Graphic Design Pathway
DIGITAL ART 1
DIGITAL ART 1![]()
DIGITAL ART 1
Digital Art 1 / Design Production is the first course in the Valley High School Digital Communications / Graphic Arts Pathway. It is designed to empower students to discover their creative abilities and explore and increase their creative confidence. Students will gain an understanding of processes and systems common to careers in Graphic Design, Advertising, Illustration, and more.
Students will:
Students will:
- Be introduced to the field of graphic design and illustration and learn industry standard software: Adobe Illustrator (semester 1) and Adobe Photoshop (semester 2) as the primary tools, and Adobe Spark for presentations
- Learn the elements and principles of design, color theory, and typography
and how to put everything together to create successful design projects of their own - Learn file management and best practices for digital workflows
- Learn to critique their own work and the work of others
- Learn collaboration and presentation skills to produce and present strong design solutions within a team/group environment
- Attend inspiring virtual creative conference lectures
- Review the work of professional designers currently working in the design industry as well as influential designers throughout the past 50 years of design history
- Learn about career opportunities within the field of graphic design
DIGITAL ART 2
DIGITAL ART 2![]()
DIGITAL ART 2
Digital Art / Graphic Design 2 is the second course in the Valley High School Digital Communications / Graphic Arts Pathway. It is an intermediate graphic design course that builds upon skills learned in Digital Art 1. Students will expand their understanding of processes and systems common to careers in Graphic Design, Advertising, Illustration, and more.
Client experience is introduced via students-lead client-based projects for
campus programs such as athletics, VAPA, student events/activities, etc.
This class partners with the Business Pathway students to design a comprehensive
project together in small teams, which mirror real world design agency / client relationships.
Students will:
Client experience is introduced via students-lead client-based projects for
campus programs such as athletics, VAPA, student events/activities, etc.
This class partners with the Business Pathway students to design a comprehensive
project together in small teams, which mirror real world design agency / client relationships.
Students will:
- Build more advanced skills in Adobe Illustrator (semester 1) and Adobe Photoshop (semester 2), learn Adobe InDesign, Adobe Portfolio, and Adobe Fresco, and continue using
- Adobe Spark for presentations.
- Review the elements and principles of design, color theory, and typography and continue to use these concepts in more advanced projects of their own
- Continue executing file management skills and best practices for digital workflows
- Further develop critique, collaboration, and presentation skills in a solo and team environments
- Begin building an online portfolio of work completed through the 2 years in the pathway
- Attend inspiring virtual creative conference lectures
- Review the work of professional designers currently working in the design industry as well as influential designers throughout the past 50 years of design history
- Learn about career opportunities within the field of graphic design
ADVANCED GRAPHICS
ADVANCED GRAPHICS![]()
ADVANCED GRAPHICS
Advanced Graphic Communications is the third and final course in the Valley High School Digital Communications / Graphic Arts Pathway. It is designed to provide students with an advanced understanding of processes and systems common to careers in Graphic Design, Advertising, Illustration, and more.
This studio style class incorporates on campus, local business, and community client driven projects, which calls for students to think analytically and problem solve for real world projects.
Emphasis is placed on continuing to strengthen design concepts, effective design composition, professional client communication, evaluation of design (your work and others) for audience, meaning and effectiveness, and continuing to develop a professional portfolio to showcase their continued learning.
Students will have the opportunity to develop self-lead independent projects, leadership skills, visit local industry vendors and design studios, and attend virtual design conferences or workshops to further fuel the growth and interest of a possible career in the Design Industry.
Students will:
This studio style class incorporates on campus, local business, and community client driven projects, which calls for students to think analytically and problem solve for real world projects.
Emphasis is placed on continuing to strengthen design concepts, effective design composition, professional client communication, evaluation of design (your work and others) for audience, meaning and effectiveness, and continuing to develop a professional portfolio to showcase their continued learning.
Students will have the opportunity to develop self-lead independent projects, leadership skills, visit local industry vendors and design studios, and attend virtual design conferences or workshops to further fuel the growth and interest of a possible career in the Design Industry.
Students will:
- Build more advanced skills in Adobe Illustrator (semester 1) and Adobe Photoshop (semester 2), learn Adobe InDesign, Adobe Portfolio, and Adobe Fresco, and continue using Adobe Spark for presentations.
- Master the elements and principles of design, color theory, and typography and continue to use these concepts in more advanced, independent projects of their own
- Master file management skills and best practices for digital workflows
- Further develop critique, collaboration, and presentation skills in a solo and team environments
- Begin building an online portfolio of work completed through the previous 2 years in the pathway and add all advanced projects to their portfolio site
- Attend inspiring virtual creative conference lectures
- Review the work of professional designers currently working in the design industry as well as influential designers throughout the past 50 years of design history
- Learn about career opportunities within the field of graphic design
