Graphic Design

Effective: Fall 2022
Associate in Arts Program Map
🖶 Printer Friendly Report

This program map from the 2024-2025 catalog year represents one possible pathway to complete this program. Your pathway may vary depending on your transfer plans and also previous college credit, including AP Test scores, concurrent enrollment courses and high school articulated courses.

I'm ready to get started. What do I do next?

  1. Review this program map to get an overview of the required courses
  2. Meet with a counselor to develop your customized student education plan www.chabotcollege.edu/counseling
  3. Use DegreeWorks, an online student education planning tool, to track your progress toward graduation www.chabotcollege.edu / admissions / degreeworks
Program Description
The Graphic Design Associate of Arts provides students a comprehensive foundation in design elements, principles, composition, typography, layout, branding, and motion graphics. The Associates degree prepares students to work as graphic designers, UX designer, and product designers.

What can I do with this major?
The program is geared towards students who want to acquire foundational skills in graphic design, design aesthetics and design practice to enter the workforce, or transfer to a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design.

Learning and Career Pathway
  • Arts and Design

Icon Key

= Critical Course = Prerequisite for Other Courses = Prerequisite Required = Required for Major GE = General Education

Semester 1

16 units

DIGM 1 or ART 23 (Choose one)

3 units

DIGM 1
Introduction to Digital Art

3 units
Introduction to fundamental concepts, practices, and theories of digital art production. Topics include integration of traditional design, color, and compositional principles with contemporary digital tools.
Course Details:
or

ART 23
2-D Foundations

3 units
Introduction to the concepts, applications, and historical/multicultural references related to two-dimensional art and composition, including the study and analysis of the basic principles and elements of line, shape, texture, value, color and spatial illusion. Development of a visual vocabulary for creative expression through lecture presentations, studio projects, problem solving and written assignments. (May not receive credit if ART 10 has been completed)

DIGM 2
Introduction to Graphic Design

3 units
Introduction to the essential visual elements of graphic design. Exploration of the principles, concepts, and protocols used for effective visual communication. Cultivation of the designer’s creative process and problem-solving skills. Emphasis on strong conceptual development and solid craftsmanship through design execution. Projects explore creative development of graphic design ideas from start to finish.
Course Details:

DIGM 4A
Digital Illustration

3 units
Introduction to the principles of illustration using digital tools. Through lectures, demos and assignments students are exposed to and practice digital illustration skills for design, editorial, and animation. Emphasis is placed on the use of vector-based tools for artistic drawing and graphic design. Students explore the relationship of digital illustration with the field of Graphic Design, Animation and Fine Art.
Course Details:
  1. Strongly Recommended: ART 2A

English 1- Critical Reading and Composition

4 units
GE

General Education Course- see a counselor to choose the appropriate general education pattern and general ed course option for this term.

3 units
GE

Semester 2

15-16 units

DIGM 6A
Photoshop

3 units
Introduction to the use of Adobe Photoshop for retouching, editing, and compositing digital images. Students take their original photography and artistically adjust contrast, exposure, color balance, to create enhanced compositions. Students also take a number of images and composite images into an artistically balanced and well-designed composition.
Course Details:
  1. Strongly Recommended: PHOT 1A

DIGM 8A or DEIGM 7 (Choose one)

3 units

DIGM 8A
Graphic Design Studio

3 units
Graphic design studio focuses students on integrating principles of design, typography, art practice, and layout with digital tools to create design projects that are iteratively investigated, revised and artistically rendered. Students practice design creation using elements and principles of design. Students create, revise and present design projects using various digital tools and mediums.
Course Details:
  1. Strongly Recommended: DIGM 2
or

DIGM 7
Design and Layout

3 units
Design and Layout focuses on digital and print layouts using design elements and principles. Students create layouts using Gestalt principles, creative concepts, color separation and typography. The course explores the history of layout in various media, digital vs print process, copyright issues, and working with various printers for final project output.
Course Details:
  1. Strongly Recommended: DIGM 2

Math Course for General Education: see a counselor to choose the appropriate course.

3-4 units
GE

General Education Course- see a counselor to choose the appropriate general education pattern and general ed course option for this term.

3 units
GE

General Education Course- see a counselor to choose the appropriate general education pattern and general ed course option for this term.

3 units
GE

Semester 3

15-16 units

DIGM 5
Typography

3 units
Typography explores the art, process, and technical approach to ideating and producing successful typography for visual communication and design. Students use vector based tools to create, modify, place and design compositions using typography as the main design element. Topics include the anatomy, classification, legibility, meaning, readability, history, and historical changes of typography.
Course Details:
  1. Strongly Recommended: DIGM 2

Elective Course #1

3 units
Choose one course from the list of Major Electives below.
See the full list: (Click here)

General Education Course- see a counselor to choose the appropriate general education pattern and general ed course option for this term.

