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Graphic Design and Rich MediaCertificates

Certificate programs give you the chance to explore a subject and build marketable skills in less time than it takes to complete a degree program. Aims offers several certificates for both Graphic Design and Web Design. Many certificate courses will also apply to an A.A.S. degree.

Basic Web Design Certificate

This certificate is geared toward high school students in concurrent enrollment at Aims who want to learn the basics of web design. Learn design principles in page layout, navigation, typography for the web, style sheets and editing for web browsers. This is a Graphic Design and Rich Media certificate with a focus on computer information systems.

Row Groupings Certificate Requirements: Credits
required

Explores the complete set of web authoring skills using HTML and/or other languages. The course covers links, backgrounds, controlling text and graphic placement, tables, image maps and forms. Course is not repeatable for credit.

3
required

Concentrates on the high-end capabilities of Adobe Photoshop as an illustration, design and photo retouching tool. Students explore a wide range of selection and manipulation techniques that can be applied to photos, graphics and videos. Course competencies and outline follow those set out by the Adobe Certified Associate exam in Visual Communication Using Adobe Photoshop. Course is not repeatable for credit.

3
required

Concentrates on the high-end capabilities of Adobe Illustrator as an illustration, design and vector drawing tool. Students learn how to use the tools to create digital artwork that can be used in web design, print media, and digital screen design. Course competencies and outline follow those set by the Adobe certified Associate exam in Visual Communication using Adobe Illustrator. Course is not repeatable for credit.

3
required

Introduces web site planning, design and creation utilizing HTML through industry-standard development tools [may list specific software]. Emphasis is placed on applying stylistic decisions using cascading style sheets. Web-based considerations regarding color, typography, aesthetics, user interface design, and process integration with visual-based design tools will be explored. Course is not repeatable for credit.

Course Prerequisites

CWB 1010 with a grade of "C' or better, may be taken concurrently

3
Total Credits for Certificate 12

Graphic Software and Applications Certificate

Learn basic and advanced graphic design techniques, including photo manipulation and drawing tools. Learn to use Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator, the software most commonly used by graphic designers.

Row Groupings Certificate Requirements: Credits
required

Concentrates on the high-end capabilities of Adobe Photoshop as an illustration, design and photo retouching tool. Students explore a wide range of selection and manipulation techniques that can be applied to photos, graphics and videos. Course competencies and outline follow those set out by the Adobe Certified Associate exam in Visual Communication Using Adobe Photoshop. Course is not repeatable for credit.

3
required

Concentrates on the high-end capabilities of Adobe Illustrator as an illustration, design and vector drawing tool. Students learn how to use the tools to create digital artwork that can be used in web design, print media, and digital screen design. Course competencies and outline follow those set by the Adobe certified Associate exam in Visual Communication using Adobe Illustrator. Course is not repeatable for credit.

3
required

Develops and reinforces image composition techniques learned in Adobe Photoshop I, MGD 111. Fundamentals are continuously reinforced as new design techniques are introduced. Course is not repeatable for credit.

Course Prerequisites

MGD 1011 with a grade of "C" or better

3
required

Enables the student to continue development of electronic drawing skills through practice and use of state of the art illustration software. Course is not repeatable for credit.

Course Prerequisites

MGD 1012 with a grade of "C" or better

3
Total Credits for Certificate 12

Graphic Application Certificate

Learn how to use industry standard software with this graphic design certificate program. Advance your skills by also learning typography and layout.

Row Groupings Certificate Requirements: Credits
required

Covers the creation and production of graphic projects, emphasizing the layout creative design process, problem solving, and research. Provides experience producing thumbnails, roughs and digital layouts emphasizing refined creative typography. Course is not repeatable for credit.

Course Prerequisites

MGD 1012 with a grade of "C"or better

3
required

Concentrates on the high-end capabilities of Adobe Photoshop as an illustration, design and photo retouching tool. Students explore a wide range of selection and manipulation techniques that can be applied to photos, graphics and videos. Course competencies and outline follow those set out by the Adobe Certified Associate exam in Visual Communication Using Adobe Photoshop. Course is not repeatable for credit.

3
required

Concentrates on the high-end capabilities of Adobe Illustrator as an illustration, design and vector drawing tool. Students learn how to use the tools to create digital artwork that can be used in web design, print media, and digital screen design. Course competencies and outline follow those set by the Adobe certified Associate exam in Visual Communication using Adobe Illustrator. Course is not repeatable for credit.

3
required

Introduces students to InDesign, a page layout program which integrates seamlessly with other Adobe design programs. InDesign delivers creative freedom and productivity to DTP. Class discussions and independent projects supplement hands-on classroom work. Course is not repeatable for credit.

3
required

Develops and reinforces image composition techniques learned in Adobe Photoshop I, MGD 111. Fundamentals are continuously reinforced as new design techniques are introduced. Course is not repeatable for credit.

Course Prerequisites

MGD 1011 with a grade of "C" or better

3
required

Enables the student to continue development of electronic drawing skills through practice and use of state of the art illustration software. Course is not repeatable for credit.

