Our graphic design programs prepare you for a field in visual communications and design. You will develop technical design and software skills, including layout, web design, illustration, and knowledge of industry-standard programs, such as Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop.
Careers include corporate in-house design, digital illustration, advertising, logo design, print production, web design and freelance design.
Many of our courses are offered online for students requiring a flexible schedule.
SRJC offers the following Graphic Design Programs:
- Graphic Design Certificate of Achievement: A challenging 2-year program that prepares students for entry-level positions in business and industry.
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1-year Production Fundamentals Certificate: An intensive certificate that offers the very basics: graphic design principles, typography, InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator.
- Graphic Design Major (AA): A degree that teaches entry-level graphic design skills and allows students to earn credits for transfer to CSU and other 4-year universities.
Courses in Graphic Design
Our project-based design courses offer exciting opportunities to develop your design and software skills applied to real-world design problems.
Graphic Design is a program in the Computer Studies Department. While courses in Graphics & Multimedia and Web Development offer instruction in the use of design tools, the emphasis in the Graphic Design Program is on the successful application of design principles to meet the needs of a client brief.
GD 15: History of Graphic Design Click for Course Outline
3 Units/3 hours lecture. Grade Only.
Recommended: Eligibility for ENGL 100 or ESL 100
Exploration of the development of graphic design. A broad survey of notable stages and accomplishments in the evolution of graphic design from prehistory to the present. Examines how, through the centuries, particular cultures, movements, works, and individuals affect graphic design today. (CSU; UC.)
Read more about this course and look at some student projects
GD 20 Introduction to Typography and Letterforms
3 Units/3 hours lecture. Grade Only.
Recommended: Course Completion of CS 72.11A (or CIS.73.41A)
Development of practical and visual skills for using type in effective graphic communication. Includes terminology, survey of typefaces, design basics, advanced typography skills and computer production techniques. CSU; UC)
Read more about Introduction to Typography and look at some student projects
GD 51 Introduction to Graphic Design: Visual Basics
3 Units/3 hours lecture. Grade Only.
This course is an introduction to the field of graphic design. Students will explore various careers available in the industry, as well as the principles, concepts, and protocols used for creating effective visual communication. Projects explore the creative development of graphic design ideas from start to finish. (CSU.)
GD 53 Design Techniques in Illustrator
3 Units/3 hours lecture. Grade Only.
Prerequisite: Course Completion of CS 72.11A; OR CS 71.11.
An intensive course designed to teach students how to create effective logos, type treatments, illustrations and informational graphics for professional visual communications projects using Adobe Illustrator. (CSU.)
GD 54 Beginning Page Layout and Advertising Design
3 Units/3 hours lecture. Grade Only.
Prerequisite: Course Completion or Current Enrollment in CS 72.11A and GD 51.
This course focuses on effective design techniques for page layout and advertising. Students will use industry-standard page layout and photo manipulation software to develop creative solutions to a variety of design situations including: business systems, advertisements, brochures, and multi-page newsletters. (CSU.)
Read more about Beginning Page Layout and Advertising Design and look at some student projects
GD 57 Getting It Printed: Digital Prepress and Print Production
3 Units/3 hours lecture. Grade Only.
Prerequisite: Course Completion of GD 54.
A course designed to prepare the graphic design student for dealing with the prepress and print production process. The student will learn the skills needed to create accurate files for printing using a variety of processes, learn skills necessary to communicate and work with prepress vendors and printing firms, and choose wherever appropriate printing solutions that support sustainability and environmental concerns. (CSU.)
GD 60 Creating the Professional Portfolio
1.5 Units/1.5 hours lecture. Grade Only.
Recommended: Eligibility for ENGL 100 or ESL 100.
A course for the design student to prepare professional portfolios. The student will learn skills needed to create a physical, digital, and self-promotions portfolio. The student will also learn portfolio presentation techniques and industry protocols. A body of at least 15 high quality pieces as determined by the instructor for portfolio development are strongly recommended for success in this course. (Formerly APGR 70) (CSU.)
GD 65 Business of Graphic Design
1.5 Units/1.5 hours lecture. Grade Only.
Prerequisite: Course Completion of GD 51. Recommended: Eligibility for ENGL 100 or ESL 100.
A course designed to prepare the graphic design student for interacting with business. Provides the information necessary to develop accurate bids, schedule projects, keep accurate records, establish a freelance business, legally understand taxes, and work with clients, vendors, and colleagues in a professional manner. (Formerly APGR 65) (CSU.)
GD 90 User Experience
3 Units/3 hours lecture. Grade Only.
Prerequisite: Course Completion of GD 54.
This course covers user experience design, following the user-centered design process. It is oriented toward practical methods for approaching a design problem holistically, beyond usability and usefulness. It examines different target platforms such as smartphones, tablets, and desktop systems. A user-centric approach is employed to determine which platform is best for the desired application. In this class, students will demonstrate an understanding of user experience including how to design for it and how to evaluate it. This course teaches a set of techniques to gather information about what the user needs, how to design and model interfaces based on those needs, and then how to evaluate the design to ascertain that the user's goals are met.
GD 145 Package Design
1.5 Units/1.5 hours lecture. Grade Only.
Prerequisite: Course Completion of GD 51. Recommended: GD 53
This course emphasizes the application of graphic design elements to various forms of package design. Students will learn how to use a variety of graphic tools, materials, and techniques to create a three-dimensional package design that is innovative and functional. Each design solution is developed from the angle of project requirements, marketing and branding, audience appeal, and product needs. Areas of study will include the package design process, prototyping, material testing, crafting 3D models, brand awareness, container functionality, and executing the final designs..