Associate in Applied Science in Graphic Design

Digital Arts
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Course Sequence

Field of Interest

Field of Interest: Visual and Performing Arts

The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Graphic Design develops the knowledge and skills required in the areas of photography, digital imaging, and graphic design. The coursework includes creating graphic designs, including images, layouts, typography, packaging, motion and interactive graphics, and branding in various print and digital media. This degree prepares students for employment and upgrades the skills of persons employed in occupations such as production artists, graphic designers, freelance artist-designers, and art directors. A Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Graphic Design is also available.

Details

Details iconImportant information you’ll need when applying for admission:

Field of Interest
Visual and Performing Arts
Type
Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
Academic Plan
Graphic Design (DEG)
Academic Plan Code
3201
Total Credits Required
61-68
Catalog Year
2023-2024
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

What You’ll Learn

This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:

  1. Create complex designs to project specifications, demonstrating professional competence in research, planning, production, and presentation.
  2. Apply critical thinking skills, the creative process, and historical and visual literacy to solve complex visual, technical, and conceptual problems.
  3. Critique design solutions to evaluate their effectiveness.
  4. Apply industry standard tools and research to develop effective media, designs, and workflows.
  5. Demonstrate collaborative practices.
  6. Communicate design solutions that meet audience needs and recognize cultural and individual differences.
  7. Create a collection of works (e.g., capstone, internships, and/or portfolio) that reflect professional competency.
  8. Apply relevant knowledge, skills, and habits of mind to seek career opportunities in the field.

Career Opportunities

成功完成这个学位可能导致employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Maricopa County-based annual median wages* for this degree. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.

*职业和工资Lightcas所提供的信息t using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources and Lightcast’s proprietary analytical processes. Lightcast’s data covers multiple classes of workers including QCEW, non-QCEW, and those who are self-employed.Disclaimer

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

  • Students should meet withan academic advisorto develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Pathway Planner tool in yourStudent Centerto manage your plan.
  • The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
  • Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
  • Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.
  • Consult with your faculty mentor or academic advisor to determine educational requirements, including possible university transfer options, for your chosen career field.

Full-time Sequence

Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.

Note:Because you are viewing this pathway map on a mobile device, some columns below have been hidden. To view all columns, please rotate your device or view this page on a device with a larger screen.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken duringTerm 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
ENG101or
ENG107
First-Year CompositionorFirst-Year Composition for ESL Critical course FYC 3
Mathematics Mathematics Area Critical courseMAT14+recommended for students planning to transfer to a university 3–6
AVC100 Introduction to Digital Arts 1
ADA/AVC177 Digital Photographic Imaging I Critical courseGateway course 3
ART111or
ART116
Drawing IorLife Drawing I 3
ART113or
AVC114
ColororDigital Color 3
FYE101or
FYE103
Introduction to College, Career and Personal SuccessorExploration of College, Career and Personal Success 1–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken duringTerm 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
ENG102or
ENG108
First-Year CompositionorFirst-Year Composition for ESL FYC 3
CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment L 0–3
ARH101or
ARH102or
ARH110
Art from Prehistory Through Middle AgesorArt from Renaissance to ModernismorHistory of Graphic Design Students who intend to transfer should choose eitherARH101orARH102to fulfill the [HU] requirement for transfer H, HU 3
ADA/AVC169 2D Media Design 3
AVC178 Digital Arts Studies Critical course 3
ADA/AVC183 Digital Graphic Arts I Critical course 3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken duringTerm 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
COM100or
COM110or
COM225or
COM230
Introduction to Human CommunicationorInterpersonal CommunicationorPublic SpeakingorSmall Group Communication SBorL 3
AVC142 Introduction to Digital Photography 3
AVC/MMT190or
CIS133DA
Art of Web Site DesignorInternet/Web Development Level I 3
ADA/AVC248 or
ART255
Design Self PromotionorArt Marketing 3
AVC283 Digital Graphic Arts II 3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken duringTerm 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
SB Social & Behavioral Sciences SB 3
SGor
SQ
Natural Sciences GeneralorNatural Sciences Quantitative SGorSQ 4
AVC280AA or
AVC280AB or
AVC280AC
Digital Media Arts and Design CapstoneorDigital Media Arts and Design Capstone 1–3
RE Restricted Electives 3
Elective General Elective Select additional courses 100-level or higher to complete the minimum credits required for this degree. Consult with the Program Director or an Academic Advisor. 0–3

