2009 - 2010 Catalog - The Art Institutes

FUNDAMENTALS OF GRAPHIC DESIGN
Glossy magazines, compact disc covers, corporate identity
systems, television graphics, billboards — all are composed
of images, design, and printed words that work together to
sell products and services or convey ideas. This is the fundamental
concept of graphic design, and it’s the basis of some
of today’s most dynamic fields — advertising, publishing, and
television. The Graphic Design Associate in Applied Science
degree program is the first step toward a career in commercial
graphics. Initially, students develop an understanding of
color, composition, design, typography, and drawing skills.
WHAT WILL I LEARN?
As students progress through the program, they are trained in
creative problem solving and have the opportunities to learn
to offer solutions that are effective in the business of graphic
design. Emphasis is placed on learning the skills and techniques
of computer graphics, electronic imaging, and production.
Tools include scanners, digital cameras, and computerbased
hardware and software. Advanced training includes the
execution of assignments encountered by professionals in the
field.
PROGRAM MISSION
The mission of the Graphic Design program is to provide a
focus on conceptual thinking while developing graphic design
technical and creative skills, including an introduction to
the theory and practice of print and web design production,
electronic publishing, graphic imagery, and sales promotion.
Graduates are prepared to grow their careers from entry-level
positions in the graphic design field through the practice of
lifelong learning. Graduating students will be prepared to find
entry-level positions as production artists, graphic designers,
assistant designers, assist art directors, paste-up artists,
production coordinators, and computer artists.
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GRAPHIC
DESIGN
Associate in
Applied Science
7 Quarters
PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
Demonstrate competencies in industry-specific computer
software programs within the context of producing concrete
projects. This includes technical aspects of prepress, output,
and quality reproduction, as well as web design.
Incorporate aesthetics and formal concepts of layout and
design. This includes spatial relationships; communication
legibility and effectiveness; interrelationships among imagery
and text; balance; typography; and color theory.
Articulate the vision behind their creative work and explain
and promote their solutions.
Demonstrate professional presentation; articulation of
knowledge of graphic design and visual problem solving.
GRADUATES ARE PREPARED
By graduation, Graphic Design students have acquired the
training and the portfolio necessary to interview for entry-level
positions in advertising agencies, design studios, publishing
houses, corporate communication’s departments, and television
studios. Our graduates find work as production artists,
graphic designers, assistant designers, assistant art directors,
paste-up artists, production coordinators, and computer
artists. The length of the program is seven (7), eleven (11)
week quarters.