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Program facts 
Start your career in graphic arts technology with this associate degree program. The program offers specializations in Graphic Design, Package Design, Print Graphics and Web Design.
Take classes covering the full range of graphic arts technology from graphic design, digital illustration and photography to press operations, color management and web development.
You’ll work closely with knowledgeable instructors who are experts in their fields. Also, you’ll enhance your skills working in one of Harper College’s three state-of-the-art graphic arts labs, which are equipped with Mac computers and the latest creative software. On-site printing presses give you hands-on experience in all areas of graphic arts production. When you graduate, you’ll be ready to begin a career in the visual communication industry or transfer to a four-year degree program.
This 61 credit-hour program is designed to prepare students for a wide range of employment opportunities in the graphic arts industry. This degree provides a well-rounded foundation of knowledge and skills to prepare students for new jobs as well as provide career advancement opportunities. The curriculum includes current application instruction with a focus on creative design techniques. Emphasis is on graphic and web design, including a complete understanding of print production. All students in the program complete a required sequence of classes and then select this graphic design specialty to be employable in this visual communication industry or transfer to a 4 year program.
This sequenced degree plan is one of three options that students may pursue to earn the Graphic Arts Design and Technology Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree. While there are multiple specializations, this particular degree can be awarded only once.
This 61 credit-hour program is designed to prepare students for a wide range of employment opportunities in the graphic arts industry. This degree provides a well-rounded foundation of knowledge and skills to prepare students for new jobs as well as provide career advancement opportunities. The curriculum includes current application instruction with a focus on creative design techniques. Emphasis is on graphic and web design, including a complete understanding of print production. All students in the program complete a required sequence of classes and then select this graphic design specialty to be employable in this visual communication industry or transfer to a 4 year program.
This sequenced degree plan is one of three options that students may pursue to earn the Graphic Arts Design and Technology Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree. While there are multiple specializations, this particular degree can be awarded only once.
| Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
First Semester | ||
| ENG 101 | Composition I | 3 |
| GRA 101 | Introduction to Graphic Arts Design and Media I | 3 |
| GRA 102 | Graphic Arts Design & Media II | 3 |
| GRA 103 | Photoshop I | 3 |
| Mathematics 1 | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
Second Semester | ||
| ENG 102 | Composition II | 3 |
| SPE 101 | Fundamentals of Speech Communication | |
| GRA 105 | Color Management | 3 |
| GRA 111 | Print Media Production | 3 |
| GRA 112 | Illustrator I | 3 |
| GRA 120 | Graphic Design I | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
Third Semester | ||
| ART 121 | Design I | 3 |
| GRA 113 | Photoshop II | 3 |
| GRA 130 | Introduction to Photography | 2 |
| GRA 145 | Wordpress and Social Media | 3 |
| GRA 222 | Brand Identity & Package Design | |
| GRA 220 | Graphic Design II | 3 |
| Hours | 14 | |
Fourth Semester | ||
| ART 133 | Non-Western Art+ | 3 |
| GRA 131 | Digital Photography I | 3 |
| GRA 221 | Graphic Portfolio Design | 2 |
| GRA 229 | InDesign | 3 |
| GRA 250 | Graphic Arts Business Workshop | 3 |
| GRA elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Total Hours | 61 | |
The mathematics requirement for this degree can be met with Math Competency. See Math Competency options for information. Students who use Math Competency to meet the mathematics requirement must complete an additional three credit-hour AAS General Education elective. See full list of AAS General Education electives.
This course meets the World Cultures and Diversity graduation requirement.
| Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GRA 145 | Wordpress and Social Media | 3 |
| GRA 211 | Project Management, Scheduling and Estimating | 3 |
| GRA 213 | Packaging, Finishing and Distribution | 3 |
| GRA 214 | Illustrator II | 3 |
| GRA 222 | Brand Identity & Package Design | 3 |
| GRA 230 | Prepress and Digital Front End | 3 |
| GRA 231 | Personalized Marketing | 3 |
| GRA 232 | Digital Photography II | 3 |
| GRA 233 | Integrated Digital Printing | 3 |
| GRA 235 | Digital Photography Post-Production | 3 |
| GRA 250 | Graphic Arts Business Workshop | 3 |
| GRA 299 | Digital Photography Capstone | 3 |
Students who successfully complete this degree will be able to:
This 61 credit-hour program is designed to prepare students for a wide range of employment opportunities in the graphic arts industry. This degree provides a well-rounded foundation of knowledge and skills to prepare students for new jobs as well as provide career advancement opportunities. The curriculum includes current and proprietary application instruction with a focus on creative package design techniques. Emphasis is on the packaging industry, including a complete understanding of print production for a variety of products. All students in the program complete a required sequence of classes and then select this package design specialty to be employable in this visual communication industry or transfer to a 4 year program.
This sequenced degree plan is one of three options that students may pursue to earn the Graphic Arts Design and Technology Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree. While there are multiple specializations, this particular degree can be awarded only once.
This 61 credit-hour program is designed to prepare students for a wide range of employment opportunities in the graphic arts industry. This degree provides a well-rounded foundation of knowledge and skills to prepare students for new jobs as well as provide career advancement opportunities. The curriculum includes current and proprietary application instruction with a focus on creative package design techniques. Emphasis is on the packaging industry, including a complete understanding of print production for a variety of products. All students in the program complete a required sequence of classes and then select this package design specialty to be employable in this visual communication industry or transfer to a 4 year program.
