Visual Communication: Design

The Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Visual Communication: Design is designed to prepare students for employment and upgrade the skills of those already employed in the graphic communications field. Coursework and hands-on experiences build knowledge and skills including design principles, typography, complex layout, digital color, industry-standard software, marketing tools and objectives and proper file creation for successful output to multimedia and variable devices. Employment opportunities are available in a variety of fields including, but not limited to, graphic design, publication design, branding, illustration, digital prepress, user experience/user interface 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: Design (CER)
Academic Plan Code
5983
Total credits required
39-40
Catalog Year
2024-2025
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Admissions criteria

None

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 (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. Utilize calibration, characterization, definitions, and profiles of digital color to ensure color consistency across outputs.
  9. Use digital prepress concepts and techniques to design, create, and evaluate electronic files for successful output to digital devices.
  10. Apply the fundamentals of digital marketing tools and methods for complex segments as they relate to graphic design.
  11. Create a portfolio of work that reflects current industry practices.

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.

Art Directors

$49,966

Desktop Publishers

$40,289

Graphic Designers

$50,416

Prepress Technicians and Workers

$43,593

* 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
AVC100 Introduction to Computer Graphic Art OR Permission of Department 0–1
AVC175 Electronic Publishing Design I Gateway course 3
AVC177 Digital Photographic Imaging I 3
AVC181 Graphic Design I 3
AVC114 Digital Color Critical course Offered at SCC Fall semester only. 3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC103 Typography in the Digital Age 3
ARH110 History of Graphic Design Gateway course 3
AVC169 2D Media Design 3
RE Restricted Electives 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 at SCC Fall semester only. 3
AVC291 Digital Prepress Critical course 3
RE Restricted Electives 3
RE Restricted Electives 3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC248 Design Self Promotion Critical course Offered at SCC Spring semester only. 3

Restricted Electives

A list of additional, alternative, or supplemental courses for this pathway map
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC289 Computer Illustration 3
AVC142 Introduction to Digital Photography 3
AVC143 Intermediate Digital Photography 3
AVC182 Graphic Design II 3
AVC/MMT190 Art of Web Site Design 3
AVC201 Variable Data Printing 3
AVC215 Advanced Electronic Publishing 3
AVC230 Visual Brand Design 3
AVC270 Digital Photographic Imaging II 3
AVC274 Digital Photographic Imaging III 3
AVC281 Graphic Design III 3
AVC286 Graphic Design IV 3
AVC288 PDF Portable Document Format 3
ART290AA Studio Art 1
ART290AB Studio Art 2
ART290AC Studio Art 3
ART296++ Any Cooperative Education course 1–4
ART298++ Any Special Projects course 1–4

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
AVC100 Introduction to Computer Graphic Art OR Permission of Department 0–1
AVC175 Electronic Publishing Design I Gateway course 3
AVC169 2D Media Design 3

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
AVC181 Graphic Design I 3
AVC114 Digital Color Critical course Offered at SCC Fall semester only. 3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
ARH110 History of Graphic Design Gateway course 3
RE Restricted Electives 3
RE Restricted Electives 3

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC291 Digital Prepress Critical course 3
AVC104 Cross-Media Marketing for Designers Offered at SCC Fall semester only. 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 Offered at SCC Spring semester only. 3
RE Restricted Electives 3

Restricted Electives

A list of additional, alternative, or supplemental courses for this pathway map
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC289 Computer Illustration 3
AVC142 Introduction to Digital Photography 3
AVC143 Intermediate Digital Photography 3
AVC182 Graphic Design II 3
AVC/MMT190 Art of Web Site Design 3
AVC201 Variable Data Printing 3
AVC215 Advanced Electronic Publishing 3
AVC230 Visual Brand Design 3
AVC270 Digital Photographic Imaging II 3
AVC274 Digital Photographic Imaging III 3
AVC281 Graphic Design III 3
AVC286 Graphic Design IV 3
AVC288 PDF Portable Document Format 3
ART290AA Studio Art 1
ART290AB Studio Art 2
ART290AC Studio Art 3
ART296++ Any Cooperative Education course 1–4
ART298++ Any Special Projects course 1–4
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=180742).

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.