Graphic Design

Graphic Design

A.S. Degree

 

Graphic Design

Visual appearance greatly impacts our perceptions of companies, organizations, and products. Graphic designers are responsible for creating strong visual communication using imagery and typography, be it through a corporate logo, a company website, a game app, or a candy's colorful wrapper.

The field changes rapidly with the expanding use of technology in design, giving graphic designers an exciting array of challenges. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, "employment of graphic designers is expected to grow 13 percent from 2008-2018, as demand for graphic design continues to increase from advertisers and computer design firms."

Our program responds to the demands and realities of the professional graphic design field. Our courses offer real-world opportunities for students to build their resumes through project-based learning, special topics courses focusing on published projects, and internships. You will be exposed to a variety of media in courses that utilize both traditional hands-on and digital methods to produce work. Students will have the opportunity to explore cutting edge technology in our digital labs and build unique and sought after skill sets and portfolios. All students are also encouraged to submit writing and art work to the Kelab Art and Literary Journal, a collaborative effort of the Creative Writing, Graphic Design, Photography and New Media programs.

Careers on Career Coach

The A.S. degree prepares you for a career in a design studio, creative agency, or an organization’s communications office. Responsibilities include creating visual materials such as brochures, magazines, advertisements, and electronic publications. Some of the firms that have hired graphic design graduates include Cornell University, Industrial Color Labs, Marietta Corporation, Metrodesign Associates, Porous Materials, Inc., Sciencenter, Ithaca, NY, The Thomas Group, Communique Design & Marketing Inc., and Vision Art Photo.

Select a career below to connect to Career Coach and find information about that career including median salary and job postings.

Explore more career options: A.S.

Program Chair

Christine Shanks

Christine Shanks

Assistant Professor, Graphic Design

I am an image maker, designer, and educator. I feel at home on the computer and working by hand in the studio. I have experience in fine art and commercial work. Some of my specialties are design (web, interactive, and print), motion graphics, printmaking (utilizing both traditional and digital processes), and photography (alternative processes, digital, and film). 

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Transfer Options

Graduates have transferred to many four-year colleges and universities including:

  • Binghamton University
  • SUNY College at Cortland
  • East Stroudsburg University
  • Fashion Institute of Technology
  • Hartwick College
  • Ithaca College
  • SUNY New Paltz
  • SUNY College at Oswego
  • Pratt Institute
  • Rochester Institute of Technology
  • The College of St. Rose
  • Syracuse University

Degree Requirements

A.S.
Minimum Credits for Graduation: 61 credits

Fall Term 1

Minimum Total Semester Credits: 15

ART109, Graphic Design, 3 cr.
A minimum grade of C is required in ART 109.		 Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi 
ART110, Design I, 3 cr.
A minimum grade of C is required in ART 110. If ART 117 has been taken previously, the student may request a waiver to use ART 117 in place of the ART 110 requirement.		 Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi 
ART120, Drawing I, 3 cr.
A minimum grade of C is required in ART 120.		 Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi 
ENGL100, Academic Writing I, 3 cr.
A minimum grade of C is required in ENGL 100. A student exempted from ENGL 100 must substitute a 3-credit Liberal Arts Elective. The course should be selected in consultation with the student's advisor.		 Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi 

SUNY GEN ED Mathematics Elective

Select a minimum of 3 credits from the courses listed below:
MATH109, Statistical Literacy, 3 cr.
MATH110, Topics in Mathematics, 3 cr.
MATH120, College Algebra, 4 cr.
MATH122, Technical Mathematics, 3 cr.
MATH138, Precalculus Mathematics, 4 cr.
MATH200, Statistics, 3 cr.
MATH201, Calculus I, 4 cr.
MATH202, Calculus II, 4 cr.
MATH203, Calculus III, 4 cr.
MATH206, Differential Equations, 4 cr.
MATH216, Discrete Mathematics, 4 cr.
 Use Schedule Search for electives

Spring Term 1

Minimum Total Semester Credits: 15

ART114, Design II, 3 cr.
A minimum grade of C is required in ART 114.		 Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi 
ART122, Drawing II, 3 cr.
ART 122 is only offered in the Spring semester.		 Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi 
ART180, Typography, 3 cr.
A minimum grade of C is required in ART 180. ART 180 is only offered in the Spring semester.		 Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi 
ENGL101, Academic Writing II, 3 cr. Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi 
Choose one from the courses listed below:
Minimum credits required: 3
HSTY101, Development of the Western Tradition I Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
HSTY102, Development of the Western Tradition II Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
HSTY201, American History to 1877 Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
HSTY202, American History Since 1877 Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi

Fall Term 2

Minimum Total Semester Credits: 16

ART101, History and Appreciation of Art I, 3 cr.
ART 101 is only offered in the Fall semester.		 Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi 
ART111, Photography I, 3 cr.
A minimum grade of C is required in ART 111.		 Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi 
ART260, Portfolio Preparation - Graphic Design, 1 cr.
A minimum grade of C is required in ART 260. ART 260 is only offered in the Fall semester.		 Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi 
ART270, Computer Graphics I, 3 cr.
A minimum grade of C is required in ART 270. ART 270 is only offered in the Fall semester.		 Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi 
ENGL201, Fundamentals of Speech, 3 cr. Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi 

