Digital Art and Photography
Associate of Fine Arts (LASFAAA)This pathway meets the requirements for the Associate of Fine Arts (AFA) with a concentration in Digital Art and Digital Photography. Completion of this degree is designed to help you build a portfolio in Digital Art and Digital Photography as well as prepare you for further education in the visual arts such as a Bachelor of Arts (BA) with Studio Art or Art History emphasis, a Bachelor of Fine Art (BFA) or Master of Fine Art (MFA) in Visual Art, and/ or entering the creative economy with a dynamic portfolio.
Students in this pathway will leave with fluency in Adobe software such as Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premier, and After Effects. Students will gain skills in photo editing, compositional strategies, and formal design elements. Students will also demonstrate collaborative attitude, skills, and knowledge in Digital Art and Digital Photography, and will learn how to effectively critique and document work through a contemporary lens. Studio health and safety awareness is paramount to the Art program at North.
North Seattle College's Art Program provides a solid foundation in visual art that emphasizes craft, concept, and critical analysis. North's art faculty are all accomplished, exhibiting studio artists with a passion for teaching and connecting the classroom to the local and national arts scenes. Students can choose from a variety of affordable classes including ceramics, drawing, painting, digital art, digital photography, 2-D and 3-D design, printmaking, book arts, mural art, jewelry, metal design, sculpture, and art history as well as art business. In addition to our course offerings, North offers a robust visual culture that includes a contemporary art gallery, a student exhibition space, visiting artist lecture series, and a student-led art group. While in the program, students have many opportunities to gain professional experience as working artists including showcasing and selling art, installing, exhibiting, and documenting work, and submitting to literary and arts publications. Every AFA graduate leaves with a curated portfolio of their work and is prepared for transfer as well as other professional opportunities in a creative economy. North emphasizes health and safety best practices in the studio.
Estimated Length of Completion
| Degree | Quarters | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Associate of Fine Arts (LASFAAA) | Full time : 7 | 90 |
You may need more or fewer units depending on your transferred credits, individual situation, and goals.
Before Quarter One
- Pre-College or Transitional Studies Math (if needed)
- Pre-College or Transitional Studies English (if needed)
- Apply for Financial Aid and other funding before your first quarter. Visit the Financial Aid Office to explore how to pay for college.
- Transfer previous college credits to North if applicable.
- Attend New Student Orientation.
- Explore placement options: take the math and English placement tool if needed.
- Make an informed choice on the number of units to take each quarter.
- F-1 international students must enroll full time (12+ units) each quarter and check in with the International Programs office before the start of the quarter if enrolling in less than 12 units and/or before starting any work or volunteer experience.
- If you need academic accommodations for a documented disability, please contact Disability Services.
Step 1: Apply and register at North Seattle College anytime (the application is always free). Once you become a student, register for classes using the online class schedule and go to the academic calendar for registration dates and tuition deadlines.
Step 2: See an advisor to create a personalized educational plan by the end of your second quarter. Your plan will include prerequisites, graduation requirements, and transfer preparation if you plan to transfer to another college or university to earn a bachelor's degree.
Sample Schedule and Quarterly To-Do List
90 UnitsA sample schedule and quarterly to-do list are below. The schedule and to-do list will help you explore courses and complete tasks on time. The guide assumes a fall quarter start, but you can begin in any quarter and start at any placement level.
Note about the sample schedule: Courses are offered in various formats and may not be offered each quarter. Click the button with arrows throughout the map to expand the section and view detailed information.
Click to see details
- Schedule an appointment with your assigned advisor in Starfish to meet and discuss your goals. Learn more about Starfish here.
- Document all work made in class every quarter.
- Apply for Student Art Sale in early November.
- Explore careers and majors through workshops, counseling, and career services.
- Come to the Library to get help with research; check out resources; access computers and study space; and create media projects.
- Visit the Student Learning Center to learn about tutoring services offered in-person and online.
- Check out campus life: Art Group, Art Gallery, Student Clubs and Affinity Groups, TRIO, Equity & Welcome Center, Wellness Center, etc.
- Create an educational plan with your assigned advisor.
- Apply for financial aid for the upcoming academic year in Winter or Spring quarter to maximize your funding options.
- Research and develop a list of four-year colleges and universities.
- Visit North's Transfer webpage for transfer information.
- Let your faculty know that you are pursuing the Associate of Fine Arts.
- Apply for Licton Springs Review by January 31 and League for Innovation in March.
