TMCC Graphic Communications

Course Offerings

GRC classes are offered during day and evening timeframes. There are two levels of foundation (introductory) classes that all GRC majors must take before moving on to higher-level classes. GRC 107, GRC 109 and GRC 110 are first level. Challenge by portfolio/challenge exam for these classes is available, and students with equivalent experience may skip these classes with department approval. Second level classes are GRC 118, GRC 119 and GRC 122, which focus on merging creative skills with the various software required in print, digital and letterform media. All six foundation courses are offered fall and spring semesters, and sometimes during the summer session.

Not all intermediate/advanced classes are offered every semester, please check the schedule of classes or contact the department for sequencing of courses. While manual skills are important in graphic communications, most classes focus on electronic skills using Apple computers and Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat, Dreamweaver, Flash, Premiere, Soundbooth, After Effects and Lightwave 3D software.

Competency-Based Program

You, as a learner, are the most important part of instruction. In performance-based instruction, we carefully identify what you need to be able to do as a result of an instructional experience. Next, we determine how you can show that you have learned these skills. Finally, we plan learning activities that will help you develop the skills.

Performance-Based Instruction offers many Advantages

  1. What you will learn is based on the skills you will need rather than on outlines of information.
  2. You can plan how to invest your time and energy. To help you do that, we tell you right up front what you will learn, how we expect you to show when you have learned, and how you may go about learning.
  3. You know the standards for evaluation before the performance test. You earn a grade according to how well you perform the skills rather than according to how well others in the class perform. You are not graded on a curve.
  4. You are actively involved in the learning. We design learning activities and assignments that teach you to solve problems and to learn on your own.
  5. When you complete a learning experience, you have documentation showing the skills you have learned. You can use this information when you seek employment, admission to further education, advanced standing or transfer of credit.

Program Assessment

  1. Over the course of the program, students will complete a portfolio demonstrating an ability to solve increasingly difficult graphic problems.
  2. The portfolio will also contain the student's resume.
  3. Students will complete a comprehensive program pre/post examination. Students must score a 70% or higher on the post test or repeat the test.

All GRC Courses

GRC 107 • Design Fundamentals (3 - 4 credits) Foundation course in the application and appreciation of the basic principles and elements of design, including form, shape, value and spatial relationships. Emphasis will be placed on developing creative skills and working with the design process. Challenge by portfolio is available.

GRC 109 • Color and Design (3 - 4 credits) Color theories, color technologies and the applications of color in art and design. Intermediate, two-dimensional design problems focusing on the compositional, optical and psychological aspects of visual communication.

GRC 110 • Rendering and Illustration (4 credits) Foundation course for developing basic skills and techniques in visualizing and rendering images in 2D and 3D presentations. Projects will focus on manual techniques and their applications in print and digital media. Challenge by portfolio is available. This course may not transfer to a baccalaureate degree of art or science within the universities in the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE).

GRC 118 • Computer Graphics/Print Media (3 - 4 credits) Prerequisite: GRC 107 and GRC 109, or approval of instructor. Foundation course that introduces computer systems and applications as they relate to graphic communication for print media. Class will present a project-based overview of vector-draw, image manipulation, page layout and electronic publishing software. Challenge exam is available.

GRC 119 • Computer Graphics/Digital Media (3 - 4 credits) Prerequisite: GRC 107, GRC 109, and GRC 110 or approval of instructor. Foundation course that introduces computer systems and applications as they relate to graphic communications for digital media. Class will present a project-based overview of content creation, Web design, Web animation, digital video and 3D modeling. Challenge exam is available.

GRC 132 • Basic Principles of Animation (3 credits) Prerequisite: GRC 107 and GRC 110 or approval of instructor. Introduction to the principles and techniques of 2D animation. Manual assignments will be completed for output to analog and digital formats for screening and portfolio. Course lectures and discussions will include professional production processes for TV, film, games and the Web, as well as potential strategies to gain employment in the field. This course may not transfer to a baccalaureate degree of art or science within the universities in the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE).

GRC 135 • Storyboarding (3 credits) Prerequisite: GRC 107 and GRC 110 or approval of instructor. Introduction to techniques and strategies for visual storytelling. Visual language and syntax for narrative, non-linear, alternative and experimental storytelling methodologies will be explored. Story structure, character development, style, premise, genre, and format (commercial ad, interstitial, PSA, short, feature, music video, Web, games, etc.) will be discussed. This course may not transfer to a baccalaureate degree of art or science within the universities in the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE).

GRC 144 • Electronic Layout and Typography (3 credits) Prerequisite: GRC 118 or approval of instructor. Introduction to typography and page layout software. Typographic theory, copy acquisition, proofreading and fundamentals of typographical layout and design. This course may not transfer to a baccalaureate degree of art or science within the universities in the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE).

GRC 153 • Commercial Printing Processes (4 credits) Prerequisite: GRC 118 or approval of instructor. An intermediate course in commercial printing processes including screen printing and offset lithography. Hands-on class will focus on electronic pre-press and printing methods used in commercial printing. This course may not transfer to a baccalaureate degree of art or science within the universities in the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE).

GRC 156 • Computer Illustration (3 credits) Prerequisite: GRC 110 and GRC 118, or approval of instructor. An introductory/intermediate class in the creation and execution of designs and illustrations in the digital environment. Class will focus on vector-draw software, including the tools and techniques required to produce professional-level artwork.

