Computer Graphics and Interaction Design
Design Apps. Create Brands.
Build Your Portfolio.
Explore Graphic Design and UX & Product Design at San José City College, with opportunities to build skills in web design, motion graphics, animation, video, and digital media. Create portfolio-ready work with professional design tools while preparing for careers, transfer, freelance opportunities, and continued study.
CHOOSE YOUR PATH
CGID’s two primary pathways help you build creative and technical skills for visual communication and digital product design.
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Create brands, visuals & digital content.
Build skills in visual communication, typography, branding, layout, web design, motion, and digital media while developing portfolio-ready work.
Explore: Branding • Typography • Adobe Creative Cloud • Web • Motion • Digital Content
Degree: Associate in Arts (AA) in Graphic Design
UX & PRODUCT DESIGN
Design apps and digital experiences.
Learn human-centered design, UX research, interface design, web design, and interactive prototyping for apps, websites, and digital products.
Explore: UX Research • Figma • App Design • UI Design • Prototyping • Product Design
Programs: AS in User Experience & Interaction Design + Certificate of Achievement
WHY CHOOSE CGID?
Build practical creative skills, create work you can show, and prepare for what comes next.
BUILD A PORTFOLIO
Create work you can show.
Build projects in branding, typography, websites, UX, app prototypes, motion, video, and digital media. Refine your strongest work for transfer, employment, internships, or freelance opportunities.
LEARN PROFESSIONAL TOOLS
Practice the tools designers use.
Depending on your pathway, work with Adobe Creative Cloud, Figma, web design tools, prototyping tools, and other professional creative technology.
PREPARE FOR WHAT’S NEXT
Turn your skills into opportunities.
Prepare for entry-level creative careers, transfer to a four-year program, freelance work, internships, paid campus opportunities, and continued study.
DESIGN WITHOUT THE HIGH COST
You don’t need to own an expensive computer or pay full price for every design tool to get started in CGID.
DMA Zone: A place for CGID students to work on coursework outside of class using campus computers and creative software.
TECHNOLOGY ACCESS FOR CGID STUDENTS
In class: CGID classroom labs are equipped with high-performance laptops that students can check out for use during class.
Between classes: Use the DMA Zone and other computers in the Learning Resource Center (LRC) to complete CGID coursework when you are not in class. The LRC offers open-access computer workstations, including select stations with Adobe Creative Suite.
Explore LRC computers and labs
Need software at home? California Community College students can access discounted Adobe Creative Cloud through CollegeBuys.
Explore Adobe Creative Cloud through CollegeBuys
Set up your SJCC student email. Your student account helps you access college technology and student resources, including free Office 365 and LinkedIn Learning.
Access SJCC student email and online learning resources
Need additional help with school costs? Check your eligibility for EOP&S. Eligible students may receive support such as grants for books and supplies, priority registration, counseling, and access to a lending library that includes laptops and other equipment.
START HERE
New to digital design? Start with CGID 001. Interested in UX & Product Design? Consider CGID 011.
Interested in Motion & Animation? After CGID 001, explore motion design, animation, visual storytelling, and digital media in CGID 005.
Need help choosing or registering for a course? Career Education Counselor contact information is available below under Student Support & Opportunities.
EXPLORE THE CGID COURSE & PROGRAM GUIDE
Go deeper with our interactive visual guide to CGID courses, project examples, and creative skills. See what students can make and explore which classes match your interests.
WHERE CAN CGID TAKE YOU?
GRAPHIC DESIGN
- Graphic Designer
- Brand Designer
- Visual Designer
- Web Designer
- Content Designer
- Motion Designer
UX & PRODUCT DESIGN
- UX Designer
- Product Designer
- UI Designer
- Interaction Designer
- UX Researcher
- Web/Digital Designer
You can also explore creative skills in: Motion Graphics • Animation • Video • Digital Content • Web Design
Career outcomes depend on coursework, portfolio development, experience, transfer plans, and continued professional learning.
See how CGID students create, learn, and build skills for what comes next.
I love being able to learn a new set of skills in a short amount of time with a CGID class, directly helping my career while I grow as a designer.
Natasha Price
CGID 005 Student
CGID allowed me to flex my creativity and learn lifelong skills beyond graphic design. The experience gained in Adobe Creative Cloud is invaluable.
