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Graphic Arts
Two-Year Associate in Specialized Technology (AST) Degree Program
Available at the State College Main Campus
Available at the State College Main Campus
Take the First Step Into Your Graphic Design Career
Providing easy-to-digest visual information in a technology-heavy world, graphic artists work in a wide variety of settings - including commercial businesses, advertising agencies, graphic design firms, corporate communications departments, as well as for newspapers, magazines, and other publishing companies. At South Hills School of Business & Technology, you’ll study the history of the field, learning from the past as you become part of its ever-evolving future.
A successful GA student…
- Is self-motivated
- Is driven and creative
- Is receptive to constructive feedback
- Has a strong work ethic
Our two-year Associate in Specialized Technology (AST) Degree Program prepares you for employment in visual communication through a variety of media, including:
- Illustration
- Web
- Video
- Interactive
- Social Media
Why South Hills?
Start designing on day one.
You’ll develop your creative process, graduating with a versatile print portfolio and well-rounded website, ready to hit the ground running in your Graphic Arts career.
Small class sizes.
Keeping our student-to-faculty ratios low ensures you receive the kind of one-on-one attention and mentorship you need to succeed.
Expert instructors.
You’ll learn from working professional designers, including professional copywriters, art directors, and videographers, with experience in every facet of the field.
Real-world job insights.
A second-year internship will give you critical exposure to the current state of the industry.
Student Internship Locations
- Flyland Designs
- Centre County Gazette
- Barash Media
- DePiro Entertainment
- Pneu-Dart
A Practical Curriculum
The Graphic Arts program prepares students to:
- Apply fundamental traditions of design through concept development, color, composition, image making, typography, and verbal and written communication.
- Engage in creative problem-solving to produce effective solutions in visually communicating information about products, services, companies, or individuals.
- Create graphic design using software including Adobe® Creative Suite and website design and productivity software commonly used in the graphic arts industry.
- Create a complete print and digital portfolio that reflects the professional skills acquired through project-based curriculum and a second-year internship.
Using well-known software and resources, our faculty will train you in the fundamentals of:
- Typography
- Web design
- Logo design and corporate identity
- Packaging
- Publication design
- Advertising design
- Collateral design
- Color theory
- Other newly emerging areas
Course Highlights
- Computer Graphics
- Video Production & Editing
- Social Media and Marketing for Designers
- Advanced Web Site Design
Complete Course List
Graphic Arts Course List
Graphic Arts Course List for 2020-21
| Term | Course # | Course Name | Credits | Clock Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Term | GE183 | Business English I | 4 | 60 |
| GA116 | Color Theory | 2.5 | 36 | |
| GA133 | Electronic Design | 4 | 60 | |
| GA130 | Fundamentals of Design | 4 | 60 | |
| GA120 | Fundamentals of Drawing | 3 | 60 | |
| PD110 | Professional Development | 2 | 24 | |
| Totals: | 19.5 | 300 | ||
| Second Term | GE184 | Business English II | 4 | 60 |
| GE234 | Geometry for Design | 3 | 36 | |
| GA128 | Collateral Design | 3.5 | 60 | |
| GA124 | Introduction to Computer Graphics (Photoshop) | 4 | 60 | |
| GE213 | Oral Business Communications | 2 | 24 | |
| GA126 | Typography | 3.5 | 60 | |
| Totals: | 20 | 300 | ||
| Third Term | GA230 | Advertising Design | 3.5 | 60 |
| GE231 | Art History for the Graphic Designer | 5 | 60 | |
| GE233 | Business Writing | 3.5 | 60 | |
| GA225 | Computer Graphics - Illustrator | 4 | 60 | |
| GA121 | Graphic Design Studio I | 3.5 | 60 | |
| CP134 | Web Site Design | 4 | 60 | |
| Totals: | 23.5 | 360 | ||
| Fourth Term | GE178 | Human Relations in the Workplace | 2.5 | 36 |
| CD207 | Job Search Skills | 2 | 24 | |
| GA220 | Packaging Design | 3.5 | 60 | |
