Graphic Design, AAS

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The Graphic Design AAS degree program is closely aligned with local business to understand their current “real world” requirements by developing the needed skills in our students. Classes provide students with design skills, web and print software 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 mid-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, traditional and digital illustration, digital image editing, and page layout.

Students will start the Fall semester after completing required application steps. Spring and summer courses are offered for students wanting to pre-start the program.

For more information about the Graphic Design program, please visit our website at https://www.dmacc.edu/Programs/graphicdesign/Pages/welcome.aspx.

Program Details

Location: Ankeny

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.

Program Entry Requirements

Complete an application for admission.
Satisfy the assessment requirements.
Attend a required Graphic Design program information session.

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.

Semester 1

SDV 108 - The College Experience Credits: 1
GRT 404 - Intro to Visual Communications Credits: 2
GRD 415 - InDesign I Credits: 3
GRD 410 - Illustration I Credits: 3
GRD 459 - Illustrator Credits: 3
Any AAS degree core Communications course Credits: 3

Semester 2

GRD 403 - Communication Design I Credits: 3
GRD 405 - Typography I Credits: 3
GRD 430 - InDesign II Credits: 3
GRD 463 - Photoshop Credits: 3
Any AAS degree core Math course Credits: 3

Semester 3

GRD 411 - Communication Design II Credits: 3
GRD 470 - Interactive Media I Credits: 3
WDV 101 - Intro HTML and CSS Credits: 3
AAS degree core Social Behavioral Sciences/Humanities course Credits: 3

Semester 4

GRT 400 - Intro to Printing Methods Credits: 4
GRD 404 - Typography II Credits: 3
GRD 421 - Internship Preparation Credits: 3
GRD 426 - Communication Design III Credits: 3
GRD 471 - Interactive Media II Credits: 3

Semester 5

GRD 424 - Graphic Design Internship Credits: 3
GRD 437 - Communication Design IV Credits: 3
GRD 464 - Digital Artistry Credits: 3
AAS degree Distributed core course Credits: 3
Select 3 credits from Option 1 courses Credits: 3

Option 1 - Select 1 Course

ART 184 - Principles of Photography Credits: 3
ART 186 - Principles Digital Photograph Credits: 3
Any GRD course not in the program Credits: 3

Any WDV course not in the program Credits: 3

Any MKT course not in the program Credits: 3

Any MMS course not in the program Credits: 3

Total Minimum Credits Required to Complete this Program - Graphic Design Concentration - 73

Fixed Costs

Tuition……………………………………………………………………………………..$156.00 per credit

The costs for each program are estimates and subject to change.

Varied Costs

Costs	Semester 1	Semester 2	Semester 3	Semester 4	Semester 5	Semester 6
Books (approximate)	175-200	260-310	30-140	120-300	70-400	200-300
Supplies	20	20	20	50-400	100
External Hard Drive Recommended, but optional	100
Macintosh Computer	1500
Design Software (Monthly Subscription)	20	20	20	20	20	20
Portfolio					100-200

Note: Financial aid may be used to purchase a computer. Apply for financial aid by completing the Free Application for Student Financial Aid (FAFSA) online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

Approximate total for Graphic Design AAS: $14,273 - $15,518**

**Program entry requirements are not included in the total approximate cost.

What Kind of Work Will You Do?

Develop the overall layout and production of magazines, newspapers, journals and corporate reports.
Design web pages, interactive media and multimedia projects.
Produce promotional displays, packaging and marketing brochures for products and services.
Create distinctive logos and brands for a variety of businesses and services.
Develop signs and signage systems for business and government.

What Skills and Abilities Will You Need?

Artistic talent and creativity.
Ability to conceptualize and effectively use design elements and principles.
Design for multichannel media.
Work long hours on a computer using specialized design software.
Accurately follow project specifications.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Present your ideas, designs and proposals to prospective clients and supervisors.
Teamwork, collaboration and the ability to take art direction from supervisors, clients and coworkers to improve your work.
Manage your time to meet established deadlines while working on more than one project at a time and stay within project budget.
Possess critical thinking skills and creative problem-solving skills in order to assess a client’s needs and develop a design strategy.

What Else Should I Consider about this Degree program?

Must be able to work under pressure to meet deadlines.
Must learn and use multiple software applications and stay current with updates, adapt to change and be able to learn on your own.
Must be able to sit at a computer for long periods of time.
Must be self-motivated to develop an effective job search strategy to secure a position in this very competitive job market.
Anticipated average starting salary $33,000 (2014-2015 Placement Report).

Nondiscrimination Statement

DMACC offers career and technical programs in the following areas of study:

Agriculture, National & Environmental Services /Architecture, Engineering, and Construction/Arts, Design, and Visual communications/Business, Management, and Marketing/Education, Public, and Human Services/Health Science/Hospitality and Culinary/Information Technology/Manufacturing/Transportation & Logistics

Des Moines Area Community College shall not engage in nor allow discrimination covered by law against any person, group or organization. This includes in its programs, activities, employment practices, hiring practices or the provision of services, and harassment or discrimination based on race, color, national origin, creed, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, age (in employment), disability, genetic information (in employment) and actual or potential parental, family or marital status of a person. Veteran status in educational programs, activities, employment practices, or admission procedures is also included to the extent covered by law.

Individuals who believe they have been discriminated against may file a complaint through the College Discrimination Complaint Procedure. Complaint forms may be obtained from the Campus Provost’s office, the Academic Deans’ office, the Judicial Officer, or the EEO/AA Officer, Human Resources. ADA questions and concerns may be directed to the Section 504/ADA Coordinator at 2006 S. Ankeny Blvd, Bldg 6, Ankeny, IA 50023, phone 515/964-6857, sgbittner@dmacc.edu. Title IX questions and concerns may be directed to the Title IX Coordinator at 2006 S. Ankeny Blvd, Bldg 1, Ankeny, IA 50023, phone 515/964-6216, title9@dmacc.edu. Question or complaints about this policy may be directed to the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, Citigroup Center, 500 W. Madison, Suite 1475, Chicago, IL 60661, phone 312/730-1560, tax 312/730-1576..

Legal references: Iowa Code §§ 216.6 and 216.9, Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S. C. §§ 2000d and 2000e), the Equal Pay Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. § 206, et seq.), Title IX (Educational Amendments, 20 U.S. C. §§ 1681-1688), Section 504 (Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S. C. § 794), and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. § 12101, et seq.).₍₂₀₁₈₎