The Certificate of Achievement in Graphic Design is designed to prepare the students for work in the graphic design profession. The degree gives the students the knowledge and experience to enter the graphic design profession as a member of an advertising agency, creative services team, design studio, in-house design team, print shop, or web development firm.

Program Outcomes :

   - Upon completion of the Certificate of Achievement in Graphic Design, students are able to apply principles of design to effectively conceptualize, create and deliver design solutions for the intended audience.

   - Upon completion of the Certificate of Achievement in Graphic Design, students are able to critically evaluate quality and effectiveness of design projects, present one’s work effectively, and incorporate critique and feedback into design iterations.

   - Upon completion of the Certificate of Achievement in Graphic Design, students are able to describe the history and application of design and how color, type, and other design elements are used as effective communications tools.

   - Upon completion of the Certificate of Achievement in Graphic Design, students are able to use industry-standard software with technical proficiency and create documents to required specifications for delivery to clients.

Video game design is a rapidly growing field, both nationally and in the Bay Area. The Video Game Design certificate trains students in the skills they need to secure an entry-level position as a game designer, level designer, or associate producer in the video game industry. Curriculum was developed in conjunction with veteran game industry designers and reflects the skills currently in demand in the industry.

Career Opportunities

Game designer, game developer, level designer, coder, game artist, technical artist, director, producer, studio owner (indie game developer)

Program Learning Outcomes

Students completing this program will be able to:

- Communicate design concepts clearly and concisely (i.e. visual, oral, and written).

- Develop competitive industry-standard skills in the respective fields.

- Understand the elements and principles of design through discipline-specific implementation.

This certificate prepares students for a career in graphic design. Graphic Designers are typically responsible for graphic design production and pre-press production. Graphic Designers create corporate branding and identification, logos, business cards, letterhead, newsletters, brochures, flyers, and postcards and are responsible for the creation of publication marketing collateral. The Digital Art and Animation program provides the latest software and hardware to students in the graphic design certificate program. Faculty members have extensive industry experience and their expertise is critical to the success of students in this exciting and creative field.

Career Opportunities

Career opportunities include entry-level Graphic Design: Pre Press, Graphic Design Assistant, Graphic Design Production Assistant, and Freelance Graphic Designers. Graphic designers can work in both large and small firms. Large companies will have their own in-house departments and hire designers directly. Other firms need the talents of a designer seasonally or for special projects and look for small design firms or freelance designers. Pre-press production is a vital part of the printing industry as printing firms rely on graphic designers to correctly set up creative work for the press.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students completing this program will be able to:

- Communicate design concepts clearly and concisely (i.e. visual, oral, and written).

- Develop competitive industry-standard skills in the respective fields.

- Understand the elements and principles of design through discipline-specific implementation.

The Certificate of Achievement in Digital Illustration will prepare students to work on and create traditional illustrations for magazines, newspapers and children's book or storyboards, scenery, characters, and concept art for video games and multimedia.

Program Outcomes :

   - Upon completion of the Certificate of Achievement in Digital Illustration, students are able to apply principles of design to effectively conceptualize, create and deliver design solutions for the intended audience.

   - Upon completion of the Certificate of Achievement in Digital Illustration, students are able to critically evaluate quality and effectiveness of design projects, present one’s work effectively, and incorporate critique and feedback into design iterations.

   - Upon completion of the Certificate of Achievement in Digital Illustration, students are able to describe the history and application of design and how color, type, and other design elements are used as effective communications tools.

   - Upon completion of the Certificate of Achievement in Digital Illustration, students are able to use industry-standard software with technical proficiency and create documents to required specifications for delivery to clients.

The Digital Art and Animation Department provides courses taught by faculty with extensive academic, professional, and industry experience. Students are guided through the department's project-based courses to develop the knowledge and skills needed to incorporate the principles of visual communication in their work. Each course provides students with projects and evaluating critiques that challenge their creative problem-solving skills. A culminating course (MART 390) provides the opportunity for students to construct their electronic or print portfolios utilizing these projects.

Career Opportunities

The Digital Art and Animation Program prepares students for entry-level positions as graphic designers, production art designers, web designers, and production assistants in animation, video, and digital media product development such as game development, interactive CD presentations, and digital video.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students completing this program will be able to:

- Communicate design concepts clearly and concisely (i.e. visual, oral, and written).

- Develop competitive industry-standard skills in the respective fields.

- Understand the elements and principles of design through discipline-specific implementation.