| GA217 | Concept Development | 2.5 | 36 | |
| GA222 | Publication Design | 3.5 | 60 | |
| GA235 | Social Media and Marketing for Designers | 4 | 60 | |
| IT218 | Web Site Design II | 4 | 60 | |
| Totals: | 22 | 336 | ||
| Fifth Term | GA236 | Advanced Web Site Design (Motion Graphics) | 4 | 60 |
| GA228 | Digital Pre-Press | 3.5 | 60 | |
| Elective* | 3.5 | 48 | ||
| GA219 | Graphic Design Studio II | 3.5 | 60 | |
| GA221 | Print Portfolio | 3.5 | 60 | |
| GA227 | Typography - Expressive & Experimental | 3 | 48 | |
| Totals: | 21 | 336 | ||
| *Electives | ||||
| GA231 | Digital Photography | 3.5 | 48 | |
| GA233 | Video Production and Editing | 3.5 | 48 | |
| Sixth Term | CD106 | Career Preparation | 0.5 | 10 |
| GA232 | Freelance Business Development | 2 | 21 | |
| GA234 | Graphic Arts Internship | 11 | 330 | |
| Totals: | 13.5 | 361 | ||
| GA PROGRAM TOTAL CREDITS | GA PROGRAM TOTAL HOURS | |||
| 119.5 Credits | 1,993 Clock Hours |
Meet the Faculty
Ray Liddick Jr.
Program Coordinator / Instructor
State College Main Campus
Ray's Biography
Ray Liddick Jr., the Program Coordinator for Graphic Arts, has been an Information Technology and Graphic Arts Instructor at South Hills School of Business & Technology since 2004.
Ray is a graduate of Tyler School of Art, Temple University and has had MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer) accreditation. Ray has spent decades utilizing his IT and graphic arts creativity on the job. Outside of the school, he is the Marketing Media & IT Manager at Pneu-Dart, Inc., a global manufacturer of remote drug delivery, as well as being the Creative Director/Owner of Open Door Visions.
In the classroom and on the job, Ray applies his artistic vision and IT experiences to a wide range of projects including print design, web development, project management and IT infrastructure/networking.
Ray Liddick Jr., the Program Coordinator for Graphic Arts, has been an Information Technology and Graphic Arts Instructor at South Hills School of Business & Technology since 2004.
Ray is a graduate of Tyler School of Art, Temple University and has had MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer) accreditation. Ray has spent decades utilizing his IT and graphic arts creativity on the job. Outside of the school, he is the Marketing Media & IT Manager at Pneu-Dart, Inc., a global manufacturer of remote drug delivery, as well as being the Creative Director/Owner of Open Door Visions.
In the classroom and on the job, Ray applies his artistic vision and IT experiences to a wide range of projects including print design, web development, project management and IT infrastructure/networking.
Jim Colbert
Instructor
State College Main Campus
Jim's Biography
Jim Colbert has been teaching in the South Hills Graphic Arts program since March 2008. He was formerly the Art Director at the Barash Group and has held similar positions at Murphy Communications, Graphics II and Glosser Bros./Gee Bee Corporate Advertising. He has won numerous awards through his career for his work in advertising, design, illustration and copywriting for clients including Penn State Hospitality, Nittany Bank, Altoona Hospital, Snappy's, Claster's and Benzel's.
A graduate of the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Jim currently is the principle at jimcolbertdesign.com and specializes in music- and arts-related print design and automotive illustration, as well as regularly designing advertising graphics and contributing to other marketing efforts for South Hills. Outside of school, Jim is an award-winning singer songwriter, a folk DJ, and heavily involved behind the scenes in the local and regional acoustic music scenes. He also coordinates the David Newman Gallery at Webster's Bookstore Café.
Jim's Faculty Spotlight
Jim Colbert has been teaching in the South Hills Graphic Arts program since March 2008. He was formerly the Art Director at the Barash Group and has held similar positions at Murphy Communications, Graphics II and Glosser Bros./Gee Bee Corporate Advertising. He has won numerous awards through his career for his work in advertising, design, illustration and copywriting for clients including Penn State Hospitality, Nittany Bank, Altoona Hospital, Snappy's, Claster's and Benzel's.
