Visual Communication: Creative Branding

The Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Visual Communication: Creative Branding is designed to prepare students for employment and upgrade the skills of those already employed in the marketing industry. Coursework and experiences include necessary training in creative branding, from both the graphic design and marketing perspectives. Students will learn how to develop effective brand strategies for complex campaigns that establish affinity through strong visual and verbal messaging. Employment opportunities are available in a variety of fields including, but not limited to, advertising, creative branding, social media, strategic marketing, graphic design, and creative direction. Students interested in continuing their studies may choose to pursue the Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Visual Communication (3052) where these courses apply.

Details

Field of Interest
Visual and Performing Arts
Degree Type
Certificate of Completion (CCL)
Academic Plan
Visual Communication: Creative Branding (CER)
Academic Plan Code
5992
Total credits required
39-40
Catalog Year
2024-2025
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

What You'll Learn

This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:

  1. Develop visual concepts in response to communication problems including visual organization of information hierarchy.
  2. Apply principles of design, history, theory, and criticism from a variety of perspectives for effective visual communication.
  3. Critique designs to evaluate their effectiveness.
  4. Utilize industry standard software to produce effective solutions to client-based problems.
  5. Demonstrate professional and collaborative practices in diverse settings as appropriate to the field (e.g., communication, presentation, time management, organization, and legal and ethical considerations).
  6. Communicate design ideas and solutions that recognize diverse opinions and cultural and individual differences.
  7. Demonstrate the use of appropriate typography and font management.
  8. Create effective marketing messages and campaigns to drive client-specific business goals.
  9. Design effective online and offline collateral to achieve business goals.
  10. Develop comprehensive brand standards and guidelines to maintain brand integrity.

Successful completion of this certificate may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Maricopa County-based annual median wages* for this certificate. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.

Advertising and Promotions Managers

$75,201

Graphic Designers

$50,416

* Career and wage information provided by Lightcast using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources and Lightcast’s proprietary analytical processes. Lightcast’s data covers multiple classes of workers including QCEW, non-QCEW, and those who are self-employed. Disclaimer

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

  • Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
  • The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
  • Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
  • Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.

Full-time Sequence

Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC169 2D Media Design 3
AVC177 Digital Photographic Imaging I 3
AVC175 Electronic Publishing Design I Gateway course 3
AVC100 Introduction to Digital Arts OR Permission of Department 0–1
AVC103 Typography in the Digital Age 3
AVC181 Graphic Design I 3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC248 Design Self Promotion Critical course Gateway course Offered at SCC Spring semester only 3
AVC/MMT190 Art of Web Site Design Offered at SCC Spring semester only 3
AVC230 Visual Brand Design Critical course Gateway course Offered at SCC Spring semester only 3
MKT110 Marketing and Social Networking 3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC204 Creative Design for Advertising Offered in Fall semester only at SCC 3
AVC104 Cross-Media Marketing for Designers Offered in Fall semester only at SCC 3
RE Restricted Elective 3
RE Restricted Elective 3

Restricted Electives

A list of additional, alternative, or supplemental courses for this pathway map
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC114 Digital Color 3
AVC142 Introduction to Digital Photography 3
AVC182 Graphic Design II 3
AVC192 Advanced Web Presentation Design 3
AVC201 Variable Data Printing 3
AVC215 Advanced Electronic Publishing 3
AVC291 Digital Prepress 3
ART296++ Any Cooperative Education course 1–4
ART298++ Any Special Projects course 1–4
MKT111 Applied Marketing and Social Networking 3

Part-time Sequence

Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC169 2D Media Design 3
AVC175 Electronic Publishing Design I Gateway course 3
AVC100 Introduction to Digital Arts OR Permission of Department 0–1

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC177 Digital Photographic Imaging I 3
AVC103 Typography in the Digital Age 3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC104 Cross-Media Marketing for Designers Offered in Fall semester only at SCC 3
AVC181 Graphic Design I 3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC/MMT190 Art of Web Site Design Offered at SCC Spring semester only 3
AVC230 Visual Brand Design Critical course Gateway course Offered at SCC Spring semester only 3

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC204 Creative Design for Advertising Offered in Fall semester only at SCC 3
MKT110 Marketing and Social Networking 3
RE Restricted Elective 3

Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC248 Design Self Promotion Critical course Gateway course Offered at SCC Spring semester only 3
RE Restricted Elective 3

Restricted Electives

A list of additional, alternative, or supplemental courses for this pathway map
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC114 Digital Color 3
AVC142 Introduction to Digital Photography 3
AVC182 Graphic Design II 3
AVC192 Advanced Web Presentation Design 3
AVC201 Variable Data Printing 3
AVC215 Advanced Electronic Publishing 3
AVC291 Digital Prepress 3
ART296++ Any Cooperative Education course 1–4
ART298++ Any Special Projects course 1–4
MKT111 Applied Marketing and Social Networking 3
Course Area Key

Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.

Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.

Disclaimer

Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.

Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.

View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm11?id=184894).

At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.