Graphic Design Associate Degree | North Hennepin C.C.

If you love to create, the Graphic Design AS degree is a great opportunity to turn your passion into a career. Students begin the program with a solid foundation in fine arts, including drawing, painting, color theory, and photography to begin thinking like designers, then transition to courses utilizing the latest digital tools and software to create advanced concepts and projects. Small class sizes and instruction from accomplished faculty artists and designers prepare students for a career in graphic design in a variety of settings.

Quick Facts

Overview

As part of the curriculum, students learn about work cultures and strategies for developing a professional network of contacts, accepting constructive criticism and acknowledging the importance of other opinions, and practicing interpersonal communication skills to prepare for professional situations. In advanced classes, students will have the opportunity to work with real clients, and compete for paid graphic design internships. Make your dreams take shape, literally, with Graphic Design at NHCC!

Delivery Method: In-person, Hybrid

Important Links

Graphic Design AS Curriculum PDF

Free College Tuition - North Star Promise Scholarship

Time to Complete

The Graphic Design AS can be completed in four semesters. Transferring credits into NHCC may result in the program taking less time. Taking classes on a part-time basis will require additional semesters.

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Costs

Tuition & Fees:
$210.86 per credit (60 credits)
$220.48 per fully online credit

Tuition Details

What You Will Learn

• Demonstrate skill in the foundation studio art courses.

• Verbally and visually communicate knowledge of design with the latest technology.

• Learn about creative accomplishments of other people and cultures.

• Gain an understanding and respect of intellectual ownership.

• Write and design a professional portfolio.

• Learn how to apply technical skills and the historical context of graph design to visual problem solving and contemporary design.

After NHCC

Upon completing the Graphic Design AS, students will be prepared to transfer to a bachelor’s degree program in Graphic Design. Students should work with an academic advisor on deciding and preparing to transfer to a bachelor's program.

After completing the Graphic Design AS program, students have gone on to work as graphic designers, web/interactive designers, art directors, production artists, illustrators or in related jobs at design studios, advertising agencies, marketing and public relations companies, corporate art departments, magazines, websites, and newspapers.

Program Highlights

The Xperience Project Internship Program gives graphic design students the opportunity to build their portfolio and gain professional experience through a paid internship.
Students learn to design for a variety of media, including print, packaging, and book publication; web design and web animation; video and social media.
Graduates of this program have gone on to own their own graphic design studios and have worked for a long list of employers such as the Minnesota Twins, Nickelodeon, 3M, the Smithsonian Institution, Target, Best Buy, Colle+McVoy, Minnesota Public Radio, and more.
Classes incorporate leading technologies, including AI and generative design.

Students in the Graphic Design program gain a strong foundation of design skills through hands-on learning and feedback from students and instructors.

one student at a desk with a computer with students in the background

an instructor lifting a print from a press while students watch

instructor talking to students in a classroom

a student showing their work to a group of students

a student working on a design at a computer

students talking and working at computers in a classroom

Career Outlook

Median Hourly Wage in Minnesota: $28.32

Potential Job Titles

Creative Director
Graphic Designer
Graphic Artist

Learn more on O-Net

Where NHCC Graphic Design Grads Work

Activision
Anoka County
Best Buy Corp
Boston Scientific
Humane Society
Northwest Airlines
Self Employed
Target Corp
Visual Communications, Inc
And more!

Graphic Design at NHCC

NHCC’s Graphic Design program starts with a fine arts foundation that gives students hands-on experience with design concepts. Drawing, painting, color theory, photography, dimensional design (2D, 3D) and art history classes help students to begin thinking like designers, with or without a computer. Of course, as foundation skills are gained, graphic design courses then emphasize industry-standard digital tools and software (Apple computers, Adobe Creative Suite) to harness design thinking and develop technical skills for more advanced concepts and projects.

NHCC graphic design majors work across different media: print, packaging, and book publication; web design and web animation; video and social media; sometimes street art and temporary installations. We learn digital and technical tools, but also how the design industry operates. We learn the actual language of design, we learn about audiences and work cultures, we learn strategies for developing a professional network of contacts, we learn about accepting constructive criticism and acknowledging the importance of other opinions, we learn interpersonal communication strategies to prepare for real professional situations. We work with real clients in advanced classes on projects that have an impact in the “real world.” Small class sizes and one-on-one time with accomplished faculty artists and designers allow students to form the skills and opportunities needed to pursue, and get, jobs with graphic design industry employers. In fact, starting in the spring of 2015, NHCC’s Graphic Design Program began working with metro area employers for paid graphic design internships. Students with consistently strong performance in their degree coursework are able to compete for these opportunities.

