Graphic Design

Design a career limited only by your imagination

Our graphic design associate degree program lets you develop marketable design skills that complement your creative talents. This program attracts students who plan to put their training to work in many areas, including:

  • Print
  • Web
  • Interactive
  • Package design
  • Motion graphics
  • Computer gaming

Get to work or transfer to a bachelor's degree program

The graphic design A.A.S. prepares you for today’s job market or future studies, depending on your career goals. MCC graduates who choose to earn bachelor’s degrees have gone on to graphic design programs at many schools, including:

  • SUNY:
    • University of Buffalo
    • Brockport
    • Fredonia
    • Oswego
    • New Paltz

  • Parsons School of Design
  • Rochester Institute of Technology
  • Savannah College of Art and Design
  • North Carolina State University
  • Rhode Island School of Design

Add key graphic design skills to your portfolio

The visual communication technology: graphic design A.A.S. degree will put you on a wide range of graphic career paths – from print and package design to Web design, animation and new media. The program combines lectures, laboratory projects, studio classes, and hands-on experience.

You’ll develop key skills in:

  • Typography
  • Computer graphics
  • Image manipulation
  • Commercial illustration
  • Motion graphics
  • Production processes

You’ll also choose art electives to develop your creative aesthetic.

Graphic design jobs and employers

Award-winning faculty with real world experience will prepare you for jobs like these:

  • Web designer
  • Freelance graphic designer
  • Package designer
  • Art director
  • Multimedia artist and animator
  • Set and exhibit designer

MCC graphic design graduates start careers with a wide range of employers, including:

  • Martino Flynn Advertising
  • Upper Case Design
  • Edge Color Graphics
  • Geva Theater
  • Dunn & Rice Design

To find out more about the visual communications technology: graphic design program A.A.S. from Monroe Community College, contact the admissions office at admissions@chihue.com or (585) 292-2200.

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GRAPHIC DESIGN

A.A.S. Degree - Career Program

Department:Visual and Performing Arts

School(s):

MCC Program Code: VC01

Description
The Graphic Design program is committed to further excellence in design as a broadly defined discipline. The areas represented in the profession range from publication design to the newer disciplines of interaction design, experience design, and motion graphics. Design can be incorporated in the use of illustration, iconography, and branding, but is not limited to these devices. Through a combination of various hands-on experiences, students are provided with an excellent foundation in both traditional and digital media.

This program encourages the selection of electives in art and design to build a strong professional base.

Program Learning Outcomes
1.Create visual form (perceptible products) in response to design problems.
2.Solve design problems reasonably, independently, and creatively as designers.
3.Combine tools and technologies to a range of new and challenging design problems.
4.Apply knowledge and skills pertinent to the design profession.
5.Demonstrate goal-oriented planning through research sketching comping.
6.Demonstrate a working understanding of design heritage and ideas as citizens of a diverse global community.
7.Participate as a proficient member of a functional design team as well as in individual design endeavors.
8.Exhibit integrity and responsibility through professional practices.
9.Seek, embrace, and make the most of professional and educational opportunities.

Employment Potential
For related jobs: Career Coach
Occupational Resource: http://www.onetonline.org

Requirements for Program Entrance
Algebra (1 year high school math or placement into Level 4 Math at MCC).

Distribution Requirements

Credit Hours
DESIGN TRACK:
FIRST SEMESTER
ENG 101 College Composition OR
ENG 200 Advanced Composition
3
AAD 104 Introduction to Graphic Design, 2D
3
AAD 105 Typography
3
AAD 107 A History of Graphic Design
3
ART 104 Drawing I: Foundation
3
First Semester Total:
15
SECOND SEMESTER
MTH 150 - Survey of Mathematics OR ANY SUNY MATHEMATICS (SUNY-MATH) ELECTIVE
3-4
AAD 108 - Ideation: Illustration and Design
3
AAD 160 Graphic Illustration: Vector Drawing
3
AAD 260 Applied Imaging, Raster Graphics
3
ART 204 Drawing II OR
ART 154 Drawing the Human Figure
3
Second Semester Total:
15-16
THIRD SEMESTER
AAD 112 Graphic Design I
3
ART 118 Perspectives of Art History I: Ancient
3
ART 231 Art Seminar/Portfolio Development
3
SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION - NATURAL SCIENCES and Scientific Reasoning (SUNY-NSCI) ELECTIVE
3-4
PROGRAM ELECTIVE*
3
Third Semester Total:
15-16
FOURTH SEMESTER
AAD 205 Graphic Design 2
3
ART 119 Perspectives of Art History II: Modern
3
OPEN ELECTIVE
3
PROGRAM ELECTIVE*
3
SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND SOCIAL JUSTICE (SUNY-DVRS) ELECTIVE
3
Fourth Semester Total:
15
TOTAL CREDITS:
60-62
DESIGN TRACK:
Design Track Program Electives: *Choose any design track elective: AAD 167, 220, 256; ART 110, 121, 154,
204, 205

