About the Major

With an emphasis on process, conceptual strategy, and professional practices, students are given broad opportunities to develop a unique voice, vision, and viewpoint. Working with typography, photography, and illustration, they create and combine symbols, images, and text to represent ideas and messages. Using both print and digital formats, they produce projects that demonstrate an understanding of visual communication through brand strategy, interactive design, and typographic systems. This diverse body of work is refined into a strategic professional portfolio aimed at accomplishing each student’s education and employment goals.

Graphic design students at San Diego City College can earn a Certificate of Achievement or Associate Degree in Graphic Design. The 30-unit certificate is ideal for students who want to gain the skills and portfolio to get an entry-level position in the field. The Associate Degree includes the same courses but adds general education and electives to meet the minimum of 60 units for the degree.

DSGN Update

The graphic design classes have new names and numbers. Please take a moment to revise your education plan to reflect these updates.

Degree Requirements

Semester One

100 Intro to Graphic Design
102 Digital Media I
104 Graphic Design History
106 Typography I

Semester Two

124 Page Layout
120 Illustration or
174A Book Arts
Elective Course *

Semester Three

206 Typography II
Elective Course *

Semester Four

210 Branding and Packaging
Elective Course *

* Three elective courses are required.
+ Non-major general education courses are required for the Associate Degree.

Semester One

100 Intro to Graphic Design
102 Digital Media I
104 Graphic Design History
106 Typography I

Semester Two

124 Page Layout
120 Illustration or
174A Book Arts

Semester Three

206 Typography II
Elective Course *

Semester Four

210 Branding and Packaging
Elective Course *

* Two elective courses are required.

Courses

DSGN 100
Introduction to Graphic Design

This course is an introduction to the fundamentals of graphic design.

DSGN 102
Digital Media I

Students explore the tools and principles used in the creation of digital media.

DSGN 104
Graphic Design History

Learn important design movements in the context of diverse cultural and historical perspectives.

DSGN 106
Typography I

Learn foundational type skills and apply them to solve typographic problems.

DSGN 120
Illustration

Students create digital illustration projects using a variety of tools and media.

DSGN 122 / ARTG 174A
Book Arts

This hands-on class will teach you the basics of creating unique books.

DSGN 124
Page Layout

This course introduces students to the principles and strategies for creating effective design layouts.

DSGN 206
Typography II

Students will utilize advanced typographic principles to solve design problems.

DSGN 210
Branding and Packaging

This course covers the application of design principles to branding and packaging systems.

Electives

DSGN 143
Interaction Design I

Explore the fundamentals of interaction design in the context of website design.

DSGN 153
Interaction Design II

Students explore the strategies and best practices that lead to successful mobile interactive experiences.

DSGN 202
Digital Media II

Students survey software and other tools used in the creation of still and time-based digital media.

DSGN 203
Interaction Design III

Learn the design and development of websites through a series of technical workshops.

DSGN 213
Interaction Design IV

This advanced studio course exposes students to the latest applications of interaction design.

DSGN 216
City Studio

Build portfolio projects through professional experiences.

DSGN 218
Internship

Students gain real-world experience by applying for and completing an industry internship off site.

DSGN 248
Portfolio I

Students prepare for a design career by building a personal identity system, resume, and portfolio website.

DSGN 258
Portfolio II

This advanced course is the culmination of the graphic design program.

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