses in both departments.

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 of Cabrillo’s 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.