Graphic Design
Associate of Applied Science
Division: Arts and Humanities
Division Chair: Stephen Burke, sburke@sunyrockland.edu
Department Chair: Eileen MacAvery Kane, emacaver@sunyrockland.edu
Department Support Staff: Amy Frank, afrank@sunyrockland.edu
Educational Support Staff: Lili Grady, lgrady@sunyrockland.edu, Lena Hyun, lhyun@sunyrockland.edu
Department Office: Cultural Arts Center, Room 7111, Phone: 845-574-4268
Why Study Graphic Design?
Graphic designers use their creative, intellectual and technical skills to make relevant and compelling images to visually communicate and engage audiences. Students learn to develop their skills and their voices to shape form and content across a spectrum of digital media. This broad-based program is designed to prepare students for entry into an exciting, fast-moving, creative field, or for transfer to bachelor's degree programs at SUNY campuses, art schools and other colleges and universities.
Related disciplines include Art, Communication Media Arts, Visual and Performing Arts, Photography and Computer Web Development.
Degrees Offered:
- Associate of Applied Science (AAS): Graphic Design
Occupational Objectives:
Graphic Design students have a wide range of occupations to pursue: advertising; publications; exhibit design; web design; animation, interactive; motion graphics; and many more emerging fields in a new media. While some students may find entry-level jobs directly after graduation in commercial art, most will need to continue their studies.
5 Top Reasons
To Study Graphic Design at RCC:
- VALUE: Affordable tuition, financial aid, scholarships.
- FLEXIBILITY: Part-time study can accommodate work, family or other time commitments.
- SUPPORT: Small class sizes, more individual attention, free tutoring, on campus childcare.
- FACULTY: Learn from instructors with the rare combination of practical work experience in the field and advanced academic degrees.
- TRANSFER: The AAS in Graphic Design meets the requirements to pursue a range of four-year degrees. High-achieving RCC graduates transfer to distinguished art schools and college art programs.
Opportunities at Rockland Community College:
There are more than 40 student clubs offering many activities to explore special interests, socialize, or develop additional skills. For those interested in graphic design, there are award-winning publications including the Outlook student newspaper and the art and literary magazine, Impulse. Students may join the video game and animé club and enjoy exploring the world of gaming and contemporary animé computer graphics. Portfolio Day offers art students the opportunity to have their work reviewed by admissions representatives from several major art schools.
Program Goals:
To provide talented and motivated young artists with the knowledge and skills to help shape their future and fulfill their passions and abilities. The foundation program provides solid experience in two and three dimensional design, drawing, art history, photography, digital art, graphic design, digital imaging and animation. The Careers in Art course helps students to understand and identify the many paths open to them in a range of fields
Program Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Recognize and analyze through oral and written communication the contributions graphic designers have made from a variety of global perspectives including diversified cultures and societies throughout history
- Apply creative and technical abilities in graphic design, website design, interactive media, and related skills such as drawing, photography, animation and typography
- Use critical thinking to produce effective visual media through theory and form
- Evaluate and analyze visual media according to established criteria using appropriate terminology
- Create a portfolio for personal and professional use in the workforce or future studies