Visual Design, A.A.
The Associate of Arts degree program in Visual Design is designed for students who are interested in transferring to a 4-year university that specializes in professional design practices like graphic design, advertising, motion graphics, and interactive media. Visual design is a field of digital design that focuses on the look and feel of digital assets and products. Visual designers use aesthetics through images, colors, fonts, and layouts to create interfaces that are engaging and intuitive, and provide users with the best possible experience. Visual Designers in this program will create projects using print media, digital applications, websites, branding, and much more.
AA.ART.VD.CG
Design Your Future!
Begin by exploring MSJC program maps to find career or transfer opportunities. Program maps show the recommended course sequence that leads to graduation or transfer. The maps were developed by program experts to give you the skills and knowledge you need to succeed.
- Starting in Spring? Choose Fall Semester 1 courses.
- Are you a part-time student? Start Fall Semester 1 courses and follow the course sequence.
Transfer degrees require a minimum of 60 semester CSU or UC transferable units with a minimum 2.0 overall GPA. Additionally, transfer degrees also require the completion of Cal-GETC general education. Please note that some courses are only transferable to a CSU, and this is noted in the program map. To transfer to a UC, students must complete at least 60 UC transferable units.
Cal-GETC
| Fall Semester 1 | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| ART-131 | Introduction to Digital Art + Design | 3 |
| ART-120 | 2D Design | 3 |
| MATH-115 | Ideas of Mathematics | 3 |
| ENGL-C1000 | Academic Reading and Writing | 3 |
| CSCR-100 | College Success and Career Readiness | 3 |
| Units | 15 | |
| Spring Semester 1 | ||
| ART-125 | Typography (CSU only) | 3 |
| ART-123 | Graphic Design Principles (CSU only) | 3 |
| ENGL-C1001 | Critical Thinking and Writing | 3 |
| ART-101 | Art History: Prehistoric Through Medieval Art or Art History: Renaissance to 21st Century (formerly Art History: Renaissance to 20th Century Art) or Introduction to World Cinema | 3 |
| POLS-C1000 | American Government and Politics | 3 |
| Units | 15 | |
| Fall Semester 2 | ||
| DES-123 | Visual Communication Design (CSU only) | 3 |
| ANTH-101 | Biological Anthropology | 3 |
| PS/ETHS-103 | Ethnic Politics in America or Black History in the American Context or Latinx/Chicanx Literature or Multiethnic Literature (formerly ENGL-280) or Introduction to Chicana/o/x Studies | 3 |
| DIG-110 | Introduction to Digital Media (CSU only) or 2D Design or 3D Design or Illustration or Digital Photography Production I | 3 |
| ANTH-111 | Biological Anthropology Lab | 1 |
| COMM-C1000 | Introduction to Public Speaking | 3 |
| Units | 16 | |
| Spring Semester 2 | ||
| ENVS-101 | Environmental Science | 3 |
| DES-151 | Interaction Design (UX/UI) (CSU only) | 3 |
| HIST-111 or HIST-112 | U.S. History to 1877 or U.S. History Since 1865 | 3 |
| THA-136 or THA-135 | Cultural History of American Motion Pictures or Introduction to Film | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Design Theory and Culture (CSU only) | ||
| Motion Graphics (formerly DIG-172) (CSU only) | ||
| 2D Design | ||
| 3D Design | ||
| Illustration | ||
| Digital Photography Production I | ||
| Units | 15 | |
| Total Units | 61 | |
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Cal-GETC Pattern | 34 | |
| Required Art Courses | 15 | |
| Art Electives | 9 | |
| Electives (as needed to reach 60 units) | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| ART-123 | Graphic Design Principles | 3 |
| ART-125 | Typography | 3 |
| ART-131 | Introduction to Digital Art + Design | 3 |
| DES-123 | Visual Communication Design | 3 |
| DES-151 | Interaction Design (UX/UI) | 3 |
| Critical Thinking Electives | ||
| Select one from the following: | 3 | |
| Art History: Prehistoric Through Medieval Art | ||
or ART-101H | Honors Art History: Prehistoric Through Medieval Art | |
| Art History: Renaissance to 21st Century (formerly Art History: Renaissance to 20th Century Art) | ||
or ART-102H | Honors Art History: Renaissance to 21st Century (formerly Art History: Renaissance to 20th Century Art) | |
| Design Theory and Culture | ||
| History of Still Photography (formerly PHOT-130) | ||
| Introduction to World Cinema | ||
or THA-137H | Honors Introduction to World Cinema | |
| Studio Electives | ||
| Select two from the following: | 6 | |
| Beginning Drawing | ||
| 2D Design | ||
| 3D Design | ||
| Illustration | ||
| Introduction to Digital Media | ||
| Motion Graphics (formerly DIG-172) | ||
| Digital Photography Production I | ||
| Total Units | 24 | |
Discover information about careers that interest you!
- Take a Career Quiz to learn about yourself and receive career suggestions based on your interests.
- Search available in-demand jobs in your career areas of interest and find up-to-date salaries and education requirements.
- Find the MSJC Program that connects your interests to a career.
Note: There are no guaranteed positions for students completing these programs. Education and work experience required will vary by employer. The salary and benefits for specific occupations will be dependent on work experience, education, background, and employer.