Program Information Brief www.dmacc.edu Graphic Design 2014 2015 (Previously Commercial Art) For all campus information, call 515-964-6200 or 877-863-6222, extension 6200. Call this number to speak with an advisor about the program. Initially, students will be admitted to the Visual Communications diploma program. After Term 2 of the Visual Communications diploma program, students will be required to apply to the Graphic Design A.A.S. degree program. Students must submit a portfolio and obtain a satisfactory score and complete the Visual Communications diploma or receive program chair permission. Students will start the Fall semester by choosing a graphic design or web design concentration. If you want to take your passion for art and design to the next level, the Graphic Design A.A.S. degree program is closely aligned with local business to understand their real world needs and develop those skills in our students. Our classes provide students with design skills, web and print software skills, video production skills and professional work practices needed to get a position in this highly competitive field. Although most graduates who gain employment begin in entry-level positions, hardworking and talented students have started as high-level designers and owners of successful freelance businesses. The Graphic Design program prepares students to find employment with advertising agencies, corporate design departments, web design companies, book and magazine publishing, digital media companies, graphic design firms, printing companies, newspapers and marketing firms. Upon completion of the program, graduates will have taken courses in communication design, web design, typography, illustration, digital imaging, page layout and digital file preparation. For more information about the Graphic Design program, please visit our website at http://www.dmacc.edu/programs/commercialart Location: Ankeny Students start Fall term. This is a full-time program. To complete this program, students must take daytime classes; not all classes are offered at night. Go to www.dmacc.edu/admissions/applyonlinefull.asp to apply for admission. Program Entry Requirements 1. Complete an application for admission. 2. Satisfy the assessment requirement by taking all three sections of the COMPASS test and: 3. Obtain a minimum COMPASS Reading score of 61 or a minimum ACT Reading score of 14. 4. Obtain a minimum COMPASS Pre-Algebra score of 25 or a minimum ACT Math score of 14. 5. Obtain a minimum COMPASS English score of 42 or a minimum ACT Writing score of 14. 6. Attend a required Graphic Design program information session. 7. Obtain a satisfactory score on a portfolio evaluation. 8. Recommended: Basic Microsoft Office skills or BCA 212 or Basic Macintosh or Adobe Creative Suite skills or GRD 301. Graduation Requirements To earn a Graphic Design A.A.S. degree, a student must complete all coursework as prescribed and maintain a 2.0 grade point average. Students are required to produce a portfolio of graphic design work that demonstrates their ability to conceptualize and produce a variety of creative and effective multichannel communication collateral, and attend the Portfolio Day event. Ankeny Campus 2006 S. Ankeny Blvd. Ankeny, IA 50023-3993 Boone Campus 1125 Hancock Drive Boone, IA 50036-5399 Carroll Campus 906 N. Grant Road Carroll, IA 51401-2525 Newton Campus 600 N. 2nd Avenue W. Newton, IA 50208-3049 Urban Campus 1100 7th Street Des Moines, IA 50314-2597 West Campus 5959 Grand Avenue W. Des Moines, IA 50266-5302
Required Courses Term 1 Fall GRD 415 InDesign I 3 GRD 459 Illustrator 3 GRT 404 Intro to Visual Communications 2 A.A.S. General Requirement Math Course 3 5 GRT 400 Intro to Printing Methods 4 (offered both Fall & Spring terms) Term 2 Spring GRD 403 Communication Design I 3 GRD 405 Typography I 3 GRD 430 InDesign II 3 GRD 463 Photoshop 3 WDV 101 Intro HTML and CSS 3 A.A.S. General Requirement Communications Course 3 Term 3 Summer GRD 411 Communication Design II 3 GRD 470 Interactive Media I 3 GRT 403 Production Methods 2 A.A.S. General Requirement Social & Behavioral Sciences/Humanities Course 3 Visual Communications Diploma Total 44 Students accepted into the Graphic Design A.A.S. degree program would continue, taking the following courses. Students must choose a Graphic Design concentration or a Web Design concentration: Term 4 Fall Students choosing a Graphic Design emphasis take all courses listed below. GRD 404 Typography II 3 GRD 410 Illustration I 3 GRD 421 Internship Preparation 3 GRD 426 Communication Design III 3 GRD 471 Interactive Media II 3 Students choosing a Web Design emphasis take all courses below: BUS 150 E-Commerce on the Web 3 WDV 245 Content Management Systems I 3 GRD 480 Video Production I 3 WDV 221 Intro JavaScript 3 GRD 471 Interactive Media II 3