NHCC alumni have gone on to own their own graphic design studios and have worked for a long list of employers such as The Minnesota Twins, Nickelodeon, 3M, the Smithsonian Institution, Target, Best Buy, Colle+McVoy, and Minnesota Public Radio, to name just a few. NHCC's annual collection of student art and writing, Under Construction, is designed by students and has earned 30 national awards for content and design since 1968. It offers a rare chance to be a published writer and/or artist as part of a community college experience.

NHCC's tuition is among the most affordable in Minnesota.

Graph showing the costs of various colleges with NHCC as the lowest cost

Financial Aid

Scholarships are money you don't have to repay
Grants are money you don't have to repay

Free College Tuition

The North Star Promise scholarship program provides free college tuition to eligible students. Find out if you might be eligible.

Program Roadmaps

Program roadmaps provide students with a guide to understand the recommended course sequence to complete their degree.

Graphic Design Curriculum

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Curriculum

Print Curriculum

Program Courses: Fine Arts
Course Code	Title	Course Outlines	Goal Areas	Credits
ART 1040	Art Appreciation	View-ART 1040	n/a	3
ART 1301	Two Dimensional Design I	View-ART 1301	n/a	3
ART 1310	Three Dimensional Design	View-ART 1310	n/a	3
ART 1340	Fundamentals of Color	View-ART 1340	n/a	3
ART 1401	Drawing I	View-ART 1401	n/a	3
ART 2611	Painting I	View-ART 2611	n/a	3
ART 1101 ART1160 - 1 course
ART 1101	Photography I or	View-ART 1101	n/a	3
ART 1160	Digital Photography	View-ART 1160	n/a	3

Program Courses: Graphic Design
Course Code	Title	Course Outlines	Goal Areas	Credits
ART 2540	Illustration	View-ART 2540	n/a	3
ART 2550	Typography	View-ART 2550	n/a	3
ART 2561	Web Design I	View-ART 2561	n/a	3
ART 2562	Web Design II	View-ART 2562	n/a	3
ART 2601	Advanced Graphic Design I	View-ART 2601	n/a	3
ART 2602	Advanced Graphic Design II	View-ART 2602	n/a	3
ART 2810(through SS25)
ART 2811(F25 after)
ART 2901	Graphic Design Tools I	View-ART 2901	n/a	3
ART 2902	Graphic Design Tools II	View-ART 2902	n/a	3

General Education Course
Course Code	Title	Course Outlines	Goal Areas	Credits
College Writing I
ENGL 1200	Gateway College Writing or	View-ENGL 1200	n/a	4
ENGL 1201	College Writing I	View-ENGL 1201	n/a	4

MnTC Electives
History the Social Behavioral Sciences (Goal Area 5) - 3 credits
Natural Sciences Mathematics/Logical Reasoning (Goal Area 3 4) - 3 credits
MnTC Goal Areas 7, 9 10 - 3 credits

NHCC Residency and GPA
15 Credits must be earned at NHCC

Total Credits Required

Notes To complete the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum, in addition to the courses listed above the student will need to take these additional goal area credits: Goal Area 1: ENGL 1202 College Writing II 2 credits Goal Area 1: Speech course 3 credits Goal Area 3: 4 credits or 7 credits (if Goal Area 4 Math course was taken to fulfill the option for this degree) with lab component on one of the course choices in this goal area Goal Area 4: 3 credits, if student has no Goal Area 4 classes Goal Area 5: 6 credits Goal Areas 7, 9, and 10: 6 additional credits (beyond the 3 credits selected in the program) with 3 credits in each of the areas

Program Overview

2025-2026

NHCC’s Graphic Design program starts with a fine arts foundation that gives students hands on experience with design concepts. Drawing, painting, color theory, photography, dimensional design (2D, 3D) and art history classes help students to begin thinking like designers, with or without a computer. Of course, as foundation skills are gained, graphic design courses then emphasize industry standard digital tools and software (Apple computers, Adobe Creative Suite) to harness design thinking and developing technical skills for more advanced concepts and projects.

