2022-2023 Pierce College Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2022-2023 Pierce College Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Digital Design (AAS) Course Map


Created by Pierce faculty, this map outlines the initial coursework for this career field. It provides you a clear path to complete your degree by listing a specific set of courses relevant to your program and career. The map is designed with the appropriate number of credits and meets degree requirements. Courses are organized in a recommended sequence; please schedule accordingly. If a course is unavailable, select the next appropriate course within the sequence. For each course, a purpose statement explains how the content relates to your career field. On this map, there may be instances when you will be required to select a course from several options. Use these purpose statements and notes to choose the course that best aligns with your interests and needs. You will also find action items to complete to assure you progress and graduate on time. While this map is a great guide to courses required to complete the Associate in Applied Science Digital Design, you are responsible for fulfilling all degree requirements. Questions? Your Success Network is ready to help you!

Total Credits: 97


1. College Success


  • Course purpose: A foundational course to explore and affirm a career choice and build upon the skills, knowledge, and resources that will support you at Pierce College and beyond.

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  • Note: The College Success course you select will depend on the Career Pathway Map you are following. Your advisor will assist you in selecting either the 3- or 5- credit version of the course. Should you choose to repeat a College Success course you must enroll in a College Success course with the same credit amount as the original course; a COLLG 110 course grade can only be replaced with a grade from another COLLG 110 course and a COLLG 115 course grade can only be replaced with a grade from another COLLG 115 course. 

2. Introduction to Graphic Design and Rich Media


3. English Composition I


  • Course purpose: Develop written communication skills in order to create content for clients, employers and businesses in a clear, concise and professional manner.

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  • Note: Your advisor will assist you in reviewing your Guided Self Placement and selecting either the 5-credit or the 7-credit co-requisite ENGL& 101 + ENGLC 101 course.

     

    Note: If transferring to Evergreen State College, you must complete ENGL&101 with a GPA of 2.0 or higher.

Action Item: Meet with Advisor


Use your Success Network! In your first quarter, meet with your advisor to revisit your career and transfer path, make adjustments to your goals as needed, and plan for your next steps.

Note: If transferring to Evergreen State College, four criterion must be met:

  1. Earn a technical associate degree from a regionally accredited Washington community or technical college. Eligible degrees include: AAS, ATA, AAT, or AAS-T degrees.
  2. Complete ENGL&101 with a GPA of 2.0 or higher.
  3. Complete a minimum of 20 academic, quarter hours of college-level credits with a GPA of 2.0 or higher in each course. No more than 10 credits earned in the same subject area can count toward the 20 credit minimum.
  4. Have a cumulative, college-level GPA of 2.5 or higher.

4. Art Course Recommendation


Choose one

5. Math Course Recommendation


Choose one

  • Course purpose: This course provides the foundation of math skills needed in a business environment.

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  • Note: The math course you select will depend on the Career Pathway Map you are following, the transfer institution/degree that you select, and your math placement guidance. Your advisor will assist you in selecting the relevant 5 or 7 credit course(s) based upon co-requisite options.

6. Layout Design and Publishing


7. Graphic Design II


  • Course purpose: This class covers graphic design techniques using Adobe Illustrator. You will also learn to develop your personal creative process that you can carry through to your career. 

8. Introduction to User Experience Design


Action Item: Start Elective Courses


Start taking your elective courses. You will choose three elective courses in total from the list of fourteen below. 

 

The electives are broken up into emphasis groups to help you chose the three courses that best meet your goals. You do not have to pick one emphasis; you can choose courses from several different emphasis groups. Note that some courses are only offered once per year. Meet with your advisor for help arranging your education plan and/or see the course schedule on the Digital Design website.

Traditional Graphic Designer/Illustrator Course Recommendations


Choose courses from this emphasis if you’re interested in becoming a traditional graphic designer and/or illustrator. 

User Experience/ User Interface Designer/ Web Designer Course Recommendations


Choose courses from this emphasis if you’re interested in becoming a user experience/user interface (UX/UI) designer and/or web designer. 

  • Course description: This course is an introduction to the user experiences and user interfaces (UX/UI) app prototype design process. You will learn the core principles of human-centered design and how to appropriately scope design problems. 

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  • Course description: Upon completion of this course, you will be able to plan, design, and implement web sites using current industry standards and modern responsive front-end framework

Social Media/ Marketing Course Recommendations


Choose courses from this emphasis if you’re interested in social media and/or marketing jobs. 

Animation, Game Design, Film Course Recommendations


Choose courses from this emphasis if you’re interested and animation, game design, and/or film. 

9. Production Management


10. Fundamentals of Digital Photography and Adobe Photoshop


11. Fundamentals of Video Production


Action Item: Search for an Internship


Begin searching for an internship. You are required to complete 90 hours of design work in a supervised internship. Meet with your advisor for assistance. 

12. Fundamentals of 3D Modeling and Animation


13. Human Behavior Course Recommendations


Choose one

14. English/Journalism Course Recommendations


Choose one

Action Item: Internship


Secure an internship. Meet with your advisor for assistance.

Action Item: Apply for Graduation


Way to go! It is time to apply for graduation. Visit the Pierce College Graduation website for details.

15. Communication/Language Course Recommendations


Choose One

16. Fundamentals of Motion Graphics and Interactive Media


Action Item: Finish taking Electives


Finish taking your elective courses. Remember, you will choose three electives courses in total from the list of fourteen above. 

 

The electives are broken up into emphasis groups below to help you chose the three courses that best meet your goals. You do not have to pick one emphasis; you can choose courses from several different emphasis groups. Note that some courses are only offered once per year. Meet with your advisor for help arranging your education plan and/or see the course schedule on the Digital Design website.

Action Item: Meet with Advisor


Meet with your advisor if you have any course substitutions that need to be submitted to the evaluations office.

17. Portfolio


18. Supervised Internship


  • Course purpose: You will apply the skills you learned throughout the Digital Design Program in a real-world work setting. It is a 90-hour commitment that is designed to give you work experience to prepare you to apply for jobs after graduation. 

Total Credits: 97


Program Code: 504