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Graphic Arts Degree Program
Our Graphic Arts Program At-a-Glance
- Earn your specialized degree in just 2 years
- Accredited by ACCSC
- Licensed by the PA Department of Education, Department of Private Licensed Schools
What You Need to Know About Our Graphic Arts AST Degree
With so much of our lives and jobs being conducted online and through computers, the role of digital graphic design has become key to how we work and function. The field of graphic arts combines creative, artistic work with the latest in computer technology to transform everything from the websites and apps we use to the advertisements we see and more. With the Associate of Specialized Technology Degree in Graphic Arts from South Hills School of Business & Technology, you can gain the skills you need to step into a dynamic, ever-changing career that unites the worlds of art and tech.
At South Hills, we update our graphic arts curriculum regularly and give you hands-on training so you know you’ll study the most up-to-date software and best practices used in your field today. Our experienced instructors cover topics like:
- Applying fundamental traditions of design through concept development, color, composition, image making, typography, and verbal and written communication
- Engaging in creative problem solving to produce solutions that are effective in visually communication information about products, services, companies, or individuals
- Creating graphic design using software like Adobe Creative Suite, as well as website design and productivity software commonly used in the graphic arts industry
- Understanding publishing, packaging, and social media and marketing and how it applies the graphic arts field
- Using either digital photography or video production and editing skills to augment and expand on your digital design career
- Creating a complete print and digital portfolio that reflects the professional skills acquired through both education and continued on-the-job designs
We include a 12-week internship with one of our partner employers as part of your program, so you’ll have the opportunity to put what you’ve learned to work. Previous internship locations have included:
- Flyland Designs
- Centre County Gazette
- Barash Media
- DePiro Entertainment
- Pneu-Dart
- Penn State University
A successful GA student…
- Is self-motivated
- Is driven and creative
- Is receptive to constructive feedback
- Has a strong work ethic
The Outlook for Graphic Design Jobs and Careers
The Graphic Arts program at South Hills is designed to prepare you for entry-level jobs like:
- Graphic Artist
- Graphic Designer
- Web Designer
- Graphic Design Specialist
- Illustrator
- Visual Communication Artist
- Catalog Layout Artist
- Marketing Communication Professional
There is a consistent need for new, skilled graphic designers in today’s workforce. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 24,000 job openings for graphic designers are expected each year on average, as people currently employed in graphic arts either shift to different positions or retire.
With a specialized associate degree in graphic arts, you also lay the foundation to increase your opportunities for success. The BLS found that people who earned their specialized associate degrees average almost 20% higher wages and had an unemployment rate two percentage points lower than those who had only a high school diploma. A specialized associate degree is also a potential jumping off point to getting your bachelor’s degree or even master’s degree later on as you advance in your career.
Why You Should Choose South Hills?
Start designing on day one.
Small class sizes.
Experienced instructors.
Real-world job insights.
Student Internship Locations
- Flyland Designs
- Centre County Gazette
- Barash Media
- DePiro Entertainment
- Pneu-Dart
A Practical Curriculum
The Graphic Arts program prepares students to:
- Apply fundamental traditions of design through concept development, color, composition, image making, typography, and verbal and written communication.
- Engage in creative problem-solving to produce effective solutions in visually communicating information about products, services, companies, or individuals.
- Create graphic design using software including Adobe® Creative Suite and website design and productivity software commonly used in the graphic arts industry.
- Create a complete print and digital portfolio that reflects the professional skills acquired through project-based curriculum and a second-year internship.
