Design Degrees Online

Programme Structure
The diploma is completed through one year of full-time study divided into two 15-week semesters which run from September to January and from February to June. Students are given the opportunity to experiment across different media in their first semester. They experience teaching in Fine Art which includes Painting, Drawing, Sculpture and Printmaking, Media including Animation and Photography, and Design covering Fashion, Graphic and Three-dimensional Design Practice. Students are then able to select and focus on the specialism which they will progress towards their application for a degree programme.

Study on the diploma is divided into several parts or modules, some of which are core or compulsory, and others which could be optional. Modules available include one specifically designed to explain the structure and content of the programme whilst providing an introduction to the University and the region. Another module allows students to explore the meaning of cultural identity with the areas of painting, print, sculpture, photography and design. Students spend the first semester developing their practice in a range of Fine Art and Design specialisms. Then during the second semester they focus on their chosen specialisms and are helped in the preparation of a portfolio of work in their assessment interview.

Throughout the programme great emphasis is spent upon developing drawing skills, and life drawing is studied on a weekly basis, giving students the chance to experiment with different techniques and methods.

Unique Opportunities

Opportunities with McMaster School
Graphic design majors are actively involved in the McMaster School for Advancing Humanity participating in projects and producing materials for students and faculty to use overseas.

Exchange Program
Defiance College has a junior year exchange program with The Art Institute of Pittsburgh. Students can spend their junior year at the The Art Institute developing a concentration in Interior Design, Photography, Media Arts and Animation, Game Art and Design, Interactive Media Design, Video Production, or Visual Effects and Motion Graphics. The 30 hours the student earns at The Art Institute are accepted by Defiance College as major courses. Students also have the option of additional courses at The Art Institute.

The graphic design program at Defiance College is intended to prepare students to express ideas visually in service to their employers and the wider good of society.

Graphic Design majors focus on using graphics and text to communicate ideas and emotions. Everything we do begins with the need to communicate. After we determine what our client is trying to say and the emotions they want to convey to the audience, we brainstorm graphics that may serve our purpose. Once we have some sketches that might work, we draw from a wide range of digital tools to make those sketches into finished products. Need a resizable graphic like a logo? Look at a vector program. Need motion graphics? Draw on video or animation. Sensitivity to the client’s needs, creativity in the design process, and proficiency in a variety of digital tools come together to make great graphic design.

Graphic Design is a major for those who:
Experience the world through sight
Watch TV for the ads instead of the programs
Doodle what others say instead of hearing what they say
Experience frustration at having to read books and write papers
See the ideas of the world as shapes and colors in space
Enjoy freelance activities and are self-motivated

The DDS has a suite of postgraduate opportunities, starting with the Masters in Animation (taught). On successful completion of this, students may wish to continue their animation studies through the Masters in Philosophy (Research). Finally, a three year PhD programme is available to those who wish to take their research all the way.

From September 2008 the DDS will be offering the Masters in Sound for the Moving Image.

Use the links on the left to find out more about these programmes and how to apply or click here to see examples of graduate students’ work.

The DDS is a major research institute and students benefit from working in an environment where high-level visual research is being undertaken. Click below to see two examples of research and commercial work:

Code Subject
UV Obligatory
AGP 5101 Projet Arts Graphiques III
AGP5102 Esquisse Arts Graphiques II
AGP 5103 Photographie Publicitaire
AGP 5104 Imprimerie et production I
AGP 5105 Atelier de design 3 D
AGP 5106 Design informatisé et ses applications
AGP 5107 Eléments de gestion des entreprises
COM 5100 Techniques de communication
ANG 5101 Anglais spécialisé I
1 module au choix
AGP 5201 Imprimerie II
AGP 5202 Projets de publicité I
AGP 5203 Stratégie publicitaire
AGP 5204 Concept publicitaire
AGP 5205 Media Planning
AGP 5206 Copywriting I
AGP 5207 Storyboards
AGP 5208 Tournage et montage
ANG 5201 Anglais spécialisé II
1 module au choix
AGP 5301 Projet Arts Graphiques V
AGP 5302 Esquisse publicitaire
AGP 5303 Photographie publicitaire
AGP 5304 Copywriting II
AGP 5305 Projet publicitaire V
AGP 5306 Comportement du consommateur
AGP 5307 Production Télévisuelle-Radio
AGP 5308 Atelier et design communication visuelle
ANG 5306 Anglais spécialisé III
1 module au choix
MEM 5000 Projet +stage + rapport

Optional UV
PUB 5108 Publicité
AGP 5109 Animation
AGP 5209 Séminaire Arts Graphiques et Publicité
AGP 5208 Gestion de la marque
AGP 5309 PAO IV (web design)
AGP 5310 Diaporama

The latest advances in media technologies and design are the focus of this practice-based Master’s programme. As well as offering a thorough grounding in practical applications across the electronic spectrum including web, video, games and animation, the programme seeks to build independent evaluative skills and to develop individual systematic approaches to communications strategies.

