Graphic and Interactive Design with Specializations in:
- Graphic Design
- Interactive Design
Associate in Science Degree (CIP# 1611080300)
The Graphic and Interactive Design Associate in Science (A.S.) degree at Valencia College prepares you to go directly into a specialized career in graphic design, branding, advertising design, web design or interactive (UI/UX) design.
From design thinking and the creative process to executing ideas using industry-standard creative technology, you’ll receive hands-on experience and learn employable skills that prepare you to enter directly into a career with a competitive portfolio. With a trusted reputation in the Orlando creative industry, we count among our alumni some of the most talented designers in central Florida. Our students have received recognition in local, regional, national and even international competitions. Their accomplishments include over 500 ADDY Awards, Florida Print Awards, the Create Awards, the ONE Show, Print Magazine and Siggraph.
Students are strongly encouraged to consult a Student Success Coach in the department office for assistance in determining the best education plan for their career goals.
Although scheduling may not always provide for the following progression of courses, students should use the foundation, intermediate and advanced course sequences as a guide in program planning.
All degree-seeking students must satisfy entry testing requirements and satisfactorily complete all mandatory courses in reading, student success, mathematics, English, and English for Academic Purposes in which the student is placed.
Alternative Ways to Earn Credit toward this Degree
Graduates of specific programs at Orange Technical College and Osceola Technical College, as well as other institutions may be eligible to receive college credit for courses in this program. You may also be eligible to receive credit toward this degree if you have earned one of the approved Gold Standard industry certifications or Career Pathways credit. To learn more about Valencia's award of credit options, visit the Alternative Award of Credit Agreements page. Eligible students should contact the Student Success Coach in their academic department for more information about the requirements for the award of credit.
College Credit Technical Certificates
The Graphic and Interactive Design A.S. degree also offers the following college credit certificate programs. These certificates can put you on the fast-track to reaching your career goals. They are designed to equip you with a specialized skill set for entry-level employment or to upgrade your skills for job advancement. Most can be completed in one year or less, and all of the courses in the certificates are embedded in the A.S. degree. You can earn the certificates as you progress through your A.S. Degree or as a separate, stand-alone credential. Click on the Certificate tab at the top of the page for more information about the certificates that are offered.
- Interactive Design Support (15 credits) (CIP # 0611080305)
- Graphic Design Support (15 credits) (CIP # 0611080302)
- Interactive Design Production (24 credits) (CIP # 0611080304)
- Graphic Design Production (24 credits) (CIP # 0611080303)
Start Right
Degree-seeking students enrolling at Valencia for the first time will have a limited range of courses from which to choose for their first 18 college-level credits. Within the first 18 college credit hours, you will be required to take ENC1101 (3 credits), and if applicable, SLS 1122 (3 credits) and a mathematics course appropriate to your selected meta-major (3 credits). The remaining courses will be chosen from the General Education Core Courses in humanities (3 credits), science (3 credits), or social science (3 credits), and/or the introductory courses within the A.S. degree programs. For specific courses see the Foundation Courses on the “Program Requirements” tab. For course sequencing recommendations, see your Student Success Coach or create an education plan by logging into MyVC, clicking on the LifeMap tab and clicking My Education Plan.
Potential Careers
- Graphic Designer
- Web Designer
- Brand Designer
- Advertising Designer
- User Interface Designer
- Interactive Designer
- Illustrator (digital and traditional)
- Front-end Web Developer
- Production Artist
Salary & Earnings Information
For career information related to this program, please visit O*Net OnLine.
Contacts
Future Students
To learn more about this program, contact Enrollment Services at enrollment@valenciacollege.edu or 407-582-1507 or visit the Graphic Design program page.
Current Students
Your Student Success Coach contact information can be found in MyVC. Log into MyVC, click on the Courses tab, and check your Academic Profile information to find a link to your Coach.
Faculty Program Chair
Amanda Kern: 407-582-2720
akern@valenciacollege.edu
Internship and Workforce Services
If you need assistance with job resources or in locating an internship, please visit the Internship Resources page.
Program Outcomes
- Apply design thinking, typography, and color theory to create effective visual communication solutions across print and digital media.
