Are you looking for a way to put your creativity to work? Learn the practical uses of art, design, graphics and video. Become ready for the job market, start a business, or transfer for further study. Study digital filmmaking, image editing, design principles, business essentials, digital art and so much more. Develop a portfolio and get hands-on experience from leaders in the field.
Careers in Graphic Design, Illustration and Multimedia
- Become a graphic designer or art director with a Graphic Design Certificate or Degree.
- Start your career in animation or gaming with an Illustration Degree or Certificate.
- Become a video editor or web designer with a Digital Media Degree or Certificate.
Academic Plans for Applied Art and Design
Each plan shows all the courses you need to take to complete your goal from start to finish. Map your education by clicking on the Academic Plan for the degree or certificate you’re interested in earning below.
Note: The academic plans give you an idea of the classes you need to take. However, please meet with a counselor to personalize the plan.
Applied Art and Design: Digital Media—AA/AS Degree
Term 1
| Course |
Units |
Notes |
| AAD 0070 |
3 |
|
| AAD 0075 |
3 |
|
| ENGL 0001A |
4 |
|
| MATH 0013 or MATH 0010 |
4 |
MATH 0013 preferred by AAD Department. |
| AAD 0044 or ART 0004A |
3 |
|
| TOTAL |
17 |
|
Term 2
| Course |
Units |
Notes |
| AAD 0052 |
3 |
|
| AAD 0060 |
3 |
|
| PDEV 0001 |
3 |
|
| ENGL 0001B |
3 |
|
| AAD 0085 or AAD 0079 |
3 |
AAD 0085 for students focused on web design.
AAD 0079 for students focused on video production.
|
| TOTAL |
15 |
|
Term 3
| Course |
Units |
Notes |
| AAD 0062 |
3 |
|
| AAD 0090 or AAD 0082 |
3 |
AAD 0090 for students focused on web design.
AAD 0082 for students focused on video production.
|
| PHOT 0060A |
3 |
PHOT 0060A is especially recommended if student did not take ART 0004A in their first semester. |
| POLS 0001 |
3 |
|
| MECH 0001 or BIOL 0011 or ESS 0007 or (ANTH 0001 and ANTH 0001L) |
3-4 |
|
| TOTAL |
15-16 |
|
Term 4
| Course |
Units |
Notes |
| AAD 0012 |
3 |
|
| HIST 0027 or HIST 0018A or HIST 0018B |
3 |
|
| AAD 0086 or AAD 0087 or AAD 0089 or AAD 0093 |
3 |
AAD 0086 or AAD 0087 for students interested in web design.
AAD 0089 or AAD 0093 for students interested in video production.
|
| PSYC 0103 or SSCI 0050 or ANTH 0002 |
3 |
|
| BUS 0085 or COMM 0001 |
3 |
|
| TOTAL |
15 |
|
Applied Art and Design: Graphic Design—AA/AS Degree
Term 1
| Course |
Units |
Notes |
| AAD 0070 |
3 |
|
| ENGL 0001A |
4 |
|
| PDEV 0001 |
3 |
|
| AAD 0044 or ART 0004A |
3 |
ART 0004A is strongly recommended. |
| MATH 0013 or MATH 0010 |
4 |
MATH 0013 is recommended by department. |
| TOTAL |
17 |
|
Term 2
| Course |
Units |
| AAD 0075 |
3 |
| AAD 0052 |
3 |
| AAD 0060 |
3 |
| ENGL 0001B |
3 |
| MECH 0001 or ESS 0007 |
3 |
| TOTAL |
15 |
Term 3
| Course |
Units |
Notes |
| AAD 0054 |
3 |
|
| AAD 0062 |
3 |
|
| POLS 0001 |
3 |
|
| PHOT 0060A or any Elective course |
3 |
PHOT 0060A is especially recommended for students who took AAD 044 in their first semester. |
| BIOL 0011 or (ANTH 0001 and ANTH 0001L) |
4 |
|
| TOTAL |
16 |
|
Term 4
| Course |
Units |
| AAD 0012 |
3 |
| AAD 0053 or AAD 0061 |
3 |
| HIST 0027 or HIST 0018A or HIST 0018B |
3 |
| BUS 0085 or COMM 0001 |
3 |
| PSYC 0103 or SSCI 0050 or ANTH 0002 |
3 |
| TOTAL |
15 |
Applied Art and Design: Illustration—AA/AS Degree
Term 1
| Course |
Units |
Notes |
| AAD 0070 |
3 |
|
| ENGL 0001A |
4 |
|
| PDEV 0001 |
3 |
|
| AAD 0044 or ART 0004A |
3 |
ART 0004A is strongly recommended as it can count toward General Education and Major requirements. |
| MATH 0013 or MATH 0010 |
4 |
MATH 0013 is preferred by the department. MATH 0010 and MATH 000D are other options. |
| TOTAL |
17 |
|
Term 2
| Course |
Units |
| AAD 0075 |
3 |
| AAD 0052 |
3 |
| AAD 0060 |
3 |
| ENGL 0001B |
3 |
| ESS 0007 or MECH 0001 |
3 |
| TOTAL |
15 |
Term 3
| Course |
Units |
Notes |
| AAD 0055 |
3 |
|
| AAD 0062 |
3 |
|
| POLS 0001 |
3 |
|
| PHOT 0060A or any Elective course |
3 |
PHOT 0060A is recommended if student did not take ART 0004A. |
| BIOL 0011 or (ANTH 0001 and ANTH 0001L) |
4 |
|
| TOTAL |
16 |
|
Term 4
| Course |
Units |
| AAD 0071 |
3 |
| AAD 0012 |
3 |
| HIST 0027 or HIST 0018A or HIST 0018B |
3 |
| BUS 0085 or COMM 0001 |
3 |
| PSYC 0103 or SSCI 0050 or ANTH 0002 |
3 |
| TOTAL |
15 |
Applied Art and Design: Digital Media—Certificate of Achievement
Term 1
| Course |
Units |
| AAD 0060 |
3 |
| AAD 0070 |
3 |
| AAD 0079 |
3 |
| TOTAL |
9 |
Term 2
| Course |
Units |
| AAD 0052 |
3 |
| AAD 0085 |
3 |
| AAD 0012 |
3 |
| AAD 0075 |
3 |
| TOTAL |
12 |
Term 3
| Course |
Units |
Notes |
| AAD 0093 |
3 |
|
| AAD 0086 or AAD 0090 |
3 |
|
| AAD 0082 or AAD 0083 |
3 |
AAD 0082 is focused on video or filmmaking.
