Graphic Design

This outline covers all four semesters of your at-home degree program. You will receive credit for previous college course work if you meet Penn Foster College standards. If you wish to receive credit for previous course work, contact the college you attended and ask that your official transcripts be forwarded to Penn Foster for evaluation. There is a non-refundable transcript processing fee of $30. All previous college work must have been completed with a grade of "C" or better, and as much as 50% of the required credits may be transferred. We will also credit your tuition for all the courses that are acceptable.

System Requirements
You will need access to a computer to complete this program. Penn Foster recommends the following computer specifications: IBM® compatible PC with Pentium® IV or better processor, Microsoft® Windows® XP or later as the operating system with 512MB of Memory (1024MB recommended), 1.3GB of free space, and DVD-ROM drive. You will also need Internet access and an email account.

Online Library and Librarian
Students at Penn Foster College have access to an online library during their college studies. Students can use the library to do the required course research or for general reference and links to valuable resources. The library contains helpful research assistance, articles, databases, books, and Web links. A librarian is available to answer questions on general research-related topics via email and will assist students in research activities.

Here is an overview of what you will learn and the order in which you'll receive your learning materials:

SEMESTER ONE

Basic Skills Assessment All degree applicants are required to complete two Basic Skills Assessments, one in reading and one in math, to determine the level of readiness for beginning their selected program. Additional studies may be required. GDR101 - Graphic Design Orientation (1 credit) • Strategies for the Independent Learner • Introduction to Computer Art GDR105 - Color Theory (3 credits) • Introduction to Color • Color in Context and Practice • Three-Dimensional Color and Color in Nature • Textbook included GDR110 - Introduction to Graphic Design (3 credits) • Introduction to Graphic Design • Perception, Dynamic Balance, and Gestalt Principles • Text Type, Layout, Illustration, and Photography in Design; • Advertising Design • Color, Production Tools and • Procedures, and Wed Design • Textbook included CSC101 - Computer Literacy (3 credits) • Hardware, Software, and Networks • Internet Applications; Systems and Computers in Our Lives • Textbook included GDR115 - Graphics Design and Production (Illustrator® ) (3 credits) • Getting Started with Illustrator and Creating Text and Illustrations • Transforming Objects and Working with Layers, Patterns, and Brushes • Filters, Effects, Appearance Attributes, and Graphs • Using Symbols; Preparing for Printing and the Web • Textbook and Software included • Graded Project ENG100 - English Composition (3 credits) • The Basics • The Writing Process • Descriptive Writing • Narrative Writing • Reflective and Persuasive Writing • Textbooks and Learning Aid included • Learning Aid: Composition Notebook Proctored Examination*

BACK TO TOP

SEMESTER TWO

HUM102 – Art Appreciation (3 credits)
Artistic media; historical periods and artistic movements; roles of the artist and the viewer; art criticism.

ENG103 – Information Literacy (1 credit)
Teaches students to become effective in finding and utilizing information at libraries and other information centers, and through electronic resources available in libraries and on the World Wide Web.

GRD120 – Print and Web-Based Graphic Applications (Photoshop) (3 credits)
Print and Web-Based Graphic Applications begins coverage of Adobe PhotoShop in regard to the production of print and Web-based graphics. The students learn how to use the PhotoShop software and apply smart design principles to multimedia products such as print brochures, dynamic graphics, animation, Web sites, video, and interactive CD-ROM content.

GRD125 – Graphic Design II (3 credits)
Graphic Design II focuses on visual communication through diverse theme-based projects where issues of representation and meaning production are emphasized. It also addresses main design notions such as visual organization, information hierarchy, and typography.

ENG121 – Business and Technical Writing (3 credits)
Writing styles; ABC method of organizing material; grammar (parts of speech, active and passive voice, complete sentences vs. sentence fragments; parallel construction); using action verbs; constructing paragraphs; writing memos, business letters, and e-mails; organizing material; conducting research; documenting sources; outlining; providing illustrations; writing reports, proposals, descriptions, instructions, articles, and manuals.

