Graphic Design
13 courses · Rio Hondo College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Summer 2026 · Fall 2026 · Spring 2027
GDSN 110 History of Graphic Design
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is a survey of historical developments in graphic design from the Industrial Revolution to the Digital Age. Students will analyze the development of graphic design, its origins as a career [and] technical education (CTE) area, and the influences of the political, social, and economic climates of the different historical periods. The course provides a historical framework for analyses of current and future trends in graphic design, and explores various historical art and design movements in order to recognize and evaluate the contexts of fine art, design, and science.
GDSN 150 Typography
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 Lecture, 72 Lab
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.; NART 285
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is intended for students interested in the history, theory and practice of typography as it applies to graphic design, advertising, and other areas of design and visual communication. Students learn and practice hand-rendered and mechanical aspects of typography, and how typography attracts, informs, educates, inspires, and creates retaining impressions—as well as how typography modifies human actions and behavior. Through discussions, exercises, and projects, students develop an understanding leading to clearer interpretations of typography and its role in human history, communication, design, and art. Activities include the history and principles of typography, letter structure, typeface selection, fundamentals of typesetting and introductory typographic layout.
GDSN 151 Typographic Design
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 Lecture, 72 Lab
- Prerequisite
- GDSN 150
- Advisory
- NART 285
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is intended for students interested in the theory and practice of letterforms and typography as they apply to graphic design, advertising, and other areas of design and visual communication. Focus is placed on the compositional use of type as a principal design element and its relationship to issues of visual hierarchy, readability, and page structure. Students continue their exploration of typography as an expressive visual form through typographic design projects.
GDSN 162 Introduction to Web Design: User Experience Design (UX)
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 Lecture, 72 Lab
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.; NART 285
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This introductory web design course is a practical introduction for students interested in user experience (UX) and visual interface design, and the challenges they pose for graphic designers. Using web design applications (like Adobe Dreamweaver and Photoshop), students are introduced to the steps involved in creating a basic, functional, and interactive website. Topics include aesthetic design considerations, front-end technology, interaction, UX, user interface (UI) and cascading style sheets (CSS) design, file optimization, and website principles and practices. This course is for students interested in a degree or certificate in graphic design and those interested in web design and interactive design.
GDSN 163 Intermediate Web Design: Interactive Design
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 Lecture, 72 Lab
- Prerequisite
- GDSN 162
- Advisory
- NART 285
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Focusing on usability, this intermediate class offers broader and more advanced instruction related to the "front-end" visual design and aesthetics of interactive media, as well as the technical and design requirements of designing a fully functional website. Using intermediate web design applications (like Adobe Dreamweaver), students are instructed in the techniques needed to maximize the quality of user experience (UX). Students continue to perfect the creation of a fully functional website using multifaceted applications. Topics include interactive design software, front-end aesthetics, technology, interaction, UX, user interface (UI) and cascading style sheets (CSS) design, the principles and elements of digital design and aesthetics, and interactive design business practices. This course is for students interested in a degree or certificate in graphic design and those interested in expanding their knowledge of web design and interactive design.
GDSN 164 Digital Illustration Design
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 Lecture, 72 Lab
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.; NART 285
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This introductory course is an introduction to graphic design and uses vector software (like Adobe Illustrator) as the principal digital tool. Topics include the principles and elements of design, typography, color, shape stroke, illustration techniques, page layout design, as well as introductory critical concepts and professional practices employed by graphic designers. This course includes exercises, projects, and portfolio building with an emphasis on professional standards. This course is for students interested in a degree or certificate in graphic design as well as those interested in 2-dimensional (2D) design and layout applications employed as tools by graphic designers.
GDSN 165 Branding and Identity Design
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 Lecture, 72 Lab
- Prerequisite
- GDSN 164
- Advisory
- NART 285
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course is an exploration of branding and identity design, a sub-discipline of graphic design. Topics include the research and development of trademarks and logos for clients, the principles and elements of design, typography, color, shape stroke, illustration techniques, and page layout design, as well as intermediate and advanced critical concepts and professional practices employed by graphic designers. This course includes portfolio building with an emphasis on professional standards. This course is for students interested in a degree or certificate in graphic design as well as those interested in 2-dimensional (2D) design and layout applications employed as tools by graphic designers.
