The Graphic Design Pathway is part of Overland High School's Career and Technical Education (CTE) offerings, and take place in the Pathways at Overland building. Student will register for the CTE Pathway courses through the high school registration process.
These Graphic Design courses guide students from foundational design concepts to real-world applications, emphasizing creativity, design thinking, and problem-solving. Students learn the elements and principles of design, visual literacy, and critical thinking while exploring personal expression through projects in product design, animation, and illustration. They gain proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, collaborate on assignments, and study the ethics of intellectual property. Advanced courses focus on marketing design, advertising, client-based projects, and building a web presence, preparing students for professional opportunities in graphic design, digital media, and related fields.
Skills Developed
Through these courses, students develop technical skills in digital design software, typography, layout, and visual communication. They strengthen creativity, critical thinking, research, collaboration, and project management skills while learning to translate artistic concepts into practical solutions for real-world applications. Additionally, students gain experience in branding, advertising, web design, and portfolio development, providing a strong foundation for postsecondary study or careers in graphic design and digital media.
This class covers the creation and production of graphic design projects, emphasizing layout, typography, creative design process, problem solving, and research. Students will be pushed in the areas of creativity and craftsmanship while expanding their knowledge of the elements and principles of design. Assignments range from individual to collaborate and are built to introduce design thinking, critical discussion and personal decision-making in relation to graphic design and address the ethics of intellectual property laws. Through the study of graphic design and self-expression students will strengthen their foundation as an artist and familiarize themselves with ever-expanding 21st century career skills. Students will learn to Abode Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop.
This course is an introduction to Design as it relates to the individual student and their place in the larger world. Students will learn the basic elements of Design; its purpose, techniques, influences and its connection to past and current culture. Students will also learn visual literacy and critical thinking applied to a variety of art mediums including basic computer design. Projects will focus on product design, animation and illustration. Students will be challenged to push themselves in areas of research, creativity and craftsmanship. Through the study of both graphic design and self-expression, students will strengthen their foundation as an artist and familiarize themselves with the ever-expanding skills necessary in today’s complex culture.
Grades: 9-12
Length: 1 Semester
Credit: 0.5 Credit
Prerequisite: Graphic Design 1 with a passing grade
This course is a continuation of the exploration of Graphic Design as it relates to the students, and how they can interact with and shape the world around them. Students will continue utilizing the Elements and Principles of design in order to further their conceptual art and ideas. Students will use visual literacy and critical thinking skills to utilize their developed design skills to work on more project and theme based assignments. Students will also begin to learn about marketing design and how their projects and ideas can translate to practical use in their community and outside.
Grades: 10-12
Length: 1 Semester
Credit: 0.5 Credit
Prerequisite: Graphic Design 1 & 2 with a passing grade
Graphic Design 4 will focus on students using their skills gained in the past three Graphic Design courses in real work applications. Students will use what they have learned over the past three courses to explore how advertising, Art, and Marketing can be used together to create a product or identify for different clients they could have as a Graphic Designer. Projects will focus on designing practical items for everyday use as well as researching programs or companies. Finally, they will learn how to build an official web page so they may increase their web presence and begin practicing creating different products for clients.
Grades: 10-12
Length: 1 Year
Credit: 1 Credit
Prerequisite: Graphic Design 1, 2 & 3 with a passing grade
Related Higher Education in Colorado
Colorado Mountain College: Associate of Applied Science in Graphic Design
Colorado Mesa University: Bachelor of Fine arts in Graphic Design
Colorado State University: Bachelor of Fine arts in Graphic Design
