Graphic Design
A.A. Degree Art · Santa Ana College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Program Code: SAC.ARTGD.AA
Program Control Number: 10665
The associate degree curriculum in Graphic Design prepares students for entry into the broad field of visual communication, with an emphasis on the development of problem solving in the practical application of graphic design. These applications include design for the print media, advertising, architectural and environmental graphics, packaging, logos, corporate identity, the web and other electronic media, using both digital media tools as well as traditional hand skills. Completion of this associate degree provides for entry into a profession in a variety of areas: e.g., advertising agency, printing house, design studio, freelance work and related businesses.
This program plan is designed with transfer preparation to a 4-year university in mind.
Please consult www.assist.org and meet with a counselor for information about courses for specific universities.
Learning Outcome(s):
- Express through written research an understanding of the history of graphic design.
- Create for an audience unique conceptual graphics that carry messages and meaning through visual symbolism.
- Utilize professional software to design graphics with destination output in mind, addressing issues of file types, resolution, color profiles, and multiple media applications.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation | 15 | |
| ART 195 | Introduction to Digital Media Arts | 3 |
| DM 121A | Fundamentals of Typography | 3 |
| ART 122 | Graphic Design I | 3 |
| ART 130 | Introduction to Drawing | 3 |
| ART 110 | Two-Dimensional Design | 3 |
| History & Appreciation | 3-6 | |
| ART 100 | Introduction to Art Concepts | 3 |
| orART 100H | Honors Introduction to Art Concepts | 3 |
| ARTH C1100 | Survey of Art from Prehistory to the Medieval Era | 3 |
| ARTH C1200 | Survey of Art from the Renaissance to Contemporary | 3 |
| ART 103 | Arts of Africa, Oceania, and Indigenous North America | 3 |
| ART 104 | Mexican and Chicano Art History | 3 |
| ART 105 | History of Modern Art | 3 |
| DM 107 | History of Animation | 3 |
| Electives | 3-7 | |
| DM 121B | Advanced Typography | 3 |
| ART 193 | Motion Graphics with Adobe After Effects | 3 |
| DM 164 | Web Design | 3 |
| Digital Illustration I | 3 | |
| ART 162 | Digital Illustration I | 3 |
| orDM 162 | Digital Illustration I | 3 |
| Digital Illustration II: Advanced Topics | 3 | |
| ART 192A | Digital Illustration II: Advanced Topics | 3 |
| orDM 192A | Digital Illustration II: Advanced Topics | 3 |
| ART 191A | Layout Design | 3 |
| CMSD 123A | News Media Production | 4 |
| CMSD 105 | Mass Media and Society | 3 |
| orCMSD 105H | Honors Mass Media and Society | 3 |
| ART 131 | Beginning Life Drawing | 3 |
| ART 140A | Watercolor Painting | 2 |
| ART 141 | Beginning Painting | 3 |
| PHOT 180 | Beginning Photography | 3 |
| ART 009 | Art Lab | 0.5 |
| ART 111 | Three-Dimensional Design | 3 |
| Capstone | 2 | |
| ART 168 | Graphic Design II: Branding & Identity | 2 |
| Total | 23-30 | |