Graphic Design
The Art, Architecture + Design department offers two Graphic Design options—an Associate in Science Career Program, and a Certificate Program for College Graduates.
Graphic Design A.S. Career Program
Graphic Design Certificate Program for College Graduates
Graphic Design A.S. Career Program
The Graphic Design program serves to introduce students to the fundamental skills, principles, techniques, terminology, technology and history of graphic design while also providing a strong liberal arts background. Students must complete a minimum of 22–23 credits in graphic design courses; at least 15 of these credits must be completed at NCC.
Working with the program advisor, students are required to create a portfolio of design work that exhibits proficiency in visual communication. The contents of the portfolio provide evidence of student skill level, aesthetic sensibility and technical mastery to future employers or transferring institutions.
Students should also work closely with their faculty advisor to choose electives that best meet their goals.
Program OutcomesUpon successful completion of all program requirements, graduates will be able to:
- Use graphic design elements, principles, and procedures to create appropriate visual communication
- Understand the historical foundations of visual communications and recognize contemporary design concepts/trends
- Demonstrate proficiency with industry-standard manual and digital tools
- Demonstrate critical, analytical and aesthetic thought processes, as well as industry-standard vocabulary
- Create a career, transfer or personal portfolio that demonstrates a broad understanding of graphic design skills, sensibilities, and techniques
- Gain industry experience through an internship (optional)
Requirements for the A.S. Degree (61–63 credits) | |||
Core Requirements (24–26 credits) | Credits | ||
ENG | 101 | Composition | 3 |
ENG | 102 | Literature and Composition | 3 |
MAT | 136 | Intermediate Algebra (or higher level math) | 3–4 |
COM | 173 | Public Speaking | 3 |
Humanities elective (either ART 101, 102 or 207) | 3 | ||
Science elective‡ | 3–4 | ||
Social Science elective‡ | 3 | ||
General elective | 3 | ||
Major Requirements (37 credits) | |||
ART | 109 | Color Theory | 3 |
ART | 111 | Drawing I | 3 |
ART | 112 | Drawing II | 3 |
or | |||
ART | 113 | Figure Drawing | |
GRA | 151 | Graphic Design I: Skills and Principles | 3 |
GRA | 202 | Typography | 3 |
GRA | 241 | Digital Page Design: Adobe InDesign | 3 |
ART | 250 | Digital Photography I | 3 |
or | |||
ART | 141 | Photography I | |
GRA | 231 | Digital Imaging: Adobe Photoshop | 3 |
GRA | 236 | Digital Illustration: Adobe Illustrator | 3 |
GRA | 252 | Graphic Design II: Process and Presentation | 3 |
ART or GRA elective | 3 | ||
GRA | 296 | Graphic Design Internship++ | 3 |
or | |||
ART or GRA elective | |||
GRA | 290 | Portfolio Preparation | 1 |
Recommended Sequence of Study | |||
Semester 1 | |||
ENG | 101 | Composition | 3 |
COM | 173 | Public Speaking | 3 |
ART | 109 | Color Theory | 3 |
ART | 111 | Drawing I | 3 |
GRA | 151 | Graphic Design I: Skills and Principles | 3 |
Semester 2 | |||
ENG | 102 | Literature and Composition | 3 |
MAT | 136 | Intermediate Algebra (or higher level math) | 3–4 |
ART | 112 | Drawing II | 3 |
or | |||
ART | 113 | Figure Drawing | |
GRA | 202 | Typography | 3 |
GRA | 236 | Digital Illustration: Adobe Illustrator | 3 |
Semester 3 | |||
ART | 250 | Digital Photography I | 3 |
or | |||
ART | 141 | Photography I | |
Humanities elective (either ART 101, 102 or 207) | 3 | ||
GRA | 231 | Digital Imaging: Adobe Photoshop | 3 |
GRA | 241 | Digital Page Design: Adobe InDesign | 3 |
Social Science elective‡ | 3 | ||
Semester 4 | |||
GRA | 252 | Graphic Design II: Process and Presentation | 3 |
Science elective‡ | 3–4 | ||
General elective‡ | 3 | ||
GRA | 296 | Graphic Design Internship++ | 3 |
or | |||
ART or GRA elective | |||
GRA | 290 | Portfolio Preparation | 1 |
ART or GRA elective | 3 | ||
‡ Interdisciplinary requirement—of the three courses in science, humanities, and social science, one of the courses must be an interdisciplinary course. ++ GRA 296 can be taken in any semester, including summer, after completing 30 credits of the program, of which at least 12 credits are ART/GRA requirements, being in good academic standing, and the recommendation of the Department Chair or Program Coordinator. |
Graphic Design Certificate Program for College Graduates
A one-year course of study for people who hold an Associate or Bachelor’s degree and who wish to concentrate in the field of graphic design. Not all courses are offered each semester and night/daytime scheduling varies.
Program Outcomes
Upon successful completion of all program requirements, graduates will be able to:
- Use graphic design elements, principles, and procedures to create appropriate visual communication
- Understand the historical foundations of visual communications and recognize contemporary design concepts/trends
- Demonstrate proficiency with industry-standard manual and digital tools
- Demonstrate critical, analytical and aethetic thought processes, as well as industry-standard vocabulary
- Create a career, transfer or personal portfolio that demonstrates a broad understanding of graphic design skills, sensibilities, and techniques
- Have the option of gaining industry experience through an internship
Requirements for the Certificate (28 credits) | Credits | ||
ART | 109 | Color Theory | 3 |
ART | 111 | Drawing I | 3 |
ART | 207 | History of Graphic Design | 3 |
or | |||
ART | 102 | Art History II: Renaissance to the Present | |
ART | 250 | Digital Photography I | 3 |
GRA | 151 | Graphic Design I: Skills and Principles | 3 |
GRA | 202 | Typography | 3 |
200 Level Graphic Design (GRA) Studio course | 3 | ||
GRA | 241 | Digital Page Design: Adobe InDesign | 3 |
GRA | 252 | Graphic Design II: Process and Presentation | 3 |
GRA | 290 | Portfolio Preparation | 1 |