Graphic Design Program · Resource Library

Welcome. Here are some resources to help you out.   

Below you can find production lab how-to's, financial resources, and helpful links to start your design career.

01

WELCOME TO SEATTLE CENTRAL CREATIVE ACADEMY

Getting started and getting settled at Seattle Central Creative Academy.

Welcome First Years to SCCA

Welcome First Years to SCCA

Classroom Assignment+

On the first day of class you will be going to the fifth floor of the Broadway Edison Building. Your room assignments are below — you will be in this room Mondays–Thursdays. Feel free to sit at any desk in the room.

On Fridays you will all be meeting in the Photo Studio for your New Media class (during Introduction to Design you'll be shown where the Photo Studio is located).

Room 5140

Name • Name • Name

Room 5142

Name • Name • Name

Schedule & Orientation+

For your Monday–Thursday classes, a typical day looks something like this:

  • Class starts at 9:00 am & ends at 2:00 pm
  • 30 minute–1 hour lecture
  • Demonstrations & practice
  • Critiques / feedback sessions
  • Small breaks and a lunch break built into the day

Many students bring food from home or find food at local restaurants. Each classroom has a small fridge, a microwave, and a coffee pot.

Logging into school computers: username & password info (PDF)

For your Friday New Media class you'll meet in the Photo Studio, 9:00 am–2:00 pm. Class structure is explained during the first week.

Supply List+

You will need a portable SSD drive to back up your work and transport files to the production print lab.

A portable SSD back-up drive some students have liked (all linked items need not be bought from Amazon, the links are for reference purposes only) 

We have computers on campus for students to use, but many students end up purchasing a laptop for themselves for homework: a MacBook Air or a MacBook Pro level of laptop works for students (or equivalent PC). We also have a few laptops available for students to check out from our equipment room and use for the quarter. 

You can buy supplies at any art store or online — the closest is Dick Blick (1600 Broadway, Seattle, WA 98122, across the street from Seattle Central). This list covers all six quarters and is used almost weekly.

Additional materials may come up as classes progress — this covers most of what you need to get started.

Software & Hardware+

Throughout the program you'll be introduced to many tools & techniques. Here are the common programs we teach, with links if you'd like to get familiar before school begins:

Floor Communication+

Many studios use Slack for team communication — you've been invited to SCCA's Slack channel for your class year, and it's the primary way most instructors will reach you during the program. We'll go over the basics together during your first Introduction to Design class.

Personal Organization+

We recommend using a system to keep track of assignments and deadlines for your classes. Some students find Notion useful for tracking projects and deadlines while at school:

This Site+

This site is a growing, ever-changing resource for current students, faculty, and alumni.

If you have a link or resource you'd like to share with other students, faculty & alumni, please reach out to Jill V. and she'll get added. Thanks!

Welcome Back Second Years

Welcome Back Second Years

What's Different This Year+

Welcome back! Your second year builds directly on the fundamentals — expect more independent project direction, longer production timelines, and coursework that starts pointing toward your portfolio and life after SCCA.

Here is your room assignments: 

    Room 5124

    Name • Name • Name

    Room 5126

    Name • Name • Name

  • Confirm your key card access is still active
  • Review your Year 1 projects — you'll be pulling pieces forward for revision and your portfolio
Keep Things UpTo Date+

Before projects ramp up:

  • Re-check your SSD backup drive and organize your project files
  • Update Adobe Creative Suite & Figma to the latest versions
  • Revisit the Student Resources & How-To's section below for Production Lab, paper, and typography refreshers
Planning Ahead+

Second year is a good time to start thinking beyond the classroom:

  • Start a working portfolio folder now — don't wait until the last quarter
  • Look ahead at the Alumni Resources section for internships, job boards, and professional practice basics
  • Talk to instructors about special topics projects , freelance projects, or focus areas which might support the direction you want to grow in
Welcome Continuing Education Students

Welcome Continuing Education Students

Getting Oriented+

Welcome to SCCA's Continuing Education program. CE courses are designed for working adults, career-changers, and lifelong learners building specific skills on a flexible schedule — evenings, weekends, or self-paced, depending on the course.

Making the Most of a Flexible Schedule+

Because CE courses move at a different pace than the full-time program, here are a few tips from past students:

  • Block dedicated studio time on your calendar each week, even outside class hours
  • Use the Printing & the Production Lab resources and plan ahead around lab hours
Staying Connected+

You're part of the same creative community as our degree-track students:

  • Browse the Student Resources & How-To's section — it's a shared resource for all students
  • CE students are welcome at SCCA lectures, events, open houses, and the portfolio show — ask your instructor what's open
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02

STUDENT RESOURCES & HOW-TO'S

Production, materials, and techniques for your coursework and projects.

