Mar 29, 2024  
2013-2014 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2013-2014 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Art - Visual Communication Design - Major (BS)


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The BS in Visual Communication Design program leads to a Bachelor of Science degree. Students become competent in drawing, painting, illustration, and graphic design, supported by a sound foundation in art history, criticism, and aesthetic understanding.  Liberal arts courses enable the development of knowledge and critical thinking while enhancing students’ abilities to develop the verbal and visual communication skills necessary for careers in the graphic arts. This BS program requires a minimum of 60 liberal arts credits and can accommodate a second liberal arts major or a range of study abroad experiences. Graduates are employed by many local and national advertising and design firms. The College has strong working relationships with many local graphics firms, providing students with an active internship program.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Creative, analytical, critical thinking and problem solving abilities for visual communication Acquire abilities to develop creative strategies and responses to visual communication problems, understand message hierarchies, typography, aesthetics, composition and the construction of meaningful images.
Acquire the ability to connect those concepts to pragmatic contexts and for public interaction.

2. Vocabulary for critical evaluation, Understand and effectively use graphic design terminology and vernacular
to define successful visual communication and related design aesthetic principles.

3. Media and skills Use specific media and processes as a means of developing personal aesthetic. Develop the skills needed for immediate entry into graphic design professions or graduate school. Develop an understanding of basic business practices, including the ability to organize design projects and to work productively as a member of teams.

4. Analyze design with regard to cultural context: Achieve a broad understanding of issues related to the cognitive, social, cultural, technological and economic contexts for contemporary design. Understand and apply knowledge of significant historical, global, and contemporary achievements and issues in design.
 

Art Core


The Art Core is designed to provide fundamental knowledge in preparation for more advanced coursework in Art. 5 Foundational Studio courses are required:

Required Courses for the BS in Visual Communication Design Major


BS in Visual Communication Design majors are required to take 10 upper level studio courses, in addition to the 5 core courses listed above. The requirements are as follows: 7 studio courses required at the 200 level, 2 studio courses required at the 300 level, and 1 required art internship course at the 400 level.

The following seven studio art courses are required at the 200 level:

Required Visual History Courses for the BS in Visual Communication Design Major


Visual Communication Design students are required to take 3 Visual History liberal arts courses. These may include courses in Design History or Art History, or in related Visual Histories.

Studio or Free Elective Courses for the BS in Visual Communication Design Major


In addition to the credits listed above, BS-VCD students select 5 “free” elective courses that would be supportive of their major studies in the professional Visual Communication Design area. Alternatively students may use these 5 free electives toward a second major or minor. Students may choose to take free elective courses in studio courses or in other supportive areas (e.g. Art History, Communications, Web Design, or Business), after discussing options with their academic advisor. Students with their advisor may choose elective courses from the list below or choose other courses not listed here. (Note: the same course cannot count as both a requirement and an elective.)

Senior Experience Course for the BS in Visual Communication Design Major


The senior capstone course in the BS in Visual Communication Design Major explores the intersection of contemporary design practice and contemporary culture through readings, writing and discussions. Issues are examined through lectures, readings, discussion and writing. Students also take AVCD 360: Senior Portfolio and Presentation course their senior year.

Sample Program


Freshman Year


  • Perspectives - Enduring Questions (P-EQ) Credits: 7

As well as:

Sophomore Year


As well as:

Junior Year


  • Perspectives Enduring Questions (P-EQ) Credits: 6
  • Integrative Studies course Credits: 6
  • Liberal Arts Elective course Credits: 3
  • Studio or Free Elective courses Credits: 6

As well as:

Senior Year


  • Liberal Arts Elective courses Credits: 6
  • Integrative Studies course Credits: 3
  • Core Milestone Experience (CME)  Credits: 0
  • Studio or Free Elective courses Credits: 6
  • Design or Art History course Credits: 3

As well as:

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