Graphic Design & Digital Media
23 courses · Las Positas College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Summer 2026 · Fall 2026
GDDM 51 Color Theory
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 27 hours lecture,, 81 hours laboratory
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- ARTS 270
A basic-level course highlighting color as an element for communication and expression in all visual fields. Covers key color systems and their relevance to graphic and other visual arts and creative and technical aspects of color. Students may receive credit for ARTS 26 or GDDM 51, but not both.
GDDM 2 Wordpress and Content Management Systems
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 27 hours lecture,, 81 hours laboratory
- Transfers to
- CSU
Students will use WordPress to build dynamic websites that can be updated easily with usage of themes and plugins. Students are also introduced to PHP & MySQL, theme customization, and other CMS frameworks.
GDDM 3 History of Graphic Design
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This introductory survey course focuses on the history and development of graphic design as a discipline from the twentieth century to today. Students will develop an understanding of the evolution and role the graphic designer in shaping society and be introduced to outstanding historical and contemporary figures and their influence on contemporary culture. The course will also cover the advancements in technology and its influence in the design field.
GDDM 4 User Interface and User Experience Design
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 27 hours lecture,, 81 hours laboratory
- Transfers to
- CSU
In this course students are introduced to the fields of User Experience Design and Interface Design. Key topics covered in this course are interaction design, mobile and desktop interface design, information architecture, user research, as well as UX planning documents such as wireframes and personas. Students learn many of the principles, processes, and techniques used to develop effective user interfaces.
GDDM 10 3D Modeling and Animation
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 27 hours lecture,, 81 hours laboratory
- Transfers to
- CSU
Use 3D computer software to create scenes, objects, and characters and animate them while applying traditional animation principles. Focus will be on how to create believable movement and storytelling as well as learning workflow from planning to final animation.
GDDM 12 2D Animation
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 27 hours lecture,, 81 hours laboratory
- Transfers to
- CSU
Introduction to the basic elements of animation and representation. Students will learn to analyze and apply the principals of animation to their own projects using a variety of techniques including hand drawing and computer based animation for storytelling and effective communication. Students will be introduced to the basic elements of animation and representation, including understanding of mass, movement, and reaction to external forces.
GDDM 29 Independent Study, Graphic Design & Digital Media
- Units
- 0.5-2
- Hours
- 108 hours laboratory
- Transfers to
- CSU
For course information, see "Independent Study". 27-108 hours laboratory.
GDDM 40 Design Shop: The Business of Design
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 27 hours lecture,, 81 hours laboratory
- Transfers to
- CSU
In The Design Shop, students create works for clients on the Las Positas College campus in an agency environment, acting as project managers, art directors, designers, and production artists. Students work one-on-one or in a team with the client while refining leadership and organizational skills to produce final designs to client standards.
GDDM 45A Digital Painting I
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 27 hours lecture,, 81 hours laboratory
- Transfers to
- CSU
Students will be introduced to fundamental techniques of digital painting as well as hardware and software considerations. Students will create paintings from observation as well as from imagination. Course will focus on translating traditional painting principals into the digital realm.
GDDM 45B Digital Painting II
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 27 hours lecture,, 81 hours laboratory
- Prerequisite
- ARTS 2A; GDDM 45A
- Transfers to
- CSU
Students will build upon the fundamental techniques of digital painting. Students will create paintings from references as well as from imagination, paying close attention to lighting and color. Course will focus on development of style for commercial illustration.
GDDM 50 Introduction to Adobe Digital Tools
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 27 hours lecture,, 81 hours laboratory
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- ARTS 250
Introduction to fundamental practices of digital art production using contemporary digital tools. Learn how Adobe Creative Cloud applications are used in graphic design, packaging design and web design. Students will use Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and other software to create a variety of projects including branding, packaging, advertising, and websites.
GDDM 52 Introduction to Typography
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 27 hours lecture,, 81 hours laboratory
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
An Introduction to typography for visual communications in the graphic design industries. The class emphasizes the use of typography in the design process, including aspects of analytical and creative design through typical media, for example: a brochure, poster, or magazine ad. Considering typographic graphic design projects for traditional and emerging technologies. Students explore the evolution and classification of letterforms from ancient to contemporary, and feature the investigation of structure, format, legibility, and expression. Exercises include both hand and digital skills, with an emphasis on the application of typography.