General Objective
This program objective is to provide graduates with the skills in Visual Communication Design [new media and animation], and to carry them out at a high level as well as preparing them to be able to maximize the opportunities of new technology in developing their professional and individual competence.

Specific Objective
In the near future, the program will continue to focus on scientific and technological innovation based on visual communication design and pursue the development of information technology in application design both intellectually and socially, using environmental insight, in order to prepare our students for the globalized world.

Required Modules
The student must successfully complete 192 ECTS, from the following list of modules:No. Code Name ECTS Hours / week
1 AART101 INTRODUCTION TO STUDIO ART I 6 5
2 AART102 INTRODUCTION TO STUDIO ART II 6 5
3 AART103 DRAWING I 6 5
4 AART104 DRAWING II 6 5
5 AART109 PHOTOGRAPHY I 3 2
6 AART111 HISTORY OF ART I/ CULTURAL STUDIES I 3 4
7 AART112 HISTORY OF ART II / CULTURAL STUDIES II 3 4
8 AART115 DESIGN AND MATERIALS I 6 5
9 AART116 DESIGN AND MATERIALS II 6 5
10 AART215 HISTORY OF ART III/ CULTURAL STUDIES III 3 4
11 AART225 HISTORY OF ART IV/CULTURAL STUDIES IV 3 4
12 AIND101 INTERIOR DESIGN I 6 4
13 AIND103 ARCHITECTURAL DRAWING I 3 2
14 AIND104 ARCHITECTURAL DRAWING II 7 3
15 AIND105 ARCHITECTURAL DRAWING III 7 3
16 AIND201 INTERIOR DESIGN II 6 2
17 AIND202 INTERIOR DESIGN III 8 6
18 AIND205 TEXTILES I 7 2
19 AIND206 TEXTILES II 7 3
20 AIND301 INERIOR DESIGN IV 8 6
21 AIND302 LIGHTING DESIGN I 4 2
22 AIND303 LIGHTING DESIGN II 4 2
23 AIND305 FURNITURE DESIGN I 7 3
24 AIND306 FURNITURE DESIGN II 7 3
25 AIND308 HISTORY OF INTERIOR DESIGN I 7 3
26 AIND311 INTERIOR DESIGN V 7 3
27 AIND312 MODEL MAKING 7 3
28 AIND313 INTERIOR ILLUSTRATION 7 3
29 AIND318 HISTORY OF INTERIOR DESIGN II 7 3
30 AIND321 INTERIOR DESIGN VI 7 3
31 AIND499 SENIOR PROJECT 18 0

Art and Design Electives Modules
The student must successfully complete 23 ECTS, from the following list of modules:No. Code Name ECTS Hours / week
1 AART119 PHOTOGRAPHY II 3 2
2 AART201 LIFE DRAWING I 3 2
3 AART202 LIFE DRAWING II 3 2
4 AART204 ILLUSTRATION TECHNIQUES I 3 3
5 AART205 ILLUSTRATION TECHNIQUES II 3 3
6 AART208 PHOTOGRAPHIC DESIGN I 3 2
7 AART209 PHOTOGRAPHIC DESIGN II 3 2
8 AART212 COMPUTER ART I 5 2
9 AART213 COMPUTER ART II 5 2
10 AART214 CONTEMPORARY ART 4 3
11 AART233 COMPUTER ART 4 3
12 AART301 ANIMATION 4 3
13 AAVC100 VIDEO PRODUCTION I 6 3
14 AAVC111 AUDIO PRODUCTION II 6 3
15 AAVC120 AUDIO PRODUCTION I 6 3
16 AAVC210 VIDEO PRODUCTION II 6 3
17 AAVC240 ANIMATION I 3 3
18 AAVC241 ANIMATION II 3 3
19 AGDS207 APPLIED DESIGN I 3 2
20 AGDS208 APPLIED DESIGN II 3 2
21 AGDS307 ADVANCED APPLIED DESIGN 4 3

Free Electives Modules

Free Elective is subject offered by department of the University for which a student is qualified to register

General Electives Modules
The student must successfully complete 4 ECTS, from the following list of modules:No. Code Name ECTS Hours / week
1 AECH101 INTRODUCTION TO HISTORY OF CYPRUS 2 2
2 AECH111 CYPRUS IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY 2 2
3 AEGL101 INTRODUCTION TO GREEK LANGUAGE 2 2
4 AEGL111 MODERN GREEK LITERATURE 2 2

