Graphic design continues the long-standing tradition of communication through the combination of imagery and text.  It is one of our most influential forms of communication. The end result of a clear flow of information is the same goal as it has always been, only now we are simply using a different set of tools to work.  As a graphic designer, you will learn a multitude of skills to master this process of producing focused, easily understood visual messages.

Through our program, you will learn and work with the industry-standard Adobe Creative Cloud Software for illustration, photo manipulation and page layout design. The graphic design program includes classes with an emphasis on learning the production skills, tools and terminology in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign.

Your education will focus on matching strong conceptual skills along with the technical skills set needed to bring your visions to life for a diverse visual audience. Problem solving projects will allow you to express your personal life experiences with the technical know-how needed to inform others of your intended message.

All of the classes in our program will build your knowledge and understanding of this creative discipline to work in a professional and challenging environment

Analysis and criticism of finished pieces will further develop your creative skills of personal expression. And with the technical skills you will learn here, the future will look brighter than ever with an ever-expanding world of creative possibilities in the ever-expanding world of visual communication.

​Welcome to the Graphic Design Program at Santa Ana College.​


Graphic Design Degree: AA
Program Code: SAC.ARTGD.AA
Program Control Number: 10665


The associate degree curriculum in Graphic Design prepares students for entry into the broad field of visual communication, with an emphasis on the development of problem solving in the practical application of graphic design. These applications include design for the print media, advertising, architectural and environmental graphics, packaging, logos, corporate identity, the web and other electronic media, using both digital media tools as well as traditional hand skills. Completion of this associate degree provides for entry into a profession in a variety of areas: e.g., advertising agency, printing house, design studio, freelance work and related businesses. This program plan is designed with transfer preparation to a 4-year university in mind. Please consult assist.org and meet with a counselor for information about courses for specific universities.

Learning Outcome(s):
1. Express through written research an understanding of the history of graphic design.
2. Create for an audience unique conceptual graphics that carry messages and meaning through visual symbolism.
3. Utilize professional software to design graphics with destination output in mind, addressing issues of file types, resolution, color profiles, and multiple media applications.

Foundation Units: 15
ART 195 Introduction to Digital Media Arts 3
ART 121A Fundamentals of Typography 3
ART 122 Graphic Design I 3
ART 130 Introduction to Drawing 3
ART 110 Two-Dimensional Design 3

History & Appreciation Units: 3-6
ART 100 Introduction to Art Concepts 3
–OR–
ART 100H Honors Introduction to Art Concepts 3
ART 101 Survey of Western Art History I: Prehistory through the Middle Ages 3
ART 102 Survey of Western Art History II: Renaissance through the Twentieth Century 3
ART 103 Arts of Africa, Oceania, and Indigenous North America 3
ART 104 Mexican and Chicano Art History 3
ART 105 History of Modern Art 3
ART 107 History of Animation 3 Electives Units: 3-6
ART 121B Advanced Typography 3
ART 193 Motion Graphics with Adobe After Effects 3
ART 164 Web Design 3
ART 162 Digital Illustration I 3
ART 192A Digital Illustration II: Advanced Topics 3
ART 191A Layout Design 3
CMSD 123A News Media Production 4
CMSD 105H Honors Mass Media and Society 3
CMSD 105 Mass Media and Society 3
ART 131 Beginning Life Drawing 3
ART 140A Watercolor Painting 2
ART 141 Beginning Painting 3
PHOT 180 Beginning Photography 3
ART 009 Art Lab 0.5
ART 111 Three-Dimensional Design 3

Capstone Units: 2
ART 168 Graphic Design II: Branding & Identity 2
Total: 23-29