Graphic Design (CERT2)
Level 2 Certificate (CERT2)
LSC-North Harris
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Graphic Design (CERT2) is a Level 2 Certificate (CERT2) program offered by Lone Star College in Houston, TX. The program takes 48 credit hours to complete, with a total tuition of $5,328.
Program Overview
- The goal of the Visual Communication program is to create a stimulating learning environment for students where they can pursue their specific interest within six areas of professional study: graphic design, multimedia, web design, video and postproduction, motion graphics and 3-D animation.
- Program Highlights
- Courses emphasizing advertising design, publication design, interactive media and multimedia design prepare the students for professional practice within a designer/client relationship. These courses emphasize conceptual communication following the model of professional practice while seeking to explore innovative designs.
- Students earning a degree are introduced to graphic design as a means of visual communication, organization, and persuasion. As preparation for employment in a range of design disciplines, students gain an understanding of ideation, visual organization, typography, and production tools and technology, including their application and the creation, reproduction, and distribution of visual information. Students learn to design and/or create graphics to meet specific needs such as packaging, logos, displays, websites, publications, and various digital media and may work with sound, color, artwork, photography, software, and even animation to produce whatever the design project calls for.
- The Multimedia track and the Graphic Design track of the Visual Communication Program are recognized by the Texas Workforce Investment Council as having curriculum that aligns with the national industry defined and industry recognized skills standards.
- Credentials and Careers
- Certificates are available within areas of professional study within visual communication and are designed to provide a core understanding. A certificate may be beneficial for a working professional who wants to update or expand their knowledge and skills to benefit their employment in the industry. The requirements of each certificate will apply to the program’s AAS degree. Areas of professional study include: Graphic Design
- Multimedia
- Web Design
- Video and Postproduction
- Motion Graphics
- 3-D Animation
- Completion of the Associate of Applied Science in Visual Communication prepares the graduate for an entry-level position in design services, publishing, advertising, public relations, computer systems design and related services and other related areas.
- Transferability
- General education courses (Core) are designed for easy transfer to Texas public institutions and applicable to requirements at private and out of -state institutions.
- Technical coursework may be transferrable to other institutions.
- Please consult with a program advisor for more information about transferability.
Program Schedule
- This award requires 48 credit hours in total.
- Lone Star College reports 1648 contact hours for this award.
- Where the course list shows "Choose N credit hours", those courses are the options for one elective slot, not additional requirements.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Utilize industry specific production process toward a final output.
- Apply design principles to execute industry specific project objectives.
- Research the field of study to prepare for an entry-level position.
- Apply verbal and written communication to interpret client’s goals.
Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information
- Tuition shown is the in-district rate of $111.00 per credit hour for 48 credit hours.
- Out-of-district Texas residents pay $249.00 per credit hour ($11,952.00); international and out-of-state students pay $313.00 per credit hour ($15,024.00).
- Lab fees vary by course and liability insurance, uniforms and supplies vary by program, so Lone Star College publishes no all-in total for this award. Tuition above excludes them.
- Financial aid and payment plans are available to most students.
- Application fee: none. Lone Star College applications are free.
Program Notes
- Students who are classified as First Time in College (FTIC) will complete EDUC 1300 - Learning Framework: First Year Experience.
- Students who are not classified as First Time in College (FTIC) and have not yet demonstrated college-level readiness in reading and writing and/or math (depending on selected course), will complete EDUC 1300 - Learning Framework: First Year Experience.
Career outlook
Government figures for Graphic Designers · typical entry education: Bachelor's degree. These describe the occupation, not this school's graduates.
Advance your career
$53,100
median salary in Texas
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023.
$58,910
median salary nationally
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Graphic Designers.
+3%
projected change in employment, 2023–2033
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections.
214,260
people employed in this occupation nationally
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024.
Related job titles
- Ad Designer (Advertising Designer)
- Ad Layout Worker (Advertising Layout Worker)
- Artist
- Brand Designer
- Catalogue Illustrator
- Commercial Artist
- Concept Artist
- Creative Designer
- Design Consultant
Titles reported for this occupation by O*NET. Not a list of jobs this program guarantees.
Required Courses
| Subject # | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | ||
| ARTS1316 | Drawing I | 3 |
| ARTC1302 | Digital Imaging I | 3 |
| ARTC1317 | Design Communications I | 3 |
| ARTS1311 | 2-D Design | 3 |
| EDUC1300 | Learning Framework: 1st Year Experience | 3 |
| SPCH1311 | Introduction To Communication | 3 |
| SPCH1321 | Business and Professional Communication | 3 |
| Subtotal | 21 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| IMED1301 | Introduction to Digital Media | 3 |
| ARTC1313 | Digital Publishing I | 3 |
| ARTC1327 | Typography | 3 |
| ARTC1353 | Computer Illustration | 3 |
| IMED1316 | Web Design I | 3 |
| Subtotal | 15 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| ARTC2305 | Digital Imaging II | 3 |
| ARTC2313 | Digital Publishing II | 3 |
| ARTC2347 | Design Communications II | 3 |
| IMED1345 | Interactive Digital Media I | 3 |
| IMED2315 | Web Design II | 3 |
| Subtotal | 15 | |
| Fourth Semester / Choose 3 credit hours - Program Capstone | ||
| ARTC2335 | Portfolio Development | 3 |
| ARTC2380 | Cooperative Education - Commercial and Advertising Art | 3 |
| Subtotal | 6 | |
| Program Total | 57 | |