The graphic design industry is constantly changing, with technological advances that require designers to take on more pre-press responsibilities. Students will use their creative talents to design and execute comprehensive pieces that promote public consumption of materials, products or services, and to influence the opinions of individuals or organizations through printed communications.
The program is designed to give students an understanding of color, design, typography, layout, and advertising principles. They will develop manual as well as digital drawing, illustration, and layout techniques to create solutions to marketing communication problems. The latest industry standard computer applications will be taught to give students hands-on skills in creating digital layouts, along with scanning and manipulating manually created images. Students will develop an understanding of the use of various media in printed communications and identify marketing trends and target markets.
During the internship course, students will practice the skills learned in the classroom/lab, acquire professional job attitudes, and explore career opportunities in graphic design. In some cases, the internship may lead to job placement for graduating students.
Completion of projects for the program will require additional time outside of scheduled classes and labs. Students will need to attend open lab sessions and work on projects independently. Students are strongly encouraged to purchase hardware and software for home use.
Program Mission
The mission of the Graphic Design program is to prepare students for a career in print and web design in the graphic arts industry.
Program Goal/Objectives
Graduates from this program will:
- Have working knowledge of the principals of design, color theory, typography in order to create comprehensive layouts.
- Be able to draw, illustrate and design following specific instructions.
- Have the ability to accurately measure using a variety of measurement systems.
- Possess working knowledge of essential graphic design software.
- Correctly prepare designs for print.
- Have completed a graphic design internship.
- Have participated in related industry events including a juried exhibition and portfolio review.
- Develop a professional portfolio and self-promotion package for entering the design field or for transfer to a four-year college.
Admission Requirements
In addition to college-wide admission requirements, applicants must have:
- A C or better in high school level algebra, English, reading and writing.
Transfer Credit Policy
Appropriate transfer credits for courses within the major may be accepted within a five-year time frame. Transfer of courses more than five years old will be evaluated by the Department Chair on an individual basis.
Employment Opportunities
Graduates of the Graphic Design program possess the skills and knowledge to obtain entry-level positions in advertising agencies, printing companies, publishing firms, and companies that maintain in-house design departments.
Transfer Options
Graduates of MCC's Graphic Design program have transferred to the University of New Hampshire, New Hampshire Institute of Art, Keene State College, Plymouth State University, The New England Institute of Art, and UMass at Lowell.
Technical Standards
Applicants must have:
- Eye-hand coordination to perform labor intensive project construction.
- Capacity to stand or sit for extended periods of time (Adaptive equipment is acceptable.)
- Ability to accept critique of artwork and make changes based on constructive criticism.
- Ability to work in teams to find solutions for design problems.
- Ability to meet deadlines and work in a stressful environment.
- Good vision and manual dexterity to perform drawing operations (Adaptive equipment is acceptable.)
Graphic Design Degree Program
Degree Program - First Year |
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| First Year | Fall Semester | TH | LAB | CR |
| GDES111 | Electronic Publishing I | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| GDES112 | Print Design Basics | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| GDES114 | Two Dimensional Design for Graphic Arts | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| ARTS123 | Drawing I | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| ENGL110 | College Composition | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| INT101 | College Success Seminar | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 13 | 12 | 17 | |
| First Year | Spring Semester | TH | LAB | CR |
| GDES121 | Electronic Publishing II | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| GDES122 | Color Theory for Graphic Arts | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| GDES124 | Typography | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| GDES222 | Computer Illustration | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Social Science Elective | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| Total | 11 | 12 | 15 | |
Degree Program - Second Year |
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| Second Year | Fall Semester | TH | LAB | CR |
| GDES211 | Illustration I | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| GDES213 | Commercial Design I | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| GDES215 | Digital Publishing Methods | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| GDES227 | Graphic Design Internship Seminar | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| ENGL113 | Oral Communications | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| MATH131 | Elementary Algebra | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| MKTG210 | Advertising | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Total | 16 | 9 | 19 | |
| Second Year | Spring Semester | TH | LAB | CR |
| GDES225 | Commercial Design II | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| GDES226 | Portfolio Preparation | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| GDES228 | Graphic Design Internship | 0 | 8 | 2 |
| MATH132 | Business Math | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Science Elective | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| Humanities Elective - Choose one: (HUMA200, ARTS106, ARTS110, ARTS117, ARTS120, ARTS130, ARTS210, ARTS217, ARTS223) |
3 | 0 | 3 | |
| Total | 13 | 14 | 17 | |
Total Credits - 68 |
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Graphic Design Certificate
Students with prior experience or education in design may qualify for the Graphic Design Certificate. Co/prerequisite requirements for courses listed in the certificate will be handled on a case-by-case basis. If students do not have current experience or degrees, GDES112 will be required before GDES215 can be taken.
