Graphic Design Certificate of Achievement


Description

The Graphic Design Certificate of Achievement Program is designed to provide the essential tools for professional careers in commercial art: entry-level production designers or junior graphic designers. The Program provides the foundation of visual communications. Students will analyze design problems and develop visually compelling solutions using current technical resources. Students will create a portfolio of original work that represents understanding of visual communications and design principles. This Program is for students interested in a career relevant to graphic design and working adults who want to expand their skills in visual design to boost their marketability.

Graphic Design is an exciting and growing field and there are design needs across every industry. All of us interact with content brought to life by graphic designers every day. A career in graphic design can also be a fulfilling one. Graphic designers are visual storytellers that can have valuable real-world impact. The Program helps students attain transferable skills that can help them branch out into related lines of employment and design fields such as production designer, art director, web designer, UX/UI designer, animator and game artist, brand creator and strategist, art therapist, art curator, and environmental designers, among others. These expanded career options typically require additional training or a degree.

 

Earnings Potential

A certificate in graphic art and design offers you the salary potential of $41,034 at five years, based on five-year studies of graduates by California Community Colleges. This does not reflect salaries with a four-year degree.1

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in 2024, the median annual salary for Graphic Designers is $61,300.2 

If expanding beyond the category of graphic designer, there are many related careers and with other earning potential. According to the BLS, the median annual wage is $52,030 for museum technicians or conservators; $58,500 for elementary and secondary teachers (including art teachers); $63,880 for curators; $78,790 for special effects artists and animators; $86,240 for postsecondary art, drama, and music teachers; and $144,000 for art directors.3

1 California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office. Salary Surfer. 2021. https://salarysurfer.cccco.edu. Accessed 4 May 2025.

2 “Occupational Outlook Handbook.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 2024. www.bls.gov/ooh. Accessed 4 May 2025.

3 “Occupational Outlook Handbook.” Accessed 19 April 2023.

 

Program Requirements

The Certificate of Achievement in Graphic Design has a required core of 18 units.

ART1800 - Introduction to Digital Art

ART1820 - Computer Imaging: Adobe Photoshop

ART1825 - Fundamentals of Typography

ART1811 - Graphic Design

ART1815 - Brand and Identity Systems

ART1830 - Graphic Design II

 

Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Acquire proficiency in current software used in graphic design.
  2. Develop a creative process to imagine, research, explore, and execute design. Analyze design problems and develop solutions in visual communications.
  3. Articulate design choices when presenting design works.

 

Tips for Art, Graphics Design, Studio Arts, and Art History Students

Thinking about earning a degree in Art or Art History? Consider visiting a museum in person or online.  See our informative page on more than a dozen outstanding museums. Links included for additional information!  Museum list.

 

For More Information