SDCC Graphic Design Certificate and Degree Program

As we begin the Spring 2012 semester we are posting this listing of classes for the SDCC certificate and degree in Graphic Design. It is so important to take your classes in the right order as they build on each other. Take the beginning classes first, followed by the intermediate and then the advanced level.

A few changes are on the horizon for students who enter the program in the Fall of 2012. We will be deleting the freehand drawing class and making Typography 206 a requirement in the Intermediate level. Students will be able to choose from Illustration 120 or Book Arts at the beginning level.
Portfolio 148A [portfolio preparation] will become a requirement at the Advanced level.

Visual and Performing Arts
Art: Graphic Design
Living in an information-seeking society, we are surrounded by words and pictures. It is the task of the graphic designer to research, analyze, organize and make artistic order out of chaos. Graphic design students must learn to speak a global visual language and develop an awareness of the meanings and power of symbols and words. The products and services they design and promote will make a social and ecological impact. An emphasis is placed on using design to make a difference through social and humanitarian projects and practices.
Program Emphasis
Early emphasis is on the design process, form, color and typography. The elements and principles of design are applied to projects which include packaging, magazine production, and design and production of posters, logos and brochures. Guided by instructors who are working design professionals, students learn to design for the real world. They make decisions about issues of concept, format, imagery, type, printing and methodology. Computer and traditional methods are used to solve graphic problems. The program culminates in a professional portfolio which can be used to continue studies to a four-year university or obtain employment. The portfolio is critiqued by practicing design advisors and alumni.
Faculty Office Telephone
Candice Lopez T-310A 619-388-3560 calopez@sdccd.edu
Andrea Singer T-309A 619-388-3933 asinger@sdccd.edu
Career Options
Some careers in graphic design-related work require education beyond the associate degree. This list is not all-inclusive: advertising designer, art director, environmental graphic designer, graphic designer, type designer, illustrator, and magazine/editorial designer, multimedia designer, web page designer.
Academic Programs
Major requirements for an emphasis in graphic design for the certificate and associate degree require completion of the courses listed below. Additional general education and graduation requirements for the associate degree are listed in the catalog. The associate degree requires a minimum of 60 units.
Certificate of Achievement: Visual and Performing Arts, Graphic Design
Students are provided with skills for entry-level employment in the graphic design field while also developing a portfolio in graphic design for jobs and/or specific university admission requirements.
*NOTE Take all beginning level classes first, followed by intermediate and advanced as the classes build on skills learned in previous courses.
BEGINNING LEVEL
ARTG 100, Basic Graphic Design
ARTG 106, Typography
ARTG 125, Digital Media
ARTG 118, Graphic Design History
ARTG 120, Illustration
ARTF 155A, Freehand Drawing I
INTERMEDIATE LEVEL
ARTG 124, Intermediate Graphic Design I :Page Layout
ARTG 133, Intermediate Graphic Design II: Identity Systems & Packaging
ADVANCED LEVEL
ARTG 148B, Portfolio B [Spring only]

SUGGESTED ELECTIVES
ARTG 149, Studio Practices Portfolio Preparation [Fall only]
ARTG 206, Advanced Typography [Fall only]
ARTG 144, Web Page Design
Total Units = 27

Associate in Arts Degree: Visual and Performing Arts, Graphic Design
The associate degree program offers employment skills, development of a portfolio in graphic design and offers courses for preparation for university transfer.
BEGINNING
ARTF 110, Art History: Prehistoric to Gothic
ARTF 111, Art History: Renaissance to Modern
ARTF 155A, Freehand Drawing I
ARTG 100, Basic Graphic Design
ARTG 106, Typography .
ARTG 118, Graphic Design History
ARTG 120, Illustration
ARTG 125, Digital Media
INTERMEDIATE
ARTG 124, Intermediate Graphic Design I
ARTG 133, Intermediate Graphic Design II
ADVANCED
ARTG 148B, Portfolio B [Spring only]
Total Units = 33
Recommended electives: Art- Graphic Design 126, 144, 148A, 149, 206, 270, 290; Art-Fine Art 210A; Photography 100, 105.

View some of our recent portfolios:

Thanks to SDCC portfolio class alumni who have posted their work to share. Please click on the links to view their stellar portfolios. Students who attend San Diego City College create portfolio books that can be used to obtain transfer to four year design programs or get an entry level job in the field of graphic design. Please click on the orange links next to each name to view their portfolio.

Desiree Aspiras Portfolio:

Class of 2011

Ying-Jen Lai Portfolio:

Her portfolio won best packaging design and the Doyald Young-best aesthetics at the 2011 San Diego American Institute of Graphic Arts Portfolio Review.

Class of 2011.

Judie Le Portfolio:

Class of 2010. Judie won the identity and branding category at the AIGA San Diego portfolio review and secured a huge transfer scholarship to continue her design studies at Columbia College in Chicago.

Larisa Mamonova Portfolio:

Class of 2011. Won the Doyald Young Logotypes and letterforms scholarship at the AIGA San Diego portfolio review.

San Diego City Portfolio Preparation:

Courses: Portfolio Preparation ART G 148A and Portfolio: ART G 148B