Visual Communication: Digital Process Management

The Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Visual Communication: Digital Process Management is designed to prepare students for employment and upgrade the skills of those already employed in the digital printing industry. Coursework and experiences include training in the areas of proper file creation, troubleshooting and digital prepress for output, the operation and maintenance of a digital press, the operation of finishing equipment, project management, and the basics of estimating a job for digital output. Employment opportunities are available in a variety of fields including, but not limited to, digital prepress, digital press operation, binding and finishing, project management, digital workflow management, and variable data. Students interested in continuing their studies may choose to pursue the Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Visual Communication (3052) where these courses apply.

Details

Field of Interest
Visual and Performing Arts
Degree Type
Certificate of Completion (CCL)
Academic Plan
Visual Communication: Digital Process Management (CER)
Academic Plan Code
5996
Total credits required
39-40
Catalog Year
2024-2025
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

What You'll Learn

This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:

  1. Develop visual concepts in response to communication problems including visual organization of information hierarchy.
  2. Apply principles of design, history, theory, and criticism from a variety of perspectives for effective visual communication.
  3. Critique designs to evaluate their effectiveness.
  4. Utilize industry standard software to produce effective solutions to client-based problems.
  5. Demonstrate professional and collaborative practices in diverse settings as appropriate to the field (e.g., communication, presentation, time management, organization, and legal and ethical considerations).
  6. Communicate design ideas and solutions that recognize diverse opinions and cultural and individual differences.
  7. Demonstrate the use of appropriate typography and font management.
  8. Estimate each function and process associated with a standard job ticket for printing.
  9. Map the unique digital workflows for projects through the completion process.
  10. Operate and troubleshoot the output of a file for prepress, press and post-press processes.
  11. Calibrate an output device for correct color.
  12. Demonstrate safe use and maintenance of equipment and consumables.
  13. Manage the project lifecycle for internal and external stakeholders.

Successful completion of this certificate may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Maricopa County-based annual median wages* for this certificate. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.

Customer Service Representatives

$36,091

Print Binding and Finishing Workers

$30,777

Printing Press Operators

$35,920

* Career and wage information provided by Lightcast using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources and Lightcast’s proprietary analytical processes. Lightcast’s data covers multiple classes of workers including QCEW, non-QCEW, and those who are self-employed. Disclaimer

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

  • Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Pathway Planner tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
  • The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
  • Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
  • Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.

Full-time Sequence

Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC100 Introduction to Digital Arts OR Permission of Department 0–1
AVC175 Electronic Publishing Design I Gateway course 3
AVC177 Digital Photographic Imaging I 3
AVC181 Graphic Design I 3
AVC114 Digital Color Offered at SCC Fall semester only 3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC103 Typography in the Digital Age 3
AVC288 PDF Portable Document Format Offered at SCC Spring semester only 3
AVC169 2D Media Design 3
AVC227 Estimating for Digital Output Offered at SCC Spring semester only 3
AVC249 Visual Communication Project Management and Workflow Critical course 3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC291 Digital Prepress Critical course Offered at SCC Fall semester only 3
AVC292 Digital Output Prepress 3
AVC293 Digital Output 3
RE Restricted Electives 3

Restricted Electives

A list of additional, alternative, or supplemental courses for this pathway map
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC/MMT190 Art of Web Site Design 3
AVC201 Variable Data Printing 3
ART296++ Any Cooperative Education course 1–4
ART298++ Any Special Projects course 1–4

Part-time Sequence

Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC100 Introduction to Digital Arts OR Permission of Department 0–1
AVC175 Electronic Publishing Design I Gateway course 3
AVC169 2D Media Design 3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC177 Digital Photographic Imaging I 3
AVC103 Typography in the Digital Age 3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC181 Graphic Design I 3
AVC114 Digital Color Offered at SCC Fall semester only 3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC288 PDF Portable Document Format Offered at SCC Spring semester only 3
RE Restricted Elective 3

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC291 Digital Prepress Critical course Offered at SCC Fall semester only 3
AVC249 Visual Communication Project Management and Workflow Critical course Offered at SCC Fall semester only 3

Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC227 Estimating for Digital Output Offered at SCC Spring semester only 3
AVC292 Digital Output Prepress 3
AVC293 Digital Output 3

Restricted Electives

A list of additional, alternative, or supplemental courses for this pathway map
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC/MMT190 Art of Web Site Design 3
AVC201 Variable Data Printing 3
ART296++ Any Cooperative Education course 1–4
ART298++ Any Special Projects course 1–4
Course Area Key

Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.

Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.

Disclaimer

Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.

Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.

View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm11?id=184896).

At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.