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Graphic Communication

Announcement of Curricula

DEGREE CURRICULA

     Major

CREDIT CERTIFICATE CURRICULA  NONCREDIT CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS
 
 

 

General Information

The Graphic Communications Department provides instruction in graphic design for print and new media, industrial design, digital and traditional print production. Successful completion of this program prepares students for entry-level employment or transfer to a four year institution for further study. The program consists of degree curricula in graphic design or print production, credit certificate curricula in production art, prepress, digital printing and press and finishing, and a noncredit certificated program with an emphasis on offset printing technology. These programs are described on the following pages. Enrollment in the various program areas is open to all interested students.

Industrial Design. The Graphic Communications Department offers a concentration in Industrial Design, combining course work in the Graphic Communications and Art Departments. The courses are accepted for credit by four-year institutions offering degree programs in Industrial Design. The program emphasis is on consumer product design, with development of skills related to materials selection, computer plan drawing, manipulation and fabrication techniques, and the history and evolution of the profession through slide presentations, lectures, and field trips. Prospective students should meet with an advisor for more information on program specifics and articulation with four-year schools.

Graphic Design

Degree Curriculum

Associate in Arts Degree in Graphic Design. We are living in an information society-surrounded by an ever increasing number of words, pictures and sounds. The role of the graphic designer is to form this information in a meaningful way, visualizing and communicating ideas in the most effective manner possible.

The Graphic Design emphasis was created to provide students with a strong foundation in the fundamental aspects of the designer's art. Students develop creativity and ideation skills, learn the elements of communication design and then apply this knowledge to a wide range of design problems. Communication in all forms - visual, verbal and written - is stressed. The program has a unique, hands-on approach, integrating conceptual design studies with traditional and digital tools and production methods. In the fourth semester, students have the opportunity to further develop their skills through an in-house internship program that provides quality communications pieces to the campus community. An elective work experience course allows students to broaden their design vocabulary through supervised work in local design firms.

This course of study is designed so that students may satisfy the requirements for graduation from the College. Students are encouraged to meet with a program advisor to discuss program planning and articulation agreements for continued study.

Courses Required for the Major in Graphic Design

First Semester 

Course                                                          Units
GRPH 21 Visual Literacy 
    or DSGN 101 Design Fundamentals ............................. 3
GRPH 23 Orientation to Design and Grph. Comm .................... 2
GRPH 25 Intro. to Mac Graphics .................................. 3
GRPH 27 Survey of Print Production .............................. 3
Additional graduation requirements
Second Semester 
Course                                                          Units
GRPH 35   Graphic Design ........................................ 3
GRPH 53A  Basic Typography ...................................... 3
GRPH 78  Digital Scanning and Correction......................... 2
GRPH 99A  Beginning QuarkXPress ................................. 3
Additional graduation requirements
Third Semester 
Course                                                          Units
GRPH 36  Publication Design ..................................... 3
GRPH 53B Typographic Design ..................................... 3
GRPH 100A Beginning Adobe Illustrator ........................... 3
Graphic Communications electives* ............................... 2
Additional graduation requirements
Fourth Semester 
Course                                                          Units
GRPH 37 Advanced Graphic Design ................................. 3
GRPH 68 Design & Prepress Production Laboratory ................. 3
GRPH 98A Beginning Adobe Photoshop .............................. 2
Graphic Communications electives* ............................... 2
Additional graduation requirements
    Total Units ................................................ 44
* Graphic Communications Electives (Graphic Design) GRPH 68, 98B, 99B, 100B, 123A/B, 124, 133, 140,
   145, 147, 148, 154, 155, 197

Print Production

Degree Curriculum

Associate in Science Degree in Print Production. Print Production is a dynamic and rapidly-evolving industry, thanks to the integration of digital workflow in print manufacturing. Students seeking a degree in print production will learn both traditional and digital skills so they will be versed in the concepts and processes of the print manufacturing as it exists today. Each area of production has basic concepts introduced using traditional production methods, followed by advanced study using digital tools. All calsses are thaught with industry standards as a guide. Advanced students have the opportunity to develop their skills in an in-house internship program that provides quality print pieces to the campus community. An elective work experience course allows students to broaden their production knowledge through supervised work in local printing firms.

Students successfully completing the program are qualified for entry-level employment in service bureaus, prepress houses, small and large printing companies, bindery shops, and other allied business.

This course of study is designed so that students may satisfy the major requirements for graduation from the College. Prospective students are encouraged to meet with a program advisor to discuss program planning and articulation agreements for continued study.

Courses Required for the Major in Print Production

First Semester 

Course                                                          Units
GRPH 21 Visual Literacy 
    or DSGN 101 Design Fundamentals ............................. 3
GRPH 23 Orientation to Design and Grph. Comm .................... 2
GRPH 25 Intro. to Mac Graphics .................................. 3
GRPH 27 Survey of Print Production .............................. 3
Additional graduation requirements
Second Semester 
Course                                                          Units
GRPH 53A Basic Typography ....................................... 3
GRPH 78 Digital Scanning and Correction ......................... 2
GRPH 99A Beginning QuarkXPress .................................. 3
Additional graduation requirements
Third Semester 
Course                                                          Units
GRPH 70A Electronic Imposition .................................. 2
GRPH 72A Offset Press Operations ................................ 2
GRPH 98A Beginning Adobe Photoshop .............................. 3
GRPH 100A Beginning Adobe Illustrator
 or GRPH 99B Advanced InDesign/QuarkXpress ...................... 3
Additional graduation requirements
Fourth Semester 
Course                                                          Units
GRPH 60 Product Finishing ....................................... 2
GRPH 68 Design & Prepress Production Lab ........................ 3
GRPH electives* ................................................. 5
Additional graduation requirements
    Total Units ................................................ 39
* Graphic Communications Electives (Print Production) GRPH 40, 67, 72B, 98B, 99B, 100B, 130, 147, 148, 198, 199

Certificate Curricula

The Certificate Curricula consists of three programs of study: Production Art, Prepress, and Press and Finishing. Each is designed to prepare students to enter the work force. For further information contact the Graphic Communications Department office, Visual Arts Room 141.

