Commercial Art & Illustration

Commercial Art & Illustration, A.S. (AD01)

Advertising commercial art A.S. degree


This program is designed to prepare students to transfer to a four-year college or university offering majors in commercial art, commercial illustration, and media arts. Students should meet regularly with their program advisor to make certain that their course selections meet the requirements of the college and major to which they plan to transfer.

Careers in the field

Freelance Illustrator, Children’s Book Illustrator, Advertising or Graphic Designer, Editorial Illustrator, Medical/Technical Illustrator, Fashion Illustrator, Courtroom Illustrator, Illustration Agent and Representative, Sign Writer, Marketing, Studio Art Illustration, Toy Design, Computer Science, Graphic Artist, Web Designer, Package Design, Editor, Creative Director

Schools to transfer to

  • Rochester Institute of Technology
  • SUNY: Brockport, Fashion Institute of Technology, Fredonia, New Paltz, Purchase
  • Columbus College
  • Maryland Institute
  • Parsons - The New School of Design
  • Pratt Institute
  • School of the Visual Arts
  • Savannah College of Art and Design
  • Syracuse University

Specific skills learned

Commercial illustration, two-dimensional design, computer graphics, motion graphics, comics and sequential art, three-dimensional design, digital photography, mural painting, raster and vector graphics

Full-time faculty

Jim Downer

Coursework enhancement activities available

  • Society of Illustrators
  • Student Art Association
  • New York City annual Gallery and Museum Trip (spring only)
  • Mural Painting
  • Service Learning Projects

Complete List of Course Descriptions

Commercial Art & Illustration

A.S. Degree - Transfer Program

Department:Visual and Performing Arts

School(s): Arts & Humanities

MCC Program Code: AD01

Description
The Commercial Art and Illustration degree program prepares students for the diverse and evolving world of illustration. With a focus on both traditional and digital techniques, students will learn how to create compelling visuals for industries such as publishing, advertising, film, gaming, fashion, and digital media. The program emphasizes the development of skills in areas like concept art, digital illustration, storyboarding, 3D visualization, and motion graphics, reflecting the expanding role of illustration in today's multimedia-driven market. Students will gain proficiency in using modern tools, including tablet interfaces, 3D printing, and AI technologies, ensuring they are equipped to meet the demands of today’s creative landscape. Specializations may include book illustration, animation, editorial design, medical illustration, packaging, and environmental graphics.

Program Learning Outcomes
1.Illustrate a story by creating conceptually meaningful imagery.
2.Illustrate concepts using various forms of practical and/or digital mediums.
3.Construct a course portfolio showing both the ideation process and final solution(s).
4.Create illustrations exhibiting individualistic technique.
5.Analyze and critique illustrated works produced by self, peers, or professionals.
6.Discuss or describe the role of illustration in society or culture in both historic and contemporary contexts.
7.Solve defined and researched problems to address client needs.
8.Communicate effectively using visual, oral or written techniques.

Employment Potential
For related jobs: Career Coach
Occupational Resource: https://www.onetonline.org

Requirements for Program Entrance
Art courses and a portfolio recommended.

Distribution Requirements
Credit Hours
FIRST SEMESTER
ENG 101 College Composition OR
ENG 200 Advanced Composition
3
MTH 150 - Survey of Mathematics OR
HIGHER SUNY-MATH ELECTIVE OR
PHL 102 Introduction to Logic
3-4
ART 104 Drawing I: Foundation
3
ART 118 Perspectives of Art History I: Ancient
3
AAD 125 Artificial Intelligence, Ethics and Art
3
First Semester Total:
15-16
SECOND SEMESTER
ART 115 Introduction to Illustration
3
ART 109 Two Dimensional Design: Foundation
3
ART 119 Perspectives of Art History II: Modern
3
ART 204 Drawing II
3
SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION - SOCIAL SCIENCES (SUNY-SOCS) ELECTIVE
3
Second Semester Total:
15
THIRD SEMESTER
ART 154 Drawing the Human Figure
3
ART 205 Commercial Illustration I
3
SPC 141 Interpersonal Speech Communication OR
SPC 142 Public Speaking OR
COM 235 Media Literacy
3
SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION - WORLD HISTORY AND GLOBAL AWARENESS (SUNY-WHGA) OR
SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION WORLD LANGUAGES (SUNY-WLNG) ELECTIVE

3-4
AAD 101 Introduction to Animation OR
AAD 105 Typography OR
AAD 160 Graphic Illustration: Vector Drawing OR
ART 108 Sketchbook: Processes and Materials
ART 110 Comics and Sequential Art
3
Third Semester Total:
15-16
FOURTH SEMESTER
ART 206 Commercial Illustration II
3
ART 231 Art Seminar/Portfolio Development
3
ART 212 Visual Arts, Identity, and Civic Dialogue
3
SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION NATURAL SCIENCES (and Scientific Reasoning (SUNY-NSCI) ELECTIVE
3-4
OPEN ELECTIVE
3
Fourth Semester Total:
15-16
TOTAL CREDITS:
60-63
Revised:4/2/2026