Certificate of Completion | 30 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
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, Graphic Design, Illustration, Multimedia, Photography, Web Design, and Graphic Communications Technologies.
Students who elect to pursue a Certificate of Completion in Graphic Communications Technologies will prepare themselves for entry level work in the graphic communications industry (printing). In this certificate program students use standard software programs, basic printing techniques, and technical procedures to prepare materials for both traditional publishing (printing) and new digital publishing technologies (tables and digital devices).
The Graphic Communications CC has been aligned to be the first year of both the Graphic Communications AS and Graphic Design AAS so that students may explore the graphics industry during their first year and then choose a pathway to completion. Students wishing to enter the workforce should complete the Graphic Design AAS. Students wishing to transfer should complete the Graphic Communications AS.
Career Opportunities
Upon completion of this certificate, students may find entry-level design and layout positions in the Graphic Communications industry including but not limited to printing, publishing, and web design related careers. Students may elect to work in customer service, sales, production coordination, estimating, or prepress, etc…
Gainful Employment
Students who complete the Graphic Communications Certificate of Completion have the foundation skills necessary to work in a wide variety of graphic arts related career paths that range from prepress/production artists at a commercial printing facility to graphic designers. According to Utah’s Department of Workforce Services (DWS) job outlooks in those fields have a healthy to higher than average job growth rate.
Utah graphic designers and art directors have a median hourly income of $21.97/hr. and $44.75/hr respectively. DWS predicts 170 annual graphic designer job openings due mostly in part to industry growth and business expansion. The report also notes stiff competition for those job openings and recommends candidates have the skills needed to design for various forms of media including print publications and websites. The structure of the Graphic Communications CC allows students to learn through a variety of output mediums including running printing presses, making websites, designing apps, etc…
Information used in this summary was pulled from the Utah Department of Workforce Services website on September 20th, 2019. More detailed information on national trends in graphic design can be found on https://designcensus.org/.
Transfer/Articulation Information
This certificate is currently not transferable to four-year institutions; however, it has been aligned to match the first year of the Graphic Communications AS degree which is transferable. Students wishing to transfer to a 4-year college or university should continue on and complete the Graphic Communications AS degree. A program-level articulation agreement between SLCC and the University of Utah is in place for students interested in transferring into the University of Utah’s Graphic Design BFA program. Students must complete the classes recommended for U of U transfer to abide by the articulation agreement. Students should work with department faculty and SLCC/U of U advisors to ensure they are on pace for graduation/transfer. Please see the Graphic Communications AS program information for complete details on the SLCC Graphic Communications AS to University of Utah Graphic Design BFA articulation agreement.
Estimated Cost for Students
Tuition and student fees: http://www.slcc.edu/student/financial/tuition-fees.aspx
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. Students may need or elect to take classes that are not on the list below. Those classes may have required textbooks and supplies. The total program cost will vary depending on which classes students choose to take. On average students should expect to spend about $500 on books and supplies.
Graphic Design & Communications OER courses:
Course fees are approximately $150 depending on chosen electives. Students who choose to take online classes will be assessed additional online class course fees. Course fees are used for maintenance and upgrade of:
- Press Equipment and Supplies
- Computers, software and supplies
- Servers, hosting, and storage space
Estimated Time to Completion
Time to completion is 2 semesters based on a full-time minimum of 15 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 |
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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 |
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Through the successful completion of this certificate students will be able to:
- read and comprehend selected educational materials relevant to current printing industry trends
- read and comprehend selected educational materials relevant to the history and establishment of the printing industry
- understand and adhere to proper safety regulations for working in an OSHA compliant environment
- create comprehensive print-ready and digital publication files that meet industry standards
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1
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- create a detailed checklist of the information needed to create print-ready and digital project files
- participate in both in-class and online discussions using proper grammar and well-thought-out responses
- prepare and present new ideas and concepts to a group of students through class presentations and group work
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2, 6
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- prepare artwork for print and digital outputs from design through file preparation using industry standard software
- output projects using multiple printing processes including but not limited to digital, offset, and screen printing
- prepare artwork as color separations, knock outs, overprints, and with variable data when applicable
- safely operate printing press equipment, print, and finish projects
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3, 7
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- use critical thinking skills to prepare complex impositions, die lines, and other pertinent graphic arts industry skills.
- use basic math calculations to estimate job pricing, commissions, discounts, cost centers, budgeted hourly rates, and paper pricing.
- learn how math is used in the graphic arts industry by calculating basic paper weights, resolution and image sizes, and other math related problems.
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4
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