Graphic Design (GRD)
Students in the Graphic Design program begin their studies with emphasis on two-dimensional art and design, both traditional and computer-based, using industry-standard software products. After successful completion of a required portfolio review process, students focus on advanced skills such as brand design and implementation, packaging, user experience/user interface design (UX/UI), and motion design.
Currently many courses required for the degree are scheduled between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Some of the required courses also are offered in the evening or on weekends.
Students entering the Graphic Design program are expected to own a laptop computer and a subscription to cloud-based software used in classes. Additional information is available on the Graphic Design page of the College website or from the program chair.
Graduates earn an Associate of Applied Science degree. Job titles for graduates include graphic designer, production artist, or web graphics/interface designer.
For more information, please contact the Engineering and Information Technologies Division at (513) 569-1743.
To apply for this program at Cincinnati State, visit the Admissions section of the College website.
Graphic Design (GRD)
| Semester 1 | Lec | Lab | Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FYE 1XX First Year Experience Elective (B) | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| GRD 125 | Design Principles ( B) | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| ENG 101 | English Composition 1 ( G) | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| MID 120 | Drawing Fundamentals for Multimedia Information Design ( B) | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| MAT 105 | Quantitative Reasoning ( G) | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Semester 2 | ||||
| ART 120 | Design History ( G) | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| GRD 120 | Beginning 2D Graphics: Bitmap ( B) | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| GRD 130 | Beginning 2D Graphics: Vector ( B) | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| GRD 160 | Graphic Design Analysis and Conceptualization ( B) | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Semester 3 | ||||
| MID 190 | Career Preparation: Multimedia Information Design ( B) | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| XXX-XXX Social/Behavioral Science Elective (G) | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| ENG-10X English Composition Elective (G) | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| GRD 170 | Page Layout Design ( T) | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| GRD 180 | Digital Design Strategies ( T) | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Semester 4 | ||||
| GRD 225 | Design Concepts: Typography ( T) | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| GRD 200 | Graphic Design Portfolio Review ( T) | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| GRD 215 | Applied 2D Graphics: GRD ( T) | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| GRD 250 | User Interface Design and Implementation ( T) | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Semester 5 | ||||
| GRD 230 | Brand Identity Development ( T) | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| GRD 240 | Packaging Design ( T) | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| GRD 255 | Graphic Imaging Production Processes ( T) | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| GRD 290 | Graphic Design Capstone ( T) | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Semester 6 | ||||
| GRD-29X Experiential Learning Elective (T) | 1 | 40 | 2 | |
| AVP 240 | Motion Graphics/Compositing: After Effects ( T) | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Total Credits: | 47 | 85 | 64 | |
Electives
| First Year Experience Elective | ||
| FYE 100 | Essentials for College Success | 1 |
| FYE 105 | Skills for College and Personal Success | 2 |
| FYE 110 | Intensive College Success Strategies | 3 |
| English Composition Elective | ||
| ENG 102 | English Composition 2: Contemporary Issues | 3 |
| ENG 103 | English Composition 2: Writing about Literature | 3 |
| ENG 104 | English Composition 2: Technical Communication | 3 |
| ENG 105 | English Composition 2: Business Communication | 3 |
| Social/Behavioral Science Elective | ||
| Any ECO, GEO, HST, LBR, POL, PSY, SOC | 3 | |
| Experiential Elective | ||
| GRD 291 | Full-Time Cooperative Education 1: Graphic Design | 2 |
| GRD 294 | Internship 1: Graphic Design | 2 |
Some courses are offered in alternative versions identified with a letter after the course number-- for example, ENG 101 and ENG 101A.
- This curriculum displays only course numbers without the added letter.
- The alternative version, when available, meets the requirements of the course version without the added letter.
The letters G, B, and T (displayed after course titles or elective descriptions) identify types of courses required by the Ohio Department of Higher Education as part of an associate’s degree curriculum.
G = General Education course in this curriculum
B = Basic Skills course in this curriculum
T = Technical course in this curriculum
Graphic Design (GRD)
- Students will have a strong working knowledge of fundamental design principles.
- Students must be able to successfully navigate brand standards (designing under existing restrictions, as well as creating guidelines for future designers).