AAD 0083 is focused on graphics or animation.
|
| AAD 0028 or AAD 0095 |
2 |
|
| TOTAL |
11 |
|
Applied Art and Design: Graphic Design—Certificate of Achievement
Term 1
| Course |
Units |
Notes |
| AAD 0070 |
3 |
|
| AAD 0012 |
3 |
|
| AAD 0044 or ART 0004A |
3 |
ART 0004A is strongly recommended as it can be double counted in GE if student decides to pursue degree. |
| TOTAL |
9 |
|
Term 2
| Course |
Units |
| AAD 0075 |
3 |
| AAD 0052 |
3 |
| AAD 0060 |
3 |
| TOTAL |
9 |
Term 3
| Course |
Units |
| AAD 0054 |
3 |
| AAD 0062 |
3 |
| AAD 0061 |
3 |
| TOTAL |
9 |
Term 4
| Course |
Units |
Notes |
| AAD 0053 |
3 |
|
| AAD 0020 or AAD 0066 |
3 |
AAD 0020 focuses on portfolio development.
AAD 0066 focuses on business practices.
|
| TOTAL |
6 |
|
Applied Art and Design: Illustration—Certificate of Achievement
Term 1
| Course |
Units |
Notes |
| AAD 0070 |
3 |
|
| AAD 0012 |
3 |
|
| AAD 0044 or ART 0004A |
3 |
ART 0004A is strongly recommended as it can be double counted in GE if student decides to pursue a degree. |
| TOTAL |
9 |
|
Term 2
| Course |
Units |
| AAD 0075 |
3 |
| AAD 0052 |
3 |
| AAD 0060 |
3 |
| TOTAL |
9 |
Term 3
| Course |
Units |
| AAD 0055 |
3 |
| AAD 0062 |
3 |
| AAD 0071 |
3 |
| TOTAL |
9 |
Term 4
| Course |
Units |
| AAD 0066 |
3 |
| AAD 0076 or AAD 0083 |
3 |
| TOTAL |
6 |
Digital Animation—Skills Certificate
Please meet with your counselor to create a personalized academic plan for this certificate.
Digital Illustration—Skills Certificate
Term 1
| Course |
Units |
| AAD 0062 |
3 |
| AAD 0044 or ART 0004A |
3 |
| TOTAL |
6 |
Term 2
| Course |
Units |
| AAD 0055 |
3 |
| AAD 0071 |
3 |
| TOTAL |
6 |
Graphic Design—Skills Certificate
Term 1
| Course |
Units |
| AAD 0060 |
3 |
| AAD 0070 |
3 |
| TOTAL |
6 |
Term 2
| Course |
Units |
| AAD 0052 |
3 |
| AAD 0075 |
3 |
| TOTAL |
6 |
Video Production and Editing—Skills Certificate
Term 1
| Course |
Units |
| AAD 0079 |
3 |
| AAD 0044 or ART 0004A |
3 |
| TOTAL |
6 |
Term 2
| Course |
Units |
| AAD 0075 |
3 |
| AAD 0082 |
3 |
| AAD 0093 |
3 |
| TOTAL |
9 |
Visual Arts and Media—Skills Certificate
Term 1
| Course |
Unit |
| AAD 0012 |
3 |
| AAD 0044 or ART 0004A |
3 |
| TOTAL |
6 |
Term 2
| Course |
Units |
| AAD 0070 |
3 |
| PHOT 0060A |
3 |
| TOTAL |
6 |
Web Design—Skills Certificate
Term 1
| Course |
Units |
| AAD 0085 |
3 |
| TOTAL |
3 |
Term 2
| Course |
Units |
| AAD 0086 |
3 |
| AAD 0087 |
3 |
| AAD 0090 |
3 |
| TOTAL |
9 |
Resources