4 units
GE

General Education Course- see a counselor to choose the appropriate general education pattern and general ed course option for this term.

3 units
GE

Elective- see a counselor to choose a course that counts for elective units (can be any credit course).

2-3 units

Semester 4

14 units

Elective Course #2

3 units
Choose one course from the list of Major Electives below
See the full list: (Click here)

General Education Course- see a counselor to choose the appropriate general education pattern and general ed course option for this term.

3 units
GE

Elective- see a counselor to choose a course that counts for elective units (can be any credit course).

3 units

General Education Course- see a counselor to choose the appropriate general education pattern and general ed course option for this term.

3 units
GE

Elective- see a counselor to choose a course that counts for elective units (can be any credit course).

2 units

Major Electives

Choose 6 units from the following courses:

DIGM 7
Design and Layout

3 units
Design and Layout focuses on digital and print layouts using design elements and principles. Students create layouts using Gestalt principles, creative concepts, color separation and typography. The course explores the history of layout in various media, digital vs print process, copyright issues, and working with various printers for final project output.
Course Details:
  1. Strongly Recommended: DIGM 2

ART 25
Color Theory

3 units
A study of the principles, theories, and applications of additive and subtractive color in two dimensions. Topics will include major historical and contemporary color systems, production of projects in applied color, and the elements of design as they apply to color.

DIGM 8A
Graphic Design Studio

3 units
Graphic design studio focuses students on integrating principles of design, typography, art practice, and layout with digital tools to create design projects that are iteratively investigated, revised and artistically rendered. Students practice design creation using elements and principles of design. Students create, revise and present design projects using various digital tools and mediums.
Course Details:
  1. Strongly Recommended: DIGM 2

DIGM 8B
Graphic Design Studio II

3 units
Students are partnered with a volunteer client and work to ideate, create, revise and complete a graphic design project. Students experience the types of problems they would need to solve as professional graphic designers. Illustrates the needs that might be expressed by art directors, creative directors, and project leads, providing students with a process for meeting those needs.
Course Details:
  1. Prerequisite: DIGM 8A

DIGM 11
Video Editing

3 units
Introduction to the art of digital video editing using industry standard software. Students explore the theory and practice of various editing styles in order to gain a better understanding of how stories are constructed in the editing room. Through demonstrations and hands-on experience, students learn advanced editing techniques with an in-depth examination of the art of the edit. Strong emphasis is placed on post-production techniques that improve the sound and image quality of the videos.
Course Details:

DIGM 12A
Motion Graphics

3 units
Motion Graphics is an introductory course to motion graphics for students who have a strong foundation in typography and design. This course introduces the theories, techniques, and practices of motion graphics. Students use design elements and principles to create motion graphics that communicate a message or story. Vector graphics, photography, sound, video and animation are integrated together to design compelling motion graphics.
Course Details:
  1. Strongly Recommended: DIGM 11
  2. Strongly Recommended: DIGM 4A

DIGM 20
Digital Portfolio and Promotion

1.5 units
Development of an artist's/ designer's portfolio and strategies for self-promotion in the art and design industries. Students will work to revise existing projects, create advanced projects and select and organize projects for promotion. Includes use of effective techniques of presentation. Includes creation and revision of resume, business card, and template based website.
Course Details:
  1. Strongly Recommended: DIGM 8A

FILM 15
Introduction to Digital Filmmaking

3 units
Introduction to digital filmmaking as an artistic medium through lectures, screenings, demonstrations, and hands-on practicum. Critical analysis and appreciation of production elements and development of skills in pre-production planning, digital cinematography, direction of actors, sound design, art direction, and post-production.
Course Details:
  1. Strongly Recommended: FILM 14

FILM 16
Documentary Filmmaking

3 units
Introduction to documentary filmmaking and current techniques of digital documentary including, sound, video and mixed media documentary. Story basics, research, structure, objective/subjective approach, audio recording, shooting setups, interviewing, and rough-cut editing.
Course Details:
  1. Strongly Recommended: FILM 15
  • Transfers to CSU

    • PHOT 1A
    Digital Photography I

    3 units
    Introduction to the processes, principles, and tools of digital photography. Course provides an overview of digital camera functions for automatic and manual exposure, image creation and capture, file management, and image editing. Students may use any appropriate digital camera including; DSLR, mirrorless, point & shoot or smartphone. Topics include the development of technical and aesthetic skills, elements of design and composition, camera technology, materials and equipment, and contemporary trends in digital photography. May not receive credit if PHOT 50 has been completed successfully.
    Course Details:
  • Transfers to CSU
    • Total Units: 60-62 units
    This program map is not a guarantee of course availability or financial aid applicability.