Graphic Design, AAS

(previously Commercial Art)
Initially, students will be admitted to the Visual Communications diploma program. After Semester 2 of the Visual Communications diploma program, students will be required to apply to the Graphic Design AAS degree program. Students must submit a portfolio and obtain a satisfactory score and complete the Visual Communications diploma or receive program chair permission. Students will start the Fall semester by choosing a Graphic Design or Web Design concentration.

If you want to take your passion for art and design to the next level, the Graphic Design AAS degree program is closely aligned with local business to understand their “real world” needs and develop those skills in our students. Our classes provide students with design skills, web and print software skills, video production skills and professional work practices needed to get a position in this highly competitive field.

Although most graduates who gain employment begin in entry-level positions, hard-working and talented students have started as high-level designers and owners of successful freelance businesses. The Graphic Design program prepares students to find employment with advertising agencies, corporate design departments, web design companies, book and magazine publishing, digital media companies, graphic design firms, printing companies, newspapers and marketing firms. Upon completion of the program, graduates will have taken courses in communication design, web design, typography, illustration, digital imaging, page layout and digital file preparation.

For more information about the Graphic Design program, please visit our website at www.dmacc.edu/programs/commercialart.

Location: Ankeny

Program Entry Requirements

1. Complete an application for admission.
2. Satisfy the assessment requirement by taking all three sections of the COMPASS test and:
3. Obtain a minimum COMPASS Reading score of 61 or a minimum ACT Reading score of 14.
4. Obtain a minimum COMPASS Pre-Algebra score of 25 or a minimum ACT Math score of 14.
5. Obtain a minimum COMPASS English score of 42 or a minimum ACT Writing score of 14.
6. Attend a required Graphic Design program information session.
7. Obtain a satisfactory score on a portfolio evaluation.
8. Recommended: Basic Microsoft Office skills or BCA 212  or Basic Macintosh or Adobe Creative Suite skills or GRD 301 .

Students start Fall semester. This is a full-time program.

To complete this program, students must take daytime classes; not all classes are offered at night.

Graduation Requirements

To earn a Graphic Design AAS degree, a student must complete all coursework as prescribed and maintain a 2.0 grade point average. Students are required to produce a portfolio of graphic design work that demonstrates their ability to conceptualize and produce a variety of creative and effective multichannel communication collateral and to attend the Portfolio Day event.