Using well-known software and resources, our faculty will train you in the fundamentals of:
- Typography
- Web design
- Logo design and corporate identity
- Packaging
- Publication design
- Advertising design
- Collateral design
- Color theory
- Other newly emerging areas
Course Highlights
- Computer Graphics
- Video Production & Editing
- Social Media and Marketing for Designers
- Advanced Web Site Design
Complete Course List
Graphic Arts Course List for 2020-21
| Term | Course # | Course Name | Credits | Clock Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Term | GE183 | Business English I | 4 | 60 |
| GA116 | Color Theory | 2.5 | 36 | |
| GA133 | Electronic Design | 4 | 60 | |
| GA130 | Fundamentals of Design | 4 | 60 | |
| GA120 | Fundamentals of Drawing | 3 | 60 | |
| PD110 | Professional Development | 2 | 24 | |
| Totals: | 19.5 | 300 | ||
| Second Term | GE184 | Business English II | 4 | 60 |
| GE234 | Geometry for Design | 3 | 36 | |
| GA128 | Collateral Design | 3.5 | 60 | |
| GA124 | Introduction to Computer Graphics (Photoshop) | 4 | 60 | |
| GE213 | Oral Business Communications | 2 | 24 | |
| GA126 | Typography | 3.5 | 60 | |
| Totals: | 20 | 300 | ||
| Third Term | GA230 | Advertising Design | 3.5 | 60 |
| GE231 | Art History for the Graphic Designer | 5 | 60 | |
| GE233 | Business Writing | 3.5 | 60 | |
| GA225 | Computer Graphics - Illustrator | 4 | 60 | |
| GA121 | Graphic Design Studio I | 3.5 | 60 | |
| CP134 | Web Site Design | 4 | 60 | |
| Totals: | 23.5 | 360 | ||
| Fourth Term | GE178 | Human Relations in the Workplace | 2.5 | 36 |
| CD207 | Job Search Skills | 2 | 24 | |
| GA220 | Packaging Design | 3.5 | 60 | |
| GA217 | Concept Development | 2.5 | 36 | |
| GA222 | Publication Design | 3.5 | 60 | |
| GA235 | Social Media and Marketing for Designers | 4 | 60 | |
| IT218 | Web Site Design II | 4 | 60 | |
| Totals: | 22 | 336 | ||
| Fifth Term | GA236 | Advanced Web Site Design (Motion Graphics) | 4 | 60 |
| GA228 | Digital Pre-Press | 3.5 | 60 | |
| Elective* | 3.5 | 48 | ||
| GA219 | Graphic Design Studio II | 3.5 | 60 | |
| GA221 | Print Portfolio | 3.5 | 60 | |
| GA227 | Typography - Expressive & Experimental | 3 | 48 | |
| Totals: | 21 | 336 | ||
| *Electives | ||||
| GA231 | Digital Photography | 3.5 | 48 | |
| GA233 | Video Production and Editing | 3.5 | 48 | |
| Sixth Term | CD106 | Career Preparation | 0.5 | 10 |
| GA232 | Freelance Business Development | 2 | 21 | |
| GA234 | Graphic Arts Internship | 11 | 330 | |
| Totals: | 13.5 | 361 | ||
| GA PROGRAM TOTAL CREDITS | GA PROGRAM TOTAL HOURS | |||
| 119.5 Credits | 1,993 Clock Hours |
Meet the Faculty
Ray Liddick Jr.
Program Coordinator / Instructor
State College Main Campus
Ray Liddick Jr., the Program Coordinator for Graphic Arts, has been an Information Technology and Graphic Arts Instructor at South Hills School of Business & Technology since 2004.
Ray is a graduate of Tyler School of Art, Temple University and has had MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer) accreditation. Ray has spent decades utilizing his IT and graphic arts creativity on the job. Outside of the school, he is the Marketing Media & IT Manager at Pneu-Dart, Inc., a global manufacturer of remote drug delivery, as well as being the Creative Director/Owner of Open Door Visions.
In the classroom and on the job, Ray applies his artistic vision and IT experiences to a wide range of projects including print design, web development, project management and IT infrastructure/networking.
Jim Colbert
Instructor
State College Main Campus
Jim Colbert has been teaching in the South Hills Graphic Arts program since March 2008. He was formerly the Art Director at the Barash Group and has held similar positions at Murphy Communications, Graphics II and Glosser Bros./Gee Bee Corporate Advertising. He has won numerous awards through his career for his work in advertising, design, illustration and copywriting for clients including Penn State Hospitality, Nittany Bank, Altoona Hospital, Snappy's, Claster's and Benzel's.
A graduate of the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Jim currently is the principle at jimcolbertdesign.com and specializes in music- and arts-related print design and automotive illustration, as well as regularly designing advertising graphics and contributing to other marketing efforts for South Hills. Outside of school, Jim is an award-winning singer songwriter, a folk DJ, and heavily involved behind the scenes in the local and regional acoustic music scenes. He also coordinates the David Newman Gallery at Webster's Bookstore Café.
Rick Gority
Instructor
State College Main Campus
Rick Gority, instructor for computer skills classes, has been teaching at South Hills School of Business & Technology since 2009.
Rick received a BA from Penn State University in Telecommunications. In conjunction with a close friend, he co-founded a web & graphic design company in 2000. Rick continued to develop his skills with hardware and networking support, which led to his career in the IT field.
When free time is available, Rick enjoys boating on Lake Raystown, brewing beer, and vacationing in the Outer Banks.
Program Advisory Committee
| Member Name | Job Title | Company |
| Jennifer Norton | Assistant Director | Penn State Press |
| Steve Kress | Owner | Steve Kress Design |
| Chip Mock | Owner | Mock Creations |
| Jim Lukens-Gable | Art Director | Penn State Multimedia and Print Center |
| Dennis Maney | Senior Graphic Designer | Penn State College of Health and Human Development |
| Doug Irwin | Graphic Designer | Penn State Housing and Food Services |
| Tiara Snare | Senior Graphic Designer | The Barash Group |
| Mark Dello Stritto | Owner/Senior Art Director | Loaded Creative |
| Jorge Jovel | Owner | Black Sheep Media |
| Ryan Cherry | Owner/Freelancer | Grizzly Design Company |
