| 9/12/2025 7:07:22 AM |
| Changed Course |
| CATALOG INFORMATION
|
| Discipline and Nbr:
GD 51 | Title:
INTRO TO GRAPHIC DESIGN |
|
| Full Title:
Introduction to Graphic Design |
| Last Reviewed:5/12/2025 |
| Units | Course Hours per Week | | Nbr of Weeks | Course Hours Total |
| Maximum | 3.00 | Lecture Scheduled | 3.00 | 17.5 max. | Lecture Scheduled | 52.50 |
| Minimum | 3.00 | Lab Scheduled | 0 | 4 min. | Lab Scheduled | 0 |
| | Contact DHR | 0 | | Contact DHR | 0 |
| | Contact Total | 3.00 | | Contact Total | 52.50 |
| |
| | Non-contact DHR | 0 | | Non-contact DHR Total | 0 |
| | Total Out of Class Hours: 105.00 | Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50 | |
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:
Untitled document
In this course, students will be introduced to visual communications in the field of graphic design. The course includes concept development, the creative design process, production, and presentation techniques through the development of design projects on various media, including beginning computer software skills. Emphasis will be placed on the application of basic design principles to graphic design problems in visual communications.
Prerequisites/Corequisites:
Recommended Preparation:
Limits on Enrollment:
Schedule of Classes Information
Description:
Untitled document
In this course, students will be introduced to visual communications in the field of graphic design. The course includes concept development, the creative design process, production, and presentation techniques through the development of design projects on various media, including beginning computer software skills. Emphasis will be placed on the application of basic design principles to graphic design problems in visual communications.
(Grade or P/NP)
Prerequisites:
Recommended:
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: | Fall 2009 | Inactive: | |
| |
| UC Transfer: | | Effective: | | Inactive: | |
| |
| C-ID: |
Certificate/Major Applicable:
Both Certificate and Major Applicable
Approval and Dates
| Version: | 06 | Course Created/Approved: | 4/13/2009 |
| Version Created: | 11/4/2024 | Course Last Modified: | 5/13/2025 |
| Submitter: | Stephanie Clark | Course Last Full Review: | 5/12/2025 |
| Version Status: | Approved Changed Course | Prereq Created/Approved: | 5/12/2025 |
| Version Status Date: | 5/12/2025 | Semester Last Taught: | |
| Version Term Effective: | Fall 2026 | Term Inactive: | |
COURSE CONTENT
Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
Untitled document
1. Analyze the effectiveness of visual communications on graphic design projects utilizing the
critique process.
2. Create original design projects that define, analyze, and solve problems in visual communication.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of basic vocabulary related to the graphic design field.
Objectives:
Untitled document
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. Evaluate graphic design career options and identify areas that match the student's interests, personality, and skills.
2. Demonstrate and employ conceptual thinking as the basis of the design process.
3. Analyze professional graphic design pieces and explain how design elements, principles, and techniques covered in the course have been applied.
4. Review and employ the fundamental theories and methodologies of visual communication.
5. Integrate design elements with an understanding of the intention with which elements are chosen, organized and created.
6. Demonstrate proficiency in the use of digital and traditional tools and techniques for design and production.
7. Critique their own and the work of others, offering constructive suggestions; while demonstrating knowledge of design vocabulary as well as the elements and principles of design composition through the critical evaluation process.
Topics and Scope
Untitled document
I. Design Process
A. Understanding project and client requirements
B. Brainstorming
C. Thinking conceptually
D. Research
1. Strategies for organizing design examples for later reference
2. High quality design blogs and design forums
3. Commercial and free graphics/stock photo sites on the web
E. Executing effective basic visual communications
F. Thumbnail, rough, comprehensive presentation skills
G. Production and presentation skills
II. Principles of Design
A. Unity
B. Balance/harmony
C. Rhythm
D. White space/negative space
E. Lines and shapes
F. Simplicity
G. Proximity
H. Alignment
I. Repetition
J. Contrast
K. Hierarchy/flow/focal point
L. Grid/composition
M. Characteristics of color in additive and subtractive color systems
N. Typography terms, classification, and application considerations. For example: fonts, style, size, placement, case, alignments, and attributes.
