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Program Guide

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GRAPHIC ARTS TECHNOLOGY 1101
Printing Methods and Processes

3 credit hours
Basic principles, materials and equipment used in the major printing processes, as well as beginning skills in digital prepress publishing and offset print production techniques. Emphasis is placed on page layout software, typography, scanning line art and continuous tone images, file formats, direct-to-plate output, press operation and bindery techniques. (1 lecture hour, 5 lab hours)


GRAPHIC ARTS TECHNOLOGY 1102
Introduction to Graphic Publishing Applications

3 credit hours
This course provides the basic skills necessary to utilize the three main publishing software applications: QuarkXPress, Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop. Students are instructed on the fundamentals of the Macintosh operating system, as well as basic document setup, creation and printing. Typography, scanning and color correction are also included. This foundations course allows for future study of the individual software programs used in the graphic, imaging and publishing industries. (1 lecture hour, 5 lab hours)


GRAPHIC ARTS TECHNOLOGY 1103
Press Operation

3 credit hours
Operation and maintenance of a variety of small- and medium-sized offset presses combining the study of safety, maintenance, feeders, register systems, deliveries, dampening units and inking systems. This hands-on course prepares print production students to interpret the relationships between color and registration techniques as they relate to the press. Color proofing and print progressives are prepared, along with multicolor projects for portfolio pieces. Prerequisite: Graphic Arts Technology 1101 or consent of instructor (1 lecture hour, 5 lab hours)


GRAPHIC ARTS TECHNOLOGY 1104
Binding and Finishing

2 credit hours
An overview of the basic binding and finishing techniques used in the printing industry. Techniques for paper handling and imposition, folding, trimming, stitching, binding methods, and many finishing processes are discussed. Lecture, demonstration and industry tours. Prerequisite: Graphic Arts Technology 1101 or consent of instructor (2 lecture hours)


GRAPHIC ARTS TECHNOLOGY 1160
Color Reproduction Techniques

3 credit hours
This course examines the fundamentals of color theory, measurement, color management, color psychology and proofing systems using manipulation software. Students explore digital and conventional printing, demonstrate file preparation for color, use various output systems, paper specifications and digital workflow for successful color control. Prerequisites: Graphic Arts Technology 1101 and 1102 or consent of instructor (1 lecture hour, 4 lab hours)


GRAPHIC ARTS TECHNOLOGY 1183
Digital Page Layout: QuarkXPress

3 credit hours
This course provides the basic skills necessary to utilize QuarkXPress page layout software on a Macintosh operating system for digital prepress production. Master pages, templates, style sheets, typographic controls, color separation, multi-page document construction and graphic importing are included. Prerequisites: Graphic Arts Technology 1101, 1102 and general keyboarding skills or consent of instructor (1 lecture hour, 5 lab hours)


GRAPHIC ARTS TECHNOLOGY 1185
Digital Page Layout: Adobe InDesign

3 credit hours
This course provides the basic skills necessary to utilize Adobe InDesign software on a Macintosh operating system for digital prepress production. Drawing tools, templates, gradient construction, style sheets, typographic controls, layers, color separations, pdfs and graphic importing are included. Prerequisite: Graphic Arts Technology 1102 or equivalent, and general keyboarding skills or consent of instructor (1 lecture hour, 5 lab hours)


GRAPHIC ARTS TECHNOLOGY 1186
Production Illustration: Adobe Illustrator

3 credit hours
This course provides the basic skills necessary to utilize Adobe Illustrator software on a Macintosh operating system to produce vector graphics for digital prepress production. Trapping and color separation are included. Prerequisite: Graphic Arts Technology 1102 or consent of instructor. Course requires Reading Placement Test Score-Category One. (1 lecture hour, 5 lab hours)


GRAPHIC ARTS TECHNOLOGY 2201
Advanced Press Operation

4 credit hours
Advanced operation and maintenance of sheetfed offset presses and duplicators. Techniques of printing multicolor jobs and registration requirements for production are utilized. The relationship of rollers, ink, chemicals, blankets and the dampening system to produce quality offset printing will be examined. Prerequisites: Graphic Arts Technology 1103 and 1160 or consent of instructor. Course requires Reading Placement Test Score-Category One. (2 lecture hours, 5 lab hours)


GRAPHIC ARTS TECHNOLOGY 2220
Digital Workflow and Preflight

2 credit hours
This course explores the many facets of digital prepress production focusing on preflight software, fonts, text and graphic requirements. Students learn to recognize problem files using manual techniques and preflight software, and understand digital workflow, files analysis and repair. Adobe Acrobat software is used for prepress production, proofing and PDF document creation for the print and publishing industry. Troubleshooting file formats for digital output and workflow management are addressed. Prerequisite: Graphic Arts Technology 1101, 1102, 1160 and 1183 or consent of instructor. Course requires Reading Placement Test Score-Category One. (1 lecture hour, 2 lab hours)


GRAPHIC ARTS TECHNOLOGY 2230
Graphic Arts Business Practices

3 credit hours
The course examines planning, organization, inventory control, business ethics, problem solving and motivation as they relate to managing print and publishing companies. Instruction will include interpreting specifications, computerized pricing for profit margin, preparing electronic quotations, trade, OSHA, copyright law, and extensive cost analysis using estimating software. Prerequisites: Graphic Arts Technology 1101, 1102 and 1160, or consent of instructor. Course requires Reading Placement Test Score-Category One. (1 lecture hour, 5 lab hours)


