Advertising and Graphic Design A.A.S. (A30100)

Program Description

The Advertising and Graphic Design curriculum is designed to provide students with knowledge and skills necessary for employment in the graphic design profession, which emphasizes design, advertising, illustration, and digital and multimedia preparation of printed and electronic materials. Students will learn how to use industry-standard Adobe software- including Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Premiere and After Effects-to complete projects such as logo design, photo manipulation, page layout, and digital art and illustration. Additionally, students will learn the principles of good design and layout, such as effective use of typographical elements; how to use contrast, repetition, alignment, and proximity to improve visual acuity and flow of page layout; and color theory and appropriate color choice for each application. Graduates of the program should qualify for employment opportunities with graphic design studios, advertising agencies, printing companies, newspapers, and any company with in-house graphic design operations.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program should be able to:

• Solve communication problems and carry projects from creation through the production process.
• Demonstrate the skills of problem identification, research and information gathering, analysis, generation of alternative solutions, prototyping, user testing, integration of feedback and evaluation of outcomes.
• Describe and respond to audiences and contexts and identify the factors that shape design decisions.
• Create and develop visual concepts in response to communication problems and demonstrate an understanding of the principles of visual organization, information hierarchy, symbolic representation, typography, aesthetics, and the construction of original meaningful forms.
• Understand tools and technology, including their roles in the creation, reproduction, and distribution of visual messages. Relevant tools and technologies include drawing, offset printing, photography, and time-based and interactive media.
• Determine the mode(s) of production required to achieve a specific product and demonstrate level-appropriate mastery of skills, manual and/or digital, necessary to achieve those products. Apply the principles of color, composition, hierarchy, and typography as they relate in various mediums-digital, print, motion, 3-D, etc.
• Recognize and apply aesthetic principles of design history, theory, and criticism from a variety of perspectives, including those of art history, linguistics, communication and information theory, technology, and the social and cultural use of design objects.
• Understand the basic business practices and trade ethics related to graphic arts, including the ability to organize design projects and to work productively in client-designer and team relationships in the implementation and evaluation of projects.
• Organize and present a portfolio of work that gives evidence of the skills, knowledge, and abilities to begin a graphic design career or transfer to a four-year college for additional study.

Additional Program Costs

The Advertising and Graphic Design curriculum has additional costs associated with it. Students who enroll in this program are required to pay for such items as certification exams, achievement tests, uniforms, supplies, and the like. Many of these are required as part of the curriculum, but are not provided by the College. Additional expenses required for this program are listed below with approximate costs.

• MacBook Pro (or other comparable computer)-$1,300
  NOTE: This program requires a computer capable of running Adobe Creative Cloud applications. First-year students who don’t already own a suitable computer will be required to purchase one by the first week after fall break. MacBook Pro computers are suggested, but any computer (laptop or desktop) that meets the following specifications is acceptable:

Windows

• Processor: Intel®, AMD, or ARM processor with 64-bit support
• Operation system: Windows 10 (64-bit)
• RAM: 2GB (minimum); 4 GB or greater (suggested)
• Hard disk space: 4 GB of available hard-disk space; additional space is required for installation

MAC OS

• Processor: Multicore Intel® processor with 64-bit support or M1 Apple Silicon processor
• Operating system: macOS Sierra (version 10.12) and later (minimum); Big Sur 11.0 – Apple M1 silicon (suggested) Œ RAM: 4 GB (minimum); 16 GB (suggested)
• Hard disk space: 4 GB of available hard-disk space; additional space is required for installation
• (Suggested) Adobe Creative Cloud subscription-$200-$300 yearly (with student discount)

Students who are progressing in the Advertising and Graphic Design program must follow the semester-by-semester curriculum plan.