Associate in Science Degree
Career Certificate
Certificate of Completion
Division of Advanced Technology
Donnetta Webb, Dean
Technology 106
916-558-2491
- Graphic Communication, Degree and Career Certificate
- Digital Illustration, Certificate of Completion, Level 1
- Graphic Design Production, Certificate of Completion, Level 3
- Image Editing, Certificate of Completion, Level 2
- Web Design Basics, Certificate of Completion, Level 3
- Page Layout, Certificate of Completion, Level 2
- Prepress, Certificate of Completion, Level 2
- Course Descriptions
- Download PDF file
Graphic Communication develops curriculum in conjunction with Northern California industry leaders. Our courses offer students both current technology and theory in electronic prepress, graphic design, digital illustration, image editing, web design, page layout, and computer animation.
The Graphic Communication Department partners with industry leaders to develop curriculum that blends solid theoretical training with the latest software versions. Faculty members ensure student understanding of typography, color theory, layout, composition, visual message-making, and principles of animation while preparing them for real-world employment. GC has been inspiring creative emergence and developing professional marketability for over three decades.
The program consists of three distinct areas:
- Electronic Prepress/Graphic Design
- Web Design
- Computer Animation
Courses within these areas focus on specific skills and technical competencies to promote success in the workplace and transfer to four-year colleges and art schools.
Electronic Prepress/Graphic Design
These courses focus on computer-related and design skills that are applicable to the print design industry. This area offers industry standard software classes as well as basic design theory. Courses will prepare students for transfer to a four-year college or employment opportunities within the print design industry. Employers include newspapers, book and magazine publishers, graphic design studios, prepress departments within commercial print shops, government agencies, and in-house design studios.
Web Design
Web design courses combine the latest computer technology and graphic design concepts/theory. The curriculum is under close advisement from industry contacts to offer students skills that are “hireable.” Opportunities in this area might include transfer to a four-year college, employment with a Web design team, or self-employment as a Web designer.
Computer Animation
These courses are being developed with the help of industry partners who are leaders in computer animation in Northern California. Opportunities include transfer to a four-year college, transfer to private animation schools, employment in animation studios, special effects houses, the gaming industry, the motion picture industry, and independent filmmaking.
Recommended High School Preparation
Courses in art, computer skills, photography, journalism, and English.
Contact department faculty at 916-558-2415.
Graphic Communication
Associate in Science Degree
Career Certificate
Required Program
| Required Program | Units |
|---|---|
| A minimum of 21 units from the following: GCOM 101, Introduction to Macintosh (1.5) GCOM 103, Introduction to Adobe Acrobat (1.5) GCOM 104, Real World Scanning (1.5) GCOM 105, Photoshop Special Features (1.5) GCOM 280, Experimental Offering in Graphic Communication, Design Related (.5-4) GCOM 284, Experimental Offering in Graphic Communication, Image Editing Related (.5-4) GCOM 286, Experimental Offering in Graphic Communication, Multi-media Related (.5-4) GCOM 288, Experimental Offering in Graphic Communication, Page Layout Related (.5-4) GCOM 300, Prepress and the Printing Process (3) GCOM 310, Beginning Page Layout, Using Adobe PageMaker (3) GCOM 313, Beginning Page Layout, Using Adobe InDesign (3) GCOM 314, Advanced Page Layout Using Adobe InDesign (3) GCOM 316, Beginning Page Layout, Using Quark XPress (3) GCOM 317, Advanced Page Layout, Using Quark XPress (3) GCOM 319, Newspaper Design (3) GCOM 330, Beginning Photoshop (3) GCOM 331, Advanced Image Editing, Using Adobe Photoshop (3) GCOM 340, Beginning Adobe Illustrator (3) GCOM 341, Advanced Digital Illustration, Using Adobe Illustrator (3) GCOM 343, Graphic Design Production (3) GCOM 345, Advanced Graphic Design Production (3) GCOM 349, Portfolio (1.5) GCOM 360, Graphics for the Web (3) GCOM 361, Creative Web Page Design (3) GCOM 362, Intermediate Creative Web Page Design (Dreamweaver II) (3) GCOM 363, Advanced Creative Web Page Design (Macromedia Flash) (3) GCOM 383, Interactive and Motion Design Using Macromedia Flash (3) GCOM 370, Web Projects (3) GCOM 400, Introduction to the Principles of Animation (3) GCOM 401, Introduction to Computer Animation (3) GCOM 402, Beginning 3D Modeling and Rigging (3) GCOM 410, Advanced 3D Animation - Character Animation Production (3) GCOM 498, Work Experience in Graphic Communication (1 - 4) GCOM 490, Graphic Communication Studio (0.5 - 4) |
21 |
| Total Units Required | 21 |
Associate in Science Degree (A.S.)
The Associate in Science Degree may be obtained by completion of the required program with grades of “C” or better, plus general education requirements, plus sufficient electives to meet a 60-unit total. See SCC graduation requirements.
Career Certificate
The Career Certificate may be obtained by completion of 21 units in Graphic Communication courses with grades of “C” or better or equivalent.
Digital Illustration
Certificate of Completion, Level 1
Digital Illustration involves creating artwork (graphics), Web graphics, press-ready illustrations, and poster art. The Digital Illustration Certificate involves learning industry standard illustration software. The certificate should prepare students for an internship or entry-level position working in a graphic design related field.
Career Opportunities: Career Opportunities may be found in graphic design studios, professional printing facilities, newspapers, magazines, and Web design studios.
| Required Courses | Units |
|---|---|
| GCOM 340, Beginning Adobe Illustrator | 3 |
| GCOM 341, Advanced Digital Illustration, Using Adobe Illustrator | 3 |
| Total Units Required | 6 |
Certificate of Completion
The Certificate of Completion may be obtained by completion of the required program with grades of “C” or better or equivalent.
