Graphic Design | Media Arts is a portfolio driven program that instructs students on graphic design. The program simulates a real-world, work environment. Beyond print-based design, GD|MA teaches interactive and web design to implement design knowledge for online, mobile, and tablet websites and applications. Students learn how to bring website designs to life through basic front-end web coding using HTML/5, CSS/3, and jQuery. The comprehensive curriculum ensures that students graduate with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to be successful in the ever-changing graphic design profession.
Students will execute a variety of hands-on design projects from day one that utilize the Adobe® Creative Cloud® and can expect to work with real-world clients for in-class projects. All students have access to GD|MA studio photography lighting and backdrops, printers, scanners, digital drawing tablets, light-boxes, and a carefully curated selection of books and magazines in our design library. Students will gain experience writing resumes, cover letters, professional email and phone correspondence, and interview skills. Before graduation, students will construct a physical and digital design portfolio to showcase their work.
Graduates have gained employment at regional design firms and in-house marketing teams for businesses and corporations in positions as: graphic designers focused on print and publication design, interactive or UX/UI designers, front-end developers, package designers, and branding/identity designers. Graduates have gained employment at local firms such as: Swanson Russell, Firespring, University of Nebraska, Hudl, Red Thread, Ebbeka, Don’t Panic Labs, Pixel Bakery, Nelnet, Play Creative, State of Nebraska, Sandhills, and Open Harvest. Our most current report indicates an average starting salary of $15.92/hour, over $33,000 a year. We have also seen graduates with a focus on interactive design and front-end development skills make up to $60,000 6-months post-graduation.
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Student Expectations
Prior to the first day of class, students need to complete the SCC New Student Orientation and the GD|MA program orientation to secure their seat in the program.
By the first day of class, each student is required to have a personal, industry ready laptop. Each student is also required to have their own Adobe Creative Cloud license and any materials/supplies and books.
Web Courses
Students learn the fundamentals of interactive design and basic web coding. Over the web courses, students learn a variety of design and development tools that are used by professionals. Students learn how to design websites and the basics of web coding. Students will design, build, and deliver website assets for a pro-bono client and create a portfolio website to showcase the work created in the program.
Pro bono Work
Students will be required to seek out and work with real-world clients to produce projects for in-class work. The pro-bono work will be conducted under the guidance of the instructor.
Portfolio Courses
Students will spend one year developing and designing projects for their final portfolio. These projects are selected by the individual student to ensure that each student leaves the GD|MA program with a unique portfolio that reflects their interests and skillset.
Intern Experience
Students will work full-time, 40-hours per week, for a three-week internship in the graphic design field. Students are responsible for seeking out and arranging the internship with guidance from the instructor. Internships can be completed at design agencies, publishers, marketing firms/departments, newspapers, web design studios, print shops, sign shops, etc. Students have traveled all across the country, Oregon, Illinois, California, Texas, Alabama, and internationally, England and Mexico, to complete the internship.
GDMA is NOT
- The GD|MA program does not currently offer advanced animation courses or use tools such as Cinema 4-D.
- GD|MA is not video game design or game development.
- GD|MA does not discuss anime or comic book design.
- GD|MA does not teach back-end web development languages such as C++, Java, or Ruby.