Des Moines Area Community College.

Graphic Design Skills Guide

Recommended High School Level Background Courses

  • *General Math
  • *Sociology
  • Photography
  • *Composition
  • *Psychology
  • Keyboarding
  • Creative Writing
  • Art
 

* Courses available in the Academic Achievement Center or High School Completion Center

Basic Skills in the Program and on the Job

Reading

Students must score a 61 on the COMPASS Reading test to meet the minimum program entrance requirement. In most courses, textbooks are used primarily as references, with tests based on a combination of text, lecture, discussion, and handouts. In some courses, texts and handouts include project instructions. The approximate reading level of first-semester texts is eleventh to twelfth grade. Considerable reading is required both in the program and on the job. In addition to reading graphic design trade publications, graphic designers must do research for client projects. This work may involve doing internet searches, consulting graphics texts, and reading trade publications in the client's field, which could range from commercial horticulture to plumbing. They must read and understand customer copy in order to illustrate its content. They must also keep current on advertising trends by reading general newspapers and magazines. Because they will use a variety of computer programs, they can expect to consult online software tutorials frequently.

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Language

Strong oral and written language skills are required in this program. Students must score a 42 on the COMPASS Writing Skills test to meet the minimum entrance requirement. Students take one communications course, typically either Communication Skills (COM 703) or Composition I (ENG 105).

Although no speech course is required, students do considerable group work and prepare oral presentations to clients, activities which carry over into the work place. In the program, they construct creative briefs for client interviews to determine project specifications. They use notes from the interviews to type reports in preparation for design presentations. Students also keep logs of their internship activities and prepare cover letters, resumés, and follow-up letters. Creative writing is used in copywriting to accompany illustrations. In addition to copywriting, graphic designers in the work place can expect to write memos and business letters. Correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation are essential for all such work.

View more information on language skills in the Graphic Design program.

Math

Strong math skills are required in this program. Students must score 25 on the COMPASS Math test to meet minimum program entrance requirements. Students take one college-level math course, typically Applied Math (MAT 772) or Business Math (BUS 112), to fulfill their degree requirement. The latter is recommended because it will be helpful for students who go into business for themselves. In their program courses, students are taught to measure accurately for layouts using inches, picas, pixels, and decimals. They must use fractions, decimals, and per cents when creating thumbnails and projects. Additional math-related activities on the job might include creating graphs based on a set of figures. Artists may deal with clients in a variety of fields; they should be able to understand the math connected to each advertising assignment.

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Learning

Graphic designers use sequencing to develop projects and to write instructions to printers. They use their observational skills to analyze advertisements and problem-solving skills to develop copy and graphics appropriate to the product and audience. A combination of creative thinking and strong organizational skills, including time management, is the hallmark of success in this field.

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Computer

Students should enter the program with basic keyboarding skills and familiarity with email and internet use. Computers are used extensively in the program, beginning with Intro to Computer Business Applications (BCA212) in the first semester. With one exception, every course in this program is computer-based, and many also include online instructional components. In addition to learning desktop publishing programs, students are taught to use several graphics programs for creating and manipulating visuals: illustrations, photos, and text. On the job, virtually all work is done using computers.

View more information on computer skills in the Graphic Design program.