With an emphasis on process, conceptual strategy, and professional practices, students are given broad opportunities to develop a unique voice, vision, and viewpoint. Working with typography, photography, and illustration, they create and combine symbols, images, and text to represent ideas and messages. Using both print and digital formats, they produce projects that demonstrate an understanding of visual communication through brand strategy, interactive design, and typographic systems. This diverse body of work is refined into a strategic professional portfolio aimed at accomplishing each student’s education and employment goals.

Graphic design students at San Diego City College can earn a Certificate of Achievement or Associate Degree in Graphic Design. The 30-unit certificate is ideal for students who want to gain the skills and portfolio to get an entry-level position in the field. The Associate Degree includes the same courses but adds general education and electives to meet the minimum of 60 units for the degree.