Just the Facts
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Graphic Design
- 60 Credit Associate Degree
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Program Length
- Two Years
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Delivery Method
- MyChoice
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Career Cluster
- Marketing & Sales
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Program Location
- Eau Claire
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Start Months
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August
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Financial Aid Eligible
Estimated Program Cost
Learn more about the cost of attendance.
- Term 1
- $ 2,690
- Term 2
- $ 2,690
- Term 3
- $ 2,690
- Term 4
- $ 2,152
- Materials
- $ 183
- Books
- $ 390
- Estimated Total
- $10,795
Graphic Design Overview
Using a mixture of arts and digital technology, successful graphic designers are creative, have strong attention to visual details, and embrace new technologies. Throughout this two-year Graphic Design Associate Degree, you will develop a foundation of technical skills while working toward creating a personal style to be displayed in your final design portfolio.
The Graphic Design program teaches students traditional art fundamentals like drawing and typography, but also digital art skills for print and electronic media using the latest Adobe Creative Cloud applications: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Animate, and After Effects. Coursework builds on itself during the program as students work with real clients and projects aimed at strengthening communication, project management, and time management skills.
Graphic designers today work on a wide variety of projects from logo creation, branding, document layout, advertising, signage, social media graphics, and web design. They also work in a variety of business settings, including advertising and marketing agencies, printing companies, in-house corporate marketing departments. Some designers also choose to work for themselves as freelancers.
If you are looking to turn your artistic ability and passion into a career, the Graphic Design program is for you!
In this program, you will learn:
- Design Communication
- Publication & Document Design
- Digital Illustration Basics
- Typography
- Design Photography
- Print Production
- Adobe Creative Suite Applications
- Interactive Media
- Web Design Fundamentals
- Project Management Skills
As a student in this program you'll be required to purchase and use a preapproved laptop to complete much of your coursework.
Check It Out
Join Us for the Fall Open House!
Thursday, November 5, 20263:30 – 7 p.m.View Event Details
Earn credit for prior learning!
Do you have previous educational or work experience in the field? You could be eligible to receive credit for prior learning
Explore This Program
Career Opportunities
- Graphic Designer
- Sales Consultant
- Production Specialist
- Graphic Artist
Graduate Employers
- Rice Lake Printery
- Lippert Manufacturing
- Fastsigns
- HOM Furniture
Graduate Outcomes
CVTC graduates are ready for the workforce. Each year, we send our graduates the Graduate Follow-Up Survey asking several questions related to employment. Here are the program outcomes and job data.
$36K yearly salary
Our recent Graphic Design graduates reported an average starting salary of $35,882.
67% employed
67% of our recent Graphic Design graduates got a job in the industry.
20 regional jobs
There are 20 job openings in the CVTC district for the Graphic Design industry.
Transfer Credits to Other Institutions
Should you choose to continue your education after you leave CVTC, we have agreements in place with several institutions to ensure an easy transfer.
Program Courses
These are a few of the courses you will take in this program. Courses and the recommended sequence change from year to year; once you are enrolled in a program at CVTC you will be given a recommended course sequence that outlines what courses you should take and the order in which to take them.
You may search for available courses. If you are ever unsure of what courses to take, talk to your academic advisor. If you are looking for course information for previous years, check out our past catalogs.
Here are a few of the courses you can take in the Graphic Design program.
Sample Courses
Drawing and Illustration Concepts
Drawing and Illustration Concept is designed to help give the designers the basic concept and perspective of drawing before digital. The students will learn the fundamentals of drawing, typography drawing, sketching human forms, layout design, and other essential assets needed to help further their skills as designers.
Typography Fundamentals
Typography Fundamentals is a course to help the learners and designers understand the principals and importance of typography. The students will learn more about the drawing and perspective art of typography, the terminology, history, digital form, and other aspects that are crucial to the design aspects of artistic and digital typography.
Design Photography
Photography will be implemented into the curriculum to show and help students understand the importance photography is to design. Design Photography will introduce perspective, lighting, features of all cameras, Adobe Photoshop basics, and other assets of photography needs.
Request More Information
Please provide your contact information and an Admissions Advisor will get back to you ASAP with more information about this program.
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Student Learning Outcomes
A Student Learning Outcome refers to the specific skills, knowledge, or abilities that students are expected to demonstrate upon successful completion of an academic program or degree.
Students will:
- Apply the principles of design to develop strategic marketing and communication products and services
- Demonstrate proficiency in the use of design software, tools and technology
- Implement creative solutions from concept through completion using a formal process
- Apply effective legal and ethical business practices and project management skills
- Communicate artwork rationale in formal and informal settings
Additional Admissions Resources
Admission Requirements
Each program requires specific requirements a student must meet to be considered for admissions to this program.
Advising Tips
We have compiled helpful tips and general information for students in this program.