Program Overview
Summary
Learn visual design fundamentals and develop creative and conceptual skills. Design a professional portfolio with self-paced training on industry-standard software.
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Completion Award
Associate of Applied Arts and SciencesLength of Study
112 CreditsStarting Quarter
Fall, Winter, Spring, SummerLocation
On CampusWhat You’ll Learn
- Effectively use concept development procedures in visual communication problem solving
- Select and organize design elements including letter forms, illustrations, typography and other graphic images and effectively use art elements such as line, shape, color, value, texture and form in the development of visual images for a variety of media
- Apply principles of audience and market analysis, conduct research and develop resources in the production of desktop publishing, graphic design, illustration, electronic paste-up, scanning and manipulation of images, and multimedia productions
Courses & Requirements
Program Description:
Students will design creative solutions using industry-standard software. In addition to General Education requirements, study will take place at three levels: core foundational design training, concentrated study in graphic design, and software-based and/or topic based study in specialized areas. Technical software training is done partly online with leading industry partners. This can be self-paced, allowing students to review lessons and establish the self-directed, life-long learner skills that the continually changing industry requires. This learning model also allows for greater focus on development of creative, conceptual skills and team collaboration skills in the classroom. Early advising is strongly recommended for this program.
Students are required to maintain a final grade of 2.0 (75%) in each VCT foundational course in order to progress to the next class. If you receive a grade below 2.0, you will be required to either retake the class or pursue an advisor's waiver.
AAAS Degree (107-116 Credits)
GPA of 2.0 or better for the entire program required.
General Education Requirements - 15-20 Credits
Communication Skills (5 Credits)
Choose either BTWRT 215 or ENGL& 101.
- Course 1
Quantitative/Symbolic Reasoning (5 Credits)
Choose one of the following courses: BUS 102, BUS 150, MATH& 107, MUSTC 106.
- Course 1
Multicultural Understanding (3-5 Credits)
Choose one of the following courses: HUM 105, BUS 103, CMST 203.
- Course 1
Human Relations (2-5 Credits)
Choose either BUS 105 or CMST& 101.
- Course 1
VCT Foundation Requirements - 60 Credits
Studio Foundations
- ART 109 Two-Dimensional Design
- ART 131 Drawing 1
- ART 144 Photography 1
Design/Production Foundations
- VCT 101 Graphic Design 1: Typography
- VCT 102 Graphic Design II: Identity and Logo Design
- VCT 112 Visual Communications Survey
Digital Graphics Foundations
Includes self-paced, online technical training component
- Challenge Tests are available to place out of VCT 124 & VCT 125
- VCT 124 Basic Mac & PC Systems *
- VCT 125 Intro to Image Construction, Editing & Output *
- VCT 134 Adobe: Illustrator (Vector Graphics)
- VCT 135 Adobe: Animation/Interactive Media
- VCT 136 Adobe: Raster Graphics w/Photoshop
- VCT 170 Adobe: Interactive/Web Design
- VCT 176 Introduction to 3D Modeling and Animation
Degree Concentration Requirements - 20 Credits
Media History (5 Credits)
- VCT 230 History of Visual Media
Track Subjects
**Includes self-paced, online technical training component
- VCT 103 Graphic Design 3: Identity & Branding **
- VCT 204 Graphic Design 4: Packaging & Event Graphics **
- VCT 155 Digital Printing & Project Management
Degree Specialization Requirements (12-16 Credits)
Includes self-paced, online technical training component
Students are required to complete a minimum of 12 credits of specialization coursework. Specialization courses consist of three parts: seminar, collaborative lab sessions, and online specialized software training and/or topic-based training with online industry training partners. A Faculty/Student Advising session is required for placement into this set of courses
Examples of Specialization Software Training:
Fontographer, Maya, 3D Studio Max, Mudbox, ZBrush, Soft Image, Blender, Vue,
Lightwave, Unity, Unreal Engine, C++, Javascript, iOS Dev, Premiere, Encore,
After Effects, Fireworks, Joomia, Drupal, etc
Examples of Topic-Based Training
Storyboarding, Matte Painting, Matchmoving, Digital Art, Event Design,
Packaging, Interface Design, Effects, Compositing, Modeling, Digital Printing,
Character Rigging, Project Management, etc
Choose 3 of the following courses:
VCT 278 Animating and Compositing with AfterEffects
Design Studio/Portfolio: VCT 205, VCT 206, VCT 207**
AdobeCS Studio/Portfolio: VCT 215, VCT 216, VCT 217**
Interactive Studio/Portfolio: VCT 225, VCT 226, VCT 227**
Autodesk Studio/Portfolio: VCT 235, VCT 236, VCT 237**
Video Studio/Portfolio: VCT 245, VCT 246, VCT 247**** Includes self-paced, online technical training component.
- Course 1
- Course 2
- Course 3
Approval To Graduate
Student Name, SID and Date:
Faculty Advisor and Date:
Division Dean and Date:
Credential Approval and Date:
Program Advisor:
Alan Yates Rm 2054Christine Shafner ** Rm 2174Parisa Ghaderi** Rm 2051
Program Information:
Length of Program: 107-116 CreditsCompletion Award: AAAS DegreeEnrollment: Every QuarterApproximate Quarterly Costs: $25-$85
(in addition to tuition, books and parking)
**Website:
Plan code: DVCGDAPT
Revised 11/01/2024. Requirement changes effective Winter Quarter 2025. See catalog PDF for Fall 2024 requirements.
Careers & Opportunities
Graduates may find entry-level work —or freelance as a creative independent— in creating logos, annual reports, identity materials, packaging, signage, illustration, infographics, animation projects; assisting senior graphic designers and art directors; producing layouts and presentations, preparing comprehensives for production, developing web and multimedia projects and presentations.
