8/29/2025 9:20:05 AM	GD 65 Course Outline as of Fall 2026	Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  GD 65	Title:  CREATIVE BUSINESS
Full Title:  Business Skills for Creatives
Last Reviewed:8/25/2025

Units		Course Hours per Week			Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	1.50	Lecture Scheduled	1.50		17.5 max.	Lecture Scheduled	26.25
Minimum	1.50	Lab Scheduled	0		4 min.	Lab Scheduled	0
		Contact DHR	0			Contact DHR	0
		Contact Total	1.50			Contact Total	26.25
		Non-contact DHR	0			Non-contact DHR Total	0

Total Out of Class Hours:  52.50

Total Student Learning Hours: 78.75

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade or P/NP
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly: 

Catalog Description:

Whether you plan to run a graphic design company or work as a freelancer, understanding the nuts and bolts of running a creative business is essential. This course will cover business-related topics including initial set-up, project management, estimating and billing, record keeping and taxes, and marketing. Students will learn best practices for working with clients, vendors, and co-workers.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:

Recommended Preparation:
Eligibility for ENGL C1000 (formerly ENGL 1A) OR Eligibility for EMLS 10 (formerly ESL 10) OR equivalent or appropriate placement based on AB705 mandates

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

Whether you plan to run a graphic design company or work as a freelancer, understanding the nuts and bolts of running a creative business is essential. This course will cover business-related topics including initial set-up, project management, estimating and billing, record keeping and taxes, and marketing. Students will learn best practices for working with clients, vendors, and co-workers.

(Grade or P/NP)
Prerequisites:
Recommended:Eligibility for ENGL C1000 (formerly ENGL 1A) OR Eligibility for EMLS 10 (formerly ESL 10) OR equivalent or appropriate placement based on AB705 mandates
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:		Effective:		Inactive:
Area:
CSU GE:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
IGETC:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
CSU Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Spring 2010	Inactive:
UC Transfer:		Effective:		Inactive:
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Both Certificate and Major Applicable

COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Set-up and manage a creative business.

2. Market and brand a business through digital and print media.

3. Devise an effective workflow to ensure meeting deadlines.

 

Objectives:

At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Compute studio rate, develop a brief, and draft a letter of agreement.

2. Market and brand business through digital and print media.

3. Prepare a workflow schedule for completion of creative jobs.

4. Promote and present competitive bids for creative jobs and Request for Quotes (RFQs).

5. Outline and describe the steps needed for setting up a creative business.

Topics and Scope

I.  Introduction to the Business in Relation to Creative Industries

II. Business Structures Basics

    A. Completing a market analysis

    B. Developing a business plan

    C. Setting business goals

III. Setting Up a Studio

    A. Signing leases

    B. Filing licenses

    C. Getting insurance

    D. Purchasing equipment

IV. Developing Estimates and Calculating Job Costs

    A. Establishing how much to charge and setting a studio rate

    B. Calculating job price

    C. Requesting a printer estimate

    D. Presenting estimates to clients

V.  Writing Contracts and Documents (e.g. Bids, Briefs, Proposals, and Letters of Agreement)

VI. Marketing the Business and Selling Creative Work

    A.  Creating effective self-promotions

         1. Developing a business identity system including business cards

         2. Sales techniques

     B.  Create a database of resources

VII.  Presenting to Clients

VIII. Creating Effective Workflows and Project Management

    A. Using a time management system to track billable hours

    B. Preparing invoices and billing clients

IX. Working with Vendors, Employees, Clients, and Co-Workers

X.  Managing Business Finances

    A. Money management systems

    B. Tax management systems

Assignments:

1. Weekly textbook readings and/or instructor materials (1 - 50 pages)

2. Research and/or writing assignments, such as:

    a. Market analysis

    b. Freelance studio set up research

    c. Business and marketing plan

     d. Brief, proposal, and letter of agreement

    e. Networking project and experience write-up

3. Business Development Projects, such as:

    a. Create self-promotions and marketing material

    b. Create a database of resource: sources of clients, business resources, vendor resources, etc.

    c. Develop a workflow and time management system

4. Quizzes and/or exams on reading materials and/or weekly topics (0 - 8)

5. Participation in class discussions

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.

Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.		Writing 20 - 50%
Research and/or written assignments
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 0 - 0%
None
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.		Skill Demonstrations 20 - 50%
Business development projects
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 0 - 30%
Quizzes and/or exams
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 0 - 25%
Participation and attendance

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

The Creative Business Handbook: Follow Your Passions and Be Your Own Boss. Puig, Alicia; Popova, Ekaterina. Chronicle Books. 2023

Instructor prepared materials

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