- Students must have a strong grasp of typography and typographic principles, in both small amounts (posters, infographics, etc.) and large-scale applications (200+ words, body copy, etc.).
- Students must be able to think and speak critically about their own work and the work of others.
- Students must show proficiency in using industry-standard software, especially the Adobe Creative Suite.
- Students must show proficiency in the area of packaging design.
- Students must exhibit practical knowledge and understanding of digital design.
GRD Courses
GRD 120 Beginning 2D Graphics: Bitmap
3 Credits. 2 Lecture Hours. 3 Lab Hours.
An introduction to pixel-based design for multimedia applications. Topics include: principles for creating and manipulating images using Adobe Photoshop; solving visual design and production problems; and techniques for selections, layers, color correction, masks, and image adjustments.
Prerequisites: GRD 125 (minimum grade C)
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GRD 125 Design Principles
3 Credits. 2 Lecture Hours. 3 Lab Hours.
A course on fundamental principles and techniques for effective visual composition in print and multimedia applications.
Prerequisites: None
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GRD 130 Beginning 2D Graphics: Vector
3 Credits. 2 Lecture Hours. 3 Lab Hours.
An introduction to vector design for multimedia applications. Topics include: principles for creating images with Adobe Illustrator such as icons, logos, brand identity elements, stylized illustrations, and original print and digital artwork.
Prerequisites: GRD 125 (minimum grade C)
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GRD 160 Graphic Design Analysis and Conceptualization
3 Credits. 2 Lecture Hours. 3 Lab Hours.
A course to help students refine their design sensibilities and critical thinking skills. Topics include: analyzing, diagnosing, and articulating graphic design problems; and developing a process to generate creative solutions through research, ideation, and brainstorming exercises.
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites:
GRD 120,GRD 130
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GRD 170 Page Layout Design
2 Credits. 1 Lecture Hour. 2 Lab Hours.
A course on using page layout application software to create multi-page documents for print and digital publications. Topics include: master pages, styles, integrating graphics and tables, print production, optimizing PDF files, and using variable data. This class is offered in a 7-week format.
Prerequisites: GRD 120 and GRD 130
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GRD 180 Digital Design Strategies
2 Credits. 1 Lecture Hour. 2 Lab Hours.
A course that explores marketing knowledge and techniques needed to design appropriate deliverables for target audiences. Topics include: understanding audience demographics and psychographics, establishing target markets, conducting research on access to those markets, and applying knowledge gained from research to design a variety of deliverables for the target markets. This course is offered in a 7-week format.
Prerequisites: GRD 120 and GRD 130
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GRD 191 Part-Time Cooperative Education 1: Graphic Design
1 Credit. 1 Lecture Hour. 20 Lab Hours.
Students seeking an associate's degree participate in their first part-time field learning experience related to their degree. Students are expected to register for academic courses during the same semester. Students must follow cooperative education policies and procedures to earn credit. Grades issued are Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory.
Prerequisites: None
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GRD 192 Part-Time Cooperative Education 2: Graphic Design
1 Credit. 1 Lecture Hour. 20 Lab Hours.
Students seeking an associate's degree participate in their second part-time field learning experience related to their degree. Students are expected to register for academic courses during the same semester. Students must follow cooperative education policies and procedures to earn credit. Grades issued are Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory.
Prerequisites: GRD 191
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GRD 193 Part-Time Cooperative Education 3: Graphic Design
1 Credit. 1 Lecture Hour. 20 Lab Hours.
Students seeking an associate's degree participate in their third part-time field learning experience related to their degree. Students are expected to register for academic courses during the same semester. Students must follow cooperative education policies and procedures to earn credit. Grades issued are Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory.
Prerequisites: GRD 192
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GRD 194 Part-Time Cooperative Education 4: Graphic Design
1 Credit. 1 Lecture Hour. 20 Lab Hours.
Students seeking an associate's degree participate in their fourth part-time field learning experience related to their degree. Students are expected to register for academic courses during the same semester. Students must follow cooperative education policies and procedures to earn credit. Grades issued are Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory.
Prerequisites: GRD 193
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GRD 195 Part-Time Cooperative Education 5: Graphic Design
1 Credit. 1 Lecture Hour. 20 Lab Hours.
Students seeking an associate's degree participate in their fifth part-time field learning experience related to their degree. Students are expected to register for academic courses during the same semester. Students must follow cooperative education policies and procedures to earn credit. Grades issued are Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory.
