The Graphic Design associate’s degree prepares students for entrylevel work in the visual media industry; the degree also serves the needs of students planning to transfer to study Graphic Design at a four-year school. The curriculum includes basic visual literacy and visual communication skills, the complete software package necessary for employment or transfer, typography, graphic design theory and application, and several production classes that offer real-world hands-on learning experiences.
The skills that graphic designers possess transcend media boundaries. They may work in print or they may work in three-dimensional media such as environmental graphics, exhibit and display design, or signage. They may design for electronic media such as television, the web, or multimedia or they may create motion graphics and titling for film and video. They may work in information design and interface design or even type design.
They may design packaging, books, magazines, and posters, all forms of advertising, corporate communications, corporate identity, environmental and retail design, web design, education design, or nonprofit design. Their creativity and skills are necessary wherever a message and an audience meet, regardless of the media.
Complete general education and other requirements listed for the associate degree and
Major requirements: 31 semester units
A grade of "C" or higher is required for each course applied to the major.
| DGME 103 | Thinking Visually: Fundamentals of Two-Dimensional Design | 3 units |
| DGME 211 | Media Design I: Illustrator | 3 units |
| DGME 212 | Media Design II: Photoshop | 3 units |
| DGME 168 | Web Design II: Dreamweaver | 3 units |
| DGME 220 | Typography | 3 units |
| DGME 230 | Publication Design and Production with InDesign | 3 units |
| DGME 235 | Graphic Design Theory and Application | 4 units |
| DGME 240 | Digital Publishing | 4 units |
| DGME 250 | Digital Media Practicum | 3 units |
| DGME 255 | Portfolio | 2 units |
