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COVID-19 Update

As of March 23 all classes will be taught remotely through the remainder of the semester.

While faculty and staff continue to work remotely, only authorized personnel may access campus facilities. Read the full update.

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Course Sequence

Graphic Design Courses must be taken in sequence, although some can be taken concurrently as noted. 

13 courses, 38 credits

Course

Semester Offered

Beginning & Intermediate Design Courses
must be taken in this order:

1 Foundations of Graphic Design

2 Typography 
can be taken with Foundations of Graphic Design

3 Graphic Design I 

4 Intermediate Typography 
can be taken with Graphic Design I

5 User Experience (UX) Design
 

6 Graphic Design II 
can be taken with UX Design


 

Spring, Summer, Fall

Spring, Summer, Fall
 

Spring, Summer, Fall

2x a year: Spring and Fall
(with Summer possible)

2x a year: Spring and Fall
(with Summer possible)

2x a year: Spring and Fall
(with Summer possible)

When all above courses are complete, take: 

Intermediate Portfolio

 

2x a year: Spring and Fall

Advanced Design Courses - take after
intermediate portfolio is complete, in any order

Graphic Design III
Advanced Interactive Projects
Information Design


 

Spring only
Fall only
Summer only

Technical Requirements

Print Production: 1.5 credit course
can be taken after Intermediate Typography
is completed

Interactive Development*: 1.5 credit course
basic skills in HTML/CSS
can fulfill individually at any time

 

2x a year: Spring and Fall
(with Summer possible)

When all program courses are complete, take: 

Final Portfolio

 

Spring
(with Fall possible)

*Students have the option to take a 3. credit web design and/or development course at MassArt in place of 1.5 credit Interactive Development, or can be credited for the 1.5 credit requirement for equivalent skills gained elsewhere, with proof.

Beginning and intermediate design courses must be taken in this order:

  1. Foundations of Graphic Design
  2. Typography (can take with Foundations of Graphic Design)
  3. Graphic Design I
  4. Intermediate Typography (can take with Graphic Design I)
  5. UX Design (formerly Designing for Interactive Experiences)
  6. Graphic Design 2 (can take with UX Design)
  7. Intermediate Graphic Design Portfolio

Advanced design courses can be taken in any order, once Intermediate Portfolio is complete:

  • Graphic Design III
  • Advanced Interactive Projects
  • Information Design

Required Technical Proficiency Courses:

  • Print Production (1.5-credit course can be taken anytime after Intermediate Typography is completed)
  • Interactive Development (1.5-credit basic skills in HTML/CSS requirement: can fulfill individually at any time)

The last course in the Graphic Design Certificate curriculum is Final Graphic Design Portfolio.