O. Graphic Resonance. Use of tone and denotative & connotative communications in graphic design.
III. Graphic Design and the Computer
A. Tools in industry standard design software
B. Traditional and digital roles in the design process
C. Introduction to production best practices
1. Use of menus and windows to create, store and retrieve documents
2. Document management
3. Input and output procedures
D. File Management
IV. Analyzing Graphic Design career options
A. Overview of Graphic Design business
B. Career and education resources
V. Industry standards and best practices
VI. Resources for Designers
A. General introduction to Graphic Design resources and online tools (including plug-ins, tutorials, and online bookmarking sites)
B. Software sites on the web:
1. Freeware
2. Shareware
3. Commercial
C. Portfolio sites and design galleries valuating the quality of online information
VII. History and Contemporary Trends
VIII. Class Critiques
Assignments:
Untitled document
1. Written career paper and/or presentation with notes
2. In class exercises (6-16), such as:
a. Worksheets, exercises, or assignments that explore the fundamental design principles and elements
b. Hands-on visual communications problem solving and process for projects including: research, strategy, objectives, concept and design development, production and implementation.
c. Create a human color wheel used to explore a variety of color schemes and color principles: each participant represents 1 -2 colors on the wheel
3. Graphic design project(s) (1-4), such as:
a. Creating graphic design projects from concept to a finalized design that are effective visual communications
b. Assignments focusing on the conceptual development in project-based digital images and/or time-based works
c. Creation of designs through various digital media input and output methods using vector or raster-based software
d. Using client criteria, design a icon that effectively communicates to a specific target audience
4. Class participation and attendance, such as
a. Group and individual critiques in oral and written formats
b. Participating in, in-class learning activities
5. Quizzes and/or exams
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
5 - 20% |
| Written career paper and/or presentation with note | |
| Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills. | Problem Solving
5 - 40% |
| In class exercises | |
| Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams. | Skill Demonstrations
40 - 60% |
| Graphic design project(s) | |
| Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams. | Exams
5 - 15% |
| Quizzes and/or exams | |
| Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories. | Other Category
5 - 15% |
| Class participation and attendance | |
Representative Textbooks and Materials:
Untitled document
Graphic Design School: The Principles and Practice of Graphic Design (7th). Dabner, David; Stewart, Sandra; Vickress, Abbie. Wiley: 2020. (classic).
Instructor prepared materials
OTHER REQUIRED ELEMENTS
| Student Preparation |
| Matric Assessment Required: | X | Exempt From Assessment |
| Prerequisites-generate description: | NP | No Prerequisite |
| Advisories-generate description: | NA | No Advisory |
| Prereq-provisional: | N | NO |
| Prereq/coreq-registration check: | N | No Prerequisite Rules Exist |
| Requires instructor signature: | N | Instructor's Signature Not Required |
| | | |
| BASIC INFORMATION, HOURS/UNITS & REPEATABILITY |
| Method of instruction: | 02 | Lecture |
| | 71 | Internet-Based, Simultaneous Interaction |
| | 72 | Internet-Based, Delayed Interaction |
| Area department: | CS | Computer Studies |
| Division: | 72 | Arts & Humanities |
| Special topic course: | N | Not a Special Topic Course |
| Program Status: | 1 | Both Certificate and Major Applicable |
| Repeatability: | 00 | Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP |
| Repeat group id: | | |
| | | |
| SCHEDULING |
| Audit allowed: | N | Not Auditable |
| Open entry/exit: | N | Not Open Entry/Open Exit |
| Credit by Exam: | N | Credit by examination not allowed |
| Budget code: Program: | 0000 | Unrestricted |
| Budget code: Activity: | 0702 | Graphic Design |
| | | |
| OTHER CODES |
| Disciplines: | Graphic Arts |
| Basic Skills: | N | Not a Basic Skills Course |
| Level below transfer: | Y | Not Applicable |
| CVU/CVC status: | Y | Distance Ed, Not CVU/CVC Developed |
| Distance Ed Approved: | Y | Either online or hybrid, as determined by instructor |
| Emergency Distance Ed Approved: | Y | Fully Online
Partially Online
Online with flexible in-person activities
|
| Credit for Prior Learning: | N | Agency Exam |
| N | CBE |
| N | Industry Credentials |
| N | Portfolio |
| Non-credit category: | Y | Not Applicable, Credit Course |
| Classification: | Y | Career-Technical Education |
| SAM classification: | C | Clearly Occupational |
| TOP code: | 1030.00 | Graphic Art and Design |
| Work-based learning: | N | Does Not Include Work-Based Learning |
| DSPS course: | N | NO |
| In-service: | N | Not an in-Service Course |
Print PDF