Program Overview
Students with an aptitude in creative problem solving, drawing, design, photography and/or computer related visual communication should consider this rapidly expanding and competitive field. The Visual Art & Design Department allows students to specialize in the following areas: Animation, Graphic Design, Photography, Web Design, and Graphic Communications Technologies.
Students who elect to pursue an Academic Certificate in Graphic Communications Technologies will prepare themselves for entry level work in the graphic communications industry (printing). In this certificate program students use standard software programs, basic printing techniques, and technical procedures to prepare materials for both traditional publishing (printing) and new digital publishing technologies (tables and digital devices).
Career Opportunities
Upon completion of this certificate, students may find entry-level design and layout positions in the Graphic Communications industry including but not limited to printing, publishing, and web design related careers. Students may elect to work in customer service, sales, production coordination, estimating, or prepress, etc.
Students who complete the Graphic Communications Academic Certificate have the foundation skills necessary to work in a wide variety of graphic arts related career paths that range from prepress/production artists at a commercial printing facility to graphic designers.
What You Will Learn
- Through the successful completion of this certificate students will be able to: read and comprehend selected educational materials relevant to current printing industry trends, read and comprehend selected educational materials relevant to the history and establishment of the printing industry, understand and adhere to proper safety regulations for working in an OSHA compliant environment, and create comprehensive print-ready and digital publication files that meet industry standards.
- Through the successful completion of this certificate students will be able to: create a detailed checklist of the information needed to create print-ready and digital project files, participate in both in-class and online discussions using proper grammar and well-thought-out responses, and prepare and present new ideas and concepts to a group of students through class presentations and group work.
- Through the successful completion of this certificate students will be able to: prepare artwork for print and digital outputs from design through file preparation using industry standard software; output projects using multiple printing processes including but not limited to digital, offset, and screen printing; prepare artwork as color separations, knock outs, overprints, and with variable data when applicable; and safely operate printing press equipment, print, and finish projects.
- Through the successful completion of this certificate students will be able to: use critical thinking skills to prepare complex impositions, die lines, and other pertinent graphic arts industry skills; use basic math calculations to estimate job pricing, commissions, discounts, cost centers, budgeted hourly rates, and paper pricing; and learn how math is used in the graphic arts industry by calculating basic paper weights, resolution and image sizes, and other math related problems.
Transfer Pathway
The Graphic Communications Academic Certificate has been aligned to be the first year of both the Graphic Communications AS and Graphic Design AAS so that students may explore the graphics industry during their first year and then choose a pathway to completion. Students wishing to enter the workforce should complete the Graphic Design AAS. Students wishing to transfer should complete the Graphic Communications AS.
Estimated Cost
- Supplies: $150 depending upon chosen electives
- Course Fees: $35
The Graphic Design & Communications program is committed to using Open Educational Resources (OER) whenever possible.
NOTE: Fees may vary based upon specific registration and are subject to change.
Career Outlook
Some careers shown require further education beyond this program.