SUNY GEN ED Natural Sciences Elective

Select a minimum of 3 credits from the courses listed below:
ASTR101, Introductory Astronomy, 3 cr.
BIOL100, Human Biology, 3 cr.
BIOL101, Principles of Biology I, 3 cr.
BIOL102, Principles of Biology II, 3 cr.
BIOL104, General Biology I, 4 cr.
BIOL105, General Biology II, 4 cr.
BIOL112, Essentials of Medical Microbiology, 3 cr.
BIOL114, Essentials of Nutrition, 3 cr.
BIOL115, Field Natural History, 3 cr.
BIOL116, Tropical Field Natural History, 4 cr.
BIOL119, Botany, 3 cr.
BIOL131, Principles of Human Anatomy and Physiology I, 4 cr.
BIOL132, Principles of Human Anatomy and Physiology II, 4 cr.
BIOL201, Human Anatomy and Physiology I, 4 cr.
BIOL202, Human Anatomy and Physiology II, 4 cr.
BIOL211, Ecology, 4 cr.
BIOL216, General Microbiology, 4 cr.
CHEM101, Principles of Chemistry I, 4 cr.
CHEM102, Principles of Chemistry II, 4 cr.
CHEM107, General Chemistry I, 4 cr.
CHEM108, General Chemistry II, 4 cr.
CHEM205, Organic Chemistry I, 4 cr.
CHEM206, Organic Chemistry II, 4 cr.
ENVS101, Introduction to Environmental Science, 3 cr.
ENVS102, Technology and the Environment, 3 cr.
ENVS116, Soil Science, 3 cr.
ENVS141, Agroecology, 3 cr.
ENVS202, Integrated Pest Management, 3 cr.
GEOL101, Introductory Geology, 3 cr.
METR101, Introductory Meteorology, 3 cr.
PHSC104, General Physics I, 4 cr.
PHSC105, General Physics II, 4 cr.
PHSC211, Physics I (Mechanics and Heat), 4 cr.
PHSC212, Physics II (Electricity and Magnetism), 4 cr.
PHSC213, Physics III (Waves, Optics and Modern Physics), 4 cr.
 Use Schedule Search for electives

Spring Term 2

Minimum Total Semester Credits: 15

ART102, History and Appreciation of Art II, 3 cr.
ART 102 is only offered in the Spring semester.		 Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi 
ART271, Computer Graphics II, 3 cr.
A minimum grade of C is required in ART 271. ART 271 is only offered in the Spring semester.		 Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi 
ENGL102, Approaches to Literature, 3 cr. Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi 

Restricted Elective

Select a minimum of 3 credits from the courses listed below:
Select from: ALEX (Project-Based Learning), ART 200, ART 212, ART 213, ART 222, ART 233, ART 272, COMM 115, WD 157.
ALEX@
ART200, Illustration, 3 cr.
ART212, Digital Photography, 3 cr.
ART213, Dynamic Media I, 3 cr.
ART222, Advanced Digital Photography, 3 cr.
ART233, Animation, 3 cr.
ART272, Art Internship, 3 cr.
COMM115, Introduction to Digital Video, 3 cr.
WD157, Web & Mobile Design, 3 cr.
 Use Schedule Search for electives

SUNY GEN ED Social Sciences Elective

Select a minimum of 3 credits from the courses listed below:
ANTH201, Introduction to Anthropology, 3 cr.
ANTH202, Cultural Anthropology, 3 cr.
ANTH260, Culture Survey for Study Abroad, 3 cr.
ANTH295, Global Seminar, 3 cr.
COMM101, Mass Media, 3 cr.
ECON101, Introduction to Economics, 3 cr.
ECON120, Principles of Microeconomics, 3 cr.
ECON121, Principles of Macroeconomics, 3 cr.
ENVS107, Economy, Society & Environment, 3 cr.
ENVS108, Environmental Psychology, 3 cr.
ENVS295, Global Seminar, 3 cr.
GEOG110, Geography of the Americas, 3 cr.
GEOG115, Highlights of World Regional Geography, 3 cr.
GEOG120, World Regional Geography, 3 cr.
HSTY260, Topics in Modern Latin America, 3 cr.
HUMS206, Juvenile Delinquency, 3 cr.
IED260, Culture Survey for Study Abroad, 3 cr.
POSC103, American National Government, 3 cr.
POSC104, American State and Local Government, 3 cr.
POSC107, Economy, Society & Environment, 3 cr.
POSC260, Topics in Modern Latin America, 3 cr.
PSYC101, Psychology of Personal Growth, 3 cr.
PSYC103, Introduction to Psychology, 3 cr.
PSYC108, Environmental Psychology, 3 cr.
PSYC201, Social Psychology, 3 cr.
PSYC205, Childhood Psychology, 3 cr.
PSYC207, Adolescent Psychology, 3 cr.
PSYC208, Adult Psychology, 3 cr.
PSYC209, Abnormal Psychology, 3 cr.
PSYC218, Educational Psychology, 3 cr.
PSYC263, Development Across the Lifespan, 3 cr.
SOCE201, Human Sexuality, 3 cr.
SOCE205, Organizational Behavior, 3 cr.
SOCI101, Introduction to Sociology, 3 cr.
SOCI103, The American Community, 3 cr.
SOCI201, Sociology of the Family, 3 cr.
SOCI203, Sociology of Race, Power, and Privilege, 3 cr.
SOCI205, Contemporary Social Problems, 3 cr.
SOCI206, Juvenile Delinquency, 3 cr.
SOCI207, Introduction to Criminology, 3 cr.
 Use Schedule Search for electives


SUNY General Education & Tompkins Cortland Liberal Arts courses

Note: The @ symbol represents any course number or discipline. For example, BIOL @ means any course with a Biology course prefix. An @ alone means one course in any course discipline with any course number.