Film Studies at Las Positas College offers an interdisciplinary approach to studying film history, film analysis, and film production itself. Students can choose from two programs: an AA or a Certificate of Achievement in Film Studies. Depending on their interests, Film Studies students can explore film's historical development, film photography, acting for film, intersections between film and theater, music of great film composers, multimedia reporting, film theory, as well as major global cinema traditions and directors.

The Film Studies Certificate of Achievement is an LPC program designed to offer students an introduction to the history, analysis, and art of filmmaking. Students will learn about the development of film as an art form, cinematic language, the impact of film on modern media and contemporary culture, and various approaches to film criticism. Depending on their interests, this Certificate of Achievement also provides students the chance to explore basic film production, acting for film, the intersections between film and theater, music of great film composers, multimedia reporting, as well as major global cinema traditions and directors. Film Studies courses prepare those interested in majoring and/or working in fields such as Film, Theater, Multimedia Studies, Liberal Arts, Interdisciplinary Studies, Cultural Studies, or Humanities.

Program Learning Outcomes:

- Upon completion of the Certificate of Achievement in Film Studies, students are able to describe the historical development of filmmaking and identify major historical film styles.

- Upon completion of the Certificate of Achievement in Film Studies, students are able to describe the impact of film on modern media and culture.

- Upon completion of the Certificate of Achievement in Film Studies, students are able to analyze film form and content using the major approaches of film criticism.

- Upon completion of the Certificate of Achievement in Film Studies, students are able to create a short film, incorporating general knowledge of film production (e.g. narrative, mise-en-scene, cinematography, acting, editing, and film sound).

The 3D Animation & Video Game Art Program is a comprehensive program that puts equal emphasis on the artistic and the technical side of 3D modeling and animation. Courses cover material that will take the student through the whole production process and workflow of 3D animation, from storyboarding and conceptualization to the final delivery of the rendered product. Curriculum spans traditional animation techniques, life drawing and the technical fundamentals of 3D animation and modeling. Classes are taught in a state-of-the-art computer studio with the latest versions of industry-standard software packages. Faculty members have extensive industry experience and their expertise is critical to the success of students in this growing field.

Career Opportunities

Animation, character development, storyboarding, modeling, rigging, effects work in film, games, mobile devices, apps, location-based entertainment, eLearning, accident re-creation, courtroom animation, simulations, and product design.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students completing this program will be able to:

- Communicate design concepts clearly and concisely (i.e. visual, oral, and written).

- Develop competitive industry-standard skills in the respective fields.

- Understand the elements and principles of design through discipline-specific implementation.

The Certificate of Achievement in Ornamental Horticulture is designed to prepare students for work in entry level horticultural fields. The course work is designed to prepare students for jobs in retail garden centers and landscape maintenance.

Program Outcomes :

   - Upon completion of the Certificate of Achievement in Ornamental Horticulture, students are able to demonstrate a basic understanding of the field of horticulture and possible career opportunities.

   - Upon completion of the Certificate of Achievement in Ornamental Horticulture, students are able to identify plants and be able to select their proper care and maintenance.

   - Upon completion of the Certificate of Achievement in Ornamental Horticulture, students are able to recognize typical horticultural pests and diseases, and know how to research their treatment.

The Certificate of Achievement in Nursery, Greenhouse, and Grower Operations is designed to prepare students for work in retail or wholesale nursery operations, greenhouse operations, interior plantscape installation and maintenance, and ornamental and urban agriculture growing operations.

Program Outcomes :

   - Upon completion of the Certificate of Achievement in Nursery, Greenhouse, and Grower Operations, students are able to demonstrate an understanding of propagation, care, and marketing involved in the production and sale of nursery plants.

   - Upon completion of the Certificate of Achievement in Nursery, Greenhouse, and Grower Operations, students are able to demonstrate an understanding of the principles of growing plants in urban environments, such as greenhouse, interior plantscapes, hydroponic/aquaponic, and other urban agricultural and horticultural environments.

The Certificate of Achievement in Landscape Maintenance and Construction is designed to prepare students for technical and supervisory level work in management, maintenance and construction of landscapes and turf.

Program Outcomes :

   - Upon completion of the Certificate of Achievement in Landscape Maintenance and Construction, students are able to demonstrate an understanding of the maintenance requirements for trees, vines, shrubs, perennials, annuals, and turf.

   - Upon completion of the Certificate of Achievement in Landscape Maintenance and Construction, students are able to read a landscape plan and install landscape features, such as plantings, pavement, structures, and irrigation systems, based on those plans.