Associate in Science in Graphic Design
Mission College
Key Information
Campus location
Santa Clara, USA
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
60 hours
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
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Application deadline
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Earliest start date
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Introduction
The Associate in Science in Graphic Design provides opportunities for students to develop fluency in contemporary graphic design issues and techniques.
The program's emphasis is on increasing the student's creative problem-solving abilities along with an introduction to design techniques and principles to provide the basic skills necessary to enter many growing professional fields.
The student also learns software skills used to produce graphic design deliverables for clients. Opportunities exist in advertising, print publishing, web publishing, mobile and desktop application design, and corporate communication.
This program has more training and units related to graphic design than the graphic arts programs emphasize. The classes in the core requirements should be taken in the general order that they are listed.
Skills Needed
- Excellent IT skills, especially with design and photo-editing software.
- Exceptional creativity and innovation.
- Adobe Creative Suite.
- Excellent time management and organizational skills.
- Accuracy and attention to detail.
- An understanding of the latest trends and their role within a commercial environment.
- Professional approach to time, costs, and deadlines.
Program Outcome
- Students will be proficient in creating graphic design deliverables.
- Students will be proficient in current software packages used in graphic design production.
- Students will produce communication materials for clients that are appropriate and effective.
Facilities
Curriculum
To earn this degree, students must meet the following requirements:
- Completion of 60-degree applicable units with an overall GPA of 2.0.
- Completing a minimum of 18-semester units in the major with a grade of C (or P) or better.
- Completion of the AS Graduation Requirements, CSU GE-B or IGETC.
Required Core Courses
- GDS 035 ---- Graphic Design I (2.0 Lecture/1.0 Lab) ---- 3.0
- GDS 064 ---- Introduction to Adobe Photoshop (2.0 Lecture/1.0 Lab) ---- 3.0
- GDS 062 ---- Digital Illustration with Adobe Illustrator (2.0 Lecture/1.0 Lab) ---- 3.0
- GDS 061 ---- Page Layout (2.0 Lecture/1.0 Lab) ---- 3.0
- GDS 065 ---- Typography (2.0 Lecture/1.0 Lab) ---- 3.0
- GDS 045 ---- Web Design and Development 1 (2.0 Lecture/1.0 Lab) ---- 3.0
- GDS 055A ---- Design Agency and Branding (2.0 Lecture/1.0 Lab) ---- 3.0
- GDS 070 ---- User Experience, Interface, and Multimedia Design (2.0 Lecture/1.0 Lab) ---- 3.0
- GDS 067 ---- Graphic Design II (2.0 Lecture/1.0 Lab) ---- 3.0
- GDS 084 ---- Portfolio Production Studio (2.0 Lecture/1.0 Lab) ---- 3.0
- GDS 085 ---- Professional Portfolio and Design Career Preparation (2.0 Lecture/1.0 Lab) ---- 3.0
Plus, Choose One (1) Additional Course (3.0 Units)
- GDS 067 ---- Graphic Design II (2.0 Lecture/1.0 Lab) ---- 3.0
- GDS 084 ---- Portfolio Production Studio (2.0 Lecture/1.0 Lab) ---- 3.0
- GDS 072 ---- Digital Imaging and User Interface Design (2.0 Lecture/1.0 Lab) ---- 3.0
- GDS 056 ---- Presentation Design (2.0 Lecture/1.0 Lab) ---- 3.0
- GDS 080 ---- Packaging Design (2.0 Lecture/1.0 Lab) ---- 3.0
- GDS 076 ---- Emerging Trends in Interaction Design (2.0 Lecture/1.0 Lab) ---- 3.0
- GDS 077 ---- Interactive Projects & Explorations in UXD (2.0 Lecture/1.0 Lab) ---- 3.0
- GDS 081 ---- Motion Graphics (2.0 Lecture/1.0 Lab) ---- 3.0
- GDS 073 ---- Digital Photography (2.0 Lecture/1.0 Lab) ---- 3.0
- GDS 074 ---- Digital Video Production 1 (2.0 Lecture/1.0 Lab) ---- 3.0
- ART 031A ---- Drawing (2.0 Lecture/1.0 Lab) ---- 3.0
- ART 031B ---- Intermediate Drawing (2.0 Lecture/1.0 Lab) ---- 3.0
- GDS 047 ---- Web Animation (2.0 Lecture/1.0 Lab) ---- 3.0
- GDS 046 ---- Web Design and Development 2 (2.0 Lecture/1.0 Lab) ---- 3.0
- ART 033A ---- Basic Design: Two-Dimensional (2.0 Lecture/1.0 Lab) ---- 3.0
- ART 033B ---- Basic Design: Three-Dimensional (2.0 Lecture/1.0 Lab) ---- 3.0
- ART 034A ---- Introduction to Digital Art (2.0 Lecture/1.0 Lab) ---- 3.0
- GDS 011 ---- The History of Modern Design (3.0 Lecture) ---- 3.0
- GDS 012 ---- History of Photography (3.0 Lecture) ---- 3.0
- GDS 015 ---- Photo-Media and Social Change (3.0 Lecture) ---- 3.0
- GDS 039A ---- 3D Animation and Modeling (2.0 Lecture/1.0 Lab) ---- 3.0
Scholarships and Funding
Scholarships at Mission
Mission College offers a variety of scholarships ranging from $50 to several thousand dollars per year. Eligibility may vary based on fields of study, community and/or college involvement, and/or financial need.
