Graphic Design
OCCUPATIONAL MAJOR
Curriculum Code No. 2111
Department of the Arts
Hicks Art Center • Phone (215) 968-8425
The Graphic Design Program provides students with essential skills needed as a professional graphic designer. Before entering the Graphic Design Program all students are required to meet with a Graphic Design instructor to receive advising, to review required entry skill levels, and to review the student’s portfolio of current work (if available). Completion of this program of study will provide opportunities for securing an entry level position as graphic artist, graphic designer, assistant art director, layout production artist, computer graphic artist, or desktop publishing artist and for continuing educational experiences in graphic design.
Bucks County Community College is an accredited institutional member of the National Association ofSchools of Art and Design.
Graduates of this program are able to
- demonstrate an understanding of the methods and materials associated with drawing and two-dimensional design;
- use traditional and new media to begin to explore and express their own creative voice;
- read about, write about, and analyze art and art history using basic research, critical thinking skills, and a visual arts vocabulary;
- prepare and present a formal, professional-quality portfolio of work which may be used to apply for an entry-level position in graphic design; and
- demonstrate the ability to develop concepts, apply skills, and provide creative visual solutions to graphic design and illustration problems.
Note: Studio courses can be expensive. Lab Fees may be required.
Degree Course Requirements*
| VAFA100 | Drawing Fundamentals 3 | 3 |
| VAFA101 | 2-D Design Fundamentals | 3 |
| VAFA104 | 2-D Design Color F | 3 |
| VAFA201 | Portfolio Seminar F | 3 |
| VAGD100 | Introduction to Desktop Publishing | 3 |
| VAGD101 | Layout & Typography | 3 |
| VAGD102 | Illustration: Drawing & Digital Design F | 3 |
| VAGD200 | Visual Literacy F | 3 |
| VAGD201 | Graphic Design F | 3 |
| VAGD202 | Digital Prepress & Production Output F | 3 |
| VAMM100 | Digital Imaging | 3 |
| VAMM209 | Multimedia Concepts I F | 3 |
| COMP110 | English Composition I A,F,1 | 3 |
| COMP111 | English Composition II F,2 | 3 |
|
Social Perspective 6 | 3 |
| Art History C,4 | 3 | |
| College Level Math or Science A,B | 3 | |
| INTG285 | Integration of Knowledge D,F,5 | 3 |
| Personal Health B | 2 | |
| Digital Elective or Co-op E | 6 | |
62 |
Recommended Semester Sequence
The recommended course sequence is designed for full time students who average l5 credit hours per semester. Students may need more time to complete major requirements based on placement testing. This additional time will entail some adjustments to the sequence recommended.
| First Semester | ||
| VAFA100 | Drawing Fundamentals 3 | 3 |
| VAFA101 | 2-D Design Fundamentals | 3 |
| VAMM100 | Digital Imaging 3 | 3 |
| VAGD100 | Introduction to Desktop Publishing | 3 |
| COMP110 | English Composition I A,F1 | 3 |
|
15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| VAFA104 | 2-D Design Color F | 3 |
| VAGD101 | Layout & Typography | 3 |
| VAGD102 | Illustration: Drawing & Digital F | 3 |
| COMP111 | English Composition II F,2 | 3 |
|
Art History C,4 | 3 |
| 15 | ||
| Third Semester | ||
| VAGD200 | Visual Literacy F | 3 |
| VAGD202 | Digital Prepress and Output F | 3 |
| VAMM209 | Multimedia Concepts I F | 3 |
| Digital/Drawing Elective E | 3 | |
|
Social Perspectives 6 | 3 |
| Personal Health B | 2 |
|
17 |
||
| Fourth Semester | ||
| VAGD201 | Graphic Design F | 3 |
| VAFA201 | Portfolio Seminar F | 3 |
| Math/Science A,B | 3 | |
| INTG285 | Integration of Knowledge D,F,5 | 3 |
|
Digital Elective or Co-op E | 3 |
| 15 |
A Placement testing required.
B Consult the list of courses approved for this subcategory. Any course may be chosen.
C Any of the following may be chosen: VAFA191, VAFA192, VAFA193.
D Any INTG course may be chosen.
E Suggested Digital Electives: VAGD203, VAGD204, VAMM110, VAMM130, VAMM210.
FCourse requires prerequisite.
1 Satisfies College Level Writing Level I.
2 Satisfies College Level Writing Level II.
3 Satisfies Creative Expression.
4 Satisfies Cultural Perspectives.
5 Satisfies Writing Intensive requirement.
6 MGMT100 is recommended.
*Students who do not seek the Associate of Arts Degree may earn the legend, “Major Requirements Satisfied,” on their transcripts by successfully completing all the courses listed in the major except credits in social perspectives, mathematics or science, English and three credits in integration of knowledge.
Credits exceeding the required minimum cannot be used to satisfy required credits in other course requirements.
