The Graphic Design & Photography Department offers a two-year Associate in Arts Degree. The Associate in Arts Degree prepares a student for transfer to four year institutions such as: Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo; California State University, Long Beach; California State University, San José; California State University, Los Angeles, CalArts, CCA or OTIS. It also provides career technical training and education in creative problem-solving that can be used to qualify for jobs in the Graphic Design field after completion.

The goal of the Graphic Design curriculum is to develop creativity, conceptualisation and problem-solving skills, as well as train in the tools of the industry. The program begins with a foundation in design elements and principles applied to digital and analog tools. Then proceeds to encourage students to “learn to see” and develop their skills in creating unique and interesting concepts and solutions. Digital tools instruction, design principles, creative thinking, and problem-solving techniques, as they apply to the graphic arts, give the student a strong foundation for entry into the workforce, and for advanced study at other colleges and universities. Students work in a state-of-the-art Digital Arts Center for hands-on digital tools training.

Graphic Design students create projects using all manner of digital tools that integrate typography, page layout, illustration, photography, and color management. The curriculum is based on the belief that the graphic designer is a visual and verbal communicator who is able to develop creative solutions for a variety of design and communication problems.

Associate Degree Graduation Requirements

Complete all of the following:

1. All Department Requirements listed below with a “C” or better or “P” in each course (at least 20% of the department requirements must be completed through SBCC).
2. One of the following three General Education options:
   1. OPTION 1: A minimum of 18 units of SBCC General Education Requirements (Areas A-D) and Institutional Requirements (Area E) and Information Competency Requirement (Area F) OR
   2. OPTION 2: IGETC Pattern OR
   3. OPTION 3: CSU GE Breadth Pattern
3. A total of 60 degree-applicable units (SBCC courses numbered 100 and higher).
4. Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better in all units attempted at SBCC.
5. Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better in all college units attempted.
6. A minimum of 12 units through SBCC.

Strongly Recommended

1. Apply design principles to both print and screen layouts.
2. Demonstrate proficiency using industry-standard software to produce graphic design layouts that are print-ready digital files.
3. Define professional terminology for the graphic design and print industry.
4. Demonstrate a sense of aesthetics for design and typography in the visual communication field.
5. Identify and apply their creative abilities to communicate ideas with confidence.
6. Demonstrate effective evaluation techniques, such as critiquing, to test and revise ideas and designs.
7. Develop professional quality design concepts and layouts.

Make an appointment with your SBCC academic counselor through Starfish to create a Student Education Plan that reflects a recommended course sequence for this program that is tailored to your individual needs.

How to schedule an Academic Counseling appointment.