Digital Arts and Design courses teach students software and design basics that get them prepared to enter the field of communication/graphic design. Students will develop technical skills working with professional software (Adobe Creative Cloud), which is the industry standard. Additionally, students will be able to plan, create, and present design solutions for a target audience.

Graphic Design I – 9th grade
Graphic Design II or Digital Photography – 10th grade
Graphic Design III or Print Production I or MGD 101 – 11th grade
Graphic Design/Print Production practicum or Print Production II or MGD 111 – 12th grade

Level I Descriptions:

Traits of a Young Professional: Time Management, Use of Information Technologies, Critical Thinking/Analysis, Risk Taking, Initiative/Self-Direction, Self-Awareness, Collaboration/teamwork, Communication

Connect Foundational Competencies:   Professional Communication, Troubleshooting & Problem Solving, Professional ethics

Technical Skills: Demonstrate communication (e.g. critique, presentations) and research (e.g. Internet, online database) skills in creating, expressing, and interpreting information to develop creative. Introductory creative suite skills (e.g. Illustrator & Photoshop) to complete creative solutions (e.g. compositions – hand and computer drawings and some with photoshop) showing their knowledge of basic art and design concepts.

Level II Descriptions:

Traits of a Young Professional: Information literacy, Use of information technology, Critical thinking, Creativity & Innovation, Adaptability, Perseverance/resilience, Communication, character

Connect Foundational Competencies: Professional communication, Trouble shooting & problem solving, Professional ethics

Technical Skills: Students will use Adobe creative suite (Adobe illustrator and Photoshop to create materials for mass communication (fliers, posters, logos, etc.) using the entire design cycle as the basis for their designs. Work flow, timing and presentation skills will be built in to curriculum to mimic real world design processes and experiences. Creative that can be used by the school and community will be produced as part of the process.

Level III Descriptions:

Traits of a Young Professional: Time Management, Use of Information Technologies, Critical Thinking/Analysis, Creativity/Innovation, Initiative/Self-Direction, Perseverance/Resilience, Collaboration/Teamwork, Communication

Connect Foundational Competencies: Professional Ethics & Legal Responsibilities, Career exploration and planning, Civic engagement

Technical Skills: Students will be able to choose two different pathways at this level. Print production l will begin to prepare students to prep files for printing. Finalizing and checking files for proper format will be their main task, they will also help the introductory level graphic design class as mentors in the two Adobe  softwares (Illustrator & photoshop). Graphic design ll students will begin more rigorous designs moving into 3D designs such as point of purchase and package design projects. These students will continue to design projects for the community and the school as needed. Concurrent enrollment (MGD 101) will also be offered at this level for both Graphic Design & Print production students.

Level IV Descriptions:

Traits of a Young Professional: Time Management, Use of Information Technologies, Critical Thinking/Analysis, Career awareness,Leadership, Collaboration/Teamwork, Personal responsibility, Global/cultural awareness

Connect Foundational Competencies: Career exploration, Client relations, Troubleshooting, Professional ethics & legal responsibilities.

Technical Skills: By level lV students should be prepared for the practicum in Print production or Graphic design. Having completed 3 years of design/production courses and a concurrent enrollment will make ideal candidates for internships in smaller print shops. If students do not choose or get a practicum the second print production class along with the second concurrent enrollment course (MGD 111) will prepare them for introductory work once they graduate or be very well prepared to be successful at junior college or university design programs. These students will also be ideal candidates as mentors or teachers assistants for level l & ll courses.

Student portfolios will be started in graphic design l and continue to through the 4th level of design/production courses. After each year, students will evaluate and update pieces with instructors guidance. Portfolios will meet district graduation guidelines for level l & ll courses. Students that choose to show this portfolio for college entrance will meet requirements for community college entrance if needed. Students that move through all 4 levels of coursework will have a more comprehensive portfolio that meets all district requirements, plus be able to show them for entrance in to university or full-time work interviews.

Entry Level: Print shop entry as labor with growth opportunity to specialty job, possible entry to print shop like Kinko Fedex or small print shops.

Technical Level: Entry level to print shop as copy and retail associate with growth potential to introductory design projects.

Professional Level: Associate or junior production artist preparing file for print production.