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Online Degrees & Certificates

AA in Graphic & Interactive Design

Program Description

Become an agent for change in the world of design. As a student in the Graphic and Interactive Design program, you'll be immersed in courses that prepare you for employability in the ever evolving and innovative careers of graphic design, UI/UX design, web design, game design, and illustration. Students are taught and mentored by faculty members with years of professional graphic design experience while using the latest technologies and software to create a well-rounded portfolio that includes branding, web development, motion design, game design, visual storytelling, and print. You'll also receive a balance of instruction that includes visual arts, general education, and elective courses that are designed to produce a well-rounded, highly trained graduate who thinks critically about visual problem solving and communication.

Learn more about the program on the Graphic and Interactive Design website.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students will understand the design process from sketching to final product.

Students will be able to create unique graphic designs that communicate ideas to others.

Career Opportunities

Career opportunities include the following: graphic design, UI/UX design, web design, game design, advertising, marketing, publishing, illustration, T-shirt and garment printing, and digital art.

Award Type(s)

AA = Associate in Arts Degree

Units Required

Major: 54

Additional Information

Note: Please see the Graphic and Interactive Design program website for recommended course sequence to assist with student success.

Online Courses for Graphic & Interactive Design

The courses listed BELOW are offered as online courses at least once every two years. Please see the Class Schedule for verification.

NOTE: Students having difficulty attaining an associate degree because of timing or availability of classes should consult with a counselor to submit a petition for course substitution.

Please see Graphic & Interactive Program for recommended course sequence to assist with student success.

Associate Degree Requirements

ONLINE COURSE TITLE UNITS
English Proficiency: Select one of the following
ENGL 1A Composition & Reading 5
ENGL 1AH Honors Composition & Reading 5
ESLL 26 Advanced Composition & Reading 5
or equivalent    
Ethnic Studies
Any course in the ETHN (Ethnic Studies) subject code, currently approved for Area F of CSU GE and Area 7 of IGETC
Mathematics Proficiency
College-level math course at or above the level of Intermediate Algebra

A minimum of 90 units is required* to include:

Completion of one of the following general education patterns: Foothill General Education, CSU General Education Breadth Requirements or the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)

Core courses (34 units)

Support courses (20 units)

*Additional elective course work may be necessary to meet the 90-unit minimum requirement for the associate degree.

Note: All courses pertaining to the major must be taken for a letter grade. In addition, a grade of "C" or better is required for all core and support courses used for the degree or certificates.

Core and Support Courses

Core Courses

ONLINE COURSE TITLE UNITS
GID 1 History of Graphic Design 4
GID 31 Graphic Design Drawing 4
GID 33 Graphic Design Studio I 4
GID 34 Graphic Design Studio II 4
GID 36 Typography 4
GID 55 User Experience (UI/UX) Design 4
GID 56 Website Design 4
GID 57 Web Design & Development II 4
GID 60 Careers in the Visual Arts 2

Support Courses (20 units)

Select 20 units from the following:

ONLINE COURSE TITLE UNITS
GID 61 Portfolio 2
Animation in Graphic and Interactive Design
GID 44A Fundamentals of 3-D Animation 4
GID 47 Motion Graphics 4
GID 71 Storyboarding 4
Art in Graphic and Interactive Design
ART 4A Fundamentals in Drawing 4
ART 5A 2-D Foundations 4
ART 15A Digital Painting I 4
ART 15B Digital Painting II 4
ART 20 Color Theory 4
Game Design in Graphic and Interactive Design
GID 49 Game Art & Design 4
GID 67 Mobile Game Design 4
GID 68A Introduction to Virtual Reality Design 4
GID 68B Virtual Reality Game Design 4
Graphic Design in Graphic and Interactive Design
GID 1A Design Thinking 4
GID 35 Graphic Design Studio III 4
Screen Printing in Graphic and Interactive Design
GID 46 Screenprinting 4
GID 53A Beginning T-Shirt Design & Garment Printing 4
GID 53B Intermediate T-Shirt Design & Garment Printing 4
GID 53C Advanced T-Shirt Design & Garment Printing 4
Web Development in Graphic and Interactive Design
GID 58 Website Design & Development III 4
GID 77 Advanced Website Design & Development 4
GID 78 Rapid Website Development 4
Visual Storytelling in Graphic and Interactive Design
ART 15D Digital Illustration for Film & Animation 4
GID 37 Cartoon & Comic Illustration I 4
GID 41 Digital Art & Graphics 4
GID 43 Illustration & Digital Imaging 4
PHOT 5 Introduction to Photography 4
Total Units   54
Note that this is a list of fully online courses that satisfy degree requirements.

For a list of on-campus courses that satisfy degree requirements, please visit Graphic and Interactive Design 2024-2025 Degree &  Certificates.

Based on the 2024 - 2025 degree program.

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