About the Program
In the Graphic Design program, students receive hands-on training in many areas of the visual communications field. Butte College offers a complete design and computer lab to aid in the development of job-related skills and techniques. Many of the instructors are working professionals who take time from their careers to teach. Their awareness of the demands of business and industry brings knowledge to the classroom of what is happening now in the field as well as future trends. The goal of the Butte College Graphic Design program is to prepare students for entry level positions. Students who successfully complete the program and plan to earn a four-year degree will have a solid foundation for application to the design school of their choice.
The field of graphic design offers many opportunities and options for the creative individual who has worked hard to develop the necessary skills and techniques. Upon completion of the program the student will have a working familiarity with most aspects of these rapidly growing fields. The department highly recommends that the student entering the second year of the Graphic Design program have access outside of school to a computer with the Adobe Suite software.
Program Requirements
For current program requirements -> 2023-2024Program Code: 07264.00AS
Type: Career
General Education: Butte Local
Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this program, the student will be able to:
Employ critical thinking and conceptual problem-solving skills to create a portfolio of graphic design for print, which is up to standards for employment interviews in the current market.
Demonstrate expert use of graphic design tools and computer equipment.
Discuss, write about, organize and assemble a graphic design for print presentation or display before a live audience in an exhibition, online, or through other means of distribution and presentation.
Unit(s): 3.00
Recommended Prep: Reading Level IV; English Level IV
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 51.00
This course provides a general introduction to art that offers a look at works of art through the study of theory, terminology, themes, design principles, media, techniques, with an introduction to the visual arts across time and diverse cultures. (C-ID ARTH 100).
Unit(s): 3.00
Recommended Prep: Reading Level IV; English Level IV
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 51.00
This course provides an overview of western art and architecture from prehistory through the medieval period within their historical and cultural contexts. (C-ID ARTH 110).
Unit(s): 3.00
Recommended Prep: Reading Level IV; English Level IV
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 51.00
This is an Honors level Survey of the major visual arts of the Ancient World through the Middle Ages. Through a process of thorough analysis, critical thinking, extended discussions, and original oral and written responses, students will examine the arts of painting, sculpture, and architecture within their historical and cultural contexts. (C-ID ARTH 110).
Unit(s): 3.00
Recommended Prep: Reading Level IV; English Level IV
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 51.00
This course provides an overview of art and architecture from the Renaissance to the Contemporary period within their historical and cultural contexts. (C-ID ARTH 120).
Unit(s): 3.00
Recommended Prep: Reading Level IV; English Level IV
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 51.00
This is an Honors level survey of the major visual arts of the Renaissance and the Modern World. Through a process of thorough analysis, critical thinking, extended discussions, and original oral and written responses, students will examine the arts of painting, sculpture, and architecture within their historical and cultural contexts. (C-ID ARTH 120).
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
34.00 hours Lecture
/ 51.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 85.00
This course is an introduction to the concepts, applications, and historical references related to two-dimensional art and composition, including the study of the basic principles and elements of line, shape, texture, value, color and spatial illusion. Students develop visual vocabulary for creative expression through lecture presentations, studio projects, problem solving, and written assignments. (C-ID ARTS 100).
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
25.50 hours Lecture
/ 76.50 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 102.00
This course is an introduction to principles, elements, and practices of drawing, employing a wide range of subject matter and drawing media. Focus on perceptually based drawing, observational skills, technical abilities, and creative responses is placed on materials and subject matter. (C-ID ARTS 110)
Unit(s): 3.00
Recommended Prep: Reading Level IV; English Level III
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
34.00 hours Lecture
/ 51.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 85.00
This course is an introduction to the general field of graphic design. Students will explore and apply professional skills in design, layout, and production. Areas of study will include advertising design and layouts, corporate identity, publication design, packaging and producing print-ready artwork.
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
34.00 hours Lecture
/ 51.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 85.00
This course is an introduction to the technical and aesthetic fundamentals of typography and their relationship to the design of effective visual communications. It also includes the study of the letterform, typefaces, copy fitting, software and specification emphasis on creative application.
