Program Overview

Visual Communications Foundation with Specialization Certificate

Summary

The Visual Communications Foundation with Customized Specialization certificate is designed to provide knowledge and skills essential in the field of Graphic Design. All courses within this certificate are also part of a AAAS degree in Graphic Design.

What You’ll Learn

• Create, select, and organize design elements on an introductory level, including letterforms, illustrations, typography, and other graphic images.
• Use computer software applications for graphic design, illustration, desktop design/publishing, and scanning or manipulating visual images (and video or 2D animation if these final classes are chosen).
• Be familiar with procedures, processes, and concerns in many types of visual communication projects.

Courses & Requirements

Program Description

The Visual Communications Foundation w/Specialization Certificate of Proficiency is designed to provide an introductory level of knowledge and practice in visual design principles; graphic and typographic design; photography and video; computer graphic technologies; and offset printing, pre-press, and new imaging technologies.

Certificate of Proficiency (54-59 Credits)

• GPA of 2.0 or better for the entire program required.
• Check for prerequisites for all upper-level classes and plan ahead.
• Substitutions and waivers can be made with faculty approval.
• Choose a mix of different types of classes for each quarter (e.g., lecture, computer/software, studio, general education classes).
• Plan 1 General Education and up to 8 cr Specialization/quarter.

General Education Core Requirements (12-15 Credits)

• Communication (5 Credits): Choose one of the following courses: BTWRT 115, BTWRT 215, ENGL 99, ENGL& 101.
• Quantitative/Symbolic Reasoning (5 Credits): BUS 102 Business Mathematics.
• Human Relations (2-5 Credits): Choose one of the following courses: HUM 105, BUS 105, CMST& 101.

Core Requirements (29 Credits)

• VCT 101 Graphic Design 1: Typography.
• VCT 124 Basic Mac & PC Systems.
• VCT 125 Intro to Image Construction, Editing & Output.
• VCT 134 Adobe: Illustrator (Vector Graphics).
• VCT 136 Adobe: Raster Graphics w/Photoshop.

Portfolio (Choose One)

• VCT 205 Specialization: Design Studio/Portfolio 5.
• VCT 215 Specialization: Adobe Studio/Portfolio 1.
• VCT 225 Specialization: Interactive Web/Studio 1.
• VCT 235 Specialization: Autodesk/3D Studio/Game Design 1.
• VCT 245 Specialization: Video/Visual Effects Studio 1.

Electives (13-15 Credits)

• 13-15 Credits From Classes Listed Below. Choose according to your career goal. You may stay within one category or choose freely from several.

Elective Categories

• Graphic Design Classes
  • ART 109 Two-Dimensional Design.
  • VCT 102 Graphic Design II: Identity and Logo Design.
  • VCT 103 Graphic Design 3: Identity & Branding.
  • VCT 112 Visual Communications Survey.
• Photoshop/Photography Classes
  • ART 144 Photography 1.
  • ART 145 Photography 2.
  • ART 146 Photography 3.
  • VCT 155 Digital Printing & Project Management.
  • VCT 215 Specialization: Adobe Studio/Portfolio 1.
• Flash/Multimedia Classes
  • ART 134 Drawing for Animation.
  • VCT 135 Adobe: Animation/Interactive Media.
  • VCT 225 Specialization: Interactive Web/Studio 1.
  • VCT 226 Specialization: Interactive Web/Studio 2.
  • VCT 227 Specialization: Interactive Web/Studio 1.
• Game Art and Design Intro
  • ART 234 History of Animation.
  • VCT 251 Game & Interactive Design.
  • VCT 252 Introduction to Game Art.
  • VCT 253 Introduction to Game Development.
• Web Classes
  • VCT 135 Adobe: Animation/Interactive Media.
  • VCT 170 Adobe: Interactive/Web Design.
  • VCT 225 Specialization: Interactive Web/Studio 1.
• Illustration Classes
  • ART 131 Drawing 1.
  • VCT 215 Specialization: Adobe Studio/Portfolio 1.
  • VCT 235 Specialization: Autodesk/3D Studio/Game Design 1.
  • VCT 276 3D Modeling & Animation with Maya.
• Production Classes
  • VCT 112 Visual Communications Survey.
  • VCT 155 Digital Printing & Project Management.
• Video Classes
  • CINEM 201 Introduction to Cinema History.
  • FILM 255 Basic Video Production.
  • FILM 256 Video Production I.
  • FILM 265 Editing I.
  • VCT 268 Editing Software Lab.
• Marketing
  • BUS 120 Principles of Marketing.
  • MUSTC 102 Music Business Law.
  • VCT 112 Visual Communications Survey.

Approval To Graduate

• Student Name, SID, and Date.
• Faculty Advisor and Date.
• Division Dean and Date.
• Credential Approval and Date.

Program Advisor

• Christine Shafner, Rm 2174.
• Alan Yates, Rm 2054.

Program Information

• Length of Program: 54-59 Credits (3-4 quarters).
• Completion Award: Certificate of Proficiency.
• Enrollment: Every Quarter.
• Approximate Quarterly Costs: $25-$85 (in addition to tuition, books, and parking).

Careers & Opportunities

• Graduates are hired in entry-level positions as Graphic Designers, Production artists, Multimedia artists, Web designers, IT web supporters, Photographers, Illustrators, Animators, Prepress, Videographers, Marketing/project managers, Creative services sales representatives.
• Potential employers include advertising agencies, publication houses, news agencies, imaging agencies, and print shops.

Tuition & Fees

• Estimated Tuition & Fees (does not include additional program or course fees, books, or supply costs).
• Per Quarter:
  • WA-Resident: $126.47 (1 credit), $632.35 (5 credits), $1,387.14 (12 credits full-time).
  • Non-WA resident, US citizen, & Eligible non-citizen On Campus: $246.49 (1 credit), $1,232.45 (5 credits), $2,487.04 (12 credits full-time).
  • Non-WA resident Non-US citizen: $327.01 (1 credit), $1,635.05 (5 credits), $3,408.94 (12 credits full-time).
  • Non-WA resident, US citizen Online Only: $144.67 (1 credit), $723.35 (5 credits), $1,571.08 (12 credits full-time).
• Additional Program Fees: Approximately $60 - $200 per quarter, depending on courses selected.