Description
The Graphic Design One-Year Certificate of Completion provides a thorough foundation in the fundamentals of design: color, typography, composition and how to apply them using an industry standard approach. Students apply current production methods and techniques to relevant projects that consider branding and target market. Courses cover unique aspects of graphic design including print and digital designs, vector art and graphics, digital photography, and brand/style guide development. The combination of courses is intended to give students the knowledge and skill set to augment their transfer degree and/or consider a career as a freelance or entry level graphic designer.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Create designs with industry standard software.
- Model effective and professional communication when collaborating with industry professionals and clients.
- Produce a portfolio that demonstrates the variety of skills and creativity developed.
Course Requirements
Course List Course | Title | Credits |
ARH 269 | Design and Illustration History | 4 |
ART 110 | Beginning Graphic Design | 3 |
ART 115 | Basic Design: 2-D | 3 |
ART 116 | Basic Design: Color | 3 |
ART 141 | Vector Art Illustration | 3 |
ART 197 | Portfolio Development | 1 |
ART 230 | Intermediate Graphic Design | 3 |
ART 265 | Photography: Digital Basics | 3 |
ART 297GD | Capstone Project: Graphic Design | 1 |
BA 232 | Branding | 3-4 |
or COMM 234 | Introduction to Visual Rhetoric |
or SOC 250 | Sociology of Popular Culture |
BA 214 | Business Communications 1 | 3-4 |
or WR 121Z | Composition I |
| 3-4 |
MTH 105Z | Math in Society (or one math course from the foundational requirements math list) | 4 |
Total Credits | 37-40 |
Advising Notes
Planning is important. Some courses are offered only once per academic year, offered in only one delivery format, and many need to be taken in sequence.
Speak with the program director or an advisor to about course scheduling.
Program may take longer than a year to complete depending on support courses necessary to meet minimum course requirements.
Performance Standards
- Academic Requirements:
- Students must have a 2.0 cumulative GPA to earn a COCC certificate or degree.
- All courses in the program must be completed with a grade of C or higher.