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Graphic Design

Start your graphic design career at Cape Fear!

Cape Fear Community College offers a graphic design certificate program consisting of 7 courses and 312 hours of instruction. The coursework will focus on graphic design principles, Adobe Design software, and web applications for graphic designers. Students can expect to learn about current design and technology. Using state of the art software and resources, the Graphic Arts faculty will train students in all areas of design as well as logo creation, color theory, and newly emerging areas in the field. Take a look at some of our student artwork!

Please note: Supplies are required for the Foundations of Design course. Please click the hyperlink below to access the list.

Student Artwork

Foundations of Design Supply List
  • #2 or softer pencil
  • Three to five color markers (fine and medium tips)
  • White eraser
  • 12” metal ruler
  • 18″ plastic t-square (available at Hobby Lobby)
  • 10″ triangle
  • Masking tape or not so sticky tape
  • Layout tablet or 8.5” X 11” copier paper
  • Compass (inexpensive)
  • Small wire bound sketchbook
  • Small cutting mat (12″x 18″)
  • Exacto knife and #11 blades
  • 2 sheets of approximately 11″x14″ illustration board
  • 1 pad of 11×14 bristol board
  • 5 small tubes of gouache or acrylic paint: Black, white, red, blue yellow.
  • Several small flat-tipped and pointed paint brushes
  • Smartphone
See how one CFCC graphic design student turned his class project into a freelance career!

Class Prerequisites Corequisites
Foundations of Design None None
Adobe Design I Foundations of Design Foundations of Design
Adobe Design II Foundations & Adobe Design I Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Illustrator Foundations of Design & Adobe I Adobe II
Adobe Photoshop Foundations of Design, Adobe I, Adobe II, Adobe Illustrator Web Applications
Web Applications Foundations of Design, Adobe I, Adobe II, Adobe Illustrator Adobe Photoshop
Capstone Portfolio Foundations, Adobe I, Adobe II, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, and Web Applications N/A-
Final course in the series, all other courses listed above must have been successfully completed prior to taking Capstone Portfolio.

Program Plan

Students can take a maximum of two classes at a time. Below is the required program plan for students taking two classes per semester.

Class Semester
Foundations of Design Semester I
Adobe Design I Semester I
Adobe Design II Semester II
Adobe Illustrator Semester II
Adobe Photoshop Semester III
Web Applications Semester III
Capstone Portfolio Semester IV

*Courses are subject to cancellation due to low enrollment.
*WiFi/internet access and general (intermediate) computer knowledge/skill is required.

Graphic Design Program Overview
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