MAT260 – Survey of Mathematics (3 credits)
Designed for liberal arts and business majors. A sampling of the history of mathematics and calculations using algebra, geometry, and trigonometry; problems and exercises that provide “real life” applications of concepts.

Proctored Examination*

SEMESTER THREE

GRD201 – Typography (3 credits)
Typography is an exploration of different components of type, typefaces, and their identification, which are legibility, visual organization, proportion, and weight. When and where, procedures, and methods for use in print and Web-based graphic creations.

SSC130 – Essentials of Psychology (3 credits)
Biology and behavior; consciousness; memory; thought and language; intelligence; personality and gender; stress; community influences.

GRD205 – Electronic Publishing (InDesign) (3 credits)
The Electronic Publishing course focuses on the integration of text and graphics using Adobe InDesign. The student develops digital design skills and is introduced to photo image manipulation using Photoshop. Course includes use of scanning devices.

GRD208 – Electronic Publishing Projects (3 credits)
Students use Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign to apply their skills to produce a book, advertising brochures, and corporate publications.

GRD212 – Corporate Design (3 credits)
Corporate Design explores the development of corporate communications and identity programs. Topics covered are trademarks, branding, logo design, brochure design, and online presence design.

Proctored Examination*

SEMESTER FOUR

HTML Coding
Teaches how to create Web pages with hypertext links, tables, frames,
and forms; covers cascading style sheets, programming with JavaScript,® working with content and layout, controlling mouse and keyboard events, and creating new frames and windows.

GRD220 – Web Graphic Arts Design (3 credits)
Web Graphic Arts Design teaches students about creating Web graphics using PhotoShop and ImageReady. Students create graphics for use in Web design and other Web-based projects by completing hands-on and case projects and creating professional-level Web graphics for use in their electronic portfolios in the last semester of this course.

INT205 – Introduction to Internet Multimedia (3 credits)
Provides an overview of multimedia on the Web and multimedia elements such as text and graphics, as well as sound, animation, and video; describes multimedia-authoring programs and the development and design of multimedia titles; covers the management and distribution of multi-media titles.

INT238 – Streaming Technology, Multimedia Development,
and Animation (3 credits)
Teaches Adobe Dreamworks, Flash®, and Fireworks, and integrates the three applications; develop a Web page, work with text and graphics, links, and tables in Dreamweaver®; add objects and animation to a Web page with Fireworks; draw and work with symbols and create interactivity and special effects with Flash®.

GRD225 – Portfolio Development (3 credits)
Portfolio Development covers the process of developing and maintaining an electronic portfolio. Topics covered are the preparation and organization of graphic creations, such as logos, Web sites, and brochures. This course culminates in the presentation of an electronic portfolio utilizing graphics created throughout this course.

Proctored Examination*

We reserve the right to change program content and materials when it becomes necessary.

* As a degree candidate, you will take a proctored examination at the end of each semester. We make it easy because you pick the location and the person you want to supervise the exam, as long as Penn Foster College established policy and qualifications are met. Complete information packets, with procedures, will be provided well in advance, before completion of final semester course work.

Note: Advanced standing student shipments may vary from the above schedule.

A High School Diploma or GED is required to enroll in this degree program. Although this outline covers all four semesters of the Graphic Design Technology Degree Program, you receive lesson materials for each semester as you enroll.

Pentium is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation, or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries.

IBM is a registered trademark of IBM Corporation registered in the United States of America and/or other jurisdictions.

Microsoft and Windows are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation registered in the United States of America and/or other jurisdictions.

Adobe Dreamweaver, Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator are trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated registered in the United States of America and/or other jurisdictions.

Flash is a trademark registered in the United States of America and/or other jurisdictions.

Java script is a registered trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States of America and/or other jurisdictions.