Potential employers include : design studios, advertising agencies, retail, corporate, and in-house visual support departments, game and animation studios, advertising or marketing agencies, public relations firms, printing and prepress departments and publishing houses (newspaper, magazine, book)
Sample Degree Map
This is a sample course sequence; it is an example only. This is a structured degree with little room for customization. We encourage every student to meet with an Academic Advisor or program faculty member to adapt this example to suit individual needs.
Quarter 1 (Typically Fall)
- ART 109 Two-Dimensional Design
- VCT 101 Graphic Design 1: Typography
- VCT 124 Basic Mac & PC Systems
- VCT 125 Intro to Image Construction, Editing & Output
Quarter 2
- Communication skills course such as:
- BTWRT 215 Business Communications
- ENGL& 101 English Composition I
- VCT 102 Graphic Design II: Identity and Logo Design
- VCT 134 Adobe: Illustrator (Vector Graphics)
Quarter 3
- Quantitative skills, course such as:
- MATH& 107 Math in Society
- BUS 102 Business Mathematics
- VCT 103 Graphic Design 3: Identity & Branding
- VCT 136 Adobe: Raster Graphics w/Photoshop
Quarter 4(Summer)
- ART 131 Drawing 1
- Human Relations course, such as
- BUS 104 Human Relations in Business
- BUS 105 Essentials of Human Relations
- CMST& 101 Introduction to Communication
- VCT 155 Digital Printing & Project Management
Quarter 5
- Multicultural Understanding course such as:
- BUS 103 Multiculturalism in the Workplace
- HUM 105 Multicultural Studies through Arts & Humanities
- AES 101 Power and Positionality in the United States
- VCT 204 Graphic Design 4: Packaging & Event Graphics
- VCT 176 Introduction to 3D Modeling and Animation
Quarter 6
- VCT 112 Visual Communications Survey
- VCT 135 Adobe: Animation/Interactive Media
- VCT 205 Specialization: Design Studio/Portfolio 5
Quarter 7
- VCT 170 Adobe: Interactive/Web Design
- VCT 230 History of Visual Media
- VCT 206 Specialization: Design Studio/Portfolio 6
Quarter 8
- ART 144 Photography 1
- VCT 207 Specialization: Design Studio/Portfolio 7
Tuition & Fees
Estimated Tuition & Fees
(does not include additional program or course fees, books, or supply costs)
Per Quarter
| WA-Resident | Non-WA resident,
US citizen, &
Eligible non-citizen
On Campus | Non-WA resident
Non-US citizen¹ | Non-WA resident, US citizen
Online Only
---|---|---|---|---
1 credit | $126.47 | $246.49 | $327.01 | $144.67
5 credits | $632.35 | $1,232.45 | $1,635.05 | $723.35
12 credits (full-time) | $1,387.14 | $2,487.04 | $3,408.94 | $1,571.08
15 credits | $1,570.80 | $2,520.25 | $3,617.20 | $1,757.65
¹ Includes all International Students, both on campus and overseas online
Additional Program Fees
Approximately $60 - $200 per quarter, depending on courses selectedWays to pay for school
Federal aid, scholarships, grants, and more are available to help you pay for school.
Next Steps
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Related Program Options
- Computer Graphics Foundation Certificate
- Web Design Certificate
- Digital Video Certificate
- Digital Photography Certificate
- Creative Project Management AAAS
- Game Art and Design AAAS
- Visual Communications Foundation Certificate
- Visual Communications Business Foundation Certificate
- Art and Design Foundation Certificate
- Digital Illustration/Animation Certificate
- Visual Communications Foundation with Specialization Certificate
- Humanities Pre-Major
- Foundation Studio Art AFA
- Photography AFA
- Art History Pre-Major
- Animation/Video for Multimedia AAAS
- Visual Communications Computer Foundation Certificate
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Program Outline
Outline:
Program Description:
Students will design creative solutions using industry-standard software. In addition to General Education requirements, study will take place at three levels: core foundational design training, concentrated study in graphic design, and software-based and/or topic based study in specialized areas. Technical software training is done partly online with leading industry partners. This can be self-paced, allowing students to review lessons and establish the self-directed, life-long learner skills that the continually changing industry requires. This learning model also allows for greater focus on development of creative, conceptual skills and team collaboration skills in the classroom. Early advising is strongly recommended for this program.
Courses & Requirements:
General Education Requirements - 15-20 Credits
- Communication Skills (5 Credits)
- Quantitative/Symbolic Reasoning (5 Credits)
- Multicultural Understanding (3-5 Credits)
- Human Relations (2-5 Credits)
VCT Foundation Requirements - 65 Credits
- Studio Foundations
- Design/Production Foundations
- Digital Graphics Foundations
Degree Concentration Requirements - 20 Credits
- Media History (Choose One) (5 Credits)
- Track Subjects (15 Credits)
Degree Specialization Requirements (12-16 Credits)
- Students are required to complete a minimum of 12 credits of specialization coursework. Specialization courses consist of three parts: seminar, collaborative lab sessions, and online specialized software training and/or topic-based training with online industry training partners.
Careers:
Careers & Opportunities:
Graduates may find entry-level work in creating logos, annual reports, identity materials, packaging, signage, illustration, infographics, animation projects; assisting senior graphic designers and art directors; producing layouts and presentations, preparing comprehensives for production, developing web and multimedia projects and presentations. Potential employers include: design studios, advertising agencies, retail, corporate, and in-house visual support departments, game and animation studios, advertising or marketing agencies, public relations firms, printing and prepress departments and publishing houses (newspaper, magazine, book)
