Graphic Design Level II - Web Design

This multi-level certificate program is designed to prepare students for careers in the Graphic Design field of Communication Art. In this Level II - Web Design emphasis, students are given the creative, design, and technology skills necessary to design and develop successful websites and apps for desktop and smart devices. These skills include user interaction, user experience, responsive design, client-side markup and programming, servers, and server-side programming. Employment opportunities include working as a graphic/web designer in a small business, graphic design studio, print shop, advertising agency, web development studio, or as a freelancer. The production software reflects industry standards and course content is driven by industry needs.

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The goal of the Graphic Design Level II – Web Design Certificate is to provide students with graphic design and web design skills to compete for employment in related, entry-level positions. Such employment opportunities include working in a small business, graphic design studio, print shop, advertising agency, web development studio, or as a freelancer.

The prerequisite Graphic Design Level I Certificate provides fundamental graphic design skills. These skills include two-dimensional design, research, ideation, messaging, digital camera usage, image editing, vector graphics, and typography.

 This Level II Certificate enables students to advance and focus Level 1 skills on graphic design and web design. This includes HTML, CSS, interface and user experience (UI/UX) design, social media marketing, basic client-side and server-side programming.

 

Completing the Graphic Design Level 2 - Generalist certificate requires students to first complete the Graphic Design Level 1 Certificate. The Graphic Design Level 1 Certificate includes the following courses:

Course	Title	Units
ARTD 20	Design: Two-Dimensional	3
PHOT 58	Photography & Video Social Media Marketing	3
ARTC 100	Fundamentals of Graphic Design	3
ARTC 120	Print Design and Advertising	3
ARTC 140	Vector Design and Illustration	3
ARTC 160	Typography	3

Course	Title	Units	Year/Semester (Y1 or S1)
ARTC 200	Web Design	3	S1
CISW 17	HTML, CSS, and JavaScript Programming	3	S1
ARTC 230	Web Design II	3	S2
CISW 21	Secure Web Programming with ASP.NET	3	S2
ARTC 290	Portfolio	3	S2

This Level II Certificate complements three other new Level II Certificates simultaneously submitted. Each of those Level II Certificates are similar in that they require completion of the same Level I Certificate. They differ in their area of emphasis: Marketing, Generalist, and Motion Graphics.

It is important to evaluate this certificate request within the context of all the Level 2 certificates. Because of the ever-expanding requirements of entry-level, graphic designer opportunities, we propose a certificate strategy that allows students to complete the basic, core courses (Level 1 certificate) then choose a Level 2 certificate according to their desired area of emphasis. It is probable that after completing the Level 1 certificate, a student will have a strong understanding of the industry and its opportunities. This will allow them to intelligently choose an area of emphasis (generalist, web, motion graphics, marketing). In addition, since each area of emphasis falls under the broader category of graphic design, there are common course among the Level 2 certificates. This provides more meaningful education to the students and information to prospective employers. Also, should a student (or the student’s employer) desire skill in another area of emphasis, he/she can simply take two more classes to gain that skill and the additional certificate. Following is a review of service area colleges for potentially similar programs. Citrus College Citrus College offers two related certificates: Digital and Web Design (30 units), and Website Development (23.5 units). Digital and Web Design Description (from website) “The Digital and Web Design certificate is designed to introduce and develop the basic skills necessary for success as an entry level graphic, digital or web designer. Fundamental to the core of a strong design sensibility, the computer is an essential tool for design success and a complement to composition, design principles, layout, and typography.” Citrus’ Digital and Web Design certificate is similar to this proposal in that it focuses on the aesthetic aspect of web design, often called “front-end” design. It is different in two ways. First, it does not deal with programming or server technology often called “back-end” development. Second, it does not teach user interface and user experience design for mobile and smart devices—an important skill. Website Development Description (from website) “The Website Development Certificate of Achievement is one of several certificate options available in the Information Technology and Information Systems (IT IS) program. The core competencies for this certificate include foundational skills in Information technology (ITIS 104-Information Technology, ITIS 107-Network Technology, and ITIS 115-Computer Information Systems) as well as foundational skills in computer programming (ITIS 141-Programming Fundamentals). These four foundational courses are also required in the other IT IS certificates. Students will advance from the core competencies to develop skills necessary in the field of web creation and design. This includes building dynamic and responsive web sites that can be delivered in a variety of formats such as computers, tablets, and smartphones.” Citrus’ Website Development certificate is similar to this proposal in that it focuses on the back-end development. It does not provide the necessary aesthetic design, user interface, and user experience skills. Essentially, this proposed Level 2 - Web Design certificate will provide students with both front-end and back-end skills necessary for successfully entering the field. Rio Hondo Rio Hondo has taken a similar approach to offering certificates. As of this year (2018) they are offering six certificate of achievements. They are: • Graphic Design (generalist) (18 units) • Graphic Design: Web Design (12 units) • Graphic Design: Packaging Design (12 units) • Graphic Design: Publication Design (12 units) • Graphic Design: Advertising Design (12 units) • Graphic Design: Branding and Identity Design (12 units) This is a new program so there is very little information available on these certificates. Following is from Rio Hondo’s website (http://www.riohondo.edu/arts/front-page/programs-offered/graphic-design/commercial-art-degree/): “Start taking the courses below and they will count towards earning the certificates. These ‘bite-sized’ certificates share courses and are easy to earn. They are a good way to show employers your expertise & experience. The certificates also build toward the Graphic Design AS Degree.” These certificates are similar in that they offer various similar classes such as Typography, Branding & Identity, and Web Design. But Mt. SAC’s Graphic Design Program offers these courses as well in the current Graphic Design Level 1, Graphic Design Level 2, and Web Design certificates. The goal of this proposal is to delete the old Web Design Certificate, replace it with a Graphic Design Level 2 – Web Design Certificate and organize three other certificates (Graphic Design Level 2 – Generalist, Graphic Design Level 2 – Web Design, Graphic Design Level 2 – Marketing) into a synergistic, efficient, four-option Level 2 program previously described. The difference between this proposal and Rio Hondo’s offering is the addition of a server-side programming.

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