Graphics
Certificate of Achievement
Program Details
The Graphics Certificate of Achievement prepares students for entry-level work in the visual media industry and provides professional development in graphic design skills for those in the work place. For transfer students the certificate complements existing Cuesta degrees such as the AA Art Studio and the AA-T Studio Art. The curriculum provides a strong foundation in design fundamentals, graphic literacy and the technical and artistic use of computer software for graphic design and marketing purposes.
Graphics Pathways
Pathways listed below are for the catalog year 2026-2027. Maps for previous years are available on each pathway page. What is a catalog year?
Featured Careers
Find your calling. Explore high-earning careers with entry-level data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Art Directors
Bachelor's degree
- Job growth: Stable
- Low salary: 61,060
- High salary: 211,410
- Average salary: 111040
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary
Master's degree, Doctoral degree
- Job growth: Stable
- Low salary: 47,040
- High salary: 194,530
- Average salary: 80190
- Job growth:
- Low salary:
- High salary:
- Average salary:
All Careers in Graphics (7)
| Art Directors | Bachelor's degree | Stable | 111,040 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | Bachelor's degree, Some college | Stable | 99,800 |
| Video Game Designers | Bachelor's degree, High school diploma/GED | Rising | 98,090 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | - n/a | Rising | 98,090 |
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | Master's degree, Doctoral degree | Stable | 80,190 |
| Graphic Designers | Bachelor's degree, High school diploma/GED | Stable | 61,300 |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | - n/a | - n/a |
Program Pathways Mapper incorporates information from O*NET Web Services by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Learning Outcomes
Learning outcomes help you work towards your educational goals.
- Define and apply visual elements and principles of design.
- Demonstrate an understanding of digital color space and basic color theory.
- Demonstrate the use of industry standard computer software employed in Graphic Design and Graphic Communication.
- Design and prepare professional graphic design work.
- Evaluate and analyze graphic design and visual communication work.