This sequenced degree plan is one of three options that students may pursue to earn the Graphic Arts Design and Technology Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree. While there are multiple specializations, this particular degree can be awarded only once.
| Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
First Semester | ||
| ENG 101 | Composition I | 3 |
| GRA 101 | Introduction to Graphic Arts Design and Media I | 3 |
| GRA 102 | Graphic Arts Design & Media II | 3 |
| GRA 103 | Photoshop I | 3 |
| Mathematics 1 | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
Second Semester | ||
| ENG 102 | Composition II | 3 |
| SPE 101 | Fundamentals of Speech Communication | |
| GRA 105 | Color Management | 3 |
| GRA 111 | Print Media Production | 3 |
| GRA 112 | Illustrator I | 3 |
| GRA 120 | Graphic Design I | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
Third Semester | ||
| ART 121 | Design I | 3 |
| GRA 130 | Introduction to Photography | 2 |
| GRA 220 | Graphic Design II | 3 |
| GRA 222 | Brand Identity & Package Design | 3 |
| GRA 229 | InDesign | 3 |
| GRA 233 | Integrated Digital Printing | 3 |
| Hours | 17 | |
Fourth Semester | ||
| ART 133 | Non-Western Art+ | 3 |
| GRA 213 | Packaging, Finishing and Distribution | 3 |
| GRA 214 | Illustrator II | 3 |
| GRA 221 | Graphic Portfolio Design | 2 |
| GRA 250 | Graphic Arts Business Workshop | 3 |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Total Hours | 61 | |
The mathematics requirement for this degree can be met with Math Competency. See Math Competency options for information. Students who use Math Competency to meet the mathematics requirement must complete an additional three credit-hour AAS General Education elective. See full list of AAS General Education electives.
This course meets the World Cultures and Diversity graduation requirement.
Students who successfully complete this degree will be able to:
This 62 credit-hour program is designed to prepare students for a wide range of employment opportunities in the graphic arts industry. This degree provides a well-rounded foundation of knowledge and skills to prepare students for new jobs as well as provide career advancement opportunities. The curriculum includes current application instruction with a focus on print production and prepress techniques. Emphasis is on print projects, including a complete understanding of planning through print and finishing. All students in the program complete a required sequence of classes and then select this print production specialty to be employable in this visual communication industry or transfer to a 4 year program.
This sequenced degree plan is one of three options that students may pursue to earn the Graphic Arts Design and Technology Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree. While there are multiple specializations, this particular degree can be awarded only once.
This 62 credit-hour program is designed to prepare students for a wide range of employment opportunities in the graphic arts industry. This degree provides a well-rounded foundation of knowledge and skills to prepare students for new jobs as well as provide career advancement opportunities. The curriculum includes current application instruction with a focus on print production and prepress techniques. Emphasis is on print projects, including a complete understanding of planning through print and finishing. All students in the program complete a required sequence of classes and then select this print production specialty to be employable in this visual communication industry or transfer to a 4 year program.
This sequenced degree plan is one of three options that students may pursue to earn the Graphic Arts Design and Technology Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree. While there are multiple specializations, this particular degree can be awarded only once.
| Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
First Semester | ||
| ENG 101 | Composition I | 3 |
| GRA 101 | Introduction to Graphic Arts Design and Media I | 3 |
| GRA 102 | Graphic Arts Design & Media II | 3 |
| GRA 103 | Photoshop I | 3 |
| Mathematics 1 | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
Second Semester | ||
| ENG 102 | Composition II | 3 |
| SPE 101 | Fundamentals of Speech Communication | |
| GRA 105 | Color Management | 3 |
| GRA 111 | Print Media Production | 3 |
| GRA 112 | Illustrator I | 3 |
| GRA 120 | Graphic Design I | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
Third Semester | ||
| GRA 145 | Wordpress and Social Media | 3 |
| GRA 222 | Brand Identity & Package Design | 3 |
| GRA 229 | InDesign | 3 |
| GRA 233 | Integrated Digital Printing | 3 |
| AAS General Education elective(s) + | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
Fourth Semester | ||
| GRA 130 | Introduction to Photography | 2 |
| GRA 213 | Packaging, Finishing and Distribution | 3 |
| GRA 230 | Prepress and Digital Front End | 3 |
| GRA 250 | Graphic Arts Business Workshop | 3 |
| Elective(s) | 3 | |
| AAS General Education elective(s) + | 3 | |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Total Hours | 62 | |
The mathematics requirement for this degree can be met with Math Competency. See Math Competency options for information. Students who use Math Competency to meet the mathematics requirement must complete an additional three credit-hour AAS General Education elective. See full list of AAS General Education electives.
At least one of the AAS General Education electives must meet the World Cultures and Diversity graduation requirement. See full list of AAS General Education Electives. See full list of World Cultures and Diversity courses. ART 121 is recommended.
| Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ART 121 | Design I | 3 |
| GRA 113 | Photoshop II | 3 |
| GRA 211 | Project Management, Scheduling and Estimating | 3 |
| GRA 214 | Illustrator II | 3 |
| GRA 222 | Brand Identity & Package Design | 3 |
| GRA 231 | Personalized Marketing | 3 |
| GRA 232 | Digital Photography II | 3 |
| GRA 235 | Digital Photography Post-Production | 3 |
| GRA 299 | Digital Photography Capstone | 3 |
Students who successfully complete this degree will be able to:
Students interested in graphic arts technology may also be interested in:
For more information about the Graphic Arts Design and Technology degree program, contact Admission Outreach at 847.925.6700, or submit a request information form. You can also apply online.