Applied Art and Design—Graphic Design
AA or AS Degree Applied Art and Design · Sierra College · 2025-2026 Catalog
The Graphic Design degree offers a comprehensive set of offerings in graphic design, branding and logo design, publication design, and packaging design. This option prepares students for transfer to a four-year college program in Graphic Design, Design Thinking, UI/UX Design, and other related fields. The program stresses the design thinking process as well as the professional and production methods currently used in the industry.
In all cases, students should consult with a counselor for more information on university admission and transfer requirements. Students must fulfill the following major requirements with grades of “C” or better, complete a minimum of 60 degree-applicable semester units (12 of which must be completed at Sierra College) with a grade point average of at least 2.0 and complete one of the following three general education patterns:
- Sierra College Associate Degree Requirements (Local General Education)
- California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC)
Required Courses
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| AAD 0052 | Publication Design I | 3 |
| AAD 0053 | Publication Design II | 3 |
| AAD 0054 | Typography | 3 |
| AAD 0061 | Graphic Design III: Branding and Production | 3 |
| AAD 0062 | Digital Illustration | 3 |
| AAD 0075 | Introduction to Photoshop (also PHOT 0075) | 3 |
| Select 9 units from the following: | 9 | |
| AAD 0012 | Visual Communication (also COMM 0012) | |
| orAAD 0013 | History of Graphic Design | |
| AAD 0044 | Sketching for Design | |
| orART 0004A | Drawing I | |
| AAD 0060 | Graphic Design I: Principles and Process | |
| AAD 0070 | Graphic Design II: Introduction to Digital Design | |
| AAD 0085 | Introduction to Web Design | |
| AAD 0096 | Portfolio Design | |
| Total Units | 27 | |