Prerequisites: GRD 194
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GRD 196 Part-Time Cooperative Education 6: Graphic Design
1 Credit. 1 Lecture Hour. 20 Lab Hours.
Students seeking an associate's degree participate in their sixth part-time field learning experience related to their degree. Students are expected to register for academic courses during the same semester. Students must follow cooperative education policies and procedures to earn credit. Grades issued are Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory.
Prerequisites: GRD 195
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GRD 200 Graphic Design Portfolio Review
1 Credit. 0 Lecture Hour. 3 Lab Hours.
Students build a professional portfolio that demonstrates original creative concepts and technical skills required to enter upper-level courses in the Graphic Design program, and present their work to a panel of evaluators at the end of the semester. Students receive grades of Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory and must pass the course to be eligible for cooperative education assignments. Those who do not pass may make one additional attempt.
Prerequisites: GRD 160 and Graphic Design Program Chair consent
Corequisites:
GRD 215,GRD 225
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Instructor Consent Required
GRD 210 Applied 2D Graphics: Audio/Video Production
3 Credits. 2 Lecture Hours. 3 Lab Hours.
A continuation of GRD 120 and GRD 130, focusing on creating 2D graphics for use in on-screen video applications.
Prerequisites: GRD 120 and GRD 130 (minimum grade C for both)
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GRD 215 Applied 2D Graphics: GRD
3 Credits. 2 Lecture Hours. 3 Lab Hours.
A portfolio-building course with a focus on design conceptualization. Topics include: establishing a design process; and creating design works related to logo/identity, illustration, informational graphics, and page layout.
Prerequisites: GRD 120 and GRD 130 (minimum grade C)
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GRD 220 Applied 2D Graphics: Web Design
3 Credits. 2 Lecture Hours. 3 Lab Hours.
A course on applications of 2D graphics techniques for raster-based and vector-based software, focusing on creating 2D graphics for Web and multimedia applications.
Prerequisites: GRD 120 and GRD 130 and WEB 111 (minimum grade C for all)
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GRD 225 Design Concepts: Typography
3 Credits. 2 Lecture Hours. 3 Lab Hours.
A course on understanding and applying typography to design projects that are suitable to include in a professional portfolio. Topics include: anatomy and structure of type, type terminology and applications, experimenting with typographic form while composing design projects, and exploring uses and functions of typography in design and layout.
Prerequisites: GRD 120 and GRD 130 and ART 120 and ENG 101 (minimum grade C for all)
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GRD 230 Brand Identity Development
3 Credits. 2 Lecture Hours. 3 Lab Hours.
A course on the development of strong brand identity concepts and materials for products and organizations. Topics include: analyzing existing brands, creating new brand identities, and developing brand standards manuals.
Prerequisites: GRD 200
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GRD 240 Packaging Design
3 Credits. 2 Lecture Hours. 3 Lab Hours.
A course on design for product packaging and 3D structures. Topics include: understanding the function of packaging; analyzing audiences; and developing effective packaging including design, type, and graphic elements.
Prerequisites: GRD 200 and GRD 215
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GRD 250 User Interface Design and Implementation
3 Credits. 2 Lecture Hours. 3 Lab Hours.
A course on researching, designing, and prototyping an interface for web and mobile products. Topics include: using industry-standard software, tools, and techniques for the UI/UX process; developing project briefs and user personas; creating sitemaps and user flows; conducting card sorting and user testing activities; understanding usability and accessibility constraints and considerations; and effectively conveying concepts through professional presentations.
Prerequisites: GRD 120 and GRD 130 and GRD 180
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GRD 255 Graphic Imaging Production Processes
3 Credits. 2 Lecture Hours. 3 Lab Hours.
A course on understanding the requirements for preparing graphic design projects for print. Topics include: overview of print processes such as lithography, flexography, gravure, digital, and screen printing; file construction; design considerations; substrate choices; and standards for evaluating printed materials.
Prerequisites: GRD 215
Corequisites:
GRD 230
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GRD 260 3D Visualization
5 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 4 Lab Hours.
