Digital Art and Graphic Design: AA Degree

This degree provides lower division major preparation courses for students interested in pursuing transfer to a BA or BFA program in graphic design or digital art. Students pursuing this degree option must work with a counselor to develop an education plan that meets the current transfer requirements for the school of their choice.

Career Opportunities

User Experience/Visitor Services (visitors to physical and online places), Data/Information Designer, Public Relations, Media/Communications/Marketing, Digital Designer (websites, apps, interactivity), Graphic Designer (publications, online, signage), Art Director, Creative Director, 2D and 3D Animator (storyboard artist, concept artist, character design, backgrounds and textures artist, model making, visual sequences), lighting, Visual Effects, Special Effects, Set Designer, Textile Designer, Product Designer, Packaging Designer, Industrial Designer, Transportation Designer, Toy Designer, Illustrator, Interior Design, Landscape Designer, Event Designer/Stylist, Stylist, Advertising, Graphic Novelist, Cartoonist, Scientific Illustrator, Sustainability Designer, Entertainment Designer, Environmental Designer.

 
Program Learning Outcomes
  1. Critically evaluate and understand the aesthetic, cultural, and political development of design in historic and contemporary cultures.
  2. Translate ideas into images and designs.
  3. Create and present finished images and graphics for professional applications based on principles of effective design and communication while working independently and collaboratively.
  4. Evaluate and critique graphic design work and receive criticism from others.
Degree Requirements 
Required Core Courses (15 units)
ARTS-1012D Foundations3
ARTS-110Fundamentals of Drawing3
ARTH-105History of Western Art: Prehistoric Through Medieval3
ARTH-106History of Western Art: Renaissance to Contemporary3
DART-101Graphic Design Foundations3
Required Electives: List A (6 units)
Complete 2 of the following courses:6
3D Foundations
Introduction to Digital Art
Drawing & Typography
Required Electives: List B (6 units)
Complete 2 of the following courses:6
History of Graphic Design
Color Theory
Figure Drawing
Creative Drawing
Introduction to Entrepreneurship
Animation
Introduction to Digital Imaging
Introduction to Multimedia
Digital Video Editing
Beginning Digital Photography
Total Units27

To receive an Associate Degree, students must complete 60 degree applicable semester units with a grade point average of at least 2.0. Students must also complete the NVC General Education pattern to earn an Associate degree. Consultation with a Counselor is highly encouraged to ensure all requirements are met.