Graphic Design

Division: Industry & Technology

Graphic design is everywhere, constantly shaping the world around us. Whether it's the logos or packaging of products we use, enhancing the look or feel of our entertainment choices like movies and video games, or just simply engaging us through the digital content we browse on our devices; design plays a substantial role in our lives every single day.

From mastering industry-standard software to building a portfolio showcasing your creative vision, let College of the Sequoias provide you with a solid step into a career in Graphic and Multimedia Design. Our goal is to cultivate your design skills through hands-on experience, practical projects, and by helping you build connections in the industry. Explore a variety of career options which include working in design studios, marketing, advertising, publishing, social media management, animation, motion graphics, sound design, photography, video editing, web design, and as freelance.

Join us and embark on a journey where your ideas come to life and contribute to our greater creative community. We can't wait to see what you'll make!

Contact Information

Graphic Design Faculty Contact 

Carinne Knight | (559) 730-3848 | carinnek@cos.edu 
Kaweah: 211 | Visalia Campus 

Industry and Technology Division Chair

Brian Unruh | (559) 688-3053 | brianu@cos.edu
Building F: F109A | Tulare Campus 

Dean of Industry & Technology, CTE, & Workforce Development 

Vacant

Associate Degree

Certificates

For a complete list of courses and descriptions visit: COURSES

GD 100 Introduction to Graphic Design 4 unit(s)
Hours: 3 Lecture/Discussion Hours:
3 Lab
This course covers a brief history of graphic design and printing as well as an introduction to multi-media communication. Students will also study the prevalence and purpose of graphic design and the applied arts in general. Students will carry out hands-on projects learning to apply aesthetic, typographic, and cultural elements to enhance visual communication. This course will introduce students to the three major, industry-standard design programs, Adobe Creative Suite: Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign.
Advisory on Recommended Preparation: ART 006 and ART 008 or equivalent college courses with a minimum grade of C.
GD 101 Graphic Design I 3 unit(s)
Hours: 2 Lecture/Discussion Hours:
3 Lab
This class introduces the basics of creating graphic design projects. Students will learn fundamentals and theory of visual communication. Students will explore basic typography, color theory and composition with an overview of professional language and tools. Projects include basic layout design and grid systems, logo design, corporate identity systems and poster/ad layout as well as basic technical illustration assignments.
Advisory on Recommended Preparation: ART 006, ART 008, and GD 100 or equivalent college course with a minimum grade of C.
GD 102 Digital Imaging Design I 3 unit(s)
Hours: 2 Lecture/Discussion Hours:
3 Lab
In this course, students will learn about the many resources, tools, filters and techniques that are used in the graphics and advertising industry for the creation and manipulation of digital painting and photo editing. Students will complete projects that will cover the processes of illustrating, designing, retouching and manipulating photographs. Primary software for this course is Adobe Photoshop.
Advisory on Recommended Preparation: ART 006 and ART 008 or equivalent college course with a minimum grade of C.
GD 110 Visual Communication 3 unit(s)
Hours: 3 Lecture/Discussion Hours:
1 Lab
This course studies the history, theory, and application of visual communication in design. Students use design thinking to frame problems, explore visual strategies, and evaluate solutions, while connecting today’s practices to their historical and cultural roots.
Advisory on Recommended Preparation: ART 006, ART 008, and GD 112 or equivalent college course with a minimum grade of C (may be taken concurrently).
GD 112 Digital Imaging and Graphics 3 unit(s)
Hours: 2 Lecture/Discussion Hours:
3 Lab
This course introduces the basics of digital imaging and graphic design. Students practice using design elements and principles to create strong visuals, build technical skills, and solve design challenges that communicate clearly to an audience.
Advisory on Recommended Preparation: ART 006, ART 008, and GD 110 or equivalent college course with a minimum grade of C (may be taken concurrently).
GD 114 Digital Layout Design 3 unit(s)
Hours: 2 Lecture/Discussion Hours:
3 Lab
An introduction to layout design for print and digital publications. Students will learn to organize content using grids, typography, images, graphics, and color while applying core visual communication and design principles.
Advisory on Recommended Preparation: ART 006, ART 008, GD 110 and GD 112 or equivalent college course with a minimum grade of C (may be taken concurrently).
GD 116 Typography 3 unit(s)
Hours: 2 Lecture/Discussion Hours:
3 Lab
