Graphic Design and Photography
Associate of Arts (AA): Graphic Design Concentration Graphic Art & Design · Santa Barbara City College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Overview
The Graphic Design & Photography Department offers a two-year Associate in Arts Degree. The Associate in Arts Degree prepares a student for transfer to four year institutions such as: Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo; California State University, Long Beach; California State University, San José; California State University, Los Angeles, CalArts, CCA or OTIS. It also provides career technical training and education in creative problem-solving that can be used to qualify for jobs in the Graphic Design field after completion.
The goal of the Graphic Design curriculum is to develop creativity, conceptualization and problem-solving skills, as well as train in the tools of the industry. The program begins with a foundation in design elements and principles applied to digital and analog tools. Then proceeds to encourage students to “learn to see” and develop their skills in creating unique and interesting concepts and solutions. Digital tools instruction, design principles, creative thinking, and problem-solving techniques, as they apply to the graphic arts, give the student a strong foundation for entry into the workforce, and for advanced study at other colleges and universities. Students work in a state-of-the-art Digital Arts Center for hands-on digital tools training.
Graphic Design students create projects using all manner of digital tools that integrate typography, page layout, illustration, photography, and color management. The curriculum is based on the belief that the graphic designer is a visual and verbal communicator who is able to develop creative solutions for a variety of design and communication problems.
Requirements
Associate Degree Graduation Requirements
Complete all of the following:
- All Major Requirements listed below with a “C” or better or “P” in each course (at least 20% of the major requirements must be completed through SBCC).
- One of the following General Education options:
- OPTION 1: SBCC General Education pattern OR
- OPTION 2: Cal-GETC pattern
- A minimum of 60 semester units of degree-applicable college credit (SBCC courses numbered 100 and higher and C1000 and higher).
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher in degree-applicable coursework.
- A minimum of 12 units through SBCC.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements | ||
| Required Core | ||
| GDP 110 | Media Design | 3 |
| GDP 111 | Introduction to Graphic Design | 3 |
| GDP 112 | Digital Literacy for Media Artists and Designers | 3 |
| orGDP 116 | History of Graphic Design | |
| GDP 113 | Typography | 3 |
| GDP 114 | Intermediate Graphic Design | 3 |
| GDP 118 | Creative Thinking | 3 |
| GDP 212 | Graphic Design II | 3 |
| GDP 215 | Publication Design | 3 |
| GDP 230 | Portfolio | 3 |
| List A - Complete one course from the following: | 3 | |
| ART 193 | Beginning Printmaking: Silkscreen | |
| MAT 153 | Web Design I | |
| PHOT 109 | Introduction to Photography | |
| Total Units | 30.00 | |
Strongly Recommended
Learning Outcomes
- Apply design principles to both print and screen layouts.
- Demonstrate proficiency using industry-standard software to produce graphic design layouts that are print-ready digital files.
- Define professional terminology for the graphic design and print industry.
- Demonstrate a sense of aesthetics for design and typography in the visual communication field.
- Identify and apply their creative abilities to communicate ideas with confidence.
- Demonstrate effective evaluation techniques, such as critiquing, to test and revise ideas and designs.
- Develop professional quality design concepts and layouts.
Recommended Sequence
Make an appointment with your SBCC academic counselor through Starfish to create a Student Education Plan that reflects a recommended course sequence for this program that is tailored to your individual needs.
How to schedule an Academic Counseling appointment.