- Attend campus lectures/forums from the Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences division.
- Update your educational plan and confirm your program of study with your assigned advisor.
- Apply for summer financial aid.
- Apply for Juried Student Show and Spring Art Sale in late April/early May.
- Talk with your Arts, Design & Graphics academic advisor about summer electives.
- Visit potential universities and determine application deadlines.
- Apply for the Seattle Colleges Foundation Scholarship and other scholarships. Art specific scholarships are available.
- Consider Student Leadership positions and other on-campus jobs such as work study opportunities in the NSC Art Gallery and the Ceramics studio.
- Attend "Making Learning and Teaching Visible" campus event every spring.
- Document all work made in class every quarter.
- Visit potential universities and determine application deadlines.
- Summer quarter (quarter four) is recommended but not required. Please see financial aid about your summer funding options and your assigned advisor for summer course options.
- Update your educational plan with your assigned advisor.
- Contact Art departments at potential universities.
- Attend transfer events at North and universities of interest.
- Write your personal statement for university applications.
- Attend National Portfolio Day in early November.
- Apply for the AFA degree in ctcLink. Check with your assigned advisor to be sure you are meeting degree requirements.
- Contact Art department coordinator to start your portfolio process at the beginning of the quarter.
- Visit the Student Learning Center for help with your artist statement and resume.
- Apply for Licton Springs Review by January 31 and League for Innovation in March.
- Apply for financial aid for the upcoming academic year in Winter or Spring quarter to maximize your funding options.
- Apply to universities or colleges and scholarships.
- Check in with university for transfer plan.
- Complete portfolio requirements.
- Fine-tune your portfolio, artist statement, and CV with your faculty portfolio advisors and resume.
- Turn in two copies of your physical portfolio and one digital copy on a thumb drive.
- Take ART 113 and ART 252 this quarter if you did not take ART 124 and ART 258 in the summer.
- Order cap and gown for commencement and join alumni association.
- Attend on-campus graduation fair and commencement ceremony.
More Information
Tuition and Funding
It's time to apply for Financial Aid for next year by completing
either the
FAFSA or the
WASFA 2024-25.
Need help paying for college?
All students in need should apply for financial aid; do not assume you are not eligible! Visit Financial Aid to learn more about the application steps and types of financial aid available, including grants and scholarships you don’t have to pay back. You do not need to be a full-time student to receive financial aid funds. There are also art-specific scholarships available to students.
Learn more about the estimated cost of attendance and general fees to attend college.
Career Opportunities
A Digital Art and Photography pathway can lead to various career opportunities. Examples include:
- Photographer
- Creative Director/Photo Editor/Photojournalist
- Illustrator
- Graphic/Web/Industrial Designer
- Practicing Studio Artist/Public Artist
- Small Business Owner/Entrepreneur
- Set & Exhibition Designer
- Museum & Gallery Curator
- Educator
- Art Therapist
- Artist Assistant
- Art Handler
- Architect
- Gallery/Museum Assistant
- Arts Administrator
A Bachelor's degree or higher may be required for some careers listed above. For current employment and wage estimates, please visit www.bls.gov/oes.
Future Education Opportunities
Once you complete this Associate degree, additional education opportunities include, but are not limited to:
- Bachelor of Arts degree in Studio Art or Art History or a related field at a four-year college or university.
- Bachelor of Fine Arts degree or Master of Fine Arts in Visual Art.
- Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degree at one of the Seattle Colleges.
Program and admissions requirements vary from college to college. Use the College Navigator search engine (http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator) to find bachelors programs in Washington state or around the country. Contact an advisor to create an educational plan tailored to transfer to the institution of your choice.
Our graduates have successfully gone on to get degrees of higher learning at many institutions, including University of Washington, California College of the Arts, Pacific Northwest College of Art, School of the Art Institute Chicago, Rhode Island School of Design, San Diego State University, Western Washington University and have received scholarships and opportunities at many other programs such as Penland School of Craft and Pratt Fine Art Center. Program and admissions requirements vary from college to college. Contact an admissions representative to find out about specific admissions requirements including submitting a portfolio and major pre-requisites for the institution of your choice.
Additional Information
Learn more about the Transfer process, Transfer agreements, and Bachelor’s degrees including transferring to top universities around the state and nation, such as Historically Black Universities and Colleges.
Area of Study
Arts, Design, and GraphicsAdvising Contact
Contact the Arts, Design and Graphics Area of Study advisor.
Phone: (206) 934-3658