GRAPHIC ARTS TECHNOLOGY 2240
Advanced Digital Page Layout: QuarkXPress

3 credit hours
This course provides the advanced skills necessary to utilize QuarkXPress page layout software on the Macintosh operating system for color digital prepress production. Advanced typographic and image controls, in-line graphics, tables, rules, complex multi-page document construction and file exporting are included. Prerequisite: Graphic Arts Technology 1183 and general keyboarding skills or consent of instructor. Course requires Reading Placement Test Score-Category One. (1 lecture hour, 5 lab hours)


GRAPHIC ARTS TECHNOLOGY 2245
Digital Prepress Imaging: Adobe Photoshop

3 credit hours
Creation and preparation of grayscale and full-color images for print, including color correction and compositing of images using Adobe Photoshop. Scanning of line art and continuous tone photographs is explored. Students create print-ready halftones, duotones and images to be utilized for classroom projects, following industry standards and guidelines for print production. Prerequisites: Graphic Arts Technology 1101, 1102 and 1160 or consent of instructor. Course requires Reading Placement Test Score-Category One. (1 lecture hour, 5 lab hours)


GRAPHIC ARTS TECHNOLOGY 2254
Advanced Digital Imaging: Adobe Photoshop

3 credit hours
This course explores advanced production techniques using Adobe Photoshop for the production of images for print. Production techniques used in industry applications are featured. Color correction, image manipulation and image enhancement tips and techniques are utilized to create files used in the graphic, imaging and publishing industries. Prerequisite: Graphic Arts Technology 2245 or consent of instructor. Course requires Reading Placement Test Score-Category One. (1 lecture hour, 5 lab hours)


GRAPHIC ARTS TECHNOLOGY 2265
Web Publishing

3 credit hours
Course explores planning, creation and implementation of basic web construction techniques to create a functional web site. Site mapping, interface production and site creation are covered. Construction of a site utilizing web-page editing software to produce templates, library items, tables, layers, frames, forms and HTML and CSS styles sheets. Creating, processing and optimizing graphics are stressed. Prerequisites: Graphic Arts Technology 1183 and 2245 or consent of instructor. Course requires Reading Placement Test Score-Category One. (1 lecture hour, 5 lab hours)


GRAPHIC ARTS TECHNOLOGY 2266
Advanced Web Publishing

3 credit hours
Advanced techniques in web-page production. Producing and integrating additional media for web pages. Emphasis is placed on file organization and use of software to create basic and visual graphic media. Prerequisite: Graphic Arts Technology 2265 or consent of instructor. Course requires Reading Placement Test Score-Category One. (1 lecture hour, 5 lab hours)


GRAPHIC ARTS TECHNOLOGY 2270
Advanced Production Illustration: Adobe Illustrator

3 credit hours
This course provides the advanced production skills necessary to utilize Adobe Illustrator software and other graphic resources on a Macintosh operating system to produce complex vector graphics for color digital prepress production. Prerequisites: Graphic Arts Technology 1186 and 2245 or consent of instructor. Course requires Reading Placement Test Score-Category One. (1 lecture hour, 5 lab hours)


GRAPHIC ARTS TECHNOLOGY 2275
Capstone: Print Production

4 credit hours
A capstone course covering the principles and practical applications of production skills learned in previous courses including troubleshooting, interviewing skills, product specifications and problem solving associated with multi-member work groups. Prerequisites: Graphic Arts Technology 2201, 2220 and 2230 or consent of instructor (1 lecture hour, 6 lab hours)


GRAPHIC ARTS TECHNOLOGY 2280
Capstone: Digital Prepress Production

3 credit hours
Capstone course of the Desktop Prepress Program assesses student competencies through problem-solving activities of the graphic arts industry. Students focus on skill reinforcement and portfolio development. Permit required. Prerequisites: Graphic Arts Technology 1101, 1102, 1103, 1160, 1186, 2240 and 2245 or consent of instructor. Course requires Reading Placement Test Score-Category One. (1 lecture hour, 5 lab hours)


GRAPHIC ARTS TECHNOLOGY 2285
Advanced Digital Page Layout: Adobe InDesign

3 credit hours
Develops the advanced skills necessary to utilize Adobe InDesign software on a Macintosh operating system for digital prepress production. Advanced typographic and image controls, in-line graphics, tables, rules, complex multi-page document construction, and file exporting are included. Prerequisite: Graphic Arts Technology 1185 with a grade of “D” or better, or equivalent and consent of instructor. Course requires Reading Placement Test Score-Category One. (1 lecture hour, 5 lab hours)


GRAPHIC ARTS TECHNOLOGY 2820
Advanced Selected Topics I

3 credit hours
Advanced exploration and analysis of selected topics with a specific theme indicated by course title listed in Class Schedule. May be taken three times for credit as long as different topics are selected. Prerequisite: At least one course in the discipline or consent of instructor. Course requires Reading Placement Test Score-Category One. (3 lecture hours)


GRAPHIC ARTS TECHNOLOGY 2821
Advanced Selected Topics II

3 credit hours
Advanced exploration and analysis of selected topics with a specific theme indicated by course title listed in college Class Schedule. May be taken three times for credit as long as different topics are selected. Prerequisite: At least one course in the discipline or consent of instructor. Course requires Reading Placement Test Score-Category One. (2 lecture hours, 2 lab hours)



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