Nicholas Everett
CGID 002 Student
Taking digital media arts has been fun and educational. The professors are patient with everyone, welcoming any skill level.
Joshua Ramirez
CGID 001 Student
I was able to upskill my design abilities and network with other like-minded individuals thanks to the supportive faculty and affordable courses.
Laura Dizon
CGID 005 Student
STUDENT SUPPORT & OPPORTUNITIES
CGID students have access to active peer tutors.
Get help with course projects, design concepts, creative software, and other CGID coursework through SJCC tutoring services. Tutoring options may include appointments, drop-in support, and online help depending on current availability.
Tutoring schedules, formats, and tutor availability may vary during the semester.
Help other students. Strengthen your skills. Get paid.
Strong CGID students may be eligible to work as paid peer tutors, helping other students with design concepts, creative software, projects, and coursework.
Get paid while gaining experience on campus.
Eligible students may support CGID labs, events, outreach, social media, creative projects, and other department needs.
View CGID work-study positions
NEW • SPRING 2027
CGID 050 — Professional Design Portfolio & Business Basics
Refine and present your strongest creative work while preparing for careers, freelance opportunities, and transfer. Students will also have opportunities to learn from industry professionals and gain insight into presenting their work professionally.
Ask about Credit for Prior Learning.
Students with prior education, professional experience, or demonstrated skills may be eligible for Credit for Prior Learning in certain CGID courses. Ask a counselor or CGID faculty member about available options and eligibility.
Credit for Prior Learning is awarded through approved college processes and is not automatic.
Explore Dual Enrollment.
CGID participates in dual enrollment opportunities that allow eligible high school students to begin exploring college-level digital design while earning college credit.
Contact a Career Education Counselor.
Not sure which CGID class fits your goals, or need help registering for an additional class? A Career Education Counselor can help you plan your next step.
Maria Plancarte
maria.plancarte@sjcc.edu
Lila Chiem
lila.chiem@sjcc.edu
STAY CONNECTED WITH CGID
Follow CGID for student work, class updates, events, portfolio inspiration, and opportunities throughout the year.
See student work, class projects, events, and behind-the-scenes CGID updates.
YOUTUBE
Watch program videos, student projects, class highlights, and CGID stories.
Get program announcements, events, registration reminders, and community updates.
GET CGID UPDATES
Want to hear about upcoming CGID classes, registration dates, student events, portfolio opportunities, and program news? Join the CGID email list.
You can unsubscribe from CGID updates at any time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
No. Several CGID courses are beginner-friendly. CGID 001 is the recommended starting point for students who are new to digital design.
New to digital design? Start with CGID 001. Especially interested in UX and product design? Consider CGID 011. Career Education Counselors can also help you choose and register for a course.
Graphic Design focuses on visual communication, including branding, typography, layouts, websites, motion, and digital media. UX & Product Design focuses on understanding users and designing useful apps, websites, interfaces, and digital products.
Depending on the course, students may work with Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects, Premiere Pro, Figma, FigJam, and web-development tools.
Yes. Formats vary by semester and may include online asynchronous, hybrid, in-person, accelerated, and late-start courses.
- Apply an understanding of the components of graphic design and the principles of layout.
- Demonstrate visual communications skills on graphic design projects utilizing industry-standard software and design techniques.
- Produce multimedia projects using images, videos, and animations through vector- and raster-based software.
- Create accessible and well-designed websites utilizing design principles, art fundamentals, and web-specific tools.
- Develop multimedia projects combining graphic design, motion design, visual storytelling, animation, effects, cinematic techniques, and audio.
MEET YOUR CGID FACULTY
Learn in project-based classes with faculty experienced in graphic design, UX, web design, motion, digital media, and creative technology.
Jonali Bhattacharyya
Lead Faculty, Computer Graphics and Interaction Design
CONNECTED TO INDUSTRY
CGID INDUSTRY ADVISORY BOARD
Industry professionals from design, UX, games, film, and other creative fields help advise CGID curriculum and workforce preparation. Their perspectives help connect our programs and courses with evolving creative-industry practices.
READY TO CREATE?
Whether you’re exploring design for the first time, developing new career skills, or preparing to transfer, CGID gives you a place to start.