Prerequisite(s): ART 31
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
34.00 hours Lecture
/ 51.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 85.00
This is an intermediate course in graphic design. Students will apply design principles and tools of graphic design learned in ART 31 and ART 32. Concentration is on increasing skill levels for developing advanced design techniques for print and online.
Unit(s): 3.00
Recommended Prep: ART 31
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
34.00 hours Lecture
/ 51.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 85.00
This course is an introduction to the study and practice of illustration art. Students will investigate both contemporary and historical illustration art. Various media and techniques used in illustration art will be explored. Students will gain an understanding of how illustration is used in client projects, and how to market their skills to clients in the print and online design industries.
Prerequisite(s): ART 35
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
34.00 hours Lecture
/ 51.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 85.00
This is an intermediate course in illustration that focuses on the application of traditional and digital techniques. Students design and produce real-world client projects. Students are also introduced to the business of illustration and career paths for illustrators.
Unit(s): 2.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
25.50 hours Lecture
/ 25.50 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 51.00
This course will deal with the various aspects of operating an educationally directed art gallery including scheduling, lighting, publicity, security, budget, receptions, show themes and reviews. The Butte College Coyote Gallery will function as the class laboratory, and approximately two to three shows will be organized and installed each semester. (Annual student show in Spring semester). In addition, students will learn the business of art in order to be able to successfully compete in the professional market place.
Unit(s): 3.00
Recommended Prep: Reading Level IV; English Level III; Math Level II
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 51.00
This course introduces students to the function of advertising in relation to business and society. It looks at advertising as a social and economic institution. Emphasis is placed on identifying the best strategy and advertising medium to achieve the business objective. Students will plan an advertising campaign including defining a target audience, research markets, select the most effective advertising mediums, select media outlets, estimate the campaign budget and draft advertising copy. The advertising campaign project builds an understanding of traditional and digital advertising, writing radio or podcast copy, and storyboarding for television or digital advertising.
Unit(s): 3.00
Recommended Prep: Reading Level IV; English Level III
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
42.50 hours Lecture
/ 25.50 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 68.00
This course introduces the fundamental concepts and skills needed to pursue a multimedia career, and is taken during the first semester of enrollment in the program. The course develops a strong foundation for more specialized course work in Graphic Design for Print and Digital Media, Digital Video and Audio, Digital Photography, Two-and Three-Dimensional Modeling and Animation, and Multimedia Authoring.
Unit(s): 3.00
Recommended Prep: Reading Level IV; English Level III
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
34.00 hours Lecture
/ 51.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 85.00
This course is an introduction to developing interactive content for the World Wide Web. Students will survey online content to gain an understanding of effective Web design principles. Students will learn how to produce interactive content using a variety of programs to create and process text, sound, graphics and video. As a final project, students will design and produce an interactive Website.
Unit(s): 3.00
Recommended Prep: Reading Level IV; English Level III
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
34.00 hours Lecture
/ 51.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 85.00
This course is an introduction to the skills, techniques and tools to produce computer generated graphics. Areas of study will include: the basics of computer drawing and design, adding text to graphics, converting and exporting graphics into multiple formats for print and online, and modification and transformation techniques.
Unit(s): 3.00
Recommended Prep: Reading Level IV; English Level III; Math Level II
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
34.00 hours Lecture
/ 51.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 85.00
This course is an introduction to the processes, principles, and tools of photography. Topics include the development of technical and aesthetic skills, elements of design and composition, camera technology (film and digital), materials and equipment, and contemporary trends in photography.
Unit(s): 3.00
Recommended Prep: Reading Level IV; English Level IV
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 51.00
Survey of mass communication and the interrelationships of media with society including history, structure and trends in a digital age. Discussion of theories and effects, economics, technology, law and ethics, global media, media literacy, and social issues, including gender and cultural diversity. (C-ID JOUR 100).
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Contacts
Daniel Donnelly, Chair
(530) 895-2880
Department Office: ARTS 224
(530) 895-2404
Counseling and Advising:
(530) 895-2378
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