Graphic Design

GTCC’s graphic design program is a highly successful, well-regarded technical degree program dedicated to teaching you how to create effective and engaging designs for print or web. We teach you how to develop expressive, creative solutions to clients’ communication design needs, focusing on a strong concept and the fundamentals of good composition, layout, and typography. 

We also provide you with the technical skills you need to bring your ideas to life, including traditional art and illustration techniques, photography, and the use of professional design software – primarily, Adobe’s Creative Cloud tools.

Our graduates qualify for employment opportunities with graphic design studios, advertising agencies, printing companies, and a wide variety of businesses with in-house graphics operations.

Credentialing Options

Graphic Design, AAS - CIP Code: 50.0409

A 30 10 0

Contact: (336) 334-4822, ext. 50361

The Graphic Design curriculum is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary for employment in the graphic design profession which emphasizes design, advertising, marketing, and illustration for printed and digital media.

Students will be trained in the creative process and application of design principles for advertisements, branding, corporate identity, layouts, typography, visual assets, custom graphics, self-promotional material, and preparation of files for printed and digital distribution.

Graduates should qualify for employment opportunities with design, branding, advertising agencies, signage and printing companies, organizations with in-house marketing operations, freelance work, and entrepreneurial opportunities.

Program Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of the Advertising and Graphic Design degree, the graduate should be able to:

  • Prepare visual communications using the appropriate software
  • Prepare traditional and electronic designs, layouts, comprehensive proofs, storyboards, illustrations
  • Create projects
  • Direct illustration and photography

Fall Semester I

Total Credits: 15-16

Spring Semester I

Total Credits: 16

Summer Semester I

Total Credits: 9

Fall Semester II

Total Credits: 15

Spring Semester II

Total Credits: 11-13

Total credit hours required for degree: 66-69

Electives

1. Major Elective

Take one course from the following:

2. Graphic Design Technical Electives

Choose one course from the following:

Humanities/Fine Arts Elective Pick List

Note:

* A student must complete the pre-requisite courses with a minimum grade of "C" or better before advancing to the next course.

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About Graphic Design

2:10 / 3:10 Advertising and Graphic Design - Guilford Technical Community College

Frequently Asked Questions

You will need to follow the general enrollment process for GTCC. During the advising process, you will have the opportunity to indicate your desire to study within this curriculum. Your advisor will help you sign up for the specific courses you need.

Shann Ferreira, Associate Professor
336-334-4822, ext. 50182
snferreira@gtcc.edu

Michael Lawson, Associate Professor
336-334-4822, ext. 50322
mrlawson@gtcc.edu

Yes. Financial aid is available if you qualify. Please visit the Financial Aid web page or contact the Financial Aid office at 336-334-4822, option 3.

Yes. The graphic design curriculum is open to all GTCC students.

The graphic design program is built in a way that requires a specific sequence of courses. Our curriculum begins in the fall semester, and each subsequent semester builds upon the previous. For example, you’ll take graphic design I in the fall semester, followed by graphic design II in the spring semester, etc. We do not currently offer summer courses within the department, but general education coursework is often completed during the summer semester.

Graphic Designer: Designs effective advertisements, logos, layouts, packaging, and more for both print and web!

Art Director: Manages a team of designers and other creatives to bring brands, ad campaigns, and varying design solutions to life!

Production Artist: Masters the technical side of printing and web design to help make sure that design projects make it into production! 

Illustrator: Uses both traditional and digital media to create eye-catching illustrations for print, web, and beyond!

Web Graphic Designer: Designs the layout, look and feel of websites to help clients present an engaging and effective web presence!

User Experience Designer: Uses effective design to enhance and improve the way users interact with digital media and applications.

Notable companies employing GTCC Advertising & Graphic Design graduates include:

  • Adplex
  • Airtype
  • Bouvier Kelly
  • Buckhead Betties
  • Camco
  • Common Giant
  • Crobar
  • Device Creative Collaboration
  • Fairway Outdoor
  • Fifth Letter
  • Gilbarco Veeder Root
  • Harley-Davidson
  • Kilpatrick
  • Kings English
  • Our State Magazine
  • Mitre Agency
  • Mullen
  • Pace Communications
  • Princeton Press
  • Ralph Lauren
  • The Russell Agency
  • Skyline
  • Thompson Creative
  • Top Sox
  • Trone
  • Vanity Fair
  • VF Corporation
  • Wrangler
  • Wright Global Graphics
  • Xpedx

The graphic design program at GTCC teaches Adobe’s industry-standard Creative Cloud suite of software titles on Apple computers within each of its classes. Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Dreamweaver, Lightroom, and Muse are all utilized as part of a broad yet practical program of study.

Each of our courses is designed and paced in a manner that allows a fair amount of class time for project work, exercises, and assignments to be completed. However, in many instances, you’ll need additional computer time to do the best possible work. In those cases, having access at home will be a great asset. There are also Apple iMacs in several locations on campus to allow students additional time outside of class should they need access to the software.

Absolutely! GTCC has a very active student chapter of AIGA, the professional association for design. AIGA is the country’s largest and oldest graphic design professional association with over 70 chapters in all major metropolitan areas.

With more than 25,000 members, AIGA is a valuable resource for creatives. Getting involved with AIGA as a student gives you a leg up on the competition as a networking opportunity. Our student chapter puts together educational and recreational events for department students, such as field trips, guest speakers, design competitions, collaborations with other college chapters, etc.  We encourage all students to get involved with not only AIGA but also through internships, competitions, and other student organizations on campus.