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Associate Degree

Graphic Design

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.

Capstone Creative

 

Let us help with your graphic design projects!

  The CVTC Graphic Design capstone course is the final step in the program and provides student with real-world experience before graduation. This community service project offers services that correspond with the course which runs each year between January and May. Learn more.

Save the Date

 
 

Get the Fast Pass to CVTC!

Thursday, January 9, 2025  //  2 – 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.

Career Opportunities

Graphic Designer

Screen Print Production Assistant

Social Media Manager/Sales

Graduate Employers

Klingbeil Lumber Company

Rice Lake Printery

River City Stitch

Just the Facts

Graphic Design
60 Credit Associate Degree

Program Length
Two Years

Delivery Method
MyChoice

Program Location
Eau Claire

Start Months
August

 

Financial Aid Eligible

Estimated Program Cost 

Learn more about the cost of attendance.

Term 1

$

2,561

Term 2

$

2,469

Term 3

$

2,561

Term 4

$

2,476

Materials

$

1,465

Books

$

163

 What are estimated program costs? Estimated Total: $11,695

Program Courses Admission Information I'm Ready to Apply

Program 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.

// Program Scorecard
 

$50K* Yearly Salary

Graphic Design professionals make an average starting salary of $49,645.

 

36 Regional Jobs

There are 36 job openings in the CVTC district for the Graphic Design industry.

 
* This wage is not specific to CVTC graduates. Wage estimates are based on entry-level positions and are gathered from Lightcast which is an economic modeling software that blends historical and projected industry and occupation trends within CVTC's 11-county district. Wage estimates are based on Occupational Employment Statistics and the American Community Survey.

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.

View Transfer Options

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.

View Full Course List

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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Your future is waiting…Are you ready to get started?

Apply Now

Related Programs & Certificates

Whether you're looking to continue your learning to another program or to gain continuing education credit, CVTC offers a variety of learning opportunities for students.

Degrees & Diplomas

Digital Marketing, Associate Degree

Marketing, Associate Degree

Professional Communications, Associate Degree

Continue Your Learning

CVTC can help you achieve your learning goals whether you are looking to advance your career or enrich your personal life.

// Explore Continuing Ed Opportunities

  Unsure of which program you'd like to go into? Learn more about our Career Assessment to help narrow down your options.

Additional Admissions Resources

Admission Requirements

Each program requires specific requirements a student must meet to be considered for admissions to this program.

// View Admission Requirements

Advising Tips

We have compiled helpful tips and general information for students in this program.

// View Advising Tips

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