The Graphic Design / Commercial Art Program prepares students for an entry level career in the graphic design and illustration field. Learning from practicing professionals in the field, students acquire the skills necessary for a full-time staff position or freelance practice.

Our teaching philosophy is based on the principles of developing the technical abilities required to present creative visual concepts to a mass market.

Upon satisfactory completion of this program, the Associate in Specialized Technology Degree, an occupational degree, will be awarded.

The first year of study allows the student to develop techniques and procedures required to produce a concept or render a visual image.

The second year provides the guidance necessary for the student to develop the individualized styles best suited for his/her career goals.

The specific objectives of the program are:

• Develop the skills necessary to effectively use the basic tools of design, illustration and production.
• Encourage each student to demonstrate creative problem solving through projects that require realistic solutions.
• Develop a working knowledge of graphic design, layout, illustration, typography and computer graphics.
• Prepare graduates for the employment demand of working with deadlines, clients, art directors and budgets.
• Develop a professional portfolio and job search materials

CURRICULUM

CA151 PRODUCTION/ COMPUTER APPLICATIONS
4 Hours/Week | 3 Credits
The student will explore traditional pre-press and computer based production. The course will cover basic desktop publishing concepts and the use of industry standard software and include graphic file importing and exporting protocols.

CA152 LAYOUT AND DESIGN
4 Hours/Week | 2 Credits
The student will learn basic structural layout skills with strong emphasis on proper page partitioning and typography. Conceptual design will also be stressed with the use of several projects designed to motivate the student. Projects will include advertising design, package design, poster design and current production design techniques.

CA153 BASIC DRAWING
4 Hours/Week | 2 Credits
Beginning techniques in perspective drawing and object representation are covered in this course. Graphite, pen and ink and colored pencils are used to generate numerous compositions.

CA154 TYPOGRAPHY
4 Hours/Week | 2 Credits
Beginning with a formulation of type’s history and basic terminology, students will learn to see typography as a visual design element beyond the written word. The communication of ideas and emotions will be explained with a variety of techniques and mediums.

CA155 COLOR THEORY
4 Hours/Week | 2 Credits
Through a series of design projects, students will learn how color impacts design and why understanding how color behaves is critical to the
success of the graphic designer/illustrator. Additionally, through the use
of various media, the student will develop skills in design and painting,
appreciate the diverse meaning of color globally, and gain authority
over the illusive and expressive aspects of color.

CA161 SURVEY OF WESTERN ART
4 Hours/Week | 2 Credits
Starting with the principles of art, students begin a comprehensive study of generally accepted interpretations of the historically important periods, styles, and artists of western art and culture. This course stresses the importance of research development and delivery of verbal and visual presentations.

CA163 PRESENTATION TECHNIQUES
4 Hours/Week | 2 Credits
Students will be introduced to a process of generating design ideas for
specific projects through various stages of inquiry, ranging from thumbnail sketches to the finished design. Two and three dimensional projects will
explore ample research through the use of various mixed media techniques resulting in an effective layout of all work and a persuasive verbal presentation.

CA164 LIFE DRAWING
4 Hours/Week | 2 Credits
Drawing from live models and projected images, the student examines the human form through anatomy, composition and illustrative techniques. Assignments include skeletal and muscle group studies, portraiture and aging effects. Students experiment with a variety of dry media including charcoal, pastel, conte crayon and others.

CA165 COMPUTER TYPOGRAPHY
4 Hours/Week | 3 Credits
Students will study typography and logo design based upon software derived type. Students will learn how computer-based illustration and freehand techniques have opened new ideas and production solutions.

CA171 GRAPHIC DESIGN
4 Hours/Week | 2 Credits
The thrust of this course will be to encourage the student to think creatively to transform a complex concept into a simple but understandable form. All classic forms of logo development and symbols will be explored through rough pencil “thumbs” to finished comprehensives. The student will then apply their creative efforts on literature, advertisements, letterheads and packaging.

CA272 INTRODUCTION TO WEB DESIGN
4 Hours/Week | 2 Credits
Students will plan a web site, create web pages, add interactivity, and test/update a site. Using application tools from development and design programs such as Dreamweaver™, Fireworks™, and Flash™, students will build and publish a website and create dynamic web applications.

CA273 ILLUSTRATION STUDIO I
4 Hours/Week | 2 Credits
This course introduces the student to many illustrative techniques used by professionals in the commercial art field. The student will experiment with various mediums and methods through class exercises and practical applications.

CA274 DESIGN STUDIO I
4 Hours/Week | 2 Credits
This course will instruct the student to execute design as well as illustrations within strict guidelines such as, subject matter, size constraints and application of typography. Emphasis will be placed on experimentation to develop one’s own style. Projects will focus on the limitations and freedoms met by professional designers and illustrators.

CA375 CREATIVE ADVERTISING
4 Hours Week | 3 Credits
The paramount effort in this class will be to encourage creative advertising thinking as well as presentation of concepts. This course will encompass rough pencil “thumbnails,” rough color comps and final color comprehensives using type, illustration or photography ads, TV and printed brochures. The emphasis will be the development of the student to sell products and services. The course will cover the mechanical techniques required, such as marketing, planning and execution of concepts.

CA276 COMPUTER GRAPHICS
4 Hours/Week | 2 Credits
Students will learn the basic theory and practice of digital image processing using Adobe Photoshop™software. Students will be introduced to scanning and video image capture procedures, color correction and separation techniques, and a range of display and printing considerations.

CA281 CORPORATE IDENTITY
3 Hours/Week | 2 Credits
The student will learn to design and produce a corporate identity program from a totally professional approach. From the first meeting with a client to preliminary designs, final presentations and printer specifications and preparation, the student will learn the skills necessary for success. The main thrust of this course is to teach the student to incorporate expansive creativity with the very important practical and technical knowledge needed as the student approaches the working world.

CA282 PORTFOLIO PREPARATION
3 Hours/Week | 1 Credit
This course will involve a complete evaluation update and refinement of portfolio work for visual preparation to meet current or expected needs in the job search process. A complete portfolio review will take place at the end of the semester.

CA283 ILLUSTRATION STUDIO II
4 Hours/Week | 2 Credits
A continuation of Illustration Studio I, students will further develop their technical skills and problem solving abilities. Through assignment and from actual and hypothetical clients, students are encouraged to develop an individual style and to make the transition from student to professional.

CA284 DESIGN STUDIO II
4 Hours/Week | 2 Credits
This course is designed to provide the student with the necessary skills required to meet the needs of today’s professional design field. This will be accomplished by giving the student several studio projects designed to develop individual student goals, presentation skills and finished portfolio pieces.

CA285 ADVANCED WEB DESIGN
2 Hours/Week | 1 Credit
Students will develop advanced skills in industry standard web design
applications with a special emphasis on Dreamweaver and Flash.
The student will build upon the skills they learned in Introduction to
Web Design by developing fully-functioning web sites using advanced
web design techniques. During this course the student will also design
a portfolio web site for graduation.

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