Visual Communications, Diploma

Program Details

Semester 1

• GRT 404 - Intro to Visual Communication Credits: 2
• GRD 410 - Illustration I Credits: 3
• GRD 415 - InDesign I Credits: 3
• GRD 459 - Illustrator Credits: 3
• SDV 108 - The College Experience Credits: 1
• 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
• Any AAS degree core Social Behavioral Sciences/Humanities course  Credits: 3

Total Credits Required to Complete this Diploma - 42

Fixed Costs

Tuition……………………………………………………………………………………..$160.00 per credit

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

Varied Costs

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 program: $9,035 - $9,220**

**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 Diploma 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.

Program Competencies

1. Communicate information using industry terminology and methods used in a work environment.
2. Perform the following skills: listening, writing, presenting, critiquing, leadership and teamwork.
3. Create a design solution to meet a client’s specific need.
4. Evaluate complex graphic communications problems using a design process and principles.
5. Produce one color or multi-color projects utilizing current software and media methods for print and digital production.
6. Apply time management methods to meet project deadline.

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₎