Graphic Arts Curriculum

The Graphic Arts curriculum prepares students with the skills needed to become a visual communicator by creating visual concepts using the most current software applications and hands-on concepts. Students will learn to think critically and creatively while working to create visual messages that can be shared in meaningful ways through a variety of media and mediums. See your advisor for enrollment information and transfer institution requirements.

Graphic Arts Courses

Recommended Graphic Arts Courses:

Course Code
Course Title
Credit Hours
ARTS-110 Photography I 3
ARTS-140 Art History and Appreciation I 3
ARTS-142 Introduction to Design I 3
ARTS-144 Painting 3
ARTS-147 Drawing I 3
ARTS-150 Ceramics I 3
COMP-277 Desktop Publishing: Adobe InDesign 3
COMP-285

Desktop Photo Manipulation: Adobe Photoshop

3
COMP-286 Desktop Illustration: Adobe 3
COMP-296 Web Animation: Adobe Animate Illustrator 3

 Additional Courses

Emphasis Technical Electives

Course Code
Course Title
Credit Hours
COMP-284 Web Page Design: HTML & CSS 3
COMP-297

Web Page Design: Adobe Dreamweaver

3
COMP-291 Digital Media:  Adobe Premiere 3

 Emphasis Elective:

Course Code
Course Title
Credit Hours
ARTS-207 Sculpture I 3
ARTS-247 Drawing II 3
ARTS-250 Ceramics II 3

To complete an associate degree the program emphasis credit hours and the general education credit hours, which must be taken from the list approved by the General Education Committee, must total at least 64 credit hours.  Also see specific curriculum guides for program emphasis.  Certain general education courses are preferred for different programs. 

Description of Courses

COMP-161.  Computer Information Systems. 3 Hours.  In this course students will build their knowledge of key computer concepts including the functions of the Internet and web, computer systems and applications, and the range of ethical issues that continue to emerge our technology-driven society.

COMP-162.  Computer Concepts and Applications.  3 Hours. This course provides an introduction to computer concepts and terminology, information technology, and software applications used in business and industry.  Included are word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and presentation management.

COMP-190.  Microcomputer Applications I.  1-3 Hours.  Students receive hands-on experience with microcomputers while learning introductory theories and practical applications of a software program.  Software programs may include Windows, Word, Excel, Access, FrontPage, Internet and Web Design.

COMP-262.  Advanced Computer Concepts.   1 Hours. This course will enable the student to use advanced features of Excel for Accounting applications.  Prerequisite: Computer Concepts and Applications.  

COMP-277.  Desktop Publishing: Adobe InDesign.  3 Hours.  This course will expose students to InDesign, a comprehensive software program that allows students to create output-ready layouts for anything from a simple coupon to an 8-page newsletter to a 120-page full-color magazine.  This program interfaces seamlessly with Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.

COMP-284.  Web Page Design: HTML and CSS.  3 Hours.  This course introduces the student to the language of Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) and Cascading Styles Sheets (CSS) for creating structured Web pages that are compliant with current Web standards.  Students will create, publish, test and maintain Web pages.  

COMP-285.  Desktop Photo Manipulation: Adobe Photoshop.  3 Hours.  This course will expose students to a comprehensive understanding of Adobe Photoshop. Students will develop creative projects and dynamic Photoshop art through the coverage of basic to advanced Photoshop skills. 

COMP-286.  Desktop Illustration: Adobe Illustrator.  3 Hours.  This course will expose students to creative projects and complete coverage of basic to advanced Illustrator skills, helping students create polished, professional-looking illustrations.  Students will create everything from simple graphics, icons and text to complex and multilayered illustrations, all of which can be used within a page layout, in a multimedia presentation, or on the Web.

COMP-290.  Microcomputer Applications II.  1-3 Hours.  Students receive hands-on experience with microcomputers while learning advanced theories and practical applications of a software program.  Software programs may include Windows, Word, Excel, Access, FrontPage, Internet and Web Design.

COMP-291.  Digital Media: Adobe Premiere.  3 Hours.  This course will teach students how to create digital movies using Adobe Premiere software.  Students will learn how to capture and edit digital video and will learn creative ways to include digital videos in DVDs, web sites and other multimedia projects.  They will also learn how to:  assemble and edit a video sequence; enhance video with transitions, effect and titles; work with audio, capture video, and export a video.

COMP-296.  Web Animation: Adobe Animate.   3 Hours. This course will teach students how to use a multimedia authoring and computer animation program to create dynamic, compelling, and highly interactive Web content.  Students will use the animation program as a drawing tool, an animation environment, a programming language and a Web authoring package.  

COMP-297.  Web Page Design: Adobe Dreamweaver.  3 Hours.  The main purpose of this course is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of Adobe Dreamweaver and the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to create, edit and publish Web sites.