Program Description
This program is designed for students wanting to complete an 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
My Academic Plan: Full-Time
Courses are displayed in a full-time sequence showing the fastest path to your degree. Follow the pathway below to complete your AAS degree in 4 semesters (2 years). For more information, please see your Academic Advisor.
First Semester
Second Semester
Third Semester
| ART 1201 | Drawing I | 3 |
| ART 1002 | Visual Concepts 2-D Design | 3 |
| MGD Course or ART 1401 or ART 2401 | Any MGD Course. Prefer: Web Design I (MGD 1041), Motion Graphics I (MGD 1043), 3D Animation I (MGD 1053), Digital Video Editing I (MGD 1064), After Effects I (MGD 1065), Game Design I (MGD 1067) or Digital Photography I (ART 1401) or Digital Photography II (ART 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
| MAT 1140 or Higher | Career Mathematics (MAT 1140) or Higher | 3 |
| MGD Course or ART 1401 or ART 2401 | Any MGD Course. Prefer: Web Design I (MGD 1041), Motion Graphics I (MGD 1043), 3D Animation I (MGD 1053), Digital Video Editing I (MGD 1064), After Effects I (MGD 1065), Game Design I (MGD 1067) or Digital Photography I (ART 1401) or Digital Photography II (ART 2401) | 3 |
| Any MGD Course | Any MGD Course. Prefer: Design & Concept (MGD 2003), Adobe Photoshop II (MGD 2011), Adobe Illustrator II (MGD 2012), Point of Purchase Pkg Design (MGD 2002), Graphic Design Production (MGD 2056), or Management & Production (MGD 2059) | 3 |
| Any MGD Course | Any MGD Course. Prefer: Design & Concept (MGD 2003), Adobe Photoshop II (MGD 2011), Adobe Illustrator II (MGD 2012), Point of Purchase Pkg Design (MGD 2002), Graphic Design Production (MGD 2056), or Management & Production (MGD 2059) | 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 Multimedia Graphic Design 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 Graphic Design Certificate.
My Academic Plan: Part-Time
Courses are displayed in a part-time sequence providing flexibility for the working professional. Follow the pathway below to complete your AAS degree within 8 semesters (3-years). This pathway may be accelerated by applying transfer credit, credit for prior learning, and/or completing one or more additional courses each semester. For more information, please see your Academic Advisor.
Fall Semester 1
Spring Semester 2
Summer Semester 3
Fall Semester 4
Spring Semester 5
Summer Semester 6
| 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: | 3 |
Fall Semester 7
| 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 |
| MGD Course or ART 1401 or ART 2401 | Any MGD Course. Prefer: Web Design I (MGD 1041), Motion Graphics I (MGD 1043), 3D Animation I (MGD 1053), Digital Video Editing I (MGD 1064), After Effects I (MGD 1065), Game Design I (MGD 1067) or Digital Photography I (ART 1401) or Digital Photography II (ART 2401) | 3 |
| Any MGD Course | Any MGD Course. Prefer: Design & Concept (MGD 2003), Adobe Photoshop II (MGD 2011), Adobe Illustrator II (MGD 2012), Point of Purchase Pkg Design (MGD 2002), Graphic Design Production (MGD 2056), or Management & Production (MGD 2059) | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 9 |
Spring Semester 8
| MGD Course or ART 1401 or ART 2401 | Any MGD Course. Prefer: Web Design I (MGD 1041), Motion Graphics I (MGD 1043), 3D Animation I (MGD 1053), Digital Video Editing I (MGD 1064), After Effects I (MGD 1065), Game Design I (MGD 1067) or Digital Photography I (ART 1401) or Digital Photography II (ART 2401) | 3 |
| Any MGD Course | Any MGD Course. Prefer: Design & Concept (MGD 2003), Adobe Photoshop II (MGD 2011), Adobe Illustrator II (MGD 2012), Point of Purchase Pkg Design (MGD 2002), Graphic Design Production (MGD 2056), or Management & Production (MGD 2059) | 3 |
| MGD 2068 | Business for Creatives | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 9 |
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 Technology 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 Graphic Design Certificate.
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.