Advertising and Graphic Design

The future belongs to those who are able to solve problems with courageous creativity. Central Piedmont's in-depth, two-year professional preparation advertising and graphic design program will prepare you to go directly into the job market with an Associate in Applied Science degree. Our curriculum is designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills to be one of the next creative leaders in our community.

What You Will Learn

You'll learn to design advertising and corporate communications of all types — newspaper and magazine ads, brochures, booklets, company logos and letterheads, product packaging, posters, outdoor billboards, and much more. This thorough course of study and practice covers all the necessary specialized skills. It ranges from illustration to computer design, from copy-writing to psychology, from typography to photography, to preparing your work for printing or broadcast. When you complete the program you'll have a professional-quality portfolio filled with your best work. It will demonstrate to potential employers your design skills, your understanding of the advertising and graphic design marketplace, and your ability to work successfully in it.

Graduates of the advertising and graphic design program are prepared for employment within the creative industries sector, including graphic design firms, advertising agencies, marketing communications and in-house creative groups. Students are prepared to think conceptually and design visual communication materials such as ads, brand identity systems, print materials, and interactive media.

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Why Choose Central Piedmont

Our advertising and graphic design program ensures you get hands-on experience via a work-based learning course — to complete the degree, you will be required to do a work-based learning course during one of your last couple of semesters. Cooperative education provides employers with well-trained students seeking work experience for college credit. Internships offer flexibility in length and design.

As an advertising and graphic design student at Central Piedmont, you will also have the opportunity to participate in theCurious, the program's student organization. TheCurious features a different activity each meeting, from hands-on workshops to outside speakers, field trips, and even portfolio enhancing projects such as freelance opportunities.

Real World Education

At Central Piedmont, your education goes beyond what you learn in class. We offer numerous opportunities for you to enhance your learning — and to make friends, network, and pursue your passions — through clubs and organizations, sports, events and activities, leadership opportunities, job experience, volunteer experiences, visual and performing arts, and even international experiences.