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Graphic Design A.A.S.

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  • Graphic Design A.A.S.

2025-2026 Edition

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63 Semester Credit Hours; Curriculum: 0370

Note: Refer to IAI General Education Courses page for guidelines on General Education course selection.

Course List
Code Title Hours
General Education Requirements
Area A - Communications
EGL 101Composition I3
Select one of the following:3
EGL 102
Composition II
EGL 111
Introduction to Business and Technical Writing
EGL 212
Technical Writing Applications
SPE 103
Effective Speech
Area B - Mathematics
Select one course from Area B (Mathematics) or Area C (Science)0-3
Area C - Science
Select one course from Area B (Mathematics) or Area C (Science)0-3
Area D - Social and Behavioral Sciences
Select one course from a social or behavioral science discipline (Recommended course to satisfy Area F)3
Area E - Humanities/Fine Arts
Select one course from a humanities or fine arts discipline3
Area F - Global Studies 1
Select one course that satisfies Global Studies requirement0-3
Area G - U.S. Diversity Studies 2
Select one course that satisfies U.S. Diversity Studies requirement0-3
Select other General Education credits: Additional credits from Areas B, C, D, E, F or G if needed to meet 18-credit-hour minimum0-3
Total Hours18
1

Students may take a Global Studies course that satisfies both Area F and another Area requirement. 

2

Students may take a U.S. Diversity Studies course that satisfies both Area G and another Area requirement.

Course List
Code Title Hours
Major Requirements
ART 105Fundamentals of Two-Dimensional Art I3
or GRD 101 Introduction to Visual Communication
ART 115Beginning Photography3
or ART 117 Digital Photography
ART 131Drawing I3
ART 216Introduction to Digital Imaging3
ART 224Introduction to Graphic Design3
ART 225Graphic Design Layout and Typography3
ART 250Introduction to Computer Art3
ART 259Introduction to Web Design3
ART 260Introduction to 3D Animation and Multimedia3
ART 267Web Design Layout and Typography3
ART 268Digital 2D Animation and Multimedia3
ART 272Portfolio Development3
GRD 251Graphic Design Practicum3
Select six credit hours from the Media Tracks below:6
Print Track
ART 244
Designing Branding and Logos
ART 256
Advanced Graphic Design
ART 257
Advanced Masking and Compositing
MKT 131
Principles of Marketing
MKT 215
Introduction to Advertising
Web Track
ART 270
3D Illustration
ART 273
Animation for the Web
CIS 131
Web Page Development
CIS 171
Advanced Web Page Development
Animation and Multimedia Track
ART 261
Advanced 3D Animation and Multimedia
ART 262
Introduction to Sound Design
ART 263
Introduction to Motion Graphics
ART 270
3D Illustration
Additional electives: Contact an academic advisor for a list of acceptable courses
Total Hours45

Graphic Design Pathway

The following Pathway is recommended for students pursuing an Associate in Applied Science degree in Graphic Design. For more information or program specific advising contact the program coordinator. General Education courses should be selected from the list of IAI General Education Courses.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Semester OneHours
EGL 101 Composition I 3
ART 131 Drawing I 3
ART 250 Introduction to Computer Art 3
ART 105
or GRD 101
Fundamentals of Two-Dimensional Art I
or Introduction to Visual Communication
3
ART 115
or ART 117
Beginning Photography
or Digital Photography
3
 Hours15
Semester Two
ART 216 Introduction to Digital Imaging 3
ART 224 Introduction to Graphic Design 3
ART 268 Digital 2D Animation and Multimedia 3
Select one of the following: 3
EGL 111
Introduction to Business and Technical Writing
EGL 212
Technical Writing Applications
SPE 103
Effective Speech
MAT 125 General Education Mathematics (or other Mathematics or Science course) 4
 Hours16
Second Year
Semester One
ART 225 Graphic Design Layout and Typography 3
ART 259 Introduction to Web Design 3
ART 260 Introduction to 3D Animation and Multimedia 3
Select one course from one of the Media Tracks listed on the degree requirements page (see Overview tab) 3-4
Select one of the following: 3
ANT 102
Introduction to Social and Cultural Anthropology 1
SOC 103
Social Problems 1
SOC 232
Sociology of Race and Ethnicity 2
SSC 105
Introduction to Ethnic Studies 2
SSC 201
Introduction to Global Studies 3
or other Social and Behavioral Sciences course
Select one of the following: 3
ART 114
Art History: Art of the Non-Western World 3
ART 125
History of Graphic Design
HUM 122
Contemporary Culture and the Arts
HUM 127
Introduction to Philosophy
HUM 161
Global Cinema 3
HUM 162
Film and Literature
HUM 210
World Mythologies 3
or other Humanities/Fine Arts course
 Hours18-19
Semester Two
ART 267 Web Design Layout and Typography 3
ART 272 Portfolio Development 3
GRD 251 Graphic Design Practicum 3
Select one course from one of the Media Tracks listed on the degree requirements page (see Overview tab) 3-4
Select one of the following: 3
HUM 124
African-American Culture and the Arts 2
HUM 140
Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies 2
HUM 141
Introduction to LGBTQ Studies 2
HUM 142
Women and Creativity 2
HUM 242
Women, Art and Culture 2
SOC 230
Sociology of Sex and Gender 2
or other U.S. Diversity Studies course
 Hours15-16
 Total Hours64-66
1

Course fulfills both the Global Studies and U.S. Diversity Studies requirements.

2

Course fulfills the U.S. Diversity Studies requirement. At least one U.S. Diversity Studies course is required for degree completion.

3

Course fulfills the Global Studies requirement. At least one Global Studies course is required for degree completion.​

Note: Pathway is a recommended sequence of courses. Part-time students should contact the program coordinator to discuss a part-time pathway as well as course prerequisites and recommendations. 

Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Demonstrate understanding of the basic design principles, concepts, media, and formats.
  2. Solve communication and design problems.
  3. Use the tools of Graphic Design to create forms of visual communication. Tools include drawing, photography, printing, time-based media, worldwide web, and relevant hardware and software.
  4. Create a portfolio of work that demonstrates the acquisition of these skills and presents work in a professional manner.
  5. Observe basic business practices, including organization of design projects and working as a member of a team.
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