Requirements for the Certificate of Completion. Students may obtain the Certificate of Completion by completing the courses in their program of study with the average final grade of C (2.0 grade-point average) or higher.
 

Digital Printing and Publishing

Courses Required for the Certificate of Accomplishment in Digital Printing and Publishing

First Semester 

Course                                                          Units
GRPH 25 Intro to Mac Graphics ................................... 3
GRPH 27 Survey of Print Production .............................. 3
GRPH 40 Digital Printing and Publishing ......................... 3
Second Semester 
Course                                                          Units
CNIT 100 Intro to Computers Using PCs ........................... 3
GRPH 60 Product Finishing ....................................... 2
GRPH 69 Press Production Laboratory ............................. 3
    Total Units ................................................ 17
Suggested Electives. GRPH 72A, GRPH 147
Production Art

Courses Required for the Certificate of Achievement in Production Art

First Semester 

Course                                                          Units
GRPH 21 Visual Literacy 
    or DSGN 101 Design Fundamentals ............................. 3
GRPH 23 Orientation to Design and Grph. Comm .................... 2
GRPH 25 Intro. to Mac Graphics .................................. 3
GRPH 27 Survey of Print Production .............................. 3
Second Semester 
GRPH 35 Graphic Design .......................................... 3
GRPH 53A Basic Typography ....................................... 3
GRPH 78 Digital Scanning and Correction ......................... 2
GRPH 99A Beginning QuarkXPress .................................. 3
Third Semester 
GRPH 53B Typographic Design ..................................... 3
GRPH 98A Beginning Adobe Photoshop .............................. 3
GRPH 99B Advanced InDesign/QuarkXpress........................... 3
GRPH 100A Beginning Adobe Illustrator ........................... 3
Fourth Semester 
GRPH 68 Design & Prepress Production Lab ........................ 3
GRPH 98B Advanced Adobe Photoshop ............................... 3
GRPH 130 Digital Prepress Seminar ............................... 3
    Total Units ................................................ 43
Prepress

Courses Required for the Certificate of Achievement in Prepress

First Semester 

Course                                                          Units
GRPH 21 Visual Literacy 
    or DSGN 101 Design Fundamentals ............................. 3
GRPH 23 Orientation to Design and Grph Comm. .................... 2
GRPH 25 Intro. to Mac Graphics .................................. 3
GRPH 27 Survey of Print Production .............................. 3
Second Semester 
GRPH 53A Basic Typography ....................................... 3
GRPH 78 Digital Scanning and Correction ......................... 2
GRPH 99A Beginning QuarkXPress .................................. 3
GRPH 100A Beginning Adobe Illustrator ........................... 3
Third Semester 
GRPH 70A Electronic Imposition .................................. 2
GRPH 68 Design & Prepress Production Lab ........................ 3
GRPH 98A Beginning Adobe Photoshop .............................. 3
GRPH 100B Advanced Adobe Illustrator ............................ 3
GRPH 130 Digital Press Seminar .................................. 3
    Total Units ................................................ 36
Press and Finishing

Courses Required for the Certificate of Accomplishment in Press and Finishing

First Semester 

Course                                                          Units
GRPH 23 Orientation to Design and Grph Comm ..................... 2
GRPH 25 Intro. to Mac Graphics .................................. 3
GRPH 27 Survey of Print Production .............................. 3
GRPH 72A Offset Press Operations ................................ 3
Second Semester 
GRPH 60 Product Finishing ....................................... 2
GRPH 72B Advanced Offset Press Operations ....................... 3
    Total Units ................................................ 16
Collaborative Design*

*See Interdisciplinary Studies
 

Offset Printing Technology

Noncredit Curriculum
 

The noncredit program in Offset Printing Technology prepares students for entry and mid-level positions in offset press operations. The length of the program is 4 to 9 months. Admission requires ESL level 6 or permission of instructor.

Requirements for the vocational certificate
Completion of required courses with a grade of C or higher. CASAS TEST "READING" score of 245 for ESL and non-college graduates. (College graduates not tested.)
  

Core Course                                                     Hours
TIPL 9657 Offset Press Technology ............................. 576
TIPL 9660 Prepress Production .................................. 70
TIPL 9661 Microcomputers for Graphic Arts ...................... 70
SECY 9374 Keyboarding .......................................... 90
GRPH 60 Product Finishing* - 2 Units ........................... 51
ESLB 3821 Intro Micros (ESL students only) ..................... 90
    Total Hours ............................................... 947
* Credit class: requires registration  and tuition

Graphics Support Specialist
 

Noncredit Curriculum

The program prepares students for entry-level employment in the graphic communication field of various industries, including marketing, advertising, print firms, and communication departments. The program also prepares students for continued study in graphic communications. Instruction covers visual design and type, page layout, illustration and photo editing software, and related computer skills. The certificate program can be completed in one semester.
  

Core Course                                                     Hours
*GRPH 0921 Design and Type Fundamentals ................................90
*GRPH 0925 Intro to Mac Graphics........................................90
GRPH 1000 Intro to Adobe Illustrator............................... ....45
GRPH 1008 Intro to Adobe Photoshop......................................45
GRPH 1009 Intro to InDesign.............................................45
    Total Hours .......................................................315


*Advise that courses be taken concurrently




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