Visual Communication/Graphic Design, A.A.S.

Program Description

The Visual Communication/Graphic Design,  Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree prepares students for a career in visual communication or graphic design. Students learn about traditional design, digital media, and a variety of production methods as well as acquire skills in design for print, screen, and motion graphics. Additionally, students apply what they learn for a range of audiences and are able to develop a visual product from concept to completion. Throughout the program, students assemble a showcase portfolio. Visual Communication/Graphic Design is a career program which prepares students for entry-level job positions. Some of the courses transfer to four-year institutions. Students planning to pursue a bachelor’s degree in visual communication, graphic design, or related program at 4-year institutions should work closely with college advisors in order to meet the requirements of the transfer institution.

Program Outcomes

Graduates of the Visual Communication/Graphic Design A.A.S. will be able to:

• Apply traditional and digital methods to student-created works of visual communication.
• Identify the evolving practices and emerging technologies of the visual communication industry.
• Demonstrate the stages of developing a visual product from concept to completion.
• Evaluate client/project needs, outlining the production and labor needed to meet project goals.
• Demonstrate proficiency with professional technology, terminology, pipeline and overall practices within the visual communication industry.
• Assemble a showcase portfolio.

Sequence of Study - Visual Communication/Graphic Design A.A.S.

Below are the required courses for your program arranged in a suggested sequence. Please note that the sequence does not include developmental coursework. See General Education List  for the developmental course sequence if applicable to you.

Required Courses (in expected order)

• PAS-1000 First Year Experience Credits: 1 (Institutional Requirement)
• ART-1570 Introduction to Computer Graphics Credits: 3 (Computer Literacy Program Requirement; Critical Course)
• EGL-1010 Composition I: Expository Writing Credits: 3 (English General Education Requirement)
• ART-1510 Two-Dimensional Design Credits: 3 (Program Requirement)
• MAT-1130 Mathematical Ideas Credits: 3 (Mathematics General Education Requirement; Critical Course)

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• HST-1370 The World in the Twentieth Century Credits: 3 (Social Science General Education Elective) or
• GEO-1010 Physical Geography Credits: 3 (Social Science General Education Elective)

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• ART-1530 Drawing I Credits: 3 (Program Requirement)
• ART-2620 Digital Illustration Credits: 3 (Program Requirement)
• EGL-1100 Composition II: Writing About Issues and Ideas Credits: 3 (English General Education Requirement)
• ART-2410 Graphic Design I Credits: 3 (Program Requirement; Critical Course)
• COM-1010 Foundations of Communication Credits: 3 (Arts/Humanities General Education Requirement)
• ART-1620 Digital Publication Design Credits: 3 (Program Requirement)
• ART-2610 Graphic Design II Credits: 3 (Program Requirement)

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• ART-2530 Drawing II Credits: 3 (Program Elective) or
• ART-1780 Digital Photography I Credits: 3 (Program Elective) or
• ART-1540 Painting I Credits: 3 (Program Elective) or
• ART-1590 Watercolor I Credits: 3 (Program Elective)

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• ART-2520 Color Theory and Application Credits: 3 (Program Requirement)
• ART-2730 Integrated Arts Credits: 3 (Program Requirement)
• ART-2570 Lettering Typography and Layout Credits: 3 (Program Requirement)

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• ART-2510 Three-dimensional Design Credits: 3 (Program Elective) or
• ART-2740 Modern Art Credits: 3 (Program Elective) or
• ART-2720 African-American Art Credits: 3 (Program Elective) or
• ART-2930 Art/Visual Communication Internship III Credits: 3 (Program Elective)

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• ART-2650 Animation and Multimedia I Credits: 3 (Program Elective; Critical Course) or
• ART-2670 3-D Digital Modeling and Animation Credits: 3 (Program Elective; Critical Course)

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• ART-2900 Portfolio Development for Visual Arts Credits: 1 (Program Requirement)

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• NTR-1010 Introductory Nutrition Credits: 3 (General Education Elective Science, No Lab) or
• BIO-1110 Environmental Biology Credits: 3 (General Education Elective Science, No Lab)

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• BMT-1500 Developing a Professional Image Credits: 1 (Program Requirement)

Program Total: 60 Credits

Need Help?

For help selecting an academic program or courses, consider using Career Coach, available at www.pgcc.edu/go/careercoach.