An introduction to 3D concepts and skills using Maya software. Topics include: polygon, NURBS, and subdivision surface modeling; texturing; animation; lighting; rendering; interaction of soft and rigid body solvers; dynamics; and manipulation of 3D attributes using nodes and connections.
Prerequisites: GRD 200
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GRD 285 Graphic Design Independent Final Project
3 Credits. 2 Lecture Hours. 3 Lab Hours.
Qualified students work individually or with an approved team from concept to completion on a graphic design project, and present the results to reviewers. Topic and outline must be presented to a jury of instructors, and approved prior to course registration. Students who do not successfully complete the course may make one additional attempt.
Prerequisites: Graphic Design Program Chair consent, and minimum 3.0 GPA
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Instructor Consent Required
GRD 290 Graphic Design Capstone
3 Credits. 2 Lecture Hours. 3 Lab Hours.
Qualified students work in structured teams to develop graphic design deliverables for an external client, and present the results to reviewers. Activities include audience, client, and market analysis; and all phases of production of materials. Students who do not successfully complete the course may make one additional attempt.
Prerequisites: Graphic Design Program Chair consent, and minimum 2.5 GPA
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Instructor Consent Required
GRD 291 Full-Time Cooperative Education 1: Graphic Design
2 Credits. 1 Lecture Hour. 40 Lab Hours.
Students seeking an associate's degree participate in their first full-time field learning experience related to their degree. Students must follow cooperative education policies and procedures to earn credit. Grades issued are Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory.
Prerequisites: None
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GRD 292 Full-Time Cooperative Education 2: Graphic Design
2 Credits. 1 Lecture Hour. 40 Lab Hours.
Students seeking an associate's degree participate in their second full-time field learning experience related to their degree. Students must follow cooperative education policies and procedures to earn credit. Grades issued are Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory.
Prerequisites: GRD 291
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GRD 293 Full-Time Cooperative Education 3: Graphic Design
2 Credits. 1 Lecture Hour. 40 Lab Hours.
Students seeking an associate's degree participate in their third full-time field learning experience related to their degree. Students must follow cooperative education policies and procedures to earn credit. Grades issued are Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory.
Prerequisites: GRD 292
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GRD 294 Internship 1: Graphic Design
2 Credits. 1 Lecture Hour. 40 Lab Hours.
Students seeking an associate's degree participate in their first unpaid field learning experience related to their degree. Students must follow applicable policies and procedures to earn credit. Grades issued are Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory.
Prerequisites: MID 190, GRD 200
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GRD 295 Internship 2: Graphic Design
2 Credits. 1 Lecture Hour. 40 Lab Hours.
Students seeking an associate's degree participate in their second unpaid field learning experience related to their degree. Students must follow applicable policies and procedures to earn credit. Grades issued are Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory.
Prerequisites: GRD 294
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MID Courses
MID 100 Multimedia Information Design Career Exploration Seminar
1 Credit. 0 Lecture Hour. 2 Lab Hours.
A course on using research and personal reflection to develop a strong foundation for selecting an academic program/major and planning a career related to Multimedia Information Design. Topics include: analyzing interests, abilities, and values; reviewing academic and personal requirements for related programs/majors; and examining career outcomes including salary, job availability, advancement opportunities, and other factors.
Prerequisites: None
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MID 120 Drawing Fundamentals for Multimedia Information Design
3 Credits. 2 Lecture Hours. 3 Lab Hours.
A course on fundamental drawing approaches using various media and techniques. Topics include: developing observational skills; study of perspective; and describing objects in terms of line, value, shape, lighting, and texture.
Prerequisites: None
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MID 125 Storyboarding
2 Credits. 1 Lecture Hour. 2 Lab Hours.
A course on fundamentals of storyboarding for video, animation, multimedia, and web. Topics include: traditional drawing and digital illustration, image acquisition and composition, shot framing and description, and industry standards for labeling.
Prerequisites: None
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MID 190 Career Preparation: Multimedia Information Design
2 Credits. 2 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.
A course on career planning for students seeking employment in Multimedia Information Design fields. Topics include: self-assessment, career research, resume development, interview skills and job hunting strategies, and cooperative education policies and procedures.
Prerequisites: GRD 125 or AVP 100 (minimum grade C for both)
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