All continuing Mission College and new students, including graduating high school students and transferring students, may apply.
Current Scholarships Available
Mission College 2022-23 General Scholarships Application
New, returning, continuing, or transferring Mission College Scholarship opportunities are available. The 2022-23 MC Scholarship Application-visit the website for more details. The deadline has closed for this year.
NEW Spring 2022 Scholarship Opportunities!
Jim McEntee Legacy Scholarship: Deadline April 30, 2022. Download the application here: 21-22 Jim McEntee Scholarship
American Association of University Woman-AAUW (San Jose Branch Scholarship Application & Opportunity. For more information, visit the website. The deadline to apply is April 15,
NEW Chicana Latina (CLF) Foundation Scholarship
The Chicana Latina Foundation awards scholarships to Latina college students valued at $1500 each. Deadline to Apply: March 31st, 2022
NEW Progress Pride Scholarship!
For the first time, the Mensa Foundation seeks to award our Progress Pride Scholarship: up to two $10,000 scholarships. The scholarship is intended for college-bound, college, or graduate students at U.S. universities who identify as both BIPOC and LGBTQ—and who have demonstrated positive service to the BIPOC and LGBTQ communities.
POINT Foundation Scholarship
The Community College Scholarship Program launched in 2016 and went national in 2017. To be selected for the scholarship, students are evaluated on academic performance and potential, financial need, involvement in school and community, and goals for the future. Deadline to Apply May 3rd.
Mission Promise Program
Mission College is proud to expand our Mission Promise Program to make college more affordable for our new, first-time college students! Eligible students will have their enrollment fees paid for their first two years AND get up to $1,000 to pay for books or other educational expenses.
Dreamer Scholarships
Dreamers: Scholarship opportunity for undocumented and/or DACA recipients
- Immigrants Rising Scholarships
- Silicon Valley Community Foundation
- List of Undergraduate Scholarships
- Latinos in Technology (Includes Business and Nursing)
STEM Based
STEM: Science, Technology Engineering & Math (STEM) Scholarship Opportunities. New opportunities are open!
- NEW! Lockheed Martin STEM Scholarship.
- NEW! Lockheed Martin Vocational Scholarship.
- Nordson BUILDS Scholarship Program.
- American Society of Mechanical Engineers
- Gates Millennium
- Hispanic Scholarship Fund
- Jack Kent Cooke Foundation
- American Institute of Chemical Engineers
- Society of Women Engineers
External Scholarships New opportunities!
Additional scholarship resources and links.
- pointfoundation.org (LGBTQI+ Scholarship Opportunity)
- Progress Pride Scholarship (BIPOC & LGBTQI+ Scholarship Opportunity)
- Latinos in Technology (includes Business and Nursing)
- Horacio Alger Scholarship (various & Career & Technical Scholarships)
- Pivotalnow.org (Foster Youth Scholarship Opportunity)
- National League of American Pen Woman (NLAPW) (females only scholarship)
- 2022 Scholarship Details 2022 NLAPW Application
- African American Scholarship Opportunity
- African American Scholarship
- Lockheed Martin STEM Scholarship
- Lockheed Martin Vocational Scholarship
- Soroptomist-Live Your Dream Award New!
- Live Your Dream Award NEW! (Due Nov. 15)
- VAPW Scholarship Application (Vietnamese American Professional Women Association of Silicon Valley Deadline May 1)
Career Opportunities
DesignAt Mission College, we facilitate degrees and certificates in Digital Illustration, Graphic Arts, Web Design/Development, and Multimedia. Develop a portfolio and prepare for transfer or job interviews.
- Graphic Designer
- Creative Director
- User Experience (UX/UI) Designer
- Production Artist
- Product Developer
- Art Director
- Marketing Specialist
- Multimedia Artist / Animator
- Freelance