Restricted Electives

A list of additional, alternative, or supplemental courses for this pathway map
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
ADA/AVC175 Electronic Publishing Design I 3
ADA/AVC289 Computer Illustration 3
AVC103 Typography in the Digital Age 3
ART/COM/STO150 Digital Storytelling 3
AVC192 Advanced Web Presentation Design 3
AVC200 Animation and Interactivity 3
AVC210 Design Tools for Imagery, Production, and Publishing 3
AVC/THP246 Digital Fabrication 3

Part-time Sequence

Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.

Note:Because you are viewing this pathway map on a mobile device, some columns below have been hidden. To view all columns, please rotate your device or view this page on a device with a larger screen.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken duringTerm 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
Mathematics Mathematics Area Critical courseMAT14+recommended for students planning to transfer to a university 3–6
AVC100 Introduction to Digital Arts 1
ADA/AVC177 Digital Photographic Imaging I Critical courseGateway course 3
FYE101or
FYE103
Introduction to College, Career and Personal SuccessorExploration of College, Career and Personal Success 1–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken duringTerm 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
ENG101or
ENG107
First-Year CompositionorFirst-Year Composition for ESL Critical course FYC 3
ART111or
ART116
Drawing IorLife Drawing I 3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken duringTerm 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
ART113or
AVC114
ColororDigital Color 3
ENG102or
ENG108
First-Year CompositionorFirst-Year Composition for ESL FYC 3
CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment L 0–3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken duringTerm 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
ARH101or
ARH102or
ARH110
Art from Prehistory Through Middle AgesorArt from Renaissance to ModernismorHistory of Graphic Design Students who intend to transfer should choose eitherARH101orARH102to fulfill the [HU] requirement for transfer H, HU 3
ADA/AVC169 2D Media Design 3

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken duringTerm 5
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC178 Digital Arts Studies Critical course 3
ADA/AVC183 Digital Graphic Arts I Critical course 3

Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken duringTerm 6
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
COM100or
COM110or
COM225or
COM230
Introduction to Human CommunicationorInterpersonal CommunicationorPublic SpeakingorSmall Group Communication SBorL 3
AVC283 Digital Graphic Arts II 3

Term 7

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken duringTerm 7
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC142 Introduction to Digital Photography 3
AVC/MMT190or
CIS133DA
Art of Web Site DesignorInternet/Web Development Level I 3

Term 8

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken duringTerm 8
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
ADA/AVC248 or
ART255
Design Self PromotionorArt Marketing 3
SB Social & Behavioral Sciences SB 3

Term 9

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken duringTerm 9
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
SGor
SQ
Natural Sciences GeneralorNatural Sciences Quantitative SGorSQ 4
RE Restricted Electives 3

Term 10

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken duringTerm 10
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC280AA or
AVC280AB or
AVC280AC
Digital Media Arts and Design CapstoneorDigital Media Arts and Design Capstone 1–3
Elective General Elective Select additional courses 100-level or higher to complete the minimum credits required for this degree. Consult with the Program Director or an Academic Advisor. 0–3

Restricted Electives

A list of additional, alternative, or supplemental courses for this pathway map
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
ADA/AVC175 Electronic Publishing Design I 3
ADA/AVC289 Computer Illustration 3
AVC103 Typography in the Digital Age 3
ART/COM/STO150 Digital Storytelling 3
AVC192 Advanced Web Presentation Design 3
AVC200 Animation and Interactivity 3
AVC210 Design Tools for Imagery, Production, and Publishing 3
AVC/THP246 Digital Fabrication 3

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Click here for MCC’s easy-to-use Enrollment Steps.

Program Information

Learn more about and find contact information for the Digital Arts program.

General Help

Ask general questions over the phone at 480-461-7400 or via online chat.

Course Area Key

Gateway Course= Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.

Critical Course= A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.

Disclaimer

Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.

Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.

At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, meet withan academic advisorto discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.

View MCCCD’sofficial curriculum documentationfor additional details regarding the requirements of this award(https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm13?id=182645).