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 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 a 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:

1. Apply traditional and digital methods to student-created works of visual communication.
2. Identify the evolving practices and emerging technologies of the visual communication industry.
3. Demonstrate the stages of developing a visual product from concept to completion.
4. Evaluate client/project needs, outlining the production and labor needed to meet project goals.
5. Demonstrate proficiency with professional technology, terminology, pipeline and overall practices within the visual communication industry.
6. 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 the English co-requisite course (EGL-0100S) or any co-requisite MAT courses (MAT-0113C, MAT-0114C, MAT-0125C, and MAT-0135C). See Academic Preparation for more information on College Readiness if applicable to you. 

Required Courses (in expected order)

Below are the required courses for your program arranged in a suggested sequence. Please note that the sequence does not include EGL-0100S or MAT-C corequisite courses. See General Education List for the developmental course sequence if applicable to you. 

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

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• -1530 History of African Americans since 1877 Credits: 3 (Social Science General Education Elective) or
• -1010 Physical Geography Credits: 3 (Social Science General Education Elective)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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• -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.