- Demonstrate industry entry-level technical competencies in pre-press, digital production, and/or interactive prototyping using industry-standard software, hardware, and processes.
- Produce a professional portfolio and self-promotional materials that demonstrate creative, technical, and presentation competencies aligned to industry expectations.
- Communicate effectively during collaborations with faculty, teams, and peers while adhering to ethical and efficient work practices.
Graphic Design Specialization
Interactive Design Specialization
Notes:
Expand your career opportunities with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Organizational Leadership (BASBOL) from Valencia. This degree builds on your skills, and prepares you for a supervisory or management role within your respective field. For more information, go to: Bachelor's Degree in Business & Organizational Leadership. Students who wish to continue their education should consult with a Student Success Coach to determine the best education plan for their career goals.
Students wishing to transfer credits from this program to another institution must accept responsibility for securing approval from the transfer institution for acceptance of this degree.
Specialized courses may not be offered every session or on every campus.
Graphic Design Production
Technical Certificate
This program is designed to provide students with the skills required to produce layouts and graphics for print and advertising design. The certificate focuses on the application of good design principles and the utilization of industry-standard production techniques as well as software and hardware at a basic level.
Program Outcomes
-
Demonstrate intermediate-level technical competencies in pre-press production using industry-standard software
-
Translate the design thinking and visual communication decisions of others into production-ready work
-
Perform industry-defined workplace skills in thinking, valuing, communicating, and acting.
Notes:
A minimum grade of C is required in all courses to meet prerequisite and completion requirements.
Specialized courses may not be offered every session or on every campus.
This certificate program is eligible for Financial Aid.
Graphic Design Support
Technical Certificate
This program is designed to provide students with the skills required to create layouts and graphics for printed design projects. The certificate focuses on the application of good design principles and the utilization of industry-standard production techniques as well as software and hardware at basic level.
Program Outcomes
-
Demonstrate foundational-level technical competencies in pre-press production using industry-standard software
-
Translate the design thinking and visual communication decisions of others into production-ready work
-
Adapt to industry-defined workplace skills in thinking, valuing, communicating, and acting.
| GRA 1142C | GRAPHIC DESIGN ESSENTIALS + | 5 |
| GRA 1413 | PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR DESIGNERS + | 1 |
| GRA 2201C | ELECTRONIC IMAGING *+ | 3 |
| GRA 1203C | LAYOUT, DESIGN AND COPY PREPARATION +* | 3 |
| GRA 1206C | FUNDAMENTALS OF TYPOGRAPHY +* | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 15 |
Notes:
A minimum grade of C is required in all courses to meet prerequisite and completion requirements.
Specialized courses may not be offered every session or on every campus.
Graphics - Interactive Design Production
Technical Certificate
This program is designed to provide students with the skills required to create images, layout web pages, and layout user interfaces. The certificate focuses on the application of appropriate production techniques and the use of industry-standard software and hardware at a basic to intermediate level.
Program Outcomes
-
Demonstrate intermediate-level technical competencies in interactive prototyping and production using industry-standard software and markup languages.
-
Translate the design thinking and visual communication decisions of others into prototypes or production-ready work.
-
Perform industry-defined workplace skills in thinking, valuing, communicating, and acting.
Notes:
A minimum grade of C is required in all courses to meet prerequisite and completion requirements.
Specialized courses may not be offered every session or on every campus.
This certificate program is eligible for Financial Aid.
Graphics - Interactive Design Support
Technical Certificate
This program is designed to provide students with the skills required to assist in the creation of images and layouts for the Internet and user interfaces. The certificate focuses on the application of appropriate production techniques and the use of industry-standard software and hardware at a basic level.
Program Outcomes
-
Demonstrate foundational-level technical competencies in interactive prototyping and production using industry-standard software and markup languages.
-
Translate the design thinking and visual communication decisions of others into prototypes or production-ready work.
-
Adapt to industry-defined workplace skills in thinking, valuing, communicating, and acting.
Notes:
A minimum grade of C is required in all courses to meet prerequisite and completion requirements.
Specialized courses may not be offered every session or on every campus.
