Graphic Design, A.A.S. (Spring 2012)

The graphic design field is highly competitive for both salaried and freelance positions. There is a demand for artists with above-average talents and graphic art skills. Opportunities in the field range from entry-level layout and production to art director positions.

Demonstrated abilities are most often the key to obtaining a position in the graphic design field. JCCC has structured its graphic design program to help the student develop a comprehensive portfolio. The student's work will be critiqued by a team of professionals every semester. These professionals working in the field, along with the faculty, will help develop the student's skills in creative problem solving and in the use of materials, processes, tools and equipment. Outstanding studio and computer facilities are available for working on class projects. The two-year curriculum consisting of 71 credit hours leads to an associate of applied science degree.

Some GDES courses are typically offered in the fall semester only, and some courses are typically offered in the spring semester only. This information can be found under the relevant course descriptions.

Important:

Please enroll in the CDTP sections identified in the credit class search as a Graphic Design Qualifier section. The content of these CDTP sections places emphasis on the Graphic Design career specific application of the Adobe Creative Suite to industry standards for print production and is reserved for students enrolling in the Qualifier semester courses.

It is recommended that you enroll in these five-week CDTP classes in sequence in the Qualifier semester.

(Major Code 2290; CIP Code 50.0409)

Associate of Applied Science Degree

Qualifier Semester

CodeTitleHours
ART 124Design 2D3
 Prerequisite or corequisite: CDTP 145  
GDES 120Introduction to Graphic Design3
CDTP 145 Desktop Illustration I: Illustrator1
CDTP 135Desktop Photo Manipulation I: Photoshop1
CDTP 140Desktop Publishing I: InDesign1

Total Semester Hours: 9

Fall Semester

CodeTitleHours
ART 129 Design Color3
 Prerequisite or corequisite: CDTP 135  
GDES 130Drawing and Media Methods 13
 Prerequisites: GDES 120 and ART 124 and CDTP 135 and CDTP 140 and CDTP 145  
GDES 132Typography3
 Prerequisites: ART 124 and GDES 120 and CDTP 135 and CDTP 140 and CDTP 145  
PHOT 121Fundamentals of Photography3
ENGL 121Composition I3
 Prerequisite: ENGL 106 or appropriate placement test score or EAP 113 and EAP 117  

Total Semester Hours: 15

Spring Semester

CodeTitleHours
Humanities Electives3
ART 127Design 3D3
 Prerequisite: ART 124  
GDES 131Drawing and Media Methods 23
 Prerequisite: GDES 130  
GDES 134Layout Design3
 Prerequisite: GDES 132  
GDES 140Technical Processes3
 Prerequisites: PHOT 121 and CDTP 135 and CDTP 140 and CDTP 145  

Total Semester Hours: 15

Fall Semester

CodeTitleHours
Humanities Electives3
Social Science and/or Economics Elective3
Health and/or Physical Education Elective1
GDES 230 Drawing and Media Methods 33
 Prerequisites: GDES 131 and GDES 132 and GDES 134  
GDES 231 Advanced Typography3
 Prerequisite: GDES 134  
GDES 235Production Methods3
 Prerequisites: GDES 134 and GDES 140  

Total Semester Hours: 16

Spring Semester

CodeTitleHours
Technical/Studio Elective1
Science and/or Math Elective3
GDES 236 Electronic Production3
 Prerequisites: GDES 230 and GDES 231 and GDES 235  
GDES 244Communication Systems3
 Prerequisites: GDES 230 and GDES 231 and GDES 235  
GDES 245 Advanced Design Practice3
 Prerequisites: GDES 230 and GDES 231 and GDES 235  
GDES 272 Professional Preparation3
 Prerequisites: GDES 230 and GDES 231 and GDES 235  
 Prerequisite: The student must have completed all required studio courses in the graphic design program prior to the semester for which he or she is enrolling in this course or be co-enrolled in all fourth-semester studio courses. 

Total Semester Hours: 16

Technical/Studio Electives

CodeTitleHours
CDTP 160Desktop Publishing II: InDesign1
 Prerequisite: CDTP 140  
CDTP 165 Desktop Illustration II: Illustrator1
 Prerequisite: CDTP 145  
CDTP 185 Desktop Illustration III: Illustrator1
 Prerequisite: CDTP 165  
CDTP 155Desktop Photo Manipulation II: Photoshop1
 Prerequisite: CDTP 135  
CDTP 175Desktop Photo Manipulation III: Photoshop1
 Prerequisite: CDTP 155  
CWEB 105Introduction to Web Pages: Dreamweaver1
 Prerequisite: CWEB 101  
CWEB 115Intermediate Web Pages: Dreamweaver1
 Prerequisite: CWEB 105  
CWEB 130Introduction to Flash1
 Prerequisite: CPCA 161 or CWEB 104 or CWEB 105 or CWEB 106  
CIM 135Digital Imaging and Video3
 Prerequisite: CDTP 135  
 Recommended: PHOT 121 
PHOT 122Advanced Photography3
 Prerequisite: PHOT 121  
PHOT 123 Studio Photography3
 Prerequisite: PHOT 121  
ART 135Painting I3
ART 136Painting II3
 Prerequisite: ART 135  
ART 172 Watercolor Painting3
ART 231 Life Drawing I3
 Prerequisite: ART 130  
ART 232Life Drawing II3
 Prerequisite: ART 231  
GDES 275 Graphic Design Internship1
 Prerequisite: Graphic design faculty review committee approval  
 Note: A graphic design major may apply to this internship course if the student is also enrolled in or has completed all fourth-semester studio courses. 

Total Program Hours: 71