The graphic design fundamentals certificate provides a foundation in the skills of visual design, typography, and conceptual design skills. There is a focus on addressing the needs of the target audience through research and user testing to assess the effectiveness of a design solution.

This certificate is offered by BYU-Idaho, with support and resources from BYU-Pathway Worldwide.

Essential Knowledge and Skills

Outcomes

Follow a design process that leads to consistent effective results.
Set typography with clear hierarchy that makes content more readable.
Make images that clearly communicate ideas and information to others.
Use industry-standard design software to efficiently complete design work.
Prepare design files that are production-ready.

Certificate of Graphic Design Fundamentals

Program Requirements

This certificate builds into the Professional Studies degree.

This is an introductory certificate. While not available during PathwayConnect, a student can switch to this certificate once they matriculate.

Certificate

15 CREDITS

Associate

60 CREDITS

Bachelor's

90–96 CREDITS

Certificate of Graphic Design Fundamentals

Course Code

Course Name

# of Credits

ART130

Introduction to Graphic Design

ART130 — 3 credits

Introduction to Graphic Design

This course covers the exploration of contemporary visual communications within graphic design and related fields.

ART230

Typography

ART230 — 3 credits

Typography

This course is an introduction to typography as a fundamental element of graphic design.

ART235

Graphic Design

ART235 — 3 credits

Graphic Design

This course involves graphic design projects with an emphasis on creative, conceptual, and practical solutions.

ART337R

Interaction Design

ART337R — 3 credits

Interaction Design

This course focuses on graphic design theory and skills necessary in a digitally interactive environment. These will include information architecture, interface design, site structure, page structure, page design, typography, editorial style, graphics, and multimedia. While there will be some development with software tools, this is not a programming class. This course is designed for art majors with a graphic design emphasis.

COMM310

Creating Online Media

COMM310 — 3 credits

Creating Online Media

This course is a technical introduction to search-engine optimization and standards-based web design and production. Students will train in semantic HTML markup, CSS-based design and dynamic PHP scripting, overview of the history, current status, and future possibilities of HTML.

For questions about this program, contact BYU-Pathway Support

Looking Ahead

Potential Employment

Junior Production Artist

Design Assistant
Junior Graphic Designer
Marketing Production Artist

Why choose this certificate?

Graphic design training will infuse your portfolio with creative products and familiarity with web and online design, illustratration, photography, and typography tools and systems. These skills will assist you in your strategic and creative endeavors, and your experience with social media, Adobe design products, Photoshop, and other brands will add to your marketable experience.

BYU-Pathway has found that certain combinations of certificates lead to better job opportunities. Most degrees have a recommended plan of certificates that will help students increase their income and improve their employment possibilities.