Graphic Design Certificate of Achievement

Program Description:

This certificate program provides students with a strong foundation in the fundamental aspects of graphic design and digital media. Students develop creativity and ideation skills, learn to communicate their ideas effectively, and apply these skills to a wide range of design situations. The program is hands-on, integrating conceptual design studies with traditional and digital tools and production methods. The program goal is to provide the skills necessary to enter the field of graphic design, and related digital media occupations. Career titles in this field include the roles of Graphic Designer, Production Designer, UI/UX Designer, Visual Designer, Creative/Art Director, Multimedia/Marketing Designer, Web Designer, Multimedia Designer, Motion Graphics Designer, Package Designer, Textile and Industrial Designer, and Exhibition Designer.

At the completion of the Graphic Design certificate program, students will be able to:

• Combine appropriate aesthetic form and content to create evocative and engaging work. 
• Create appropriate typographic solutions for a variety of design situations
• Demonstrate proficiency with computers, software and production processes 
• Select appropriate tools, materials and processes for different digital media projects.
• Work collaboratively within a team as well as independently.
• Critically evaluate creative content using design principles and industry-specific terminology
• Develop a professional portfolio of work.

Please see attached file included in the supplementary file. 

Enrollment Completer Projects start on page 12 and are organized into tables. 

Also included in the attached Narrative PDF with Table of Contents:  Program Goal is on page 2. 

Solano Community College’s Graphic Design Certificate of Achievement is a professional certificate in the area of graphic design. Our AA (revised) will have the exact same pathway as the CTE certificate, plus the GE requirements. 

New emphasis pathways are currently being developed within the area of graphic design, digital illustration, and animation. In accordance with the Solano College mission to help students achieve their educational, professional, and personalgoals, the graphic design certificate would allow students to transform their lives with career and technical education through a certificate program that targets employment opportunities within the creative workforce sector in Solano County and beyond. As the sole community college within our county, Solano College must grow the program to keep up with the needs of this rapidly changing industry.

This program also seeks to provide educational opportunities for underserved demographics within our community by providing affordable education that is applicable towards creative occupations. Many of our students currently attend private/for-profit institutions for creative educational needs. We see a need for this kind of education within Solano County to provide transferable skills at a local institution. 

Please see attached PDF. Program requirements are on pages 5-8 of the PDF under Item 3 - Program Requirements. 

Also Included within the attached Narrative Template.  Program requirements are on page 6-7.