Associate of Arts (AA) in Graphic Design
Academy of Art University
Key Information
Campus location
San Francisco, USA
Languages
English
Study format
Distance Learning, On-Campus
Duration
4 semesters
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
USD 1,156 *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Jun 2024
* per unit for international students | $1,072 per unit for domestic students. Additional fees apply
Introduction
The Graphic Design AA program provides students a core understanding of the fundamentals of design including the basics of design thinking, typography, layout, packaging, interactive, and branding. Graduates with an Associate of Arts degree are well equipped for a seamless transition into the Academy of Art University's BFA Graphic Design program.
Program Outcome
Undergraduate students will meet the following student performance criteria:
Critical & Creative Thinking
- Identify appropriate audiences for defined problems
- Demonstrate the resourcefulness necessary to conceive appropriate design solutions
Conceptual Skills
- Develop and prototype potential design solutions for specific problems
- Create visual communications that are audience appropriate
Formal Skills
- Create visual communications demonstrating competent formal design skills based on design principles: composition, balance, hierarchy, harmony, and contrast
- Create visual communications demonstrating competent formal design skills based on aesthetics: appropriate typography, composition, and construction of meaningful imagery
- Utilize the appropriate media, materials, tools, technology, platforms, and techniques to create visual communications
Professional Readiness
- Produce basic materials required for an entry-level job search
Academy of Art University Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the Academy of Art University will demonstrate the ability to:
- Produce a body of work suitable for seeking professional opportunities in their chosen field of art and design.
- Solve creative problems within their field of art and design, including research and synthesis of technical, aesthetic, and conceptual knowledge.
- Communicate their ideas professionally and connect with their intended audience using visual, oral, and written presentation skills relevant to their field.
- Execute technical, aesthetic, and conceptual decisions based on an understanding of art and design principles.
- Evaluate work in their field, including their own work, using professional terminology.
- Recognize the influence of major cultural and aesthetic trends, both historical and contemporary, on art and design products.
- Learn the professional skills and behaviors necessary to compete in the global marketplace for art and design.
Career Opportunities
Academy of Art University is recognized for graduating students ready to pursue a professional graphic design career. The School of Graphic Design is proud to produce alumni who are thriving at leading design firms, marketing agencies, and innovative companies. Our students are not only prepared to enter the workforce—they are ready to excel and raise the bar within the vibrant design community.
Graphic Designer
Graphic designers work within companies and institutions of all kinds, as well as in advertising and design studios, large and small. Graphic designers work on a wide range of projects which includes branding, editorial, interactive, environmental, advertising, and information design. Although the designer’s role will vary by organization it will always be tasked with producing creative, effective, and elegant graphic solutions, both print and digital.
Creative/Art Director
As a creative director, you'll work with copywriters, designers, and creative directors to produce creative solutions which meet branding objectives, while setting a high bar for creativity within your organization. You'll be responsible for setting and presenting high-level vision for projects and managing teams to achieve brand and client success.
User Experience (UX) Designer
UX designers work with product designers and visual designers as well as front-end developers, and clients to create interactive experiences that resonate with users. They document and present UX ideas and solutions to team members and clients. UX designers utilize research methods and user testing to architect the structure and navigation flow of digital products such as apps and websites and other interactive experiences.
Visual Designer
Visual designers apply their technical knowledge and design skills to create interactive products of all kinds. By integrating type, layout, color and iconography visual designers influence the users emotions and drive action through the use of motion, language and aesthetics. Visual designers work in teams with UX designers and front-end developers to create smooth usability and functionality while creating design systems that ensure a consistency of brand experience.
Product Designer
Product designers use UX design tools and methods along with type, color, layout and motion, design and iconography systems to create interactive experiences that resonate with users. Product designers integrate and cross between the role of UX and Visual designer depending on their role in an organization. They work with front-end developers and are responsible for all (or part) of the usability, functionality and visual design of a digital product such as an app, website or social media platform.
Service Designer
Service designers work within and for a range of organizations including governments and multinational companies. Service designers build efficiency and translate brand values through to the user experience for many kinds of products and organizations. Using tools and methods from ethnography, information management and interaction design Service designers analyze, map and re-organize systems which they then document and present to stakeholders and clients.
Gallery
Curriculum
Unit Requirements
Major Coursework | 12 |
Liberal Arts | 21 |
Core | 33 |
Total | 66 |
Degree Requirements
- A minimum grade of C- in all core courses, major courses, and LA 107 Writing for the Multilingual Artist or 108 Composition for the Artist
- Minimum 2.0 GPA and the following general education requirements:
- 1 Written Communication: Composition
- 1 Written Communication: Critical Thinking
- 2 Art Historical Awareness: Western Art
- 1 Employment Communications & Practices
After the above general education requirements are met, take Liberal Arts electives as needed to fulfill the Liberal Arts unit requirement.
Curriculum
Semester 1
- FND 149: Introduction to Design Thinking (Core)
- GR 102: Design Technology: Digital Publishing Tools (Core)
- GR 150: Visual Communication A (Core)
- LA 101: Freshman Symposium: Artistic Resilience (Liberal Arts)
Semester 2
- GR 122: Typography 1: Hierarchy and Form (Core)
- GR 152: Visual Communication B (Core)
- IXD 105: Design Technology: Visual Design Tools (Core)
- IXD 249: Web Design 1 (Core)
Recommended for summer - LA 108: Composition for the Artist (Liberal Arts)
Recommended for summer - LA 242: History of Graphic Design (Liberal Arts)
Semester 3
- GR 107: Introduction to Interaction Design (Major)
- GR 221: Graphic Design 1: Visual Communication (Core)
- GR 310: Typography 2: Formalizing Structure (Core)
- IXD 250: Web Design 2 (Major)
- LA 291: Designing Careers (Liberal Arts)
Semester 4
- GR 321: Package Design 1: 3D Thinking/Making (Core)
- GR 324: Branding Principles (Major)
- GR 327: Graphic Design 2: Integrating Principles (Core)
- IXD 205: Motion Graphics 1 (Major)
- LA 120: Art History Through the 15th Century (Liberal Arts)
- LA 121: Art History Through the 19th Century (Liberal Arts)
Recommended for summer - LA 202: English Composition: Creative Persuasion & Argument (Liberal Arts)
Recommended for summer
Admissions
Facilities
English Language Requirements
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