Graphic Design: Associate of Arts
Provides a comprehensive foundation of study, emphasizing the development of theoretical, practical, and technical skills within the Graphic Design field. The program uses sequential courses that build and develop skills in a range of studio classes. Offers courses in print, front-end web design, and motion graphics. Elective courses are included to add experience in related tracks such as digital photography, illustration, and animation. Employs computer applications and tools as well as design techniques to assist the student in developing the range of skills necessary to compete in the multi-media field of graphic design.
Program Goal: To provide a foundation for success in the field of graphic design including print, front-end web design, and motion graphics, by providing experience with both software and equipment used in the industry. Geared to students seeking entry-level design work or transfer to a 4-year college design program.
- Create visual communications for an intended message, from conceptual development to final artifact using a range of media, both traditional and digital, for final output both printed and digital.
- Incorporate historic and contemporary design influences, both period and designer, in the creation of design solutions.
- Implement appropriate typographic treatments for print and digital communications. This includes typesetting, legibility, and style as well as expressive communications.
- Sketch and refine preliminary concepts for traditional and digital outcomes as well as conceptual ideation.
- Illustrate fundamentals of design through the development of both traditional and digital applications.
- Apply color theory to the creation of digital and traditional design solutions, including color correction and developing intended emotive reactions.
- Utilize current graphic design terminology and methodology as a basis for discussing and evaluating works of design, both student and professional.
- Construct vector and raster files for use in print, motion and digital outcomes.
- Develop digital work environments and appropriated file formats for saving work as well as for distribution of final output, prepare for print or file transfer.
- Utilize current industry software and equipment.
- Develop and present a portfolio of projects for use in seeking an entry-level position or transfer to a four-year degree program.
All students receiving an Associate Degree are required to meet Degree-Specific Requirements AND General Education Requirements. Courses listed in the Required Core and/or Required Support Courses may also be used to fulfill Degree-Specific and General Education Requirements. Developmental courses (those numbered below 100) cannot be used to fulfill these requirements.
Attention: It is the student's responsibility to review the entire program form before making course selections for registration purposes. The College recommends that students meet with an advisor or counselor well in advance of registration deadlines and before making course selections.
The following courses are required in this program and satisfy HFC’s General Education Outcomes for this program. Students who change their program will need to confirm in advance that they are completing all required courses for their specific program of study, including additional General Education courses. All Associate in Arts degrees require at least 24 General Education credits total, including at least three credit hours from each of the five areas below. For this program:
Civil Society & Culture: Complete at least nine credit hours from the following:
- ASL-130: Deaf Culture and the Deaf Community
- GEOG-132: World Regional Geography
- HIST-151: American History I
- HIST-152: American History II
- POLS-101: American Government: Democratic Participation and Civic Engagement
- POLS-131: Introduction to American Government and Political Science
- POLS-152: International Relations
- POLS-200: Introduction to Peace and Conflict Studies
- SOC-131: Introduction to Sociology
- SOC-152: Women, Men, and Society
- SOC-251: Ethnic and Racial Diversity in Society
Communication: Complete the following:
Computer Technology: Complete the following:
Critical Thinking & Information Literacy: Complete the following:
Quantitative Literacy: Complete one of the following:
- CHEM-131: Principles of Chemistry
- MATH-100: Basic Technical Mathematics
- MATH-103: Technical Mathematics
- MATH-1091, MATH-1092, MATH-1093, and MATH-1094, OR MATH-110: Intermediate Algebra
- MATH-112: Trigonometry
- MATH-115: College Algebra
- MATH-131: Mathematics for the Modern World
- MATH-141: Introduction to Statistics
- MATH-150: Finite Mathematics
- MATH-153: Calculus for Business, Life Science, and Social Sciences
- MATH-175: Precalculus
- MATH-180: Calculus I
- MATH-183: Calculus II
- MATH-280: Calculus III
- MATH-283: Linear Algebra
- MATH-289: Differential Equations
NOTE: For this program, General Education minimum credits: 24
Wellness Group: Complete one course.
- BFN-130: Principles of Investing
- BFN-141: Personal Finance
- COUN-110: Human Potential Seminar
- COUN-114: Stress Management - A Personal Approach
- COUN-119: Issues in Personal Growth
- COUN-125: Life Work Planning
- COUN-128: Active Parenting
- Any Heath and Physical Education (HPE) course
- Any Health and Physical Education Activity (HPEA) course
Humanities: Degree-specific requirements for Humanities are fulfilled within the Required Core Courses.
Complete a total of 8 Science and Mathematics credits (including Science and Mathematics courses taken from the General Education: Quantitative Literacy group) from:
Astronomy (ASTR), Atmospheric Studies (ATMS), Biology (BIO), Chemistry (CHEM), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Geology (GEOL), Mathematics (MATH), Physical Science (PSCI), Physics (PHYS), Science (SCI).
Social Science: Degree-specific requirements for Social Science are fulfilled within the General Education Civil Society and Culture group.
NOTE: For this program, Degree-Specific minimum credits: 7
Required Core Courses
Requirements are Subject to Change
- Wayne State University
- Eastern Michigan University
- Production Designer
- Graphic Designer
- Visual Designer
- Front-End Web Designer
- Content Management Design
- Motion Designer
- Content Developer
- Layout Artist