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Graphic Design, AAS

Graphic Design, AAS
Manchester Community College NH > Programs > Graphic Design, AAS
Overview
Curriculum
Outcomes
Overview

Overview

Watch the video and click on the tabs to learn more. Hint! Some tabs may be hidden. Click on the right green arrow to scroll.

Introduction to Graphic Design

The Graphic Design Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree program provides you with a comprehensive educational experience that develops creativity, technical expertise and professional industry knowledge. The program’s curriculum integrates theory and practice that fosters your ability to create expressive, effective visual communication.

As you progress through the coursework, you will gain proficiency in traditional media and cultivate computer design skills, analytical skills and critical thinking. The curriculum is supplemented with guest lecturers, service learning projects, internships and other experiential learning opportunities.

During your studies, you will create a well-rounded, professional digital portfolio that showcases a variety of skills and projects and includes a resume, contact information and references. The program concludes with capstone courses where you will explore career opportunities in graphic design and apply newly acquired skills and professional job attitudes.

Degree & Certificate Options

When you study Graphic Design at MCC, you have the following degree and certificate training options. Follow the link below for more information about earning a certificate.

  • Graphic Design Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree
  • Graphic Design Certificate

Program Goal

The mission of the Graphic Design program is to provide students with a solid foundation in design education for entry-level careers and/or transfer to 4-year institutions.

Curriculum

Curriculum

You have the option to complete the degree fully on campus, fully online, or using a hybrid of both modalities.

Admission Requirements

In addition to college-wide admissions requirements, you must have:

  • An interview with the Graphic Design Program Coordinator prior to admission to the program
  • An Adobe Creative Cloud Subscription
  • A computer / laptop that supports Creative Cloud system requirements

Successful candidates to this program also have these skills:

  • Sufficient speech and language ability to express, comprehend and exchange information and ideas verbally and non-verbally and to interact clearly and logically with professors, peers and clients.
  • Eye-hand coordination to perform intensive project construction.
  • Maturity to accept critique of work and perform changes based on constructive criticism.
  • Capacity to work in teams to solve design problems.
  • Ability to meet deadlines under stressful conditions.

Incoming Transfer Policy

Appropriate transfer credits for courses within the major may be accepted within a five-year time frame. Transfer of courses more than five years old will be evaluated by the Department Chair on an individual basis.

Curriculum: Required Courses

Total Credits:
63

Course Sequencing

Degree Program – First Year

Item #
Title
Credits
GDES110M
Page Layout and Design
3
GDES114M
Graphic Design I
3
GDES115M
Digital Imaging
3
ARTS123M
Drawing I
3
ENGL110XM or ENGL110M +
4

ENGL110XM or ENGL110M

Total Credits: 4


ENGL110XM
College Composition I with Corequisite
5
ENGL110M
College Composition I
4
FYE100M
MCC Essentials
1

Item #
Title
Credits
GDES122M
Color Theory for Graphic Design
3
GDES124M
Typography
3
GDES150M
Digital Publishing Methods
3
GDES155M
Computer Illustration
3
ENGL113M
Introduction to Public Speaking
3
Social Science Elective (3 credits) +
3

Social Science Elective (3 credits)

Total Credits: 3

(ANTH, ECON, GEOG, HIST, POLS, PSYC, SOCI)


Degree Program – Second Year

Item #
Title
Credits
GDES210M
History of Graphic Design
3
GDES205M
Visual Design
3
GDES213M
Graphic Design II
3
GDES229M
Professional Practice for Graphic Design
3
MATH145M or MATH200M +
4

MATH145M or MATH200M

Total Credits: 4


MATH145M
Quantitative Reasoning
4
MATH145XM
Quantitative Reasoning – Corequisite
5
MATH200M
Finite Mathematics
4

Item #
Title
Credits
GDES225M
Graphic Design III
3
GDES228M
Graphic Design Experiential Learning
3
Science Elective (3 credits) +
3

Science Elective (3 credits)

Total Credits: 3

(BIOL, CHEM, ENVS, ESCI, GEOL, PHYS)


Foreign Language/Humanities/Fine Arts Elective +
3

Foreign Language/Humanities/Fine Arts Elective

Total Credits: 3

Foreign Language/Humanities Elective/Fine Arts Elective:

  • Fine Arts Elective: any course with the academic subject code of ARTS and GDES114M, GDES115M GDES155M.
  • Foreign Language Elective: ASL110M, ASL120M, FREN110M, SPAN110M, SPAN120M
  • Humanities Elective: includes any course with the academic subject code of HUMA or PHIL as well as the following: HIST120M, HIST130M, ENGL113M, ENGL200M, ENGL200AM, ENGL201M, ENGL203M, ENGL204M, ENGL207M, ENGL208M, ENGL209M, ENGL210M, ENGL213M, ENGL214M, ENGL218M, ENGL220M, ENGL224M, ENGL227M, ENGL228M, ENGL229M, ENGL235M, ENGL248M, ENGL258M, ENGL288M

Total Credits:
63

Outcomes

Outcomes

Aquired Skills

After earning your Graphic Design degree you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate proficiency with graphic design principals and elements including color and type.
  • Show the ability to conceptualize design solutions.
  • Possess a skill-set of digital tools used in graphic design software.
  • Showcase the capability to learn and create in a progressive digital environment.
  • Exhibit evidence of verbal and visual presentation skills.

Employment Opportunities

Graduates of the Graphic Design program will possess the skills and knowledge to obtain entry-level positions in advertising agencies, printing companies, publishing firms and companies that maintain in-house design departments in positions such as:

  • Advertising
  • Digital Media Specialist
  • Editorial Design
  • Entry-Level Graphic Design
  • Freelance Graphic Design
  • Packaging Design
  • Social Media Design
  • Surface Pattern Design

Potential Salary*

There is a wide range of jobs in the design industry. See below for the average annual salary range in central NH for a Graphic Designer.

ENTRY-LEVELMID-RANGEEXPERIENCED
$31,369$53,308$107,225

*Career Coach 2024

Outgoing Transfer Opportunities

Graduates of MCC’s Graphic Design A.A.S. degree program have successfully transferred to:

  • Keene State College
  • Maine College of Art
  • Plymouth State University
  • Southern New Hampshire University
  • University of New Hampshire
  • UMass Lowell
  • …and many more!

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Manchester Community College
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Manchester, NH 03102
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