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Online Degrees & Certificates

AA in Graphic & Interactive Design

Program Description

Become an agent for change in the world of design. As a student in the Graphic and Interactive Design program, you'll be immersed in courses that prepare you for employability in the ever evolving and innovative careers of graphic design, UI/UX design, web design, game design, and illustration. Students are taught and mentored by faculty members with years of professional graphic design experience while using the latest technologies and software to create a well-rounded portfolio that includes branding, web development, motion design, game design, visual storytelling, and print. You'll also receive a balance of instruction that includes visual arts, general education, and elective courses that are designed to produce a well-rounded, highly trained graduate who thinks critically about visual problem solving and communication.

Learn more about the program on the Graphic and Interactive Design website.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students will understand the design process from sketching to final product.

Students will be able to create unique graphic designs that communicate ideas to others.

Career Opportunities

Career opportunities include the following: graphic design, UI/UX design, web design, game design, advertising, marketing, publishing, illustration, T-shirt and garment printing, and digital art.

Award Type(s)

AA = Associate in Arts Degree

Units Required

Major: 42

Additional Information

Note: Please see the Graphic and Interactive Design program website for recommended course sequence to assist with student success.

Online Courses for Graphic & Interactive Design

The courses listed BELOW are offered as online courses at least once every two years. Please see the Class Schedule for verification.

NOTE: Students having difficulty attaining an associate degree because of timing or availability of classes should consult with a counselor to submit a petition for course substitution.

Please see Graphic & Interactive Program for recommended course sequence to assist with student success.

Associate Degree Requirements

A minimum of 90 units is required* to complete the associate degree, including:

Core and support courses for the major (42 units total)

Completion of one of the following general education patterns:

Foothill College General Education

Summer Session 2025 only–CSU General Education Breadth (CSU GE Breadth)**

Summer Session 2025 only–Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)**

Beginning Fall Quarter 2025–California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC)***

* Additional elective course work may be necessary to meet the 90-unit minimum requirement for the associate degree.

** Summer Session 2025 is the final term during which CSU GE Breadth and IGETC may be used. Please see a counselor for more information.

*** Cal-GETC begins in Fall Quarter 2025. Please see a counselor for more information.

Note: A grade of "C" (or "P") or better is required for all core and support courses used for the degree or certificates. In addition, the student must obtain a minimum GPA of 2.0.

Refer to the Associate in Arts & Associate in Science Degree Requirements page for complete information about graduation requirements and catalog rights.

Core and Support Courses

Core Courses

ONLINE COURSE TITLE UNITS
GID 1 History of Graphic Design 4
GID 31 Graphic Design Drawing 4
GID 33 Graphic Design Studio I 4
GID 36 Typography 4
GID 55 User Experience (UI/UX) Design 4
GID 56 Website Design 4
GID 60 Careers in the Visual Arts 2

Support Courses (16 units)

Select 16 units from the following:

ONLINE COURSE TITLE UNITS
GID 61 Portfolio 2
Animation in Graphic and Interactive Design
GID 44A Fundamentals of 3-D Animation 4
GID 47 Motion Graphics 4
GID 71 Storyboarding 4
Art in Graphic and Interactive Design
ART 4A Fundamentals in Drawing 4
ART 5A 2-D Foundations 4
ART 15A Digital Painting I 4
ART 15B Digital Painting II 4
ART 20 Color Theory 4
Game Design in Graphic and Interactive Design
GID 49 Game Art & Design 4
GID 67 Mobile Game Design 4
GID 68A Introduction to Virtual Reality Design 4
GID 68B Virtual Reality Game Design 4
Graphic Design in Graphic and Interactive Design
GID 1A Design Thinking 4
GID 34 Graphic Design Studio II 4
GID 35 Graphic Design Studio III 4
Screen Printing in Graphic and Interactive Design
GID 53A Beginning T-Shirt Design & Garment Printing 4
GID 53B Intermediate T-Shirt Design & Garment Printing 4
GID 53C Advanced T-Shirt Design & Garment Printing 4
Web Development in Graphic and Interactive Design
GID 57 Web Design & Development II 4
GID 58 Website Design & Development III 4
Visual Storytelling in Graphic and Interactive Design
ART 15D Digital Illustration for Film & Animation 4
GID 37 Cartoon & Comic Illustration I 4
GID 41 Digital Art & Graphics 4
GID 43 Illustration & Digital Imaging 4
PHOT 5 Introduction to Photography 4
Total Units   42
Note that this is a list of fully online courses that satisfy degree requirements.

For a list of on-campus courses that satisfy degree requirements, please visit Graphic and Interactive Design 2025-2026 Degree &  Certificates.

Based on the 2025 - 2026 degree program.

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