The Graphic Design degree program prepares students for positions with graphic design firms, in-house design departments, exhibit and package design firms, publishers, broadcast media, printers and media design companies. The Graphic Design curriculum is based on professional standards in creating a designer portfolio, preparing the graduates for a variety of full-time or freelance employment in the graphic design industry. Students have an opportunity to develop or upgrade drawing and computer graphics skills for communicating visually. Emphasis is on design for print and media, studio skills and critical thinking applications. Problem solving and research concept development projects are explored and applied as they relate to the graphic design professional.
Program contact: Learn more
This degree program contains one or more embedded certificates which will be automatically awarded when the certificate requirements are completed. If you do not want to receive the embedded certificate(s), please notify the Office of the Registrar at RegistrarOffice@tri-c.edu.
Learn more about how certificate credits apply to the related degree.
Program Learning Outcomes
This program is designed to prepare students to demonstrate the following learning outcomes:
- Communicate and connect verbally and in writing to clients, colleagues, and other professionals.
- Conduct yourself professionally and ethically according to professional standards.
- Develop team skills including taking and giving constructive criticism, leading and/or following directions.
- Apply basic production knowledge, including fundamental understanding of page layout, typography, photography, color, and use computer and design software skills to effectively execute all aspects of production print and/or web.
- Apply the knowledge of basic business and design concepts, including design history and trends, photography and illustration, basic typography skills, appropriate mediums and business concepts including dealing with vendors, organizational hierarchy and workflow, written and verbal communication skills in order to translate ideas into final art that meets business need.
- Use design principles (color, composition, and type) to executive project objectives.
Suggested Semester Sequence
| First Semester | Credit Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| ART-1050 | Drawing I | 3 |
| VC-1000 | Visual Communication Foundation | 3 |
| VC-1061 | History of Graphic Design | 3 |
| VC-1201 | Typography I | 3 |
| Arts and Humanities | 3 | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| College Composition I | ||
| Honors College Composition I | ||
| Credit Hours | 18 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| MATH-1190 | Algebraic and Quantitative Reasoning (Or Any Approved Ohio Transfer 36 Mathematics course) 1 | 3 |
| VCPH-1450 | Digital Imaging I | 3 |
| VCGD-1500 | Advertising and Design | 3 |
| VC-1431 | Vector Graphics | 3 |
| Communications requirement | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| VC-2301 | Graphic Design and Illustration | 3 |
| VCGD-2331 | Brand Identity Design | 3 |
| VCGD-2232 | Typography II | 3 |
| VCGD-2400 | Information Graphic Design | 3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences requirement | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| VCGD-2431 | Package Design | 3 |
| VCGD-2631 | Graphic Design Studio | 3 |
| VCIM-2700 | User Experience Design | 3 |
| VC-2991 | Portfolio Preparation | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 60 | |
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MATH-1100 Mathematical Explorations or MATH-1240 Contemporary Mathematics taken prior to Fall 2024 will be accepted to meet Mathematics requirements for this program.
MATH-1140, MATH-1141, MATH-1200, MATH-1270, and MATH-1280 can no longer count towards fulfilling the college-level mathematics requirement. These courses were re-classified as developmental mathematics by the state of Ohio in 2016. Tri-C established a 5-year transitioning window for students who had completed these courses prior to 2016 to apply them towards meeting graduation requirements, which expired in Summer 2021. It is highly recommended to see a counselor to determine the appropriate math required for your current major.