Graphic Design Associate of Applied Science

My Academic Plan

Courses are displayed to show the fastest path to your degree and should be completed in the order listed. If you are unable to complete all courses listed in a semester, complete as many courses in this sequence as your schedule allows. If you have questions or concerns about your MAP, please see your Academic Advisor.

Program Description

This program is designed for students wanting to complete a two-year AAS Degree in Graphic Design and enter the workforce. Students explore the traditional aspects of graphic design and print materials, digital illustrations, photography, and dynamic page layouts. This digital media degree gives students the foundation to go into a variety of career fields, from traditional advertising agencies to design agencies to video production companies to web production companies. Students learn how to use industry-standard design software and learn about typography, images, and the creative process involved in designing graphics that clearly present information. Our digital media degree program also includes a series of art courses to give students a solid foundation in the core of graphic design. 

Learn more about this program.

What You Will Learn

Upon completion of the program you will be able to:
1.  Demonstrate a knowledge of current design and multimedia software applications through a variety of skill-based activities
2.  Create digital designs that demonstrate design principles and processes for multimedia output
3.  Demonstrate an understanding of multimedia design as it applies to visual communication and target audience analysis
4.  Generate graphics that emphasize effective visual communication
5.  Design for Web that utilizes design principles, organizational and navigational planning
6.  Be able to discuss, analyze and utilize hardware and software for multimedia

First Semester

MGD 1011	Adobe Photoshop I	3
MGD 1012	Adobe Illustrator I	3
MGD 1013	Adobe InDesign	3
MGD 1017	Intro to Visual Communications	3
MGD 1033	Graphic Design I	3
Total Credit Hours:		15

Semester Note: Upon completion of MGD 1011, MGD 1012, MGD 1013, MGD 1017, and MGD 1033, you should apply for the Fundamentals in Multimedia Technology Certificate.

Second Semester

MGD 1014	Typography I	3
MGD 1020	Intro to Production Design	3
MGD 2033	Graphic Design II	3
ENGLISH	Composition I/II (ENG 1021/22) or Technical Writing (ENG 1031)	3
MGD 2011 or MGD 2012 or MGD 2002	Adobe Photoshop II (MGD 2011) or Adobe Illustrator II (MGD 2012) or Point of Purchase Package Design (MGD 2002)	3
Total Credit Hours:		15

Third Semester

ART 1201	Drawing I	3
ART 1002	Visual Concepts 2-D Design	3
ELECTIVE	MGD 1041/1043/1053/1064/1065/1067, Any MGD Prefix, ART 1401/2401	3
MGD 2011 or MGD 2012 or MGD 2002	Adobe Photoshop II (MGD 2011) or Adobe Illustrator II (MGD 2012) or Point of Purchase Package Design (MGD 2002)	3
GENERAL EDUCATION	Intro to Business (BUS 1015), Intro to PC Applications (CIS 1018), Principles of Computing (CSC 1001), Intro to Programming (CSC 1019), Any ART, Any COM, or Any World Language (1001 or higher), or Any GT Pathways Course	3
Total Credit Hours:		15

Fourth Semester

MATH 1140 or Higher	Career Mathematics (MAT 1140) or Higher	3
ELECTIVE	MGD 1041/1043/1053/1064/1065/1067, Any MGD Prefix, ART 1401/2401	3
ELECTIVE	MGD 2003/2011/2012/2002/2056/2059 or Any MGD Prefix	3
ELECTIVE	MGD 2003/2011/2012/2002/2056/2059 or Any MGD Prefix	3
MGD 2068	Business for Creatives	3
Total Credit Hours:		15

Semester Note:  MGD 2068 must be taken in your last two semesters.

Upon completion of MGD 1011, MGD 1012, MGD 1017, and two courses from: MGD 1014, MGD 1013, MGD 1033, MGD 1019, MGD 1020, MGD 1041, MGD 1043, MGD 1053, MGD 1064, MGD 1004, ART 1401, or ART 2405, you should apply for the Fundamentals in Multimedia Certificate.

Upon completion of MGD 1011, MGD 1012, MGD 1017, MGD 1033, MGD 1020, MGD 1014, MGD 1013, MGD 2033, MGD 2068 and one course from: MGD 2011, MGD 2012, or MGD 2002, you should apply for the Graphic Design Certificate.

Upon completion of MGD 1011, MGD 1012, MGD 1017, MGD 1013, MGD 1020, MGD 1041, MGD 2011, MGD 2068, either: MGD 1063 or MUS 1063, and one course from: MGD 1043, MGD 1053, MGD 1064, or MGD 2056, MGD 2012, MGD 2059, or ART 1401, you should apply for the Multimedia Certificate.

Total Credit Hours: 60

Important Program Information:

Scheduling may vary per campus locations. You are encouraged to register for courses in accord with their main campus scheduling.

The Graphic Design Associates of Applied Science (AAS) Degree is valued with higher regard as it requires more education to obtain than a certificate. As such, it is recommended that interested students declare the AAS Degree as the overall goal. Students declaring the AAS Degree will also complete the Fundamentals of Multimedia Certificate as well as a certificate in the chosen focus area by the time of graduation.

You must complete a minimum of 60 credits to complete this degree. If receiving financial aid, you should only take courses and credits as required for this degree. Check with your advisor to monitor your completion progress.