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Degree at a Glance

Degree Type

Associate of Applied Science

Location

Greeley Campus

Credits

61

Tuition*

Other Fees
$20
In-District
$5,737
In-State
$8,665
WUE
$12,630
Out-of-State
$29,954

*Check Cashier's Office for current tuition rates

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Graphic Design and Rich Media

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Graphic Design and Rich Media

Graphic Design and Rich MediaRequirements

Explore the classes that will give you the artistic and technical skills to launch your graphic design career. 

The core graphic design courses include an intensive study of Adobe design software used by industry professionals. Learn the difference between how a design looks on a computer versus when printed. You’ll also learn web fundamentals for graphic designers, including HTML and web design. 

In a series of three graphic design production classes, practice everything you’ve learned and build a portfolio you can show to potential employers. Choose between an internship to get practical work experience with a local company and an in-depth web presentation software class. 

Along with general education courses, choose from electives including art appreciation, drawing and the psychology of workplace relationships.
 

General Education

  • Choose one of the following: 

  • Introduces the cultural significance of the visual arts, including media, processes, techniques, traditions, and terminology. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-AH1 category. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Provides the knowledge base to understand the visual arts, especially as related to Western culture. This course surveys the visual arts from the Ancient through the Medieval periods. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-AH1 category. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3

  • Choose one of the following: 

  • Investigates the various approaches and media that students need to develop drawing skills and visual perception. Course is not repeatable for credit
    3
  • Explores expressive drawing techniques with an emphasis on formal composition, black and white, and color media and content or thematic development. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    Course Prerequisites
    ART 1201 with a grade of "C" or better.
    3

  • Choose one of the following: 

  • Examines the communication involved in interpersonal relationships occurring in family, social, and career situations. Relevant concepts include self-concept, perception, listening, nonverbal communication, and conflict. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-SS3 category. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Focuses on interactions among people including their conflicts, cooperative efforts, and group relationships. This course examines why beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors cause relationship problems in our personal lives and in work-related situations. Additionally, this course emphasizes the analysis of human behavior, the application of prevention strategies, and resolution of the behavior. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3

  • Choose one of the following: 

  • Emphasizes the planning, writing, and revising of compositions, including the development of critical and logical thinking skills. This course includes a wide variety of compositions that stress analytical, evaluative, and persuasive/argumentative writing. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-CO1 category. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Develops skills one can apply to a variety of technical documents. Focuses on principles for organizing, writing, and revising clear, readable documents for industry, business, and government. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-CO1 category. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3

  • Choose one of the following: 

  • Covers material designed for career and technical students who need to study particular mathematical topics. Topics include measurement, algebra, geometry, statistics, and graphs. These are presented at an introductory level and the emphasis is on applications. Course readiness is determined by review of high school transcripts, assessment, and/or meeting with an Aims Academic Advisor. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Covers mathematical material designed for career and technical students. Topics include measurement, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and vectors. These are presented at an introductory level and the emphasis is on applications. Course readiness is determined by review of high school transcripts, assessment, and/or meeting with an Aims Academic Advisor. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    4
  • Highlights connections between mathematics and the society in which we live and is intended for liberal arts majors. Topics include set theory and logic, mathematical modeling, probability and statistical methods, and consumer mathematics. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-MA1 category. Course readiness is determined by review of high school transcripts, assessment, and/or meeting with an Aims Academic Advisor. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    4
  • Introduces descriptive and inferential statistics, with an emphasis on critical thinking and statistical literacy. Topics include methods of data collection, presentation and summarization, introduction to probability concepts and distributions, and statistical inference of one and two populations. This course uses real world data to illustrate applications of a practical nature. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-MA1 category. Course readiness is determined by review of high school transcripts, assessment, and/or meeting with an Aims Academic Advisor. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Focuses on a variety of functions and the exploration of their graphs. Topics include: equations and inequalities, operations on functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, linear and non-linear systems, and an introduction to conic sections. This course provides essential skills for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) pathways. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-MA1 category. Course readiness is determined by review of high school transcripts, assessment, and/or meeting with an Aims Academic Advisor. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    4
Total General Education Credits 15-16