GRC 175 • Web Design and Publishing I (1 - 3 credits) Prerequisite: GRC 119 or approval of instructor. Introduction to authoring for the World Wide Web using industry standard software applications. Topics covered include planning, designing and building a Web site, aesthetics, creating and optimizing computer graphics for Web, information architecture, navigation and interactivity, Web publishing, Web hosting and site management.

GRC 182 • Digital Video Production (3 credits) Prerequisite: GRC 119 and GRC 135 or instructor approval. Introduction to the basic principles and practices of digital video production. The course covers every phase of introductory digital video preproduction, production and post-production processes from "concept to final output", including story and concept development, lighting, recording and capturing footage, importing and managing clips, editing methods, transitions, special effects, titles, and credits, sound design and output to different formats. This course may not transfer to a baccalaureate degree of art or science within the universities in the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE).

GRC 183 • Electronic Imaging (3 credits) Prerequisite: GRC 118 or approval of instructor. An intermediate course in the application of graphics software to create pixel based images using industry standard pixels based software. Class will cover digital camera and scanner operation and emphasize image manipulation and optimization processes for pixel images.

GRC 188 • Web Animation and Interactivity I (3 credits) Prerequisite: GRC 118 and GRC 119, or approval of instructor. Introduction to animation and interactivity for use in CD-ROM, DVD or Web based interactive documents using industry standard software applications. Course content focuses on planning, design and building animated and interactive digital content. Topics include information architecture, interface design and navigation, introductory programming, drawing, audio, video, and publishing options.

GRC 244 • Electronic Layout and Typography II (3 credits) Prerequisite: GRC 144 and 156 or approval of instructor. Advanced studio covering typography, graphic design and advertising theories and techniques for print media. Class will focus on creativity and the creative process and how these principles affect communication of ideas. Topics include image/copy interaction, production techniques and the use of type in complex compositions as well as multipage documents. This course may not transfer to a baccalaureate degree of art or science within the universities in the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE).

GRC 275 • Web Design and Publishing II (3 credits) Prerequisite: GRC 175 and GRC 183, or approval of instructor. Advanced Web page design using industry-standard applications. Topics include planning and design, programming, interactivity, behaviors, animation, page weighting, meta tags, databases, Web hosting and site management. This course may not transfer to a baccalaureate degree of art or science within the universities in the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE).

GRC 282 • Motion Graphics for Video (3 credits) Prerequisite: GRC 132 and GRC 182 or instructor approval. The principles of animation and motion design applied to graphics production for use in time-based and interactive scenarios. An exploration of animated title sequences, time-based image composing, and audio design principles for applications in entertainment and advertising content creation. This course may not transfer to a baccalaureate degree of art or science within the universities in the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE).

GRC 283 • Electronic Imaging II (3 credits) Prerequisite: GRC 183 or approval of instructor. An advanced course in the application of graphics software to create pixel based imagery using industry standard pixel based software. Class will cover advanced image manipulation and optimization processes for pixel images as well as simple based animation and video manipulation. This course may not transfer to a baccalaureate degree of art or science within the universities in the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE).

GRC 284 • 3D Modeling and Animation (3 credits) Prerequisite: GRC 119 and GRC 132 or approval of instructor. Introduction to basic 3 dimensional modeling and animation techniques and production processes. Topics include 3D modeling, texturing, lighting, animation and rendering using industry-standard 3D software. This course may not transfer to a baccalaureate degree of art or science within the universities in the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE).

GRC 290 • Internship in Graphic Communications (1 - 8 credits) Supervised work experience with a selected graphic communications business, dependent upon students selected major emphasis. Course is designed to apply knowledge to real on-the-job situations in a program designed by a company official and a faculty advisor. Available to students entering their last semester of instruction for the GRC associates degree. Contact the department advisor for application, screening and required skills evaluation. 75 hours on the job per credit. This course may not transfer to a baccalaureate degree of art or science within the universities in the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE).

GRC 294 • Portfolio Workshop (1 - 3 credits) Prerequisite: Minimum 24 credits of GRC classes or approval of instructor. Development of a portfolio for employment in the graphic communications or digital media or transfer to a four-year program. Class will deal with the professional and legal requirements of working in the graphic communications or digital media industry. This course may not transfer to a baccalaureate degree of art or science within the universities in the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE).

GRC 298 • Special Problems in Graphic Communications (0.5 - 6 credits) Selected advanced topics and workshops relating to specific areas of graphic communications. The class will be a variable credit of one-half to six credits depending upon class content and number of hours required. This course may not transfer to a baccalaureate degree of art or science within the universities in the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE).

GRC 299 • Independent Study (1 - 6 credits) This course is designed for advanced students to pursue work in a specific area of graphic communications. Students must submit a written proposal which becomes a contract for the course of study. Students must meet with a faculty advisor on a regular basis. Course may be repeated up to 6 credits. This course may not transfer to a baccalaureate degree of art or science within the universities in the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE).

* These courses might not transfer to a baccalaureate degree of art or science within the Universities in the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE). If you plan to pursue a four-year degree, check with the institution where you intend to transfer to learn whether this course will count toward the degree you intend to seek.