Course Prerequisites

MGD 1012 with a grade of "C" or better

3
Total Credits for Certificate 18

Web Design Certificate

Learn the basic skills you’ll need to design and build websites. Study basic coding practices, style sheets and HTML markup and learn how color, typography, layout and design principles combine to create websites. This is a Graphic Design and Rich Media certificate with a focus on computer information systems.

Row Groupings Certificate Requirements: Credits
required

Focuses on a general introduction to computer programming. This course emphasizes the design and implementation of structured and logically correct programs with good documentation. It is centered on basic programming concepts, including control structures, modularization, and data processing. A structured programming language is used to implement program designs. It emphasizes the writing of multiple programs following the software development process, from start to finish, including design, implementation, and testing. Course is repeatable for credit under different titles.

3
required

Explores the complete set of web authoring skills using HTML and/or other languages. The course covers links, backgrounds, controlling text and graphic placement, tables, image maps and forms. Course is not repeatable for credit.

3
required

Covers control of presentational elements of documents by effectively separating page structure from the presentation or design of that page using a style language, controlling page formatting, image inclusion, page layout, and hyperlinks. Course is repeatable for credit under different titles.

Course Prerequisites

CWB 1010 with a grade of "C" or better.

3
required

Covers the creation and production of graphic projects, emphasizing the layout creative design process, problem solving, and research. Provides experience producing thumbnails, roughs and digital layouts emphasizing refined creative typography. Course is not repeatable for credit.

Course Prerequisites

MGD 1012 with a grade of "C"or better

3
required

Concentrates on the high-end capabilities of Adobe Photoshop as an illustration, design and photo retouching tool. Students explore a wide range of selection and manipulation techniques that can be applied to photos, graphics and videos. Course competencies and outline follow those set out by the Adobe Certified Associate exam in Visual Communication Using Adobe Photoshop. Course is not repeatable for credit.

3
required

Concentrates on the high-end capabilities of Adobe Illustrator as an illustration, design and vector drawing tool. Students learn how to use the tools to create digital artwork that can be used in web design, print media, and digital screen design. Course competencies and outline follow those set by the Adobe certified Associate exam in Visual Communication using Adobe Illustrator. Course is not repeatable for credit.

3
required

Introduces web site planning, design and creation utilizing HTML through industry-standard development tools [may list specific software]. Emphasis is placed on applying stylistic decisions using cascading style sheets. Web-based considerations regarding color, typography, aesthetics, user interface design, and process integration with visual-based design tools will be explored. Course is not repeatable for credit.

Course Prerequisites

CWB 1010 with a grade of "C' or better, may be taken concurrently

3
Total Credits for Certificate 21

Web Design Specialist Certificate

Build on skills gained while earning the web design certificate. Learn advanced techniques using style sheets, work with different content management systems and create content for mobile devices. This is a Graphic Design and Rich Media certificate with a focus on computer information systems.

Row Groupings Certificate Requirements: Credits
required

Explores the client-side programming skills necessary to create dynamic web content using a markup embeddable and procedural scripting language executed on the client web browser. Course is repeatable for credit under different titles.

Course Prerequisites

CSC 1019 and CWB 1010 with grades of "C" or better.

3
required

Explores the creation of dynamic web pages and applications using server-side scripting with database interactivity, server-based scripting languages, and database manipulation languages. Course is repeatable for credit under different titles.

Course Prerequisites

CSC 1019 and CWB 1010 with grades of "C" or better.

3
required

Explores the use of open source Content Management Systems (CMS) to simplify the creation and maintenance of web sites. Course is not repeatable for credit.

Course Prerequisites

CWB 2004 with a grade of "C" or better.

3
required

Explores the creation of animation and dynamic media for web and multimedia applications, conforming to professional standards. Emphasizes the manipulation of time-based media using key-frames, tweens and other technologies related to the specific software being utilized. Also examines the use of scripts to trigger timeline events and create basic interactive behavior. Course is repeatable for credit under different titles.

3
required

Develops and reinforces image composition techniques learned in Adobe Photoshop I, MGD 111. Fundamentals are continuously reinforced as new design techniques are introduced. Course is not repeatable for credit.

Course Prerequisites

MGD 1011 with a grade of "C" or better

3
required

Expands on previously learned fundamentals of HTML introducing cascading style sheets, DHTML, Java Scripts and CGI forms. Color usage and interface design principles are emphasized in this course. In this course we'll examine Web sites that employ more complex structures, optimal site architecture and navigation necessary for larger and more complex sites. Course is not repeatable for credit.

Course Prerequisites

MGD 1041 with a grade of "C" or better, may be taken concurrently

3
required

Stresses the complex creation of 2D animated motion graphics concentrating on the prior skills learned and the use of scripting and behaviors. Students will create motion graphics using these skills and apply them to web sites. Web site justification of motion graphics will be stressed, appraised and weighed. Course is not repeatable for credit.

Course Prerequisites

MGD 1043 with a grade of "C" or better, may be taken concurrently

3
required

Provides a project-based introduction of the design process of user experience and user interface. This course emphasizes practical methods and approaches based on user need for solving design problems. Other focuses of the course include user testing and research methods, design prototyping, and design validation. Permission of instructor is required. Course is not repeatable for credit.

Course Prerequisites

MGD 1041 with a grade of "C" or better, may be taken concurrently

3
Total Credits for Certificate 24