We live in an age when images are conceived, transmitted and consumed at an unprecedented rate. The skills from a wide range of disciplines are blended together as individuals and companies find their own unique way to meet the demands of a rapidly expanding communications industry.
To better address the needs of students, the Kansas City Art Institute has designed a stand-alone certificate combining graphic design and digital imaging. Whether you're new to the idea of creating communications for your company, are looking to create imagery for personal use or are a developing graphic designer, this certificate program will help you acquire and hone the necessary skills to be effective.
The tremendous growth of the Internet has created an explosion of Web pages –– both business and personal. With the race to take advantage of the limitless possibilities of the Web, there is an increased demand for persons skilled in designing, developing, and maintaining Web pages.
General guidelines
Schedule
Registration and tuition
Financial aid
Required classes
Electives
Lifetime learning tax credit
Privileges
Computer facilities
Complete the online application.
Students should be proficient with the Macintosh operating systems, standard menus and commands, opening, closing and saving files.
Certificate students are expected to attend classes, complete in-class assignments and take examinations. The certificate in Graphic Design consists of 10 required courses and two elective courses, each conferring one undergraduate credit. All certificate students may request a transcript.
Credits from other institutions and from previous semesters at KCAI will not transfer to the certificate program. If the student has taken the equivalent of some required courses, approval to substitute more challenging courses may be obtained from the director of the School for Continuing and Professional Studies.
Documentation supporting the experience or a portfolio of work should be submitted to the continuing education office prior to enrolling in classes for which you are submitting skill evidence.
Certificate program courses are open to all students. Anyone interested in taking these courses for professional growth or personal development is welcome. However, since courses are limited to a small number of students, priority is given to enrolled certificate students.
A certificate is issued if the following conditions are fulfilled: Program requirements are completed with a grade of C or better in each course within a recommended two-year period, and the student makes a written request to the Continuing and Professional Studies office for the certificate.
Master schedule for certificate programs for 2012
2012 certificate program courses: sessions 1-5
Since class sizes are limited to a small number, students are strongly encouraged to register for new classes as soon as registration begins to ensure a place in the course of their choice. Students can obtain a course catalog by e-mailing the Continuing and Professional Studies department at rkartman@kcai.edu.
Courses may fill early and therefore close before the registration period ends. Conversely, a course may be canceled due to lack of enrollment, and inquiries for the course often come after the cancellation; timely registration helps keep a chosen class open.
Beginning students must complete the certificate program application (fill out the application online), submit a one-time, non-refundable $25 application fee and proof of high school diploma or its equivalent. An official transcript should be sent to: Continuing and Professional Studies, KCAI, 4415 Warwick Blvd., KCMO 64111.
Subsequent enrollment in each class requires a completed registration form (enroll online), as well as payment of all fees, before a student can attend class. The tuition for each eight-week course is $400 + $25 lab fee for a total of $425 per course. The total program cost is $5,100 and is not eligible for financial aid. Private lenders are available who support continuing education programs.
Finanical aid for the certificate programs is currently unavailable. However, the School for Continuing and Professional Studies does accept the following sources for tuition payments:
Department of Secondary Education
Tuition reimbursements may also be available through your employer. Consult your human resources/benefits department or supervisor to find out more.
If you have another source to pay the tuition that is not listed above, contact Ruth Kartman at rkartman@kcai.edu.
(one-time three-hour workshop required of all new students. This workshop does not count toward your twelve courses required for the certificate.)
This workshop will introduce you to the Mac computing environment and the latest operating system. You will learn how to access, organize and save your files using the campus’ networked servers. You also will learn how to personalize your home system and troubleshoot basic problems. Discover the ease of file management and learn to keep your files under control, as well as how to add printers, access server share, and locate and access wireless networks.
The focus of this course is the demystification of the design process, presenting the principles of 2D design as a rational series of prescribed steps and emphasizing how those principles apply to all design and art disciplines. Introduction to the theory and use of composition as it relates to visual problem solving will be explored through lecture, studio instruction, critiques and weekly projects.
Some fundamental principles explored will include line, proportion, figure/ground, perspective and a high level look at the role of Gestalt’s influence on how we interpret and apply design.
This is an essential course for anyone pursuing or currently working in any art or design field who must communicate effectively with color. Confidence and skill are developed through weekly color-mixing exercises and homework projects using acrylic paints. Through lecture, demonstration, critique, and practical application, you investigate color theory, historical color comparison, color in our environment and masterpiece images analyzing their use of color and tone. Lectures include the use of color as a marketing tool and an understanding of the rich vocabulary in color. Fundamental principles explored will include tone, value, contrast, and the subtle application of color as an element of composition/design.
Primary Software: Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign
You will now be introduced to professional and desktop publishing, design and digital imaging. Learn how to create your own page layout files using type and images that you have scanned, manipulated or created. This complete, hands-on course begins with Illustrator, for drawing and type manipulation; continues with Photoshop, for image creation and editing; and concludes with InDesign, one of the prominent layout applications in the design field.
Primary Software: InDesign, Illustrator
A hands-on introduction to typography using InDesign and Illustrator, you will learn how graphic designers utilize type to create printed pieces as well as develop skills in the basics of typography. Explore how type, positioning, size and color, along with other design elements, affect the communication of your layouts. Learn how type is measured, aligned, scaled, punctuated and composed for a professional composition. You also will be introduced to master and contemporary typographers from the field of design.