Graphic Design Production
Certificate of Completion, Level 3
Graphic Design Production involves the setting up and designing of text and graphics for print. The Graphic Design Production Certificate involves learning industry standard software, as well as design principles like color, type, and composition. This certificate should prepare students for an internship or entry-level position working in a graphic design related field.
Career Opportunities
Career Opportunities may be found in graphic design studios, newspapers, magazines, and professional printing facilities.
| Required Courses | Units |
|---|---|
| GCOM 310, Beginning Page Layout, Using Adobe PageMaker (3) or GCOM 313, Beginning Page Layout, Using Adobe InDesign (3) or GCOM 314, Advanced Page Layout Using Adobe InDesign (3) or GCOM 316, Beginning Page Layout, Using Quark XPress (3) or GCOM 317, Advanced Page Layout, Using Quark XPress (3) |
3 |
| GCOM 330, Beginning Photoshop (3) or GCOM 331, Advanced Image Editing, Using Adobe Photoshop (3) |
3 |
| GCOM 340, Beginning Adobe Illustrator (3) or GCOM 341, Advanced Digital Illustration, Using Adobe Illustrator (3) |
3 |
| GCOM 343, Graphic Design Production (3) GCOM 345, Advanced Graphic Design Production |
3 |
| GCOM 349, Portfolio | 1.5 |
| Total Units Required | 13.5 |
Certificate of Completion
The Certificate of Completion may be obtained by completion of the required courses with grades of “C” or better or equivalent.
Image Editing
Certificate of Completion, Level 2
Image Editing involves creating artwork (graphics) used in print publications or Web sites. The Image Editing certificate involves learning industry standard image editing software, as well as design principles like color, type, and composition. The certificate should prepare students for an internship or entry-level position working in a graphic design or Web design area.
Career Opportunities
Career opportunies may be found in graphic design studios, Web design studios, newspapers, magazines, and professional printing facilities.
| Required Courses | Units |
|---|---|
| GCOM 330, Beginning Photoshop | 3 |
| GCOM 331, Advanced Image Editing, Using Adobe Photoshop | 3 |
| GCOM 105, Photoshop Special Features (1.5) or CGOM 104, Real World Scanning (1.5) or CGOM 360, Graphics for the Web(3) |
1.5-3 |
| Total Units Required | 7.5-9 |
Certificate of Completion
The Certificate of Completion may be obtained by completion of the required program with grades of “C” or better or equivalent.
Web Design Basics
Certificate of Completion, Level 3
Web Design involves the visual design of Web graphics and the visual design of a Web site experience. The Web Design Certificate requires learning visual design principles for Web technology, industry standard software, and basic Web page construction and design. It also could include animation and interactivity on web sites with the GCOM 363 or GCOM 383 Option. This certificate should prepare students for an internship or entry-level position working in a Web design-related field.
Career Opportunities
Career Opportunities may be found in the Web design industry.
| Required Courses | Units |
|---|---|
| GCOM 360, Graphics for the Web | 3 |
| GCOM 361, Creative Web Page Design | 3 |
| GCOM 362, Intermediate Creative Web Page Design (Dreamweaver II) | 3 |
| GCOM 363, Advanced Creative Web Page Design (Macromedia Flash) (3) or GCOM 383, Interactive and Motion Design Using Macromedia Flash (3) |
3 |
| Total Units Required | 12 |
Certificate of Completion
The Certificate of Completion may be obtained by completion of the required program with grades of “C” or better or equivalent.
Page Layout
Certificate of Completion, Level 2
Page Layout involves the page design of text and graphics. The Page Layout Certificate involves learning industry standard page layout software, as well as design principles like color, type, and composition. The certificate should prepare students for an internship or entry-level position working in a graphic design field.
Career Opportunities
Career Opportunites may be found in graphic design studios, newspapers, magazines, and professional printing facilities.
| Required Courses | Units |
|---|---|
| A minimum of 6 units from the following: GCOM 310, Beginning Page Layout, Using Adobe PageMaker (3) GCOM 313, Beginning Page Layout, Using Adobe InDesign (3) GCOM 316, Beginning Page Layout, Using Quark XPress (3) |
6 |
| A minimum of 3 units from the following: GCOM 314, Advanced Page Layout Using Adobe InDesign (3) GCOM 317, Advanced Page Layout, Using Quark XPress (3) GCOM 319, Newspaper Design (3) |
3 |
| Total Units Required | 9 |
Certificate of Completion
The Certificate of Completion may be obtained by completion of the required program with grades of “C” or better or equivalent.
Pre-Press
Certificate of Completion, Level 2
Prepress work involves using page layout, image editing, and illustration software to create print publications and to pre-flight documents. The Pre Press Certificate involves learning industry standard software for the printing and graphics industries, as well as design principles like color, type, and composition. The certificate should prepare students for an internship or entry level position in printing or graphic design related fields, such as prepress departments in print shops, newspapers, magazines, and in-house graphic design departments.
Career Opportunities
Career Opportunities may be found in prepress departments in print shops, newspapers, magazines, and in-house graphic design departments.
| Required Courses | Units |
|---|---|
| GCOM 310, Beginning Page Layout, Using Adobe PageMaker (3) or GCOM 313, Beginning Page Layout, Using Adobe InDesign (3) or GCOM 316, Beginning Page Layout, Using Quark XPress (3) |
3 |
| GCOM 330, Beginning Photoshop | 3 |
| GCOM 340, Beginning Illustrator | 3 |
| Total Units Required | 9 |
Certificate of Completion
The Certificate of Completion may be obtained by completion of the required program with grades of “C” or better or equivalent.