Mar 28, 2024  
2020-2021 SLCC General Catalog 
    
2020-2021 SLCC General Catalog [**** ATTENTION: YOU ARE VIEWING AN ARCHIVED CATALOG ****]

Visual Art & Design - Graphic Design Emphasis: AAS (CTE)


Associate of Applied Science | 64 credits

Visual Art & Design Division
South City Campus
General Information
801-957-4073
Program Information 801-957-3361
Program Website
Academic and Career Advising

Program Faculty
See program website

Visual Art & Design Department Concurrent Enrollment Liaison(s)
Trudy Richardson - Concurrent Enrollment Liaison, Instructor, BFA Drawing & Painting

Program Description
Students with an aptitude in creative problem solving, drawing, design, photography and/or computer related visual communication should consider this rapidly expanding and competitive field. The Visual Art & Design department allows students to specialize in the following areas: Animation, Game Development, Graphic Communications, Graphic Design, Illustration, Multimedia, Motion Graphics, Photography, and Web Design.

Students who elect to pursue an AAS Degree in Graphic Design will prepare themselves for entry-level work in various applications of visual art, graphic design and advertising. Integral parts of this program, which are necessary for employment in the graphic design field, include design creativity and proficiency in current computer programs.

Graphic designers are responsible for the creative concept, design, layout and execution of printed and digital materials such as ads, brochures, logos, annual reports, catalogs, signs, packaging, posters, mobile apps, banners, and websites, etc.

Career Opportunities
Students awarded a degree in Graphic Design may find jobs in a variety of industries such as: Graphic Design, Package Design, Advertising & Marketing, TV & Film, Book & Magazine Publishing, Printing, Paper, Web Design, Animation, Textile Design, Tradeshow & Exhibit Design, Game Design, Research and Public Relations, etc.

Positions may include: Creative Director, Art Director, Graphic Designer, Lettering Designer, Surface Pattern Designer, Web Designer, Mobile Publishing Designer, Production Artist, Production Manager, Prepress Department Technician, Paper Representative, Printing Representative, etc.

Transfer/Articulation Information
This AAS Degree is currently not transferable to four-year institutions; however, some of the General Education components are transferable. The Visual Art & Design/Graphic Design Program is committed to general and pre-professional programs and some credit may be granted by receiving institutions on a per case basis (See Utah System of Higher Education Institutions).

Estimated Cost for Students
Tuition and student fees: http://www.slcc.edu/student/financial/tuition-fees.aspx

Graphic Design students can expect to pay at least $1,000 for books, supplies, and course fees needed for class projects and portfolio development in this two-year program.

The Graphic Design & Communications program is committed to using Open Educational Resources (OER) whenever possible. The following classes are designated as being OER. They are free or low cost after tuition and course fees have been paid.

Graphic Design & Communications OER courses:

Estimated Time to Completion
Time to completion is four semesters (first year Fall/Spring & second year Fall/Spring) based on a full-time minimum of 15-18 credits per semester. Less than 15 credits per semester will increase the time to completion.

Program Entry Requirements
Required: High School Diploma or equivalent.
Recommended: Artistic and technical aptitude, familiarity with computers is essential.

Program Student Learning Outcomes Related College-Wide Student Learning Outcomes
  1 - Acquire substantive knowledge
2 - Communicate effectively
3 - Develop quantitative literacies
4 - Think critically and creatively
5 - Develop knowledge and skills to be civically engaged
6 - Develop the knowledge and skills to work with others in a professional and constructive manner
7 - Develop computer and information literacy

Through the successful completion of this degree students will be able to:

  • apply the principles and elements of design.
  • learn how the history, development and usage of typography affects current design.
  • apply the study of page layout used for real world design /layout jobs in advertising agencies, graphic design studios, commercial print companies, etc..

1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7

Through the successful completion of this degree students will be able to:

  • utilize traditional (hand rendered) mechanical skills and techniques as a means to complete preliminary thumbnail, intermediate and final conceptualization studies.
  • utilize traditional (hand rendered) representational, stylistic and figure drawing skills.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Through the successful completion of this degree students will be able to:

  • utilize technical computer software program skills and vocabulary needed in the design and printing industry.
  • utilize technical knowledge of paper, printing methods, color application, production and graphic standards.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Through the successful completion of this degree students will be able to:

  • prepare for personal responsibility, professional and constructive work habits.
  • utilize organizational and time/project management skills.
  • participate in positive communication with others, in order to discuss ideas, theories and opinions needed for effective business interaction.
  • implement the design process, brainstorming, planning and goal performance needed to produce effective presentations and comprehensive portfolio development.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

General Education Requirements


Core Skills


Composition (EN) 1 course


Quantitative Studies (QS) 1 course


Communication (CM) 1 course


Human Relations (HR) 1 course


Distribution Areas


Select 1 course from any of the Distribution Areas

Advising Notes


Students who need to take preparatory classes to meet the requirements of first semester courses should plan on extra time to complete the program.

It is the student’s responsibility to examine each course description for details of prerequisite classes. Those prerequisites must be satisfied before the designated class may be taken. All prerequisite courses must be completed with a C or better grade in order to continue in the program. A student may be dropped from a class if the prerequisite has not been completed. If progress is not deemed satisfactory, students will be counseled and/or given probationary status.

NOTE: Students or professionals wishing to register for a class in which a prerequisite class is required but has not been taken, should contact the instructor about acquiring possible approval to register for the class.

Students should check the semester class schedule on the Internet at www.slcc.edu for availability and modifications caused by varying enrollment. Required departmental classes are not offered every semester. To graduate in two years, students are encouraged to follow the recommended sequence.

Not all Visual Art & Design (ART) classes may be audited. This is especially true for any Visual Art & Design class that has a prerequisite (see course catalog for list of prerequisite classes). Auditing a prerequisite course does not guarantee that the student has mastered the required skills needed for the next level class. Some Visual Art & Design classes that have a prerequisite may be audited if the student can demonstrate an appropriate skill level to the instructor before registering for the class.

Students wishing to audit any Visual Art & Design (ART) class without officially completing a prerequisite class (with a ‘C’ grade or better) must obtain signed permission from the instructor or email authorization before registering for the class. Visual Art & Design (ART) classes that do not have a prerequisite may be audited as per the Auditing Classes guidelines listed in the SLCC catalog.

All students enrolled in the Visual Art & Design program automatically become members of SkillsUSA, sponsor of the Professional Development Program (PDP). This program is designed to promote leadership, communication, problem solving and skills necessary for employment. Students are encouraged to participate in competitions in their area of specialization.

For information on clubs or organizations within the Visual Art & Design Department, contact the advisor or instructors in the individual areas of specialization.

Additional Program Notes


For information about Student Resources such as Academic Links, Learning/Tutoring, Financial Information, General Resources, Services for Students, Student Life, Health & Recreation, Campus Life and other important information (Disclosures, Student Code of Conduct, Policies/Procedures, and Student Records, etc.) visit: https://www.slcc.edu/student/