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Design

Associate in Applied Science

Two-year Degree

123 Units

Renowned by design professionals, Seattle Central College's Design program focuses not only on fundamental design skills, but it also integrates emerging technologies and keeps students current by continually evolving and responding to industry needs and standards. While enrolled, you will train in one of the most advanced creative arts facilities in the state that features integrated classes and shared resources, plus studios and labs that simulate real-world, professional environments. What’s more, the faculty incorporates the equipment and workflow of professional design studios into the curriculum. 

Get Started

College Application Steps

Visit our Enroll Now page to learn more about how to apply (the application is always free).

Additional Program Specific Steps

Design is a two-year, lockstep program that leads to an Associate of Applied Science Degree and a strong employment outlook. It focuses not only on fundamental design skills, but it also integrates emerging technologies and keeps students current by continually evolving and responding to industry needs and standards.

Entry into the program is competitive. New students are only admitted for Fall Quarter, which ensures the development of a tight cohort for the duration of the program.

Steps to Enroll

  1. Attend a Design Information Session or contact the department for more information (strongly recommended).
  2. Complete the 5-Step Enrollment Process for Seattle Central College, which includes submitting an application and placement for classes (testing and/or transcript evaluation). Acceptance to Seattle Central College does not guarantee entrance into the Visual Media program. To ensure the application process to the Visual Media program is complete, you must follow all the steps below.
  3. Meet with an Advisor to evaluate your eligibility, issue the proper form and open a file with the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences office.
  4. Students wishing to enter the program must submit an entrance portfolio that will be evaluated by faculty members in the Visual Media program.
  5. Once your entrance portfolio has been approved, you have completed the application process for the Visual Media program. Your name will be added to the list at the next update. 

Skill Requirements / Portfolio Review

Students wishing to enter this program must also submit an entrance portfolio that will be evaluated by faculty members in the Design program. Students are not eligible to enter the program until their portfolio has been approved.

Fall 26 Portfolio Submission Guidelines (PDF)

Once your entrance portfolio has been approved you have completed the application process to the Design Program. Your name will be added to the list at the next update.

Building Your Entrance Portfolio (PDF)

Portfolio Submission dates for Fall 2026

‍You may turn in your portfolio at any time during these weeks:

  • Winter 2026: February 16 to 20, 2026
  • Spring 2026: May 18 to 22, 2026
  • Summer 2026: July 27 to 31, 2026

Please email your portfolio to design.central@seattlecolleges.edu as PDF file with a maximum size of 20MB.

Important Notes

Open House
We strongly recommend that you attend an Open House about this program at your earliest convenience. Open House is scheduled at the beginning of each quarter from 5:30 to 6:30 pm on the fifth floor of the main building. You may drop in anytime, and no RSVP is required.

  • Fall 2025 – October 23rd
  • Winter 2026 – January 28th
  • Spring 2026 – April 30th

Enrollment and Registration 
Prospective students on the Approved List will be contacted by e-mail late in Spring Quarter. The program will be filled in the order applicants were placed on the Approved List. If the program reaches capacity before we are able to offer you a position, you will be invited to declare your wish to remain available to fill any late openings or defer to the following year.

Deferral
Students on the Approved List may defer entry by one year with an email request to the Division Office. This can be done only one time, at that time no further process will be necessary.

For more information, please visit Seattle Central Creative Academy program website.

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College Tuition

Learn more about the tuition and fees to attend college.

Save money at Central. Tuition and fees at a two-year college are significantly lower than a four-year college or university.

Financial Aid

It's time to apply for Financial Aid for next year by completing either the FAFSA or the WASFA.

Need help paying for college?

To apply for financial aid, including grants and scholarships you don’t have to pay back, visit our Paying for College page for details. Part-time and full-time students can qualify for financial aid funds.

Workforce Funding

This academic plan may be eligible for additional funding through Workforce Education. Students in this program may be eligible for:

  • Basic Food Employment And Training
  • Work First
  • Worker Retraining

This is a cohort-based program and typically begins in fall quarter.

Program Information

The Design pathway can lead to various career opportunities.

Examples include:

Career titles and data are supplied by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For current employment and wage estimates, please visit O*NET OnLine.

A Bachelor's degree or higher may be required for some careers listed above.

This degree is for students focused on learning a skill or technology for immediate employment.

Few courses in the Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree programs will transfer to four-year colleges or universities. Students interested in further education should consider the Associate in Applied Sciences-Transfer (AAS-T) degree. Consult a program advisor or transfer institution concerning course transferability prior to enrollment.

