Graphic Design Program

    • Course Description

      A student’s passion for art is channeled into advertising and marketing projects using the full Adobe Suite of design software. Through advanced tutorials combined with a study of fonts, color theory, sketching and drawing, students will produce a professional portfolio of their work to share with prospective colleges and employers upon graduation.

    • Prerequisites at the Time of Junior Year Enrollment

      Minimum of 7 core credits (1.5 must be English); on track to graduate.

    • Credits & Certifications Offered 

      High School Credit
      • 3 Electives Junior Year
      • 3 Elective Senior Year

      College Credit
      • St. Louis Community College - 3 credits

      Certifications
      • Adobe Certifications in Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop
       
      *College credit and certification are not guaranteed. Their attainment is dependent on student performance in both the course and on external industry assessments. All certifications are through external agencies and the accommodations permitted will vary from assessment to assessment. Additionally, students must participate in the full two years of the program to be potentially eligible for all certifications listed.

    • How Will My Time Be Spent? 

      Program Year Classroom Time Lab Time
      CTE Year One 26%-50% 26%-50%
      CTE Year Two 25% or less 75% or more

    • Tech is Real World Learning

      Students in this program learn through the use of a variety of industry grade tools and equipment and texts. Their real world labs also require uniforms and personal protective equipment.

      Tools & Equipment

      • Computers
      • Adobe software
      • Scanner
      • Large format printers
      • Calculators 
      • T-square and triangles
      • Art supplies
      • Exacto knives
      • Vinyl cutting equipment
      • Light tables
      • Proportion wheels

      Academic Materials

      • Adobe Classroom in a Book for Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop

      Uniform Requirements

      • Varies based on instructor

    • Essential Skills Needed for Success

      Students learn the entry level skills necessary to prepare for post-secondary education and the highly competitive world of work. Traditionally, successful students have mastered the processing and/or physical skills listed below prior to enrollment.

      Core Essential Skills 

      • Creativity and the ability to think outside the box to come up with new ideas or solutions to problems; Artistic; Attention to Details

      • Have strong brainstorming skills

      • Concentrate without distraction for long periods

      • Spatial awareness; abstract thinking

      • Read and comprehend postsecondary text independently

      • Have a working knowledge of computers and their usage

      • Understand and use basic math computations, Algebra and Geometry; including percentages, fractions, decimals, rulers, standard units of measurement

      • Ability to sit at a computer for extended periods

      • Make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects

      • Grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects and quickly move hands together with arm, or move two hands together

      • Able to see up close clearly

      For a complete list of essential skills please review the Course Overview Guide.

    Program Information

    • Francine DavisFrancine Davis
      Graphic Design
      314.989.7442
      Send an Email

      Ms. Davis has been in the graphic design industry for over 40 years and began instructing at South Tech in 2000. As a member of the South Tech team, she is responsible for the yearbook and graphic design projects for the building. Ms. Davis is a member of the South Tech staff she enjoys coming to work and seeing her students get excited about design.