GDSN 172 Publication Design
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 Lecture, 72 Lab
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.; NART 285
- Transfers to
- CSU
This introductory course is an exploration of publication design, a sub-discipline of graphic design and uses page-layout software (like Adobe InDesign) as the principal digital tool. Topics include the principles and elements of design, page composition, creative use of typography, color, imagery and the grid, and discussion of output and pre-press considerations for print and digital distribution, as well as current methods and styles, critical concepts, and professional practices employed by graphic designers. This course includes portfolio building, with an emphasis on professional standards.
GDSN 174 Packaging Design
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 Lecture, 72 Lab
- Prerequisite
- GDSN 164
- Advisory
- NART 285
- Transfers to
- CSU
In this introductory course, students will use software applications employed as tools by graphic designers for 2-dimensional (2D) and 3-dimensional (3D) surfaces. The course is a project-driven exploration of packaging design, which is defined as stylized functional design for carrying, protecting, or presenting a product. Topics include the principles and elements of design, current technical and creative methods and styles employed by package designers, sustainability, advanced critical concepts, and professional practices. This course includes portfolio building, with an emphasis on professional standards.
GDSN 178 Digital Imaging Design
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 Lecture, 72 Lab
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.; NART 285
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- ARTS 250
This introductory graphic design course uses bitmap software as the principal digital tool. Topics include the principles and elements of design, typography, color, photo/raster/bitmapped-based scanning, vector graphic integration, time-based design, image formats, optimization, retouching, adjustments, compositing, blending, color, conceptual, narrative and time-based techniques, technical and creative methods and styles employed by graphic designers, introductory critical concepts, and professional practices. The course includes exercises, projects, and portfolio building, with an emphasis on professional standards. This course is for students interested in obtaining a degree or certificate in graphic design or transfer, and those seeking to pursue a career in graphic design or related professions.
GDSN 179 Advanced Digital Imaging Design
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 Lecture, 72 Lab
- Prerequisite
- GDSN 178
- Advisory
- NART 285
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is for students interested in a degree in graphic design and/or those interested in advanced 2-dimensional (2D) design and layout applications employed as tools by graphic designers. This course is an advanced, project-driven exploration of graphic design, and uses 2D design and layout application software (like Adobe Photoshop) as the principal digital tool. Topics include photo montage, compositing, collage, advanced conceptual and narrative techniques, current technical and creative methods and styles employed by graphic designers, advanced critical concepts, and professional practices. The course includes portfolio building, with an emphasis on professional standards.
GDSN 290 Work Experience Education/Internship For Graphic Design-Related Fields
- Units
- 1-4
- Hours
- 3 Lecture, 54-216 Lab
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.; NART 285
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course supports and reinforces on-the-job training in business and industrial establishments under the supervision of a college instructor. Training is informed by learning objectives. Students work in a skilled or professional-level assignment in their area of vocational interest, and meet performance objectives related to instruction that are above and beyond the conditions of regular employment. This course is intended for students whose job is related to the field of graphic design and have completed or enrolled in the appropriate coursework. The course may be taken once and repeated for a maximum of 16 units. Contact the Work Experience Education Office regarding re-enrollment procedures.
GDSN 299 Directed Study in Graphic Design
- Units
- 1-3
- Hours
- 54-162 Lab
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.; NART 285
- Transfers to
- CSU
Independent Study/Directed Study is intended for students who have the ability to assume responsibility for independent work and to prepare written or oral reports and/or appropriate projects. To enroll in an Independent Study/Directed Study course, students must possess a 2.5 overall grade point average or a 3.0 grade point average in the discipline of study being requested, or receive an exception from the instructor. Independent Studies/Directed Studies may be developed from any topic arising from or related to a course of study that will result in developing depth and breadth in that subject area. Students are expected to meet on a regular basis with their faculty sponsor and submit a final report or project, and student progress is evaluated at regular intervals. Academic standards for Independent Studies/Directed Studies are the same as those for other courses. Units are awarded in accordance to Title 5 regulations, with one unit of credit awarded for 54 hours of Directed Studies, 6 hours of which must be with an instructor. The instructor is responsible for monitoring student progress throughout the semester. Students may take directed study courses for a maximum of 3 units within a discipline, and may not accumulate more than a total of 9 units college wide.