Distribution Requirements
Credit Hours
ILLUSTRATION TRACK:
FIRST SEMESTER
ENG 101 College Composition OR
ENG 200 Advanced Composition
3
AAD 104 Introduction to Graphic Design, 2D
3
AAD 105 Typography
3
AAD 107 A History of Graphic Design
3
ART 104 Drawing I: Foundation
3
First Semester Total:
15
SECOND SEMESTER
MTH 150 Survey of Mathematics OR ANY SUNY MATHEMATICS (SUNY-MATH) ELECTIVE
3-4
AAD 108 Ideation: Illustration and Design
3
AAD 160 Graphic Illustration: Vector Drawing
3
AAD 260 Applied Imaging, Raster Graphics
3
ART 154 Drawing the Human Figure OR
ART 204 Drawing II
3
Second Semester Total:
15-16
THIRD SEMESTER
AAD 112 Graphic Design 1
3
ART 118 Perspectives of Art History I: Ancient
3
ART 231 Art Seminar/Portfolio Development
3
SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION - NATURAL SCIENCES and Scientific Reasoning (SUNY-NSCI) ELECTIVE
3-4
PROGRAM ELECTIVE*
3
Third Semester Total:
15-16
FOURTH SEMESTER
AAD 205 Graphic Design 2
3
ART 119 Perspectives of Art History II: Modern
3
OPEN ELECTIVE
3
PROGRAM ELECTIVE*
3
SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND SOCIAL JUSTICE (SUNY-DVRS) ELECTIVE
3
Fourth Semester Total:
15
TOTAL CREDITS:
60-62
ILLUSTRATION TRACK:
* Choose from: AAD 167, 256; ART 108, 110, 121, 154, 204, 205.

Distribution Requirements
Credit Hours
MOTION MEDIA TRACK:
FIRST SEMESTER
ENG 101 College Composition OR
ENG 200 Advanced Composition
3
AAD 104 Introduction to Graphic Design, 2D
3
AAD 105 Typography
3
AAD 107 A History of Graphic Design
3
ART 104 Drawing I: Foundation
3
First Semester Total:
15
SECOND SEMESTER
MTH 150 Survey of Mathematics OR ANY SUNY MATHEMATICS (SUNY-MATH) ELECTIVE
3-4
AAD 108 Ideation: Illustration and Design
3
AAD 160 Graphic Illustration: Vector Drawing
3
AAD 260 Applied Imaging, Raster Graphics
3
ART 154 Drawing the Human Figure OR
ART 204 Drawing II
3
Second Semester Total:
15-16
THIRD SEMESTER
AAD 112 Graphic Design 1
3
ART 118 Perspectives of Art History I: Ancient
3
ART 231 Art Seminar/Portfolio Development
3
SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION - NATURAL SCIENCES and Scientific Reasoning (SUNY-NSCI) ELECTIVE
3-4
PROGRAM ELECTIVE*
3
Third Semester Total:
15-16
FOURTH SEMESTER
AAD 205 Graphic Design 2
3
ART 119 Perspectives of Art History II: Modern
3
OPEN ELECTIVE
3
PROGRAM ELECTIVE*
3
SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND SOCIAL JUSTICE (SUNY-DVRS) ELECTIVE
3
Fourth Semester Total:
15
TOTAL CREDITS:
60-62
MOTION MEDIA TRACK:
* AAD 101 is recommended; Choose from AAD 101, 167, 220, 256; COM 150, 203, 204
revised 05/28/2024


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