Registration, Financial Resources & Work Study

Registration, Financial Resources & Work Study

ctcLink & School Access+

Once you register for classes, your name and information are entered into the school system.

Accessing ctcLink for New Students

Your ctcLink account gives you access to:

  • Manage Classes: register for, add, and drop classes each quarter
  • Academic Records: view grades, past classes, and download unofficial transcripts
  • Profile: view or update personal & contact information
  • Financial Account: pay tuition & fees, check your account balance
  • Financial Aid: manage and accept financial aid awards and applications
  • Report Time as a Student Employee
  • Apply for Graduation
Key Card & Building Access+

After you register and are entered into the school system, you'll receive a key card granting access to classrooms and the production print lab on your floor. This process usually takes 3–4 weeks at the start of the school year.

Building hours

Financial Resourcees+

Below are listings of school, city, and county resources for school and living in Seattle:

Seattle Promise: If you graduated from a Seattle public high school, ensure you utilize the Seattle Promise Program for up to two years of free tuition and equity scholarships for living costs.  

FAFSA: Financial Aid awards, applications, and your tuition balance are managed through your ctcLink Financial Aid and Financial Account tab. If you have questions about aid packages, deadlines, or payment plans, connect with the college's Financial Aid office directly — they can walk through options specific to your situation.

Workforce Services Grants: Check your eligibility for specialized programs like the Opportunity Grantor the Basic Food Employment & Training (BFET) program, which cover tuition, books, and transit costs for professional/technical students.

Seattle Central College (SCC) provides direct financial assistance, emergency housing programs, on-campus employment, and free groceries to help students afford living in Seattle.

Emergency Financial Aid Basic Needs Funding: Submit an online request through the SCC Basic Needs Funding 

Application for one-time help with overdue rent, utility bills, or unexpected medical bills.

Housing Support Eviction Prevention: Work directly with the SCC Housing Support Office to create an individualized student housing plan, get assistance with move-in costs, or receive referrals to affordable community apartments. 

Free Food & Hygiene Resources Campus Food Pantry: Pick up free groceries every Wednesday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Harvard & Olive campus entrance. 

Urban Rest Stop: Utilize the nearby Urban Rest Stop facility off-campus for free laundry and shower services 

 _________________________

And here’s more general support through Seattle & Kind County: 

Housing & Living Cost Support Subsidized Student Housing: Apply for affordable, low-income student apartments through the Seattle Housing Authority (SHA). 

Basic Food (SNAP): Income-eligible students working 20+ hours a week or matching specific exemptions can receive monthly grocery funds from Washington DSHS. 

Cheap Transit & Resources ORCA LIFT Card: Reduce your transit fare on Link light rail and King County Metro buses to $1.00 per ride through the King County ORCA LIFT Program. 

 _________________________

Utilities, Housing, & Food 

Assistence and Discounts

 Housing & Renting

 Community Resources

 Food

Work Study and Student Jobs+

Federal Work Study is a need-based financial aid option that lets eligible students earn money through part-time, often campus-based, jobs while enrolled. If you're interested:

Printing & the Production Lab

Printing & the Production Lab

Production Lab Printers+
Laser Cutter • Plotter • 3D Printer+
Screen Printing+

Coming soon — setting up your files, preparing screens, printing steps

Letterpress+
Printing & Pre-Press+
Business Cards+
Magazine & Branding Printing+
Button Maker / Gold Foil+
Paper
Color
Photography
Typography

Typography

Anatomy & Classification+
Modifying Type+
Finding & Pairing Type+
Typographic Sins & Microtype Checklist+
Spacing, Leading, Line Lengths, Ems & Ens+
Paragraph Alignments & Styles+
Grids & Baseline Grids+
Grid & Typography Articles+
Typographic Love & Sites of Interest+
Identifying & Finding Typefaces+
Books & Resources+
Portfolio

Portfolio

Student & Professional Samples+
Mock-Ups & Prepping Work+
Writing for Projects+
Printing Your Portfolio+

See the Printing & the Production Lab category above for business card, magazine, and binding resources.

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03

ALUMNI RESOURCES

Building your career, community, and practice after the program.

Professional Practices
Studios & Organizations
Internships

Internships

Finding Internships+
Applying & Interviewing+
On Campus+

Talk to your instructor or program coordinator about current internship partnerships and how class credit or scheduling flexibility may apply while you're interning.

Designers Around the World

Designers Around the World

Vietnam+
Singapore+

See Motion Design and Round Table Reviews under Vietnam above — contributors span both regions.

South Africa+
Mexico City+
Accessibility & Inclusion+
Resources, Conferences & Books+
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