A graduate of the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Jim currently is the principle at jimcolbertdesign.com and specializes in music- and arts-related print design and automotive illustration, as well as regularly designing advertising graphics and contributing to other marketing efforts for South Hills. Outside of school, Jim is an award-winning singer songwriter, a folk DJ, and heavily involved behind the scenes in the local and regional acoustic music scenes. He also coordinates the David Newman Gallery at Webster's Bookstore Café.
Jim's Faculty Spotlight
Rick Gority
Instructor
State College Main Campus
Rick's Biography
Rick Gority, instructor for computer skills classes, has been teaching at South Hills School of Business & Technology since 2009.
Rick received a BA from Penn State University in Telecommunications. In conjunction with a close friend, he co-founded a web & graphic design company in 2000. Rick continued to develop his skills with hardware and networking support, which led to his career in the IT field.
When free time is available, Rick enjoys boating on Lake Raystown, brewing beer, and vacationing in the Outer Banks.
Rick Gority, instructor for computer skills classes, has been teaching at South Hills School of Business & Technology since 2009.
Rick received a BA from Penn State University in Telecommunications. In conjunction with a close friend, he co-founded a web & graphic design company in 2000. Rick continued to develop his skills with hardware and networking support, which led to his career in the IT field.
When free time is available, Rick enjoys boating on Lake Raystown, brewing beer, and vacationing in the Outer Banks.
Program Advisory Committee
State College Main Campus
| Member Name | Job Title | Company |
| Jennifer Norton | Assistant Director | Penn State Press |
| Steve Kress | Owner | Steve Kress Design |
| Chip Mock | Owner | Mock Creations |
| Jim Lukens-Gable | Art Director | Penn State Multimedia and Print Center |
| Dennis Maney | Senior Graphic Designer | Penn State College of Health and Human Development |
| Doug Irwin | Graphic Designer | Penn State Housing and Food Services |
| Tiara Snare | Senior Graphic Designer | The Barash Group |
| Mark Dello Stritto | Owner/Senior Art Director | Loaded Creative |
| Jorge Jovel | Owner | Black Sheep Media |
| Ryan Cherry | Owner/Freelancer | Grizzly Design Company |
GA Program, Student, & Alumni News
South Hills Utilizes Local Experts to Prepare Students for the Workplace
November 20, 2018
To keep the curriculums for its 11 specialized associate degree programs current and relevant to the community's workforce needs, South Hills School of Business & Technology relies on input from Program Advisory Committees that are comprised of local employers, internship site supervisors, and South Hills alumni.
Read More
South Hills School of Business & Technology’s Graphic Arts Students Hold Gallery Show
October 17, 2018
In the days leading up to receiving their degrees at South Hills School of Business & Technology's Fall Commencement, the Graphic Arts Class of 2018 held an art exhibit at the Art Alliance of Central PA to showcase their work from the past two years.
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South Hills Announces the 2018 Recipient of the Kari Schlegel Memorial Scholarship Award
March 22, 2018
Hayley Butcher, Williamsburg High School graduate and student of the Graphic Arts program at South Hills School of Business & Technology, has been awarded the 2018 Kari Schlegel Memorial Scholarship Award.
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More Than 100 Graduate From South Hills for Fall 2017
October 9, 2017
South Hills School of Business & Technology held its commencement ceremony for the fall graduating class of 2017 at The Penn Stater Conference Center on Monday, September 25, 2017.
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South Hills Digital Art Gallery to Honor Memory of Graduate Who Died Last Year
August 16, 2017
Words like “bubbly,” positive,” “outgoing,” and “kind-hearted,” were just some of what Kari Schlegel’s friends had to say about her. They also said it’s fitting that an online art exhibit created by people affiliated with South Hills School of Business & Technology was recently named in her memory.
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Ninth Annual Infusive Designs Art Show Held
September 22, 2016
In the final days leading up to commencement, the Graphic Arts Class of 2016 held an art exhibit at the Art Alliance of Central PA to showcase their hard work from the past two years.
Read More