This course explores typography as a tool for effective visual communication and design. Students will learn the basics of typography from history and anatomy to legibility and composition, applying these principles through projects that strengthen their design skills.
Advisory on Recommended Preparation: ART 006, ART 008, GD 110 and GD 112 or equivalent college course with a minimum grade of C (may be taken concurrently).
GD 118 Foundations of Illustration 3 unit(s)
Hours: 2 Lecture/Discussion Hours:
3 Lab
In this course, students discover how illustration can be used to tell stories and communicate visually. Through creative projects, they learn to design characters, environments, and visual concepts while building work to showcase in a portfolio.
Advisory on Recommended Preparation: ART 006, ART 008, GD 110 and GD 112 or equivalent college course with a minimum grade of C (may be taken concurrently).
GD 120 Graphic Design Fundamentals 3 unit(s)
Hours: 2 Lecture/Discussion Hours:
3 Lab
This course focuses on professional graphic design practices and the development of integrated visual campaigns from concept to final production. Students will learn skills in creative problem-solving to create portfolio-ready projects that address real-world client and audience needs.
Advisory on Recommended Preparation: GD 100, GD 112, GD 114, GD 116, GD 118 or equivalent college course with a minimum grade of C (may be taken concurrently).
GD 124 2D Animation 3 unit(s)
Hours: 2 Lecture/Discussion Hours:
3 Lab
Equivalent Course: GD 164
Explore the fundamentals of 2D animation by utilizing contemporary practices, tools, and production strategies. Emphasizing practical skills and creative exploration, students will learn animation principles, techniques, and historical perspectives with traditional, camera-based, and digital methods.
Advisory on Recommended Preparation: ART 006, ART 008, GD 110 and GD 112 or equivalent college course with a minimum grade of C (may be taken concurrently).
GD 126 Multimedia Production 3 unit(s)
Hours: 2 Lecture/Discussion Hours:
3 Lab
Equivalent Course: GD 106
An introduction to digital media production, focusing on the creation and integration of sound, video, motion graphics, and visual effects. Students will develop foundational skills using industry-standard software to produce cohesive multimedia projects.
Advisory on Recommended Preparation: ART 006, ART 008, GD 110 and GD 112 or equivalent college course with a minimum grade of C (may be taken concurrently).
GD 127 Web Design 3 unit(s)
Hours: 2 Lecture/Discussion Hours:
3 Lab
Equivalent Course: GD 107
An introduction to the basics of web design, including layout, navigation, and responsive design. Students apply problem-solving and design thinking strategies to create websites that are clear, engaging, and user-focused.
Advisory on Recommended Preparation: ART 006, ART 008, GD 110 and GD 112 or equivalent college course with a minimum grade of C (may be taken concurrently).
GD 140 Portfolio Development 2 unit(s)
Hours: 1 Lecture/Discussion Hours:
3 Lab
This course guides students in building a strong portfolio that represents their creative voice and design skills in multimedia and/or graphic design. Students will learn how to curate, refine, and present their projects in a way that communicates their technical skills, design principles, and creative problem-solving to future employers or clients.
Advisory on Recommended Preparation: Graphic Design path: GD 114, GD 116, GD 118, GD 120 or equivalent college course with a minimum grade of C or Multimedia path: ART 080, GD 124, GD 126, GD 127 or equivalent college course with a minimum grade of C.
GD 203 Publication Design I 3 unit(s)
Hours: 2 Lecture/Discussion Hours:
3 Lab
This course introduces students to the process of designing and creating business forms, calendars and various multiple-page/multiple-panel documents. Projects will educate students in the usage of tab and table construction, placing and sizing graphics and creating text wrap effects around photos, images and objects, as well as importing text and graphic files from various sources.
Advisory on Recommended Preparation: ART 008, GD 100, GD 101, and GD 102 or equivalent college courses with a minimum grade of C.
GD 209 Graphic Design III - Integrated Graphics 4 unit(s)
Hours: 3 Lecture/Discussion Hours:
3 Lab
The entire graphic design course of study culminates in what we have previously described as “Integrated Graphics”. In this capstone class for graphic design majors, students will build their final portfolios. Projects will be assigned which will give students the experience of working in Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop, simultaneously. The projects will all be advanced in nature and will compel students to complete assignments with a high degree of skill, knowledge and professionalism.
Advisory on Recommended Preparation: ART 008, ART 025, GD 100, GD 101, GD 102, GD 104, GD 106, GD 107, and GD 108 or equivalent college courses with a minimum grade of C.

Graphic Design Faculty

Knight, Carinne
B.A., Penn State University
M.F.A., University of California, Santa Cruz