The Graphic Design, Advertising, Web and Illustration program serves high school graduates, professionals seeking to make career change or adding to their job skills and those who are seeking personal enrichment by developing their artistic talents.
Graphic Design coursework includes study in graphic design, illustration, typography, web design and advertising. Students will learn the latest in design and illustration using high-end Apple computers, illustration software and color printers.
The goal of the Graphic Design program is to help you develop skills necessary to build a portfolio that demonstrates your creative, problem-solving and verbal presentation abilities for the professional fields of graphic design, advertising and illustration.
Determine Your Path
Graduates of the Graphic Design or Interactive Media degree or certificate programs find work in advertising agencies, design studios, in-house corporate design/promotion departments or as freelancers, handling a variety of creative projects and campaigns.
Prepare for a career in graphic design or transfer to a four-year college or university. College of DuPage offers:
- Award-winning, dedicated instructors with years of professional and teaching experience.
- Instruction utilizing top-notch facilities, equipment and resources.
- Affordable programs to help students achieve success without creating overwhelming debt or draining a savings account.
- Small class sizes that ensure students receive personalized attention from instructors.
- Program accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).
- A flexible transfer program that includes 2+2 articulation agreements with Columbia College in Chicago, Northern Illinois University (NIU), Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design (MIAD).
- Opportunity to develop a professional portfolio that you can use to seek entrance to a four-year college or university or art school or for professional employment in a creative field.
- An active American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) student club that extends students' involvement with design through creative collaborations and student gallery shows.
Graphic Design
The Graphic Design Associate in Applied Science program emphasizes portfolio development through the study of principles and elements of design, typography and illustration, identity design, advertising design, web design and simulated studio work. Students gain experience in the use of traditional and digital design tools and software.
Interactive Media
The Interactive Media Associate in Applied Science degree provides students with interdisciplinary, theoretical and application knowledge in the design, development and production of interactive media, including web-based and other emerging media, to create interactive design solutions for a variety media such as websites, digital interfaces and applications.
Graphic Design Foundation
The Graphic Design Foundation certificate provides a foundation in the principles and elements of design, typography, drawing and illustration, using traditional and digital design tools and software.
Web Design
The Web Design certificate provides a foundation in design, principles of interactivity and the use of web-authoring software.
COD Stories
"I feel myself getting one step closer to achieving my dreams every day. Graphic design wasn’t my passion until I began in the program, and now I dream in graphic design!" - Sophia Ricciardi
Sophia's COD StoryCOD Stories
"COD prepared me for my future by providing professors with working knowledge of the industry and real-life experience through projects with actual clients.” - Jacqueline King-Tran
Jacqueline's COD StoryCOD Stories
"At COD, I learned that everything you design should have a story behind it. The vibrant colors of the logo I designed represent diversity, which embodies what Peaks for Purpose is all about.” - Mark Guido
Mark's COD StoryCOD Stories
"COD gave new meaning to my life and what I stand for as a person and a student. The teachers in the program helped me set goals and pushed me to meet them.” - Pete Surges
Pete's COD StoryCOD Stories
"At COD, I felt connected to a campus for the first time. I felt like I belonged at COD. I found a true family here.” - Dianne Hlinsky
Dianne's COD Story
Get Started Today
The first step to getting started in Graphic Design is to apply for admission.
Academic and Career Pathways give you a roadmap to achieving your career goals. Follow a pathway based on your degree that outlines which classes you need to take and when so you graduate on time or move on to the next phase in your career.
Graphic Design Program graduates will:
- Recognize and implement design elements and principles in the development of design solutions
- Create and develop design concepts
- Recognize the importance of meeting needs of both client and audience when developing design solutions
- Combine and organize type and image successfully through the application of design principles
- Review and analyze finished designs through group critique
- Assembling a professional portfolio for transfer or work
College of DuPage has several graphic design transfer agreements in place with four-year colleges and universities to save you time, money and make the transfer process easier.
Many of these agreements with other colleges and universities have specific course requirements and a pre-determined course plan that needs to be followed to be eligible to transfer. Contact a program faculty member or academic advisor to learn more as course requirements vary by institution.
Graphic Design Students Showcase Wall Art
Students in COD's Graphic Design class gained experience working as a team to showcase their talent in International Hall.
