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. The Multimedia/Graphic Design program tracks approximately 46 students who have graduated with a degree in either Graphic Design or Multimedia Studies, and 39 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. Last year, we finalized the grant and our Makerspace was named one of the Top 5 makerspaces within this grant. The program offers 11 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).
Five new 3D printers were purchased and 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. We are also able to use these printers in our newly offered 3D Printing Course.
The 3D Printers are used in our 3D Modleing course, as well as our new 3D Printing and Rapid Prototyping course. Access to these printers is also give to our Design and MSP classes, offering even more students the opportunity to use this new technology.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, the student will be able to:
Employ critical thinking and conceptual problem-solving skills to create a portfolio and body of work to be used for promotion, client and project acquisition as a freelance designer, and to be used for obtaining employment in the design industry.
Demonstrate expert use of equipment, materials and software when creating multimedia projects.
Discuss, write about, organize and produce works for presentation to clients, employers and implementation based on project needs.
A. Prepare high school students for college by: (Thematic Priority #2, Thematic Priority #4)Art Department chair, Daniel Donnelly, works with high school art and design programs to align curriculum as appropriate. He invites high school teachers and their students to tour the ARTS building and advises high school students on arts career paths.
B. Align onboarding processes with pathways by (Call to Action): (Thematic Priority #2, Thematic Priority 5) Design faculty answer students’ questions about program pathways and college services whenever possible. Faculty take time to discuss the optimum order in which art courses should be taken, which courses will transfer to university, which additional courses could benefit and prepare students for university, and which GE courses best support what students are learning. If students are interested manufacturing and marketing their art, faculty mentor students about what is required. Presently this kind of help often takes the form of Work Experience where student and faculty member write specific objectives with the goal of launching a successful business. Because there is so much student demand for this kind of knowledge, the program is developing an Art Entrepreneurship Certificate to address the demand for art-entrepreneur. In addition, art projects are focused on solving problems in the creative process, and during critiques students analyze the work of others.
1. Hire two new FT faculty - This has not been addressed though we have submitted requests each year.
2. 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
3. Increase efforts to maximize students’ completion of certificates and/or degrees - We are developing new pathways and courses for students
4. Promote all DA&D programs - We are doing social media promotion as well as outreach to community and high schools
5. Implement Learning Communities - This has not been addressed
6. Review pages and course descriptions for accuracy, currency and clarity - We are reworking our curriculum and adding new courses to respond to students' needs.
7. 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.
8. Develop additional courses and degrees - We have written five new courses that are currently going through curriculum committee
The current goals for the Multimedia Studies Program and Graphic Design are to increase enrollment in our courses through marketing and promotion both on campus and off campus. Last year, the Multimedia program hosted over 400 students on tours through our Art/Design building and within the Makerspace. 200 of these high school students were from Yuba City high school arts programs.
Our second goal is to apply for grants to help offset financial needs within our program.
Strategy 1 - Ongoing 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. Three of these courses have been approved through curriculum and are currently being offered; Drone Management, Photoshop for Designers, and 3D Printing and Rapid Prototyping.
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 - 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
We are continuing to implment the Strong Workforce Grant for Music/Photo/MSP/Graphic Design and Makerspace.
We are in the process of aquiring a Virtual Reality granr for three years at $100,000.
| 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 | $14,000.00 | $0.00 |
| 2 Additional 3D printers and support materials | We need two additional 3D printers. One larger Ultimaker, and one extra large 3D Printer for large format printing. |
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| 3 | MSP/Graphic Design/Makerspace/Multiple Areas | Equipment | 1-000-512-1-061460 | 56411 | $18,000.00 | $0.00 |
| Oculus Quest Virtual Reality headsets | We currently have only two Oculus Quest Virtual Reality headsets. With the purchase of 25 additional headsets, we can begin to offer the use of these through the Makerspace for use in multiple courses throughout campus. Nursing, Sciences, Law Enforcement, Fire, auto, and many other areas on campus can make use of these headsets for dynamic learning and instruction. |
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