Graphic Design - Course Planning
Our Graphic Design curriculum combines a strong background in theory with the high-tech skills needed to find a rewarding career immediately after graduation.
Throughout this six-quarter program, you’ll discover how the principles of graphic design have evolved over millennia, learn effective design practices for a wide variety of mediums and gain plenty of hands-on experience with the same cutting-edge equipment and software used by today’s professionals.
We work with industry leaders to keep our curriculum current and adapt it to emerging communication technologies. Download the AAS Scope and Sequence (pdf).
First Quarter
DES 110: History of Graphic Design
3.5 credits
Overview of graphics design from the earliest forms of writing to the digital present. Covers prominent individuals and epochs, the development of the Roman alphabet, illuminated manuscripts and the advent of printing in the 15th century.
DES 131: Graphic Design 1
3.5 credits
Intro to the terminology, process and social context of graphic design. Experiment with building visual Ideas using both traditional image–making techniques and digital technology.
DES 145: Graphic Production 1
3.5 credits
Intro to the basic skills, concepts and techniques of successfully using the vector–based graphics program Adobe Illustrator.
DES 151: Interactive 1
3.5 credits
This course will address the considerations needed when designing an interface and the differences and similarities between screen–based media and print–based media. This course is intended for the beginning to intermediate graphic design student who has an interest in designing interfaces for websites, mobile devices, kiosks, computer applications and more.
NME 110: New Media 1
6 credits
Use authentic tasks and projects to prepare for real-world work demands encountered in respective fields. Work collaboratively in projects, exploring the role of communications in the context of New Media and society.
Second Quarter
DES 121: Typography 1
3.5 credits
Learn basic principles of micro typography, including the anatomy of letters, adapting letter forms, letter and word spacing, line spacing and simple hierarchy of text. Create expressive typography.
DES 132: Graphic Design 2
3.5 credits
Intro to color and its application to design, including the mechanics of light, the physiology of vision and the psychology of color. Study ways color is used in culture and methods designers employ in making their work effective.
DES 146: Graphic Production 2
3.5 credits
Intro to the basic skills, concepts and techniques of successfully using the page layout program Adobe InDesign.
DES 152: Interactive 2
3.5 credits
Covers the basics of webpage design and development. Addresses the challenges of developing a series of webpages using the structural elements of HTML and the stylistic elements of CSS.
NME 120: New Media 2
6 credits
Use authentic tasks and projects to prepare for real–world work demands encountered in respective fields. Work collaboratively in projects, exploring the role of communications in the context of New Media and society.
Third Quarter
DES 122: Typography 2
3.5 credits
Use authentic tasks and projects to prepare for real–world work demands encountered in respective fields. Work collaboratively in projects, exploring the role of communications in the context of New Media and society.
DES 133: Graphic Design 3
3.5 credits
Covers the design of packaging: three-dimensionality, marketing insights and innovations in technology. Study consumption and how packaging communicates to consumers. Projects may include soda bottles, folding box packages and a line of products, with high quality mockups.
DES 147: Graphic Production 3
3.5 credits
Intro to the basic skills, concepts and techniques of successfully using the pixel-based program Adobe Photoshop. Learn to color correct a photo using curves and levels, create a non-destructive work flow and select the correct tool for the job.
DES 153: Interactive 3
3.5 credits
Design the user–experience for a website and build the final site using HTML and CSS. Includes the User–Centered Design process, designing a site architecture, conducting usability studies, producing task–flows and wireframes and creating responsive site layouts.
NME 130: New Media 3
6 credits
Use authentic tasks and projects to prepare for real–world work demands encountered in respective fields. Work collaboratively in projects, exploring the role of communications in the context of New Media and society.
Fourth Quarter
DES 231: Graphic Design 4
4 credits
Explore advertising, art direction and photo direction, emphasizing expressive, creative and collaborative problem solving. Develop further research skills. Learn techniques for creating engaging ads for a variety of media and targeting the right market with the right messages.
DES 232: Graphic Design 5
4 credits
Course explores multi-page editorial design, taking into account the audience and existing advertising base. While the focus will be on magazines, the skills developed are also applicable to other common design tasks annual reports, business documents, newspapers, brochures, newsletters and other multi-page documents.
DES 249: Graphic Production 4
4 credits
Use InDesign and Acrobat for organization, layout and production of long documents such as magazine and books. Use guides, styles, master pages, editing tools and PDF options in simple and complex layouts. Organize files with Adobe Bridge, preflighting and packaging.
DES 251: Multimedia 1
4 credits
Learn to design interfaces such as websites, mobile devices, kiosks, computer applications. Study the differences between screen–based media and print–based media.
DES 280: Special Projects 1
4 credits
First of three courses that expand current graphics design knowledge and skills through work on a major self–initiated design project. Emphasizes research and design process to reach a successful design solution.
Fifth Quarter
DES 233: Graphic Design 6
4 credits
Covers poster design as a form of visual communication. Emphasizes conceptual visual problem-solving for various audiences and outcomes. Solve various poster design problems with a variety of visual approaches, including typography, graphics, illustration and/or photography.
DES 234: Graphic Design 7
4 credits
Design and produce a corporate identity system, including trademark or logo and applied graphics, for a mix of visual applications for a business. Covers research, mind–mapping, creative development, contemporary design approaches and creating a complete system.
DES 252: Interactive 4
4 credits
Study a variety of content management systems, focusing on the popular, free, open–source WordPress blogging platform. Build an entire WordPress website for a community non–profit client.
DES 270: Environment Graphics 1
5 credits
Explore graphics designs that are sensitive to human scale in built and natural environments, including way–finding systems, informational signs and symbols, exhibit design and ornamental solutions.
DES 281: Special Projects 2
4 credits
Second of three courses that expand current graphics design knowledge and skills through work on a major self–initiated design project. Emphasizes research and design process to reach a successful design solution.
Sixth Quarter
DES 197: Work Experience
5 credits
Earn work experience credit in Graphic Design.
DES 235: Graphic Design 8
4 credits
Design and install the Seattle Central Creative Academy Portfolio Show. Working in teams, explore creative options to the layout and navigation of the show. Include 2–D and 3–D display installation options, print and web portfolios displays, motion graphics, internal and external signage in the planning.
DES 236: Graphic Design 9
4 credits
Acquire work contracts with a client and apply design skills in exchange for a fair wage or equitable trade. Gain practical experience with pricing and negotiating fees, writing proposals and design briefs, organizing efficient timelines, managing workflows and applying basic accounting and business practices.
DES 253: Interactive 5
4 credits
Covers User Experience (UX) design, rapid prototyping, usability testing and Interface design challenges for smaller screens. Create animated mock–ups of mobile applications and build functional websites with HTML5 and CSS3 media queries.
DES 260: Portfolio Prep
4 credits
Develop, design and prepare a portfolio that represents individual creativity and demonstrates skills for seeking employment in the Graphic Design field. Develop a personal business card and stationery.
DES 282: Special Projects 3
4 credits
Third of three courses that expand current graphics design knowledge and skills through work on a major self–initiated design project. Emphasizes research and design process to reach a successful design solution.
Associate of Applied Science Degree
123 credits
*DES 232 Graphic Design V may be substituted for DES 223 Typography III depending on student interest (DES 223 Typography III is a book design class and DES 232 Graphic Design V is a magazine design class).