Graphic Design (A.A.) +

About the Degree
Career Information
General Education Requirements 
Program Requirements  

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CCV’s Graphic Design program provides you with the design fundamentals and technical savvy you need to find employment in the creative field of commercial arts. You will study art, design, color, composition, typography and illustration, and learn to apply a variety of studio art and design skills within the context of a technical environment. You will develop a professional design portfolio and connect classroom learning with real-world expertise. As a graduate, you are prepared to enter the workforce or bachelor’s degree programs with a combination of strong technical and visual problem-solving skills, communication skills, knowledge of art and design principles, and competency in multi-media technology.

+This program can be completed fully online.

Program Outcomes

Graduates of the Graphic Design program will be able to:

• display technical skill in drawing and composition, applying principles of design and color to their work;
• demonstrate the ability to effectively employ key software applications used within the graphic design industry;
• create web pages that combine design principles and current relevant technologies;
• demonstrate familiarity with a variety of roles and functions within the design industry including clients, advertisers, art directors, designers, and producers;
• reflect critically and cogently on the use of graphic design as a powerful tool for self-expression, learning, persuasion, and collaboration;
• compile a portfolio of finished work that is displayed in a professional manner;
• demonstrate academic knowledge required of all CCV graduates, including competency in writing, information literacy, oral communication, and quantitative reasoning; and
• explore pathways for educational and career development in the student’s field of study. 

The Graphic Design program is great for you if:

• you want to turn your passion for art into a career;
• you enjoy using text and images to communicate a visual message;
• you currently work or have experience working in the graphic design field;
• you wish to create art using the computer as a tool;
• you are preparing for a career in advertising, publications, marketing, or web development;
• you wish to develop your talent to create satisfying and meaningful visual solutions for clients; and
• you have a good eye for aesthetics and wish to create designs that communicate in everything from websites to print advertising.

Key information and advice for students in the Graphic Design program:

• The courses in this program are widely available online and throughout the state and are often taught by professionals in the field.
• Transfer agreements make it possible to transfer easily to a number of four-year colleges.
• The Graphic Design degree provides practical experience with industry-standard computer graphic software.
• Students will learn multidisciplinary design skills that will help them to create visual solutions for their clients, whether in business, publishing, education, broadcasting, or the entertainment field.
• The required Portfolio & Project Development  course provides practical experience in the workplace and can be a stepping stone to employment in the Graphic Design field.
• The student will create a portfolio of work that can support application into a bachelor degree program or direct employment.
• The associate degree in Graphic Design is the perfect balance of liberal arts courses and workplace preparation that will allow students to further their education in a four-year program, or join the workforce at an entry level.

The Graphic Design program prepares you for careers such as:

• Graphic designer for a local newspaper
• Freelance graphic designer
• Graphic designer in a marketing firm or department
• Graphic designer at a communications agency
• Graphic designer at an advertising agency
• Graphic designer at a publishing company

Job outlook in Graphic Design in the state of Vermont:

Title	Median Salary	Projected Growth (10 Yrs)
Graphic Designer	$39,860	4%
Multimedia Artists and Animators	$34,990	no trend data
Web Developer	$45,000	16%

 

Source: Vermont Department of Labor, http://www.vtlmi.info/index.cfm

 

Transfer Options:

For more information about special transfer agreements between CCV and other colleges, visit our transfer page.

Visit www.vtcolleges.org to learn about additional bachelor degree options in Vermont.