GDDM 53 Adobe Photoshop I
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 27 hours lecture,, 81 hours laboratory
- Transfers to
- CSU
Learn to use Adobe Photoshop at the introductory level to create and manipulate digital images, photographs and illustrations. Emphasis on basic to lower-intermediate level techniques and tools used to create image files suitable for print and screen. Design principles emphasized to create effective output through computer-based composition.
GDDM 54 Adobe Illustrator I
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 27 hours lecture,, 81 hours laboratory
- Transfers to
- CSU
Use the latest version of Adobe Illustrator to create technical and artistic illustrations in different styles. Emphasis on basic- to intermediate-level techniques and tools used to create image files suitable for print and screen. Design principles emphasized to create effective output through computer-based composition.
GDDM 55 Web Design I
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 27 hours lecture,, 81 hours laboratory
- Transfers to
- CSU
This introductory web design course takes a visual communications approach to the creation of web sites, and the fundamental techniques required to format text, illustrations, tables, and images for the web. Emphasis is placed on appropriate design for the web - beginning with a graphic user interface balanced with HTML5 code and CSS3 hand-coding that is functional, logical, and attractive, and bringing the concept to life using Dreamweaver. The course also includes detailed instructions on how to use Dreamweaver to create web content. Introduction to Content Management Systems; WordPress, Joomla! and Drupal.
GDDM 56 Introduction to Graphic Design
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 27 hours lecture,, 81 hours laboratory
- Transfers to
- CSU
Learn how basic elements such as dots, lines, shapes, color, value, texture are employed to create 2-dimensional designs. The course will explore how to apply design principles and conventions to create effective visual communications pieces. Students will create designs using manual techniques and digital tools. Students will also prepare their works for presentation and be able to discuss and analyze designs for their effectiveness.
GDDM 57 Branding and Identity Design
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 27 hours lecture,, 81 hours laboratory
- Prerequisite
- GDDM 54; GDDM 53
- Transfers to
- CSU
Students in this course will learn the process of brand development and implementation. From research and analysis through launch and governance, the course covers all aspects of the process and the best practices that build better brands.
GDDM 58 Adobe Photoshop II
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 27 hours lecture,, 81 hours laboratory
- Prerequisite
- GDDM 53
- Transfers to
- CSU
Technical and design skill development course using Photoshop to create and manipulate images, illustrations, text and animations. Emphasis on intermediate- through advanced-level techniques and tools used to create photo-realistic composites, special effects, custom brushes, and Photoshop rendered imagery for print and screen.
GDDM 59 Adobe Illustrator II
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 27 hours lecture,, 81 hours laboratory
- Prerequisite
- GDDM 54
- Transfers to
- CSU
Students in this course will use advanced features in Adobe Illustrator to create a number of illustrations with an emphasis on visual storytelling and development of personal style. Students will learn how to incorporate raster images, apply filters, explore the color guide, and utilize the perspective tool for developing stylistic effects.
GDDM 60 Creative Portfolio Development & Self Promotion
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 27 hours lecture,, 81 hours laboratory
- Transfers to
- CSU
Student will develop strategies to promote oneself and one's work. Create and refine a design portfolio and resume to present to potential clients and employers. Practice effective techniques for oral and visual presentations, interviews, and client discussions.
GDDM 62 Web Design II
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 27 hours lecture,, 81 hours laboratory
- Prerequisite
- GDDM 55
- Transfers to
- CSU
Develop technical and design skill needed to for the creation of of web sites including user interface considerations for desktop and mobile devices using Cascading Style Sheets. Emphasis placed on functional, logical, attractive, accessible and appropriate web site design for the client and end-user. Topics include techniques and tools required to format text, create animations and other content for the web.
GDDM 64 Adobe InDesign I
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 27 hours lecture,, 81 hours laboratory
- Transfers to
- CSU
Introductory level course in page design and layout using Adobe InDesign software. Students assemble a variety of pieces such as booklets, brochures, magazines, newspapers, newsletters, and other communication materials. Emphasis is on learning techniques used by design professionals to create full-color pieces integrating text, photos, and illustrations.
GDDM 70 Photoshop and Lightroom for Photographers
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 27 hours lecture,, 81 hours laboratory
- Transfers to
- CSU
Learn to use Lightroom and Photoshop in a workflow designed for digital photographers. Learn best practices for digital workflows, database management, non-destructive parametric editing, color management, and output to print, web, slideshows, and photo book. Students may receive credit for GDDM 70 or PHTO 70, but not both.