The BS in Visual Communication Design program is an interdisciplinary program with a blend of professional and fine art studio courses and a liberal arts curriculum. Specific objectives are centered on professional preparation including technical competency, effective visual communication, and development of a professional portfolio. The program prepares students for careers in advertising, publishing, illustration, and design for print and digital media, or for entry into graduate school.
The BS program can accommodate a second liberal arts major, a minor, or a study abroad experience.
Students develop technical competence, informed aesthetic judgment, and skills for collaborative visual production on creative teams. They develop an understanding of branding and marketing concepts, and how visual design supports them. Students learn to develop meaningful visual solutions for problems in a global, competitive marketplace using both print and digital media. The liberal arts core enables students to develop the critical thinking and communication skills necessary for professional preparation.
Strong connections to local firms, professional organizations, and alumni working in the industry provide students with various internship, networking, and employment opportunities.