NHCC graphic design majors work across different media: print, packaging, and book publication; web design and web animation; video and social media; sometimes street art and temporary installations. We learn digital and technical tools, but also how the design industry operates. We learn the actual language of design, we learn about audiences and work cultures, we learn strategies for developing a professional network of contacts, we learn about accepting constructive criticism and acknowledging the importance of other opinions, we learn interpersonal communication strategies to prepare for real professional situations. We work with real clients in advanced classes on projects that have an impact in the “real world.” Small class sizes and one on one time with accomplished faculty artists and designers allow students to form the skills and opportunities needed to pursue, and get, jobs with graphic design industry employers. In fact, starting in the spring of 2015 NHCC’s Graphic Design Program began working with metro area employers for paid graphic design internships. Students with consistently strong performance in their degree coursework are able to compete for these opportunities.

The NHCC Associate of Science in Graphic Design degree is for students who are interested in: Working as graphic designers, web/interactive designers, art directors, production artists, illustrators or in related jobs at design studios, advertising agencies, marketing and public relations companies, corporate art departments, magazines, websites and newspapers, working as self employed (freelance) graphic designers, web/interactive designers, or illustrators, continuing study in a baccalaureate or professional degree program for graphic design, web/interactive design, or illustration. The degree is friendly towards continuing studies in graphic design at a 4year college/university. Talk with an academic advisor (http://nhcc.edu/studentresources/academicadvising) about possibilities for continuing study, and about determining the best sequence of fine arts core courses to take before moving into graphic design courses.

Make your dreams take shape, literally, with Graphic Design at NHCC!

Program Outcomes

Develop a foundation of essential knowledge about the cultural, social, and natural worlds, and individual wellbeing by:

Demonstrating skill in the foundation studio arts courses

Develop intellectual and practical skills, including:

Verbally and visually communicating their knowledge of design
Competently critiquing design
Designing effectively with type and images
Communicating traditional design concepts with the latest technology so as to be effective graphic designers in today’s environment

Demonstrate personal and social responsibility, including:

Developing constructive, organized work habits and professional presentation skills
Developing an understanding of the creative accomplishments of other people and cultures, past and present, in the development of the field of graphic design
Studying the ethics in the use of ideas and technical information as a foundation for respect of intellectual ownership

Integrative Learning, including:

Managing a design problem from conceptualization to a finished layout
Writing and designing a professional portfolio
Demonstrating visual problem solving that employs technical skills and comprehension of the historical context of graphic design with application for contemporary design

Be prepared to transfer to and succeed at an upper level academic institution.

Program Maps

Program roadmaps provide students with a guide to understand the recommended course sequence to complete their degree.

Career Opportunities

Information on careers, including career descriptions, salary data, and employment outlook is available on the Bureau of Labor Statistics website and O*Net Online website.

Transfer Information

If you are planning on transferring to another institution, follow the guidelines available on our transfer resources web page to help you plan the process: Transfer Information

Degree Information

The Associate of Science (A.S.) degree is intended for students whose primary goal is to complete the credentials for a specific career and/or prepare for transfer to complete a bachelor's degree at a college or university with whom North Hennepin Community College has an articulation agreement. The A.S. degree provides a balance of general education courses and the required scientific, professional or technical courses in the degree program.

A student shall:

Earn a minimum of 60 semester credits as required in the program, with a grade point average of 2.00 (C) or above in courses taken at North Hennepin Community College. Specific programs may have additional requirements or a higher minimum grade point average.

Earn a minimum of 15 semester credits at North Hennepin Community College. A student must complete at least 50% of career specific courses at North Hennepin Community College.

Earn 30 credits in at least 6 Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) goal areas.

Earn 30 professional/technical credits.

Have four years to complete the graduation requirements as published in the catalog in effect at the time of their initial enrollment. Students taking more than four years to complete their graduation requirements may follow any catalog published during the four year period preceding their graduation.

Completion of an A.S. degree fulfills the Goal Area 2 requirement of the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC).

Developmental Courses Some students may need preparatory course(s) in Math and/or English. Courses numbered below 1000 will not apply toward a degree.

Equal Opportunity Employer and Disability Access Information North Hennepin Community College is a member of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system and an equal opportunity employer and educator. This document is available in alternative formats to individuals with disabilities by calling 7634930555 or through the Minnesota Relay Service at 18006273529.

Accreditation

North Hennepin Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
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