Primary Software: Illustrator
Prerequisites: Computer Drawing Software I before II, Desktop Publishing & Digital Imaging and Typography
These courses are a comprehensive overview of the leading professional vector-based drawing program, Adobe Illustrator. In Computer Drawing Software I you will gain experience working in the program environment including insight into the various tool palettes, document settings, export formats, drawing and type manipulation. You will gain practical drawing and image creating experience for use in projects such as illustration, print and multimedia. In class technical demonstrations will accompany each assignment.
Computer Drawing Software II will assist you in gaining experience and confidence creatively and technically in this continuing study of Adobe Illustrator. We will explore advanced image making techniques such as compound shapes, creating custom brushes, graphic styles and patterns. You learn how Illustrator works with other software applications such as Flash, Photoshop and InDesign. This course is focused on creative solutions using Illustrator that will give you project experience that is typical in today’s work environments.
Primary Software: Photoshop
Prerequisites: Digital Imaging I before II, Desktop Publishing & Digital Imaging, Typography
A two part, in-depth introduction to the most popular raster-based image editing and painting software program used by desktop publishing and digital imaging professionals. You will be required to complete assignments designed to develop your artistic work in tandem with your use of digital tools. Topics include understanding the different tool palettes, image scanning (importing and exporting), image manipulation and correction and composition techniques emphasizing creative practice. You also will learn to take advantage of file organization techniques through the use of layer sets. Understanding the different file types (jpg, gif, bmp, etc.) and how they interact with other programs also will be explored.
In Digital Imaging II you will explore professional approaches to compositing, retouching, image correction and masking. Brushes, lighting, textures and special effects are explored as creative ways of producing high-impact images.
Primary Software: Photoshop
Prerequisites: Digital Imaging I and II
This course is an advanced investigation of raster-based image editing techniques used by desktop publishing and digital imaging professionals. Topics include color theory, advanced scanning and image manipulation techniques and output issues.
Primary Software: InDesign
Prerequisites: Desktop Publishing & Digital Imaging, Typography, Computer Drawing Software I and Digital Imaging I
The final course of the Desktop Publishing certificate program, this class is an introduction to the leading page layout program used by desktop publishing professionals. Topics include tool palettes, text formatting, image placement and output issues.
As a graphic designer, it is important to be able to envision yourself and your work in the context of history. This class will examine the history of graphic design through lectures on design history, pioneering designers and significant art history movements. In addition, we will learn about the relationship of graphic design to the culture and society of the times.
Refer to KCAI’s current continuing education catalog for drawing classes. Any drawing class that meets three hours at a time and is at least eight weeks in length will qualify as an elective in your certificate program completion.
Primary Software: Flash
Prerequisite: Digital Imaging I and II
With a focus on the design aspects of developing websites and interactive media, this course explores the various phases of the design process in a professional environment. Topics include assessing client and user needs, flowcharting, storyboarding, preparing mock-ups and demos and production issues.
Primary Software: Flash
Prerequisite: Digital Imaging I and II; knowledge of Illustrator or Freehand recommended.
Explore Flash’s versatility in regard to animation. This class will expose you to creating images and animating them in Flash, as well as importing external resources to build and animate such as drawings, digital images and video. Learn the power and flexibility of vector animation as you learn how to build compelling motion graphics that can be used for the Web, CD-ROM and video.
The term “portfolio” is used here in the larger sense to include the whole process, from documentation to completion of a finished document. This class will explore the portfolio as a personal design problem, understanding that your portfolio is the doorway to the professional world and reflects the designer as an extension of yourself (an extension of your own brand). Documentation, materials and form studies will be the departure points for investigating possible portfolio designs that meet the individuals’ needs.
Some fundamental principles explored will include tailoring a portfolio to speak to different audiences, establishing a hierarchy of content, using economy of information to avoid appearing scattered or unorganized, and the application of color, text and imagery as elements to guide the viewer/user down desired paths.
This tax credit applies to tuition and fees for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education course work. Students may be able to claim this credit if enrolled at or attending an eligible educational institution. The Kansas City Art Institute is an eligible institution. Amounts paid for any course that helps the student acquire or improve job skills are qualified expenses. In order to qualify for the lifetime learning credit, you must provide your legal name and social security number. Check with a tax professional to insure your eligibility for this tax credit.
Students enrolled in the certificate program have full KCAI library privileges as well as access to KCAI student services, internships, the college’s Career Services resources and an e-mail address through the Kansas City Art Institute.
Kansas City Art Institute’s computer centers are strategically located in two locations.
The North campus is located in Riverside, Mo., just five minutes north of downtown, at 1801 N.W. Platte Road, Suite #275.
Each lab is equipped with iMacs running current software applications. Scanners are capable of scanning all forms of two-dimensional media. All classes are hands-on with one student per computer. Additionally, lab time is available beyond classroom time, and hours are posted each semester. However, students are encouraged to purchase a computer if they don’t already have access to one outside of class time. Instructors can lend guidance on specifications prior to purchase. Students in the certificate program are eligible for hardware and software discounts.
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