At TMCC, Graphic Design students learn to infuse words and images with life and meaning—whether by creating motion graphics, an interface on the latest mobile device, setting type by hand in our letterpress shop or attending a workshop in our new typography center.
Graphic Design has transcended its role as a commercial art practice to become an essential and universal tool for communicating the multi-dimensional experience of a place, product, service or personality in every imaginable context. Our students are challenged to develop design solutions to all of the above by experimenting with a wide range of media—including books and digital magazines, packaging, 3D motion graphics, apps—to create compelling graphic identities and branded experiences, guided by faculty members with expertise in print, packaging, motion, visual interaction and transmedia design.
Foundational course that introduces the many career opportunities available in graphic arts and media technologies. Creativity, methodologies, technologies, production workflows and distribution of media relevant to print, web/user interface and motion graphics will be discussed and hands-on projects will introduce skills required for GAMT degrees and certificates.
Foundation course that introduces computer graphics applications for the development of content for visual media. Class will present a project-based overview of vector-drawing and pixel editing content creation software.
Enrollment Requirements: Prerequisite: GRC 100, or can be taken concurrently.
Foundation course that introduces computer systems and applications as they relate to motion graphics in digital media. Class will present a project-based overview of animation processes and digital video creation.
Enrollment Requirements: Prerequisite or co-requisite: GRC 116, 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.
Enrollment Requirements: Prerequisite: GRC 116, 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.
Enrollment Requirements: Prerequisites: GRC 116, or approval of instructor.
Intermediate course that will build upon skills and processes learned in GRC 116. Students will broaden their techniques for ideation and effective design thinking and analysis. Students will produce studio design exercises and projects that will increase technical fluency in industry-standard software applications. This class will prepare students for lower and upper division GAMT courses, and will increase conceptual thinking and improve their technical skillsets.
Enrollment Requirements: Prerequisite: GRC 116, or approval of instructor.
The historical context of letterforms, introducing the theories and technologies of typographic communication, design and execution. Studio-based projects focus on practical analysis, visual and conceptual interaction of type and image, and the creative exploration of type as a formal element.
Enrollment Requirements: Prerequisites: GRC 200, or approval of instructor.
Principles and language of graphic design and media. The course will develop an understanding of visual communication theories, processes and methods using current industry technologies.
Enrollment Requirements: Prerequisite: GRC 200, or approval of instructor.
Intermediate 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.
Enrollment Requirements: Prerequisite: GRC 175 and CIT 151, or approval of instructor.
Advanced exploration of communication and structural aspects of typography. Focus on layout and page design systems, experimentation and expressively using type to enhance meaning.
Enrollment Requirements: GRC 210 or approval of instructor.