Comprised of a dynamic grouping of disciplines�graphic arts, interactive design, digital arts and illustration, animation, 3D design and digital video�the Graphic Design department offers students the technological training and design skills needed to enter a highly competitive industry. Committed to empowering students, our program provides a multidisciplinary design education, prepares students to be future designers, and strengthens links to the professional and university communities.
The goal of the Butte College Graphic Design program is to prepare students for entry-level positions in the Design industries. Students who successfully complete the program and plan to earn a four-year degree will have a solid foundation for application to the design school of their choice. The Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests "Employment of Multimedia Designers" is expected to grow 8 percent, as fast as average for similar occupations from 2016 to 2026, but this does not take into account that Design Students are learning more than basic Print Design, and are more in line with the BLS statistics of Web Developers, UX and UI Designers, where the growth is expected to be close to 20% by 2020. This past Fall 2017 semester, the FT faculty in the Multimedia/Graphic Design program did a survey of 37 students who have graduated with a degree in either Graphic Design or Multimedia Studies, and 34 of these students are currently working in local design positions within local businesses, the other students have started their own businesses, or are working a freelance designers and supporting themselves through local freelance design. In Feb of 2018, one female student in her third semester within the Multimedia and Graphic Design program, obtained a full-time position with a local industry leader, Build.com. The student's starting wage is $16hr, with full benefits. As demand for design continues to increase from advertisers, publishers, and computer design firms. Some of this increase is expected to stem from the expansion of the video entertainment market, including drones, virtual reality, and 3D printing technologies, all of which are being implemented in our MSP department. Moreover, designers with Web site design and animation experience will especially be needed as demand increases for design projects for interactive media�Web sites, video games, cellular telephones, personal digital assistants, and other technology. Demand for graphic designers also will increase as advertising firms create print and Web marketing and promotional materials for a growing number of products and services. There are currently one fulltime and five associate faculty on the main campus teaching day and evening classes. In 2017, the college applied for and received a $500,000 two-year Makerspace development grant. This space is currently in development and will increase FTES, and skills building for students across disciplines and especially within the Design and Arts departments. The program offers 8 courses in Graphic Design and Multimedia Design, and has submitted curriculum for another 6 courses to be added over the next two years. There are another seven classes that crossover from the Multimedia Studies program. We have also added two new Drone Management and Drone Video courses, as well as a Makerspace course to align with our new Makerspace in the Arts building. Class sizes are based on the number of available computers (25 in each of three Apple computer labs).
1. Hire two new FT faculty - This has not been addressed though we have submitted requests each year.
2. Reinstate the DA&D lab tech to 12 month - This has not been addressed though it is still needed, though we were able to add one month to two of our techs with the makerspace grant we recieved for two years.
3. Collaborate both within the department and with faculty in other areas - We have worked with the Communication department to offer courses that articulate with CSUC
4. Increase efforts to maximize students’ completion of certificates and/or degrees - We are developing new pathways and courses for students
5. Promote all DA&D programs - We are doing social media promotion as well as outreach to community and high schools
6. Implement Learning Communities - This has not been addressed
7. Review pages and course descriptions for accuracy, currency and clarity - We are reworking our curriculum and adding new courses to respond to students' needs.
8. The Validation Team recommends that course sequencing be clearly stated, including prerequisites - We are working on developing promotional materials such as brochures and other marketing materials.
9. Develop additional courses and degrees - We have written five new courses that are currently going through curriculum committee
Strategy 1 - Community Outreach
The Graphic Design and Multimedia Design programs will strive to increase the awareness of local high school students and business leaders by establishing and maintaining contact with the local media, high school design and art teachers, and the local business community. We invite local high school classes to tour our facilities; and we inviting business leaders to join the advisory board and visit our design facilities.
The Graphic Design and Multimedia department continues to conduct tours and presentations to high school students. We are visiting local high schools to speak to students.
Strategy 2 - Increasing Student Skills and Preparing students for industry jobs
Our students learn by working hands-on with the most current and recent technologies in the Design industries. Specific software and hardware is needed to prepare our students for a competitive industry.
We have developed five new courses to address students' needs and maintain software currency.
Strategy 3 - Need for Full-time faculty
We have lost three full-time faculty from the Digital Art & Design department in the past five years, with no replacements for these faculty.
Full-time oversight and management is needed to give our students the highest level of training and to give direction to our programs.
To maintain the core program, new faculty are needed.
Strategy 4 - Increased hours for Design Department Tech
Our Tech is now being used for Theater and Music, as well as Graphic Design, Fashion, Multimedia and Photography.
Additional hours are still needed to allow him to maintain equipment and manage the labs for our programs. We were able to increase the Sculpture and MSP techs to one additional month each for two years based on a CCC Makerspace grant. This grant will end in 2019, and we will need to increase hours again.
The Photo Tech hours have been reduced and the workload continues to increase as other programs make use of these services.
Strategy 5 - Makerspace Lab
The makerspace we are creating will create connections with local industry and businesses within the community. With the training and skills students will gain within the makerspace, students will be more prepared for industry and employment.
Students will be better prepared for entering multiple areas of industry and business, as well as become more prepared to start their own entreprenurial businesses.
None needed
The Graphic Design and Multimedia programs finished with the Chico Unified High School District Pathways grant to build connections with local high schools and increase awareness of our programs.
We are continuing to implment the Strong Workforce Grant for Music/Photo/MSP/Graphic Design programs.
We have received $250,000 for two years from a CCC Makerspace grant to develop a makerspace for students and comunity.
| Original Priority | Program, Unit, Area | Resource Type | Account Number | Object Code | One Time Augment | Ongoing Augment |
| Description | Supporting Rationale | Potential Alternative Funding Sources | Prioritization Criteria | |||
| 1 | Equipment | 1-000-512-1-061460 | 56411 | $15,000.00 | $0.00 | |
| Specialized drone for agriculture: DJI Smarter Farming Package | Our two drone courses have finally been approved to be offered and the only two drones we are currently missing, are an advanced agricultural drone, and a drone specific to construction management. The specialized Ag drone is $15k, which includes specialized infrared sensors, and software for managing information. |
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| 2 | MSP/Graphic Design | Equipment | 1-000-512-1-061460 | 56411 | $2,000.00 | $0.00 |
| 5 Additional 3D printers and support materials | We purchased three basic level 3D printers last year, and they were amazing with the quality that is achieved by these $300 3D printers. Five new printers will allow an additional 75-100 hrs of printing to occur throughout the week, giving dozens of students the opportunity to print their projects without waiting. |
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| 3 | MSP/Graphic Design | Equipment | 1-000-512-1-061460 | 56411 | $300.00 | $0.00 |
| Drawing mannequins for Concept Art & 3D Modeling classes | These model mannequins will help students gain valuable skills in understanding how to pose figures for 3D modeling and concept art drawing and painting. |
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