Required Modules
The student must successfully complete 192 ECTS, from the following list of modules:No. Code Name ECTS Hours / week
1 AART101 INTRODUCTION TO STUDIO ART I 6 5
2 AART102 INTRODUCTION TO STUDIO ART II 6 5
3 AART103 DRAWING I 6 5
4 AART104 DRAWING II 6 5
5 AART109 PHOTOGRAPHY I 3 2
6 AART111 HISTORY OF ART I/ CULTURAL STUDIES I 3 4
7 AART112 HISTORY OF ART II / CULTURAL STUDIES II 3 4
8 AART115 DESIGN AND MATERIALS I 6 5
9 AART116 DESIGN AND MATERIALS II 6 5
10 AART119 PHOTOGRAPHY II 3 2
11 AART215 HISTORY OF ART III/ CULTURAL STUDIES III 3 4
12 AART225 HISTORY OF ART IV/CULTURAL STUDIES IV 3 4
13 AGDS101 GRAPHIC DESIGN I 6 4
14 AGDS104 GRAPHIC DESIGN II 6 4
15 AGDS204 GRAPHIC AND ADVERTISING DESIGN I 8 5
16 AGDS205 GRAPHIC AND ADVERTISING DESIGN II 8 5
17 AGDS206 GRAPHIC DESIGN III 8 5
18 AGDS213 MARKETING FOR GRAPHICS I 3 2
19 AGDS214 MARKETING FOR GRAPHICS II 3 2
20 AGDS216 GRAPHIC DESIGN IV 8 5
21 AGDS301 ADVANCED TYPOGRAPHY 7 3
22 AGDS302 CORPORATE IDENTITY 7 3
23 AGDS303 DESIGN FOR PRODUCTION 7 3
24 AGDS304 ADVANCED GRAPHIC AND ADVERTISING DESIGN 7 3
25 AGDS306 PACKAGE DESIGN 7 3
26 AGDS308 HISTORY OF GRAPHIC DESIGN I 7 3
27 AGDS309 HISTORY OF GRAPHIC DESIGN II 7 3
28 AGDS310 DESIGN FOR PUBLISHING 7 3
29 AGDS311 DESIGN AND COMMUNICATION 7 3
30 AGDS312 INFORMATION DESIGN 7 3
31 AGDS499 SENIOR PROJECT 18 0

Art and Design Electives Modules
The student must successfully complete 23 ECTS, from the following list of modules:No. Code Name ECTS Hours / week
1 AART201 LIFE DRAWING I 3 2
2 AART202 LIFE DRAWING II 3 2
3 AART204 ILLUSTRATION TECHNIQUES I 3 3
4 AART205 ILLUSTRATION TECHNIQUES II 3 3
5 AART208 PHOTOGRAPHIC DESIGN I 3 2
6 AART209 PHOTOGRAPHIC DESIGN II 3 2
7 AART212 COMPUTER ART I 5 2
8 AART213 COMPUTER ART II 5 2
9 AART214 CONTEMPORARY ART 4 3
10 AART233 COMPUTER ART 4 3
11 AART301 ANIMATION 4 3
12 AAVC100 VIDEO PRODUCTION I 6 3
13 AAVC111 AUDIO PRODUCTION II 6 3
14 AAVC120 AUDIO PRODUCTION I 6 3
15 AAVC210 VIDEO PRODUCTION II 6 3
16 AAVC240 ANIMATION I 3 3
17 AAVC241 ANIMATION II 3 3
18 AGDS207 APPLIED DESIGN I 3 2
19 AGDS208 APPLIED DESIGN II 3 2
20 AGDS307 ADVANCED APPLIED DESIGN 4 3

Free Electives Modules

Free Elective is subject offered by department of the University for which a student is qualified to register

General Electives Modules
The student must successfully complete 4 ECTS, from the following list of modules:No. Code Name ECTS Hours / week
1 AECH101 INTRODUCTION TO HISTORY OF CYPRUS 2 2
2 AECH111 CYPRUS IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY 2 2
3 AEGL101 INTRODUCTION TO GREEK LANGUAGE 2 2
4 AEGL111 MODERN GREEK LITERATURE 2 2

Art - Graphic Design (A.A.S
Add to Portfolio

Program Advisors: Steven Cost, 345-5546 (cost-s@actx. edu) or Pete Gonzalez, 345-5547 (gonzalez-p@actx.edu) or contact Brenda Hays, 371-5212 (hays-bj@actx.edu)

Associate in Applied Science
Major Code - ARTC.AAS

A foundation of art courses coordinated with options in print media, multimedia or animation prepares students to be graphic designers.