Graphic Design Classes in Berkeley Summer Berkeley

Graphic design shapes the visual and social culture. The fundamentals of graphic design—exciting ideas, effective communication and historical context—are essential to everyone working in the field.

The Professional Program in Graphic Design offers a study of timeless design principles, accompanied by an appreciation of historical and current design trends. Learn from industry professionals to build a comprehensive portfolio and advance in the field.

Frequently Asked Questions for Graphic Design

Ivan Trujillo
Program Director

Program Benefits

• Learn By Doing:

  Gain hands-on experience through a studio-style format that prioritizes collaborative and cooperative discussion for a more active learning environment. Work on projects to practice and gain design skills.

• Focus On Key Job Skills:

  Dive into stunning and functional graphic design concepts, processes and practices. Gain deep knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud programs such as Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign. Put new skills on your résumé such as creating web and mobile graphics, editing photos, designing multi-page layouts, and utilizing typefaces and fonts.

• Be Inspired By Innovative Professionals:

  Hear from practicing instructors and guest speakers, and attend design panels and events such as San Francisco Design Week and AIGA, the professional association for design.

• Employ Real-World Applications:

  Design seamless ad campaigns, websites, magazines, children's books, logos, infographics, social media ads and motion design. Create user-friendly, functional graphics that spark your professional interest.

• Gain Coding Skills:

  Become a graphic designer by applying HTML5 and CSS3 coding skills to create websites that align to the highest standards.

• Start Or Advance Your Career:

  Put together an online design portfolio that showcases your high-quality projects. Be ready for a rewarding career as a graphic designer, visual designer, brand designer, publication designer, package designer, motion designer or website designer.

• Flexible Course Schedule:

  Evening and weekend class offerings allow you to continue working while you study.

• Pay As You Go:

  Pay course fees for the classes you enroll in for the upcoming semester.

There are no prerequisites for the Professional Program in Graphic Design, but a bachelor's degree is preferred.

The curriculum comprises 7 required courses for a total of 14 semester units (228 hours of instruction). Candidates must pay a nonrefundable program registration fee.

You must take all courses for a letter grade. To receive the Award of Completion, you must maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.5, with a grade of C or better in each course. All coursework must be completed within three years.

You can complete this program in as few as two terms. If you want to study full-time, you can take four courses during the first term and three in the second (or vice-versa). All courses are held in the evening, Monday–Thursday from 6:30–9:30 pm. Also, some courses are offered during the day on Saturdays.

By registering, you declare your intention to complete the curriculum. To register online for the Professional Program in Graphic Design, complete these two steps:

1. Submit the online registration, and complete your student account profile if you are a new student.
2. Pay the nonrefundable registration fee through your shopping cart. Please allow 3–5 business days for the registration to appear in your student account.

Each course is priced individually, and you pay the course fee at the time of enrollment. The required courses for the program have an estimated cost of $6,553 (not including course materials and courses for further advancement, or registration fee). Course fees are subject to change.

Once you have completed the program coursework, notify UC Berkeley Extension that you have completed the curriculum and request your Award of Completion. Send an email to extension-graphicdesign@berkeley.edu or call (510) 643-8916. After your records have been reviewed, verified and approved (usually within two to three weeks), your award of completion will be mailed to you.

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Frequently Asked Questions for Graphic Design

What kind of program is this?

This program comprises seven required courses (listed in the right column of this page) that develop your skills in the area of graphic design. Although not a degree program, you receive a certificate on completion of the coordinated set of courses that attests to your mastery of a targeted subject area.

How much does the Professional Program in Graphic Design cost?

You pay individually for each course as you enroll. The total cost for all seven courses is $6,770. You also must pay a $100 program registration fee. There are additional costs for materials and textbooks. Check the individual course listing for textbook and materials information.

How long does it take to complete the program?

Completion time is up to you and your availability. On a full-time basis, you could complete the program in two semesters by taking four courses in the first semester and three in the second semester. On a part-time basis, you could complete the program in less than four semesters by taking two courses in each semester. You must complete the program in a maximum of 2.5 years.

How do I enroll in courses?

Enroll through our website. Go to the course that you wish to register for, read the course description and section information, and then use the Add to Cart button and follow the on-screen instructions. You must pay for the course in full at the time you enroll.

When are our courses offered?

All of our required courses are offered in each term (Spring, Summer and Fall) with the exception of Graphic and Web Design Portfolio.

When are the information sessions?

The info sessions are listed on the right-hand column of this page (just before our course offerings). We host info sessions throughout the year in Spring (January to March), Summer (May) and Fall (August). Info session recordings are also available on our program page.

Can I take graphic design courses online through UC Berkeley Extension?

We offer this program online.

Is UC Berkeley Extension academic credit transferable?

Each institution has its own criteria for what it does or doesn't accept. You should contact the school directly and ask about its transfer criteria.

Can I take the courses in any order?

We highly recommend that you take the courses in the order they appear on our website from top to bottom. In addition, several courses have prerequisites.

• You must take InDesign before you take Typography Fundamentals.
• You must complete the other six courses before you enroll in Graphic and Web Design Portfolio.

Can I succeed in the Professional Program in Graphic Design if I have never taken a design or studio course before?

Yes! Even if you haven't been in school for a while or have never taken an art or design course, you can succeed in this program. We will teach you the fundamentals and build your skills. It is, however, even more important to take the courses in order if you don't have prior design experience.

How many courses should I take per term?

We have talked with many of our successful students about this issue. If you are working full-time, 1 to 2 courses per term is manageable. If you are not working and going to school full-time, 3 to 4 courses per term is recommended.

Are internships available?

We receive requests from companies for student interns regularly. We then forward these internship opportunities to our students via email, as well as through our social media accounts. You could also visit our Berkeley Global Career Services for more information.

When do I learn about and enroll in courses for future terms?

Normally, courses are posted on our website four to five months prior to when they begin. Also, our Art and Design department and Marketing department will send you reminders via email.

Can I transfer credit from a college or university?

No, we do not accept transfer credit from other universities or colleges.

Can I substitute courses?

Generally we do not allow you to substitute courses. Exceptions, however, can be made on a case-by-case basis, especially if you have taken a course at another institution in the last 5 years with similar number of hours and the same number of units or higher. In addition, we will study your body of work from that particular course to see if it meets UC Berkeley Extension standards. If the substitution is granted, you must still choose another course from the UX and graphic design offerings to replace the course you are opting out from. We have a list of such Related Courses of Interest on the program webpage.

Graphic Design Classes in Berkeley Summer Berkeley

Source: https://extension.berkeley.edu/public/category/courseCategoryCertificateProfile.do?method=load&certificateId=17023

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