This certificate allows students to update their computer skills and hone their design skills to grow personally and professionally. Successful graduates of the Graphic Design Certificate will be able to add to their professional portfolio and are expected to complete an internship. They will be prepared for continued growth in their career field and for jobs in advertising agencies, printing companies, publishing firms, and companies that maintain in-house commercial design departments.
Gainful Employment Information
Click here to see how others have done with employment outcomes for this certificate.
| TH | LAB | CR | ||
| GDES111 | Electronic Publishing I | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| GDES114 | Two Dimensional Design for Graphic Arts | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| GDES121 | Electronic Publishing II | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| GDES122 | Color Theory for Graphic Arts | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| GDES124 | Typography | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| GDES213 | Commercial Design I | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| GDES215 | Digital Publishing Methods | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| GDES222 | Computer Illustration | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| GDES225 | Commercial Design II | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| GDES227 | Graphic Design Internship Seminar | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| GDES228 | Graphic Design Internship | 0 | 8 | 2 |
Total Credits - 30 |
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Graphic Illustration Certificate
Students with prior experience or an education in graphic art or illustration may qualify for the Graphic Illustration Certificate. Co/prerequisite requirements for courses listed in the certificate will be handled on a case-by-case basis. If students do not have current experience or degrees, GDES213 will be required before GDES225 can be taken.
This certificate allows students to add to their skills in mechanical and computer generated illustration, and provides them with entry level electronic layout skills so they can grow personally and professionally. Successful graduates of the Graphic Illustration Certificate will be able to add to their professional portfolio and will be prepared for continued growth in graphic illustration with job possibilities in permanent or freelance illustration for advertising agencies, publishing firms and companies that maintain in-house graphic design departments.
Gainful Employment Information
Click here to see how others have done with employment outcomes for this certificate.
| TH | LAB | CR | ||
| GDES111 | Electronic Publishing I | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| GDES114 | Two Dimensional Design for Graphic Arts | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| GDES122 | Color Theory for Graphic Arts | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| GDES211 | Illustration I | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| GDES221 | Illustration II | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| GDES222 | Computer Illustration | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| GDES225 | Commercial Design II | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| GDES226 | Portfolio Preparation | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| ARTS123 | Drawing I | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| ARTS210 | Painting I | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| ARTS223 | Drawing II | 2 | 3 | 3 |
Total Credits - 33 |
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Graphic Design for Web Certificate
Students with prior experience or education in graphic design may qualify for the Graphic Design for Web certificate. Co/prerequisite requirements for courses listed in the certificate will be handled on a case-by-case basis. If students do not have current experience or degrees, GDES111 will be required before GDES124 can be taken.
The Graphic Design for Web certificate draws on theory and principle classes offered in the Graphic Design Associate Degree program and includes courses in using the applications and correct file formats specific to designing web sites.
The certificate is an innovative approach to providing students with the opportunity to be educated in two areas of design and for meeting the emerging need in the graphic design industry for employees trained to create for print and web mediums.
Gainful Employment Information
Click here to see how others have done with employment outcomes for this certificate.
| TH | LAB | CR | ||
| GDES114 | Two Dimensional Design for Graphic Arts | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| GDES122 | Color Theory for Graphic Arts | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| GDES124 | Typography | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| GDES230 | Time Based Design | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| GDES235 | Web Design | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| CIS124 | Web Programming I | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| CIS224 | Web Programming II | 2 | 2 | 3 |
Total Credits - 21 |
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