Art and Graphic Design

In our Art and Graphic Design program, you’ll blend artistic expression with technical skills. You’ll master fine art techniques and digital tools like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. Learn color theory, composition, and typography to create compelling artwork and designs. By the end, you’ll have a diverse portfolio ready for a career in art and design.

Our Art and Design program includes:

Foundations in Fine Art and Illustration (AAS)
Essentials of Graphic and Product Design (AAS)
Graphic Design (CC)

Fine Art and Illustration is about creative expression and visual storytelling. It allows you to bring ideas to life through various mediums like drawing, painting, and digital art. This career offers creative freedom, personal fulfillment, and opportunities for recognition in fields like galleries, publishing, and advertising.

Creative freedom to explore various artistic techniques
Opportunities for recognition in galleries, publications, or entertainment
Personal fulfillment from visual storytelling and emotional expression
A dynamic career path with room for growth and innovation
The ability to impact society through meaningful artwork

Graphic and Product Design blends creativity with practicality, allowing you to create visually engaging, user-friendly designs. You’ll shape how people interact with brands, products, and services through logos, packaging, web design, and more. This field offers diverse career opportunities, combining artistic expression with problem-solving for impactful, functional designs.

Creative freedom to design across various media and industries
Diverse career opportunities in fashion, technology, advertising, and more
Problem-solving through design to address real-world needs
Constant learning of new tools, techniques, and technologies
Future-proof career with high demand for skilled designers

Graphic Design is about creative, and detail-oriented visual communication. You’ll create compelling content like logos, websites, and advertisements, merging artistic expression with problem-solving. With growing demand across industries, this profession offers job stability, flexibility, and opportunities in fields like marketing, entertainment, and technology.

Creative expression through various design projects
Career flexibility across industries like marketing, technology, and entertainment
Increased demand for skilled designers, ensuring job stability
Opportunities to solve problems creatively through design
The ability to make an impact by communicating messages visually

What’s distinctive about our Art and Graphic Design program?

Instructors are nationally accredited artists.
It’s designed to help you build a powerful portfolio.
You can easily transfer your credits (we’ll help).
It costs one-third the rate of four-year universities and colleges and we’re here to help you capitalize on scholarships to help pay your tuition after transferring.

Art and Graphic Design Program Details

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Foundations in Fine Art and Illustration, Associate in Applied Science	In District	Out of District
Tuition and Fees	16,038	21,738
Textbooks	262	262
Miscellaneous Expenses	0	0
Total	16,300	22,000

Essentials of Graphic and Product Design, Associate in Applied Science	In District	Out of District
Tuition and Fees	16,038	21,738
Textbooks	262	262
Miscellaneous Expenses	-	-
Total	16,300	22,000

Graphic Design, Certificate of Completion	In District	Out of District
Tuition and Fees	8,225	11,125
Textbooks	75	75
Miscellaneous Expenses	-	-
Total	8,300	11,200

Please Note
*All costs listed are estimated and are subject to change at any time. Students will receive final costs at the time of course registration each semester.

Foundations in Art and Design, AAS

Creatively solve problems from concept to delivery for a visually appealing artwork
Demonstrate responsibility, self-management, prioritizing tasks, and dedication needed for a fine artist or illustrator
Utilize the elements and principles of art (balance, composition, contrast, emphasis, movement, pattern, rhythm, and unity or variety to determine if a work of art is successful
Create thumbnails, rough drafts, and storyboards to meet the needs of an artist in today’s art world.
Demonstrate the fundamental procedures in current media, techniques, and technology to create works of art to tell a story or evoke an emotion
Show professionalism and proper ethical behavior in all works of art with an understanding of copyright and fair use laws.
Organize and present a portfolio of works that gives evidence of the abilities and knowledge of a successful fine artist or illustrator.

Essentials of Graphic and Product Design (AAS)

Creatively solve problems from concept to delivery for visually appealing product
Demonstrate responsibility, self-management, prioritizing tasks, and dedication needed for a designer
Utilize the elements and principles of design (balance, composition, proportion, contrast, emphasis, movement, pattern, hierarchy, repetition, space, rhythm, and unity or variety to determine if a work of art is marketable
Create thumbnails, rough drafts, mock-ups, and storyboards to meet the needs of a designer and customer relationship and visual communication
Demonstrate the fundamental procedures in current media, techniques, and technology to create the final product
Show professionalism and proper ethical behavior in all works of art with an understanding of copyright and fair use laws.
Organize and present a portfolio of works that gives evidence of the abilities and knowledge of a successful designer.

Graphic Design, CC

Acquire foundational knowledge and skills in Art Department courses of basic design, computer-generated images, basic drawing, and illustration, and other department courses, which serve as requirements for entry-level Graphic Design or career advancement in the job market.

Develop skills in specific art studio disciplines, exploring a diversity of techniques, styles, and concepts, contributing to both an art interest, as well as toward career enrichment or opportunity outcomes.

Foundations in Art and Design & Graphic Design

State licensing or Industry Certification is not required for employment in this occupational area but it may be available and useful to strengthen a student’s application for positions. Please see a faculty member for more information about certifications.

Careers related to Foundations in Fine Art and Illustration

Explore Careers related to:

Essentials of Graphic and Product Design
Graphic Design

About Art and Graphic Design at Kirtland

John Morrison

Art Program Graduate

It’s been a lot of hard work. I was pushed and encouraged. Then I finally started to see what I could really achieve. I surprised myself, and I was hooked. Big time. I was hooked.

I’d gotten stuck in the ‘work, return home, repeat’ cycle. And, I just decided to change that and go back to school. I’m making a better life for my family, because I’m going to be happy. That’s something I will encourage for my kids too.

Scott is hands-down the best instructor that I’ve ever had. He encourages your skills and really sees your potential. Like, sees you for you, and he knows how to pull the best out of you.

I found my courage again. Allowing your work to live in the real world is scary, but I found the confidence to believe in myself.

Scott Rice

Art Program Director/Instructor

Kirtland’s Art Department is the best in northern Michigan because of the hands-on instruction we’re able to provide to our students. Our instructors are nationally known and recognized artists. This one-on-one interaction allows students to bounce creative ideas off instructors and, ultimately, develop projects and art that has never been done before.

Whether you’re looking to move directly into the art industry workforce or plan to continue your schooling to receive a BFA, we help students to put together a strong portfolio that truly highlights artistic skills and potential. Our ability to provide one-on-one instruction and our relationships with the best four year art colleges in the state definitely set students up for success, whatever their career plans and future goals may be.