Term 5 Spring Students choosing a Graphic Design emphasis take courses below and select 1 course from Option 1(listed below): GRD 424 Graphic Design Internship 3 GRD 437 Communication Design IV 3 GRD 464 Digital Artistry 3 AAS General Requirement Distributed Course 3 Select 3 credits from Option 1 below 3 ART 186 Principles Digital Photography Opt 1 3 BUS 150 E-Commerce on the Web Opt 1 3 GRD 414 Illustration II Opt 1 3 GRD 448 Airbrush I Opt 1 3 GRD 480 Video Production I Opt 1 3 GRT 433 InDesign III Opt 1 3 GRT 466 Digital Imaging for Print Opt 1 3 MKT 150 Principles of Advertising Opt 1 3 WDV 245 Content Management Systems I Opt 1 3 WDV 261 Intro Flash Opt 1 3 Students choosing a Web Design emphasis take courses below and select 2 courses from Option 2 (listed below): GRD 473 Motion Graphics and Special Effects 3 WDV 445 Content Management Systems II 3 AAS General Requirement Distributed Course 3 Select two Option 2 course from the list below 6 GRD 464 Digital Artistry Opt 2 3 GRD 481 Video Production II Opt 2 3 WDV 321 Advanced JavaScript Opt 2 3 WDV 331 Dreamweaver Applications Opt 2 3 WDV 341 Intro PHP Opt 2 3 WDV 351 Website Application Components Opt 2 3 WDV 261 Intro Flash Opt 2 3 MKT 115 Business to Business Marketing Opt 2 3 MKT 120 E-Marketing Opt 2 3 MKT 160 Principles of Retailing Opt 2 3 ART 186 Principles of Digital Photography Opt 2 3 Term 6 Summer only for students choosing a Web Design concentration. GRD 424 Graphic Design Internship 3 WDV 932 Web Development Internship 3 Total minimum credits required to complete this program Graphic Design concentration 74 Total minimum credits required to complete this program Web Design concentration 77
Fixed Costs Tuition...$139.00 per credit The costs for each program are estimates and subject to change. Varied Costs Term 1 Term 2 Term 3 Term 4 Term 5 Term 6 Books (approximate) 175-200 260-310 30-140 120-300 70-100 200-300 Supplies 20 20 20 50-100 100 External Hard Drive 100 Recommended, but optional: Macintosh Computer 1,500 Design Software (Monthly Subscription) 20 20 20 20 20 20 Portfolio 100-200 Note: Financial aid may be used to purchase a computer. Apply for financial aid by completing the Free Application for Student Financial Aid (FAFSA) online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Approximate total for program Graphic Design concentration: $11,571-$13,816 Approximate total for program Web Design concentration: $11,988-$14,233 What Kind of Work Will You Do? Develop the overall layout and production of magazines, newspapers, journals and corporate reports. Design web pages, interactive media and multimedia projects. Produce promotional displays, packaging and marketing brochures for products and services. Create distinctive logos and brands for a variety of businesses and services. Develop signs and signage systems for business and government.
What Skills and Abilities Will You Need? Artistic talent and creativity. Ability to conceptualize and effectively use design elements and principles. Design for multichannel media. Work long hours on a computer using specialized design software. Accurately follow project specifications. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Present your ideas, designs and proposals to prospective clients and supervisors. Teamwork, collaboration and the ability to take art direction from supervisors, clients and coworkers to improve your work. Manage your time to meet established deadlines while working on more than one project at a time and stay within project budget. Possess critical thinking skills and creative problem-solving skills in order to assess a client s needs and develop a design strategy. What Else Should I Consider about this Program or Career Choice? Must be able to work under pressure to meet deadlines. Must learn and use multiple software applications and stay current with updates, adapt to change and be able to learn on your own. Must be able to sit at a computer for long periods of time. Must be self-motivated to develop an effective job search strategy to secure a position in this very competitive job market. Anticipated average starting salary $28,833 (2010 2011 Placement Report). Graphic Design (2014 2015) Nondiscrimination Policy: Des Moines Area Community College shall not engage in or allow discrimination covered by law. This includes harassment based on race, color, national origin, creed, religion, sex (including pregnancy and marital status), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability and genetic information. Veteran status in educational programs, activities, employment practices, or admission procedures is also included to the extent covered by law. Individuals who believe they have been discriminated against may file a complaint through the College Discrimination Complaint Procedure (ES4645). Complaint forms may be obtained from the Campus Provost s office, the Academic Dean s office, the Judicial Officer, or the EEO/AA Officer, Human Resources. For requests for accommodations, the Accommodation/Section 504/ADA Coordinator can be contacted at 515-964-6857. For Title IX questions and concerns, contact 515-964-6850. www.dmacc.edu For all campus information, call 515-964-6200 or 877-863-6222, extension 6200.