Graphic Design & Marketing AA Degree

Graphic Design & Marketing (GDM) is the vehicle by which business communicates visually by infusing art and technology to communicate ideas through images and other communication media. The graphic designer is often working closely with marketing to develop and implement branding strategies, communications, market development, and presence, including many other related business activities. A graphic designer who is familiar with marketing from a marketing point-of-view is better equipped to understand the role of graphic design as a vital component in the world of business. Students working toward their associate's degree in this program study computer graphic design for print, web, and video.

This cross-discipline program is designed to prepare students for employment in the diverse fields of Web Design, Graphic Design, Motion Graphics, and Interactive Multimedia. Career paths may also lead to working in advertising, marketing or independently. Careers in the discipline that generally require graduate-level degrees include college teacher, video editor, web developer, creative director, and art director. The graphic designer is often working closely with marketing departments in diverse industries to develop and implement branding strategies, communications, market development, and presence, including many other related business activities.

Learning Outcomes

Upon satisfactory completion of this program students will be able to:
  1. Employ research, ideation, development, analysis, and prototyping to solve a variety of business marketing problems.
  2. Combine appropriate aesthetic form and content to create evocative and engaging work.
  3. Create appropriate typographic solutions for a variety of design situations.
  4. Demonstrate proficiency with computers, software and production processes.
  5. Select appropriate tools, materials and processes for a range of media products.
  6. Work collaboratively within a creative team.
  7. Students will have the skills necessary to get entry level jobs or better in areas related to graphic design, marketing and advertising.
  8. Students will have the skills necessary to run their own design company.

Program Requirements 

Course Code Title Units
Required Core Courses
DDP 102Digital Illustration3
DDP 103Publication Design & Production3
DDP 110Graphic Design3
DDP 111Advertising Design3
DDP 112Digital Typography3
DDP 113Design for Social Change3
DDP 151User Experience Design3
DDP 095ADigital Design & Production Work Experience1
BUAC 020AFinancial Accounting3-4
or SOC 003 Fundamentals of Statistics
BUMA 027Marketing Principles3
Required Subtotal28-29
Cal-GETC 134
DEGREE TOTAL62-63
1

Units for the major may be double counted for Cal-GETC, confer with a Counselor.