Graphic and Interactive Design: Career Associate

The Graphic and Interactive Design: Career Associate program at Harrisburg Area Community College provides students with comprehensive training in the fundamentals and advanced concepts of visual communication, digital media, and interactive technology. This program is designed to prepare students for a dynamic career in the creative industry by equipping them with practical skills in graphic design, user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design, digital illustration, and multimedia production. Through a combination of hands-on projects, industry-standard software training, and theoretical coursework, students learn to conceptualize, design, and produce visual content that effectively communicates messages across various digital platforms. The curriculum emphasizes creativity, technical proficiency, and critical thinking, ensuring graduates are well-prepared to meet the demands of the modern design environment. Students have opportunities to develop a strong portfolio of work, participate in collaborative projects, and gain real-world experience through internships and industry partnerships. The program also covers essential topics such as color theory, typography, layout design, branding, web development, animation, and interactive media. Graduates of this program are prepared for careers as graphic designers, interactive media specialists, web developers, visual communicators, and multimedia artists in a wide range of industries including advertising, entertainment, technology, and education. The Associate degree provides a solid foundation for further education or entry into the workforce, offering graduates the skills needed to create compelling visual content for print, web, mobile, and other digital platforms.

General Education   
ENGL 101 English Composition I  3 
ENGL 102 English Composition II  (or)  3 
  ENGL 106 Business Writing  (3) 
COMM 101 Effective Speaking  3 
Core B Elective  3 
Core C Elective  3 
Free Elective (Highly Recommend: ART 148)  3 
Physical Education & Wellness  1 

Major Requirements   
*ART 105 Fundamentals of Two-Dimensional Design  3 
*ART 109 Computer Graphics  3 
*ART 114 Interactive Media & Design  3 
*ART 121 Drawing I  3 
*ART 125 Visual Thinking  3 
*ART 140 Web Design  3 
*ART 143 Typography  3 
*ART 144 Graphic Design I  3 
*ART 145 Graphic Design II  3 
*ART 146 Graphic Design III  3 
*ART 147 Portfolio Development  3 
*ART 149 Design Practice  3 
*ART 176 Digital Photo Imaging  3 
**ART 182 Art Through the Ages II (Core A & D)  3 
ART 183 Twentieth-Century Art  3 
ART 190 History of Graphic Design  3 

This curriculum is designed to prepare students to:

Demonstrate mastery of skills involved in the graphic and interactive design field

Create an effective visual communication

Operate computers and graphic software used in design, web and interactive media

Present a professional portfolio

Write and speak effectively

Appreciate accomplishments in the arts and sciences

Apply for a Full-Ride Scholarship

Are you a future student and ready to apply to HACC? 
By applying to HACC, you have the opportunity to apply for a full-ride scholarship! HACC will fund two years of your education – enough to complete your associate degree.

Thanks to the support of the HACC Foundation, the College is able to offer FREE money to support future students, like you, in reaching your educational goals. Six full-ride scholarships are available – one from each of the five campuses and one through HACC’s Virtual Learning Program. 

Please note that current students are not eligible for the full-ride scholarships. However, there are more than 250 scholarships available for current students.

What should you know about the full-ride scholarship?

The scholarship covers tuition, books and fees for a full academic year. 

The scholarship will automatically renew each term for up to six consecutive terms if you maintain your eligibility.

Once you apply to the College and receive a HACC ID and email address, you may apply for the full-ride scholarship. You do not have to register for classes before applying for the scholarship.

Are you eligible?

To be eligible, you must:

Apply to HACC

Take 12-15 credits each term for no more than six consecutive terms (two years)

Live in Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry, Schuylkill or York county

Have a minimum cumulative high school GPA of 3.0

Provide a 480 SAT reading score, 21 ACT or comparable scores on the College’s placement test

Maintain a GPA of 3.0 while enrolled at HACC

Participate in at least two HACC student organizations

The Graphic and Interactive Design: Career Associate program at Harrisburg Area Community College is designed to prepare students for entry-level positions in the dynamic fields of graphic and interactive design. This program emphasizes foundational skills in visual communication, digital imaging, multimedia production, and user-centered design principles. Students learn to utilize industry-standard software such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and other creative tools to develop compelling visual content. Throughout the coursework, students engage in hands-on projects that simulate real-world design challenges, fostering practical skills alongside theoretical understanding.

The curriculum covers a broad spectrum of topics, including typography, color theory, layout design, branding, web design, and multimedia production. A significant component involves interactive media, where students learn about designing for various digital platforms, including websites, mobile apps, and social media channels. The program also focuses on developing strong problem-solving and communication skills essential for collaborating with clients and teams in professional environments.

Students have opportunities to build a professional portfolio through various projects, internships, and collaborations with local businesses and community organizations. This exposure enhances their employability upon graduation. The associate degree prepares graduates for various roles, such as graphic designer, web designer, digital media specialist, or interactive media developer. The program also sets a foundation for further education in graphic design, digital arts, or related fields.

The faculty at Harrisburg Area Community College comprises experienced professionals who provide mentorship and industry insights. The program incorporates current industry trends and technologies to ensure students are industry-ready. Graduates of this program can pursue careers in advertising, marketing, web development, publishing, and other creative sectors. Additionally, students gain critical thinking and technical skills that enable continued growth and adaptation in the rapidly evolving digital landscape. Overall, the program aims to develop innovative, skilled designers equipped to meet the demands of modern visual communication and interactive media.