123 Units

Technical Specialty Courses

Complete 31 courses. 2.0 minimum grade required.

Click course row to read description.
Course Course Title Units
NME 110 New Media I 6
NME 120 New Media II 6
NME 130 New Media III 6
DES 110 History of Graphic Design 3
DES 121 Typography I 3
DES 122 Typography II 3
DES 131 Graphic Design I 3
DES 132 Graphic Design II 3
DES 145 Graphic Production I 3
DES 146 Graphic Production II 3
DES 147 Graphic Production III 3
DES 151 Interactive I 3
DES 152 Interactive II 3
DES 153 Interactive III 3
DES 160 Design Thinking and Storytelling for Design 3
DES 197 Work Experience-Graphic Design 3
DES 231 Graphic Design IV 4
DES 232 Graphic Design V 4
DES 233 Graphic Design VI 4
DES 234 Graphic Design VII 4
DES 235 Graphic Design VIII 4
DES 236 Graphic Design IX 4
DES 250 Interactive I 4
DES 251 Interactive IV 4
DES 252 Interactive V 4
DES 253 Interactive VI 4
DES 254 4
DES 260 Portfolio PREP 4
DES 270 Environmental Graphics I 4
DES 280 Special Projects I 4
DES 281 Special Projects II 4
DES 282 Special Projects III 4

Units

The sample schedule and quarterly to-do list below will help you explore courses and complete tasks on time. The sample schedule assumes a fall quarter start. Please work with your advisor to create a customized education plan that meets your goals.

Before you begin:

Quarter 1, 18 Units

Click course row to read description.
Course Course Title Units
NME 110 New Media I 6
DES 110 History of Graphic Design 3
DES 131 Graphic Design I 3
DES 145 Graphic Production I 3
DES 151 Interactive I 3

Quarter 2, 18 Units

Click course row to read description.
Course Course Title Units
NME 120 New Media II 6
DES 121 Typography I 3
DES 132 Graphic Design II 3
DES 145 Graphic Production I 3
DES 152 Interactive II 3

Quarter 3, 18 Units

Click course row to read description.
Course Course Title Units
NME 130 New Media III 6
DES 122 Typography II 3
DES 147 Graphic Production III 3
DES 153 Interactive III 3
DES 160 Design Thinking and Storytelling for Design 3

Quarter 4, 20 Units

Click course row to read description.
Course Course Title Units
DES 231 Graphic Design IV 4
DES 232 Graphic Design V 4
DES 251 Interactive IV 4
DES 252 Interactive V 4
DES 280 Special Projects I 4

Quarter 5, 20 Units

Click course row to read description.
Course Course Title Units
DES 233 Graphic Design VI 4
DES 234 Graphic Design VII 4
DES 250 Interactive I 4
DES 270 Environmental Graphics I 4
DES 281 Special Projects II 4

Quarter 6, 27 Units

Click course row to read description.
Course Course Title Units
DES 197 Work Experience-Graphic Design 3
DES 235 Graphic Design VIII 4
DES 236 Graphic Design IX 4
DES 253 Interactive VI 4
DES 260 Portfolio PREP 4
DES 280 Special Projects I 4
DES 282 Special Projects III 4

[We need these posted to comply with Guided Pathways requirements]

Graduates of the Graphic Design program get to work when they leave us. We concentrate on skills for immediate entry into the job market. Our curriculum is strong on graphic design fundamentals, yet explores and adapts to emerging communication technologies. We pride ourselves in keeping our curriculum current with changes and developments on an annual basis.

Conceptual design and technical skill combine to produce a competitive portfolio. Instructors with industry experience lead students in consecutive integrated tracks of print design and interaction design, which includes but is not limited to, Web Design, UI/UX, Mobile Apps, and Motion. Problem solving, strategy development, and powerful use of typography and visuals achieve our communication solutions. Classes are organized in collegial work groups mirroring a professional studio environment. Design theory and practice, along with production using current computer software, prepare students for a graphic design career in print and interactive media.

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[This field is open-text and can be customized to department needs or removed]

[This field is open-text and can be customized to department needs or removed]

Program data from ctcLink:

  • Academic Plan: CAAGDAPT
  • Degree: AAS
  • Plan Transcript Description: Associate in Applied Science - Design
  • Academic Plan Currently Offered: Yes
  • Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP): 50.0402

Faculty and Staff

Marc Salverda Design Faculty

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