Certificate of Achievement in Graphic Design

Graphic designers work to produce various forms of visual communication: magazines, posters, brand identities and logos, packaging, websites, motion graphics, and many more. The work includes technical, cultural and aesthetic concerns and can be represented in printed or screen-based media. Students will learn the skills necessary to find careers in advertising, publishing, web and digital design.

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Upon completion of the Graphic Design program, students will be able to effectively apply appropriate skills and methodologies to all stages of a visual design project, and develop an effective portfolio for academic transfer or entry-level employment in the design and visual communication industry.

The Certificate of Achievement in Graphic Design Degree program is a comprehensive study of the skills necessary to research, conceptualize, prototype and implement all aspects of graphic design projects in a variety of modern visual communication media. The required coursework begins with the first semester focused on Design Technologies, during which the students learn the foundations of the design toolset, including the history of its development, its modern applications and hands-on skills required to use those tools in their own projects. The second semester focuses on a wide set of Design Methodologies currently in use in the design industry. In addition to that the students start exploring Web and digital design as possible media for their work. The third semester is focused on designing for User Experience and allows students to practice a more holistic approach to developing their design, taking into consideration the medium, the design goals, the needs of the target audience and the implications to all stakeholders. The fourth and final semester is centered around Professional Practices. Students will learn how to collaboratively work on real-world design challenges, manage their own design practice and craft documentation to showcase their skills in a portfolio. The main goal of the program is to prepare the students for the next step in their design career, whether it’s an entry-level design position or a transfer to continue their studies.

Course	Title	Units	Year/Semester (Y1 or S1)
Design 11	Design Foundations	3	S1
Design 12	Typography	3	S1
Design 13	Digital Design Tools	3	S1
Design 21	Design Methods	3	S2
Design 22	Typography  2	3	S2
Design 23	User Experience Design 1	3	S2
Design	Design Elective	3	S2
Design 31	Interactive Advertising	3	S3
Design 32	Communication Design	3	S3
Design 33	User Experience Design 2	3	S3
Design 41	Industry Project	3	S4
Design 42	Information Design	3	S4
Design 43	Design Portfolio	3	S4
Design	Design Elective	3	S4

Department of Design and Technology

Graphic Design Certificate at Glendale Community College Graphic Design Certificate at Saddleback College

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