Required Courses

  • Explores the complete set of web authoring skills using HTML and/or other languages. The course covers links, backgrounds, controlling text and graphic placement, tables, image maps and forms. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Presents the analysis of theoretical marketing processes and the strategies of product development, pricing, promotion and distribution, and their applications to businesses and the individual consumer. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Covers the design process and creative problem solving. Design and color theories, fundamentals, styles, stages area applied to workups, finished art, and presentations. Emphasis will be on line, form, composition, and continuity. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Concentrates on the high-end capabilities of Adobe Photoshop as an illustration, design and photo retouching tool. Students explore a wide range of selection and manipulation techniques that can be applied to photos, graphics and videos. Course competencies and outline follow those set out by the Adobe Certified Associate exam in Visual Communication Using Adobe Photoshop. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Concentrates on the high-end capabilities of Adobe Illustrator as an illustration, design and vector drawing tool. Students learn how to use the tools to create digital artwork that can be used in web design, print media, and digital screen design. Course competencies and outline follow those set by the Adobe certified Associate exam in Visual Communication using Adobe Illustrator. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Introduces students to InDesign, a page layout program which integrates seamlessly with other Adobe design programs. InDesign delivers creative freedom and productivity to DTP. Class discussions and independent projects supplement hands-on classroom work. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Covers the creation and production of graphic projects, emphasizing the layout creative design process, problem solving, and research. Provides experience producing thumbnails, roughs and digital layouts emphasizing refined creative typography. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    Course Prerequisites
    MGD 1012 with a grade of "C"or better
    3
  • Introduces web site planning, design and creation utilizing HTML through industry-standard development tools [may list specific software]. Emphasis is placed on applying stylistic decisions using cascading style sheets. Web-based considerations regarding color, typography, aesthetics, user interface design, and process integration with visual-based design tools will be explored. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    Course Prerequisites
    CWB 1010 with a grade of "C' or better, may be taken concurrently
    3
  • Develops and reinforces image composition techniques learned in Adobe Photoshop I, MGD 111. Fundamentals are continuously reinforced as new design techniques are introduced. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    Course Prerequisites
    MGD 1011 with a grade of "C" or better
    3
  • Enables the student to continue development of electronic drawing skills through practice and use of state of the art illustration software. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    Course Prerequisites
    MGD 1012 with a grade of "C" or better
    3
  • Provides an opportunity to combine several draw and paint applications into one design and layout class. Students will explore advanced techniques in creating and designing computer art.  Course is not repeatable for credit.
    Course Prerequisites
    MGD 1011, MGD 1012, and MGD 1013 with grades of "C" or better
    3
  • Continues design and production techniques with further instruction in computer file set-up and creation of camera-ready art. Use of black and white and spot color for a variety of design projects. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    Course Prerequisites
    MGD 2056 with a grade of "C" or better, may be taken concurrently
    3
  • Covers advanced study in design and production techniques and processes, including use of full color for publication design and book formats, advertising campaigns, business reply mail, promotional items, and editorial design. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    Course Prerequisites
    MGD 2060 with a grade of "C" or better, may be taken concurrently
    3
  • Presents a guide to freelance work and a study of business practices and procedures and models unique to creative occupations (graphic design, web design, animation, fine arts). Discussion includes determining charges, business forms, business planning, tax structure, licenses and registration, self-promotion (resume, website, portfolio, business identity package). Course may include visits by professionals in the field and discussion of career opportunities in a quickly changing career field. Department approval is required. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3

  • Choose one elective course from the options provided below.

  • Covers control of presentational elements of documents by effectively separating page structure from the presentation or design of that page using a style language, controlling page formatting, image inclusion, page layout, and hyperlinks. Course is repeatable for credit under different titles.
    Course Prerequisites
    CWB 1010 with a grade of "C" or better.
    3
  • This course emphasizes the creation of solutions for suggested user tasks and the development of design patterns used in contemporary apps and websites. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Provides a project-based introduction of the design process of user experience and user interface. This course emphasizes practical methods and approaches based on user need for solving design problems. Other focuses of the course include user testing and research methods, design prototyping, and design validation. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    Course Prerequisites
    MGD 1058 with a grade of "C" or better.
    3
  • Provides students with the opportunity to supplement coursework with practical work experience related to their educational program. Students work under the immediate supervision of experienced personnel at the business location and with the direct guidance of the instructor. Department approval is required. This course has admission requirements. Please call or email the Graphic Design & Rich Media department for more information. See the department web page at  https://www.aims.edu/degrees-certificates/graphic-design-rich-media  for contact information. Course is repeatable with a maximum of 12 credit hours.
    Course Prerequisites
    MGD 2056 with a grade of "C" or better.
    0 to 12
Total Required Course Credits 45
Total Credits for A.A.S. Degree 60-61