Digital Media and Design - Graphic Design Specialty Option
Associate in Applied Science- Cost
- $15,619*
Inform and move audiences with design
Say 1,000 words with a single image
Tell stories through a visual medium with an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Digital Media and Design – Graphic Design. Learn color, typography, imagery and layout to understand how to build a visual identity through print and digital designs.
Your coursework prepares you for regular interactions with clients in need of your handiwork. Gain expertise in:
- Producing website layouts
- Assembling final layouts for print vendors
- Creating mock-ups for packaging
- Researching new design concepts
- Maintaining records, files and other documents
- Collaborating with others to refine visuals
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We provide you with access to Mac and PC computer labs, so you can become familiar with both platforms. You build work-ready industry skills as you learn the ins and outs of digital marketing and design tools:
- Adobe® Acrobat, After Effects, Animate, Audition, Dreamweaver, InDesign, Illustrator, Media Encoder, Photoshop and Premiere
- Apple® Logic Pro X and Final Cut Pro
- 3D Software: Maxon® Cinema 4D
- WordPress with Apache server
- Figma for UI/UX design
- Waves Mercury hardware and plugins, Steinberg Cubase, Celemony Melodyne 4 Studio Software and Avid Pro Tools
- digital video cameras, recording equipment and audio mixers
- green screen, broadcast monitors, condenser microphones, analog and digital video capture stations
What can you do with an A.A.S. in Digital Media & Design – Graphic Design?
The A.A.S. degree specializing in graphic design prepares you to start work or continue your education in graphic design, digital communications or related fields.
Highlights
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Internships Available
Gain relevant work experience before you complete the program. -
Financial Aid/Scholarships Available
Based on need and/or achievement. Explore ways to pay for college. -
Career Degree
Earn an associate degree in 2 years and gain in-demand technical and job-ready skills. -
Program Length: 2 Years
Full-time students finish in 2 years.
Career Outlook
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Create, modify, and test the code and scripts that allow computer applications to run. Work from specifications drawn up by software and web developers or other individuals. May develop and write computer programs to store, locate, and retrieve specific documents, data, and information.
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Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $48,323
- Median
- $88,089
- Senior-Level
- $181,114
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $23.23
- Median
- $42.35
- Senior-Level
- $87.07
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
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Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- Some college
- 2.52%
- Associate Degree
- 8.99%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 88.04%
- Master's Degree
- 0.45%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
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Design or create graphics to meet specific commercial or promotional needs, such as packaging, displays, or logos. May use a variety of mediums to achieve artistic or decorative effects.
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Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $34,408
- Median
- $58,125
- Senior-Level
- $106,633
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $16.53
- Median
- $27.94
- Senior-Level
- $51.26
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
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Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- High school diploma or less
- 15%
- Some college
- 5%
- Associate Degree
- 5%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 65%
- Master's Degree
- 10%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
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Create special effects or animations using film, video, computers, or other electronic tools and media for use in products, such as computer games, movies, music videos, and commercials.
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Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $22,012
- Median
- $42,999
- Senior-Level
- $122,013
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $10.58
- Median
- $20.66
- Senior-Level
- $58.66
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
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Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- High school diploma or less
- 5.53%
- Some college
- 39.68%
- Associate Degree
- 1.7%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 52.75%
- Master's Degree
- 0.34%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
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Manage web environment design, deployment, development and maintenance activities. Perform testing and quality assurance of web sites and web applications.
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Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $48,831
- Median
- $102,132
- Senior-Level
- $172,837
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $23.47
- Median
- $49.10
- Senior-Level
- $83.09
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
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Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- High school diploma or less
- 5%
- Certificate
- 5%
- Some college
- 15%
- Associate Degree
- 15%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 55%
- Master's Degree
- 5%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
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Design digital user interfaces or websites. Develop and test layouts, interfaces, functionality, and navigation menus to ensure compatibility and usability across browsers or devices. May use web framework applications as well as client-side code and processes. May evaluate web design following web and accessibility standards, and may analyze web use metrics and optimize websites for marketability and search engine ranking. May design and test interfaces that facilitate the human-computer interaction and maximize the usability of digital devices, websites, and software with a focus on aesthetics and design. May create graphics used in websites and manage website content and links.
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Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $41,664
- Median
- $92,145
- Senior-Level
- $149,279
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $20.03
- Median
- $44.30
- Senior-Level
- $71.76
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
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Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- High school diploma or less
- 12.5%
- Certificate
- 16.67%
- Some college
- 4.17%
- Associate Degree
- 16.67%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 50%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
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Develop and implement websites, web applications, application databases, and interactive web interfaces. Evaluate code to ensure that it is properly structured, meets industry standards, and is compatible with browsers and devices. Optimize website performance, scalability, and server-side code and processes. May develop website infrastructure and integrate websites with other computer applications.
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Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $56,964
- Median
- $102,045
- Senior-Level
- $139,311
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $27.38
- Median
- $49.05
- Senior-Level
- $66.97
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
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Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- High school diploma or less
- 12.5%
- Certificate
- 16.67%
- Some college
- 4.17%
- Associate Degree
- 16.67%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 50%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
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Need help?
Your College & Career Navigator (CCN) helps you
- complete the admission process
- choose an academic program
- enroll in first-semester classes
- get access to helpful resources
Recommended Pathway
Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their College and Career Navigator (CCN) to identify coursework that will meet degree requirements based on individual academic goals. View degree requirements in the college catalog.
*Cost is estimated based on recommended pathway credit hours. This includes in-district tuition and other fees, such as books and materials before financial aid is applied, as well as grants, loans or scholarships. There are many opportunities for financial assistance at CLC. Learn more about Cost of Attendance.
Digital Media and Design at CLC
Get the bigger picture
This degree is just one possible way to study Digital Media and Design. Get the bigger picture—degrees, credentials and extra options.
Frequently asked questions
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Yes! Our Digital Media & Design program is a great fit for you. More than half of our students attend class part time.
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The A.A.S. in DMD – Graphic Design is 62 credit hours and takes an average of two years to complete when enrolled full time. Get hands-on experience in courses featuring a mix of lectures and labs. Simulated and real-world service-learning projects give you the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills covered in class.
Practice using a Canon wide format printer, a Graphtec cutter and Xerox VersaLink C8000 printers in our two Mac labs or the Windows lab.
Your classes include:
- History of Graphic Design
- Advanced Electronic Graphic Publishing
- Packaging Design
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Yes—well, most of them. Every course in this program is offered in an online format, except for our field courses which must be taken in-person.
Attend class in the way that works best for your goals:
- Virtual Live: Learn remotely in real time. Take classes taught live via Zoom.
- Online: Have the flexibility to complete coursework without scheduled meetings while staying actively engaged in a fully online environment.
- In-person: Keep your degree on track with classes that meet face-to-face, providing you with opportunities to interact in-person with faculty and peers.
What students say about CLC
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Thais O'Malley
Graduate
“The quality of the program helped prepare me for the real world. I got my job right after graduation. I thanked my teachers because they prepared me so well.”
Thais studied Digital Media and Design at CLC. She now works as a graphic designer and social media specialist for the City of Lake Forest.
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Luzbeth Perez
Graduate
“I accomplished goals I never thought I could in my time at CLC. I earned straight As and became part of the honor society. I started drawing art! CLC is a place where you can succeed in your education.”
Luzbeth studied Digital Media and Design at CLC. At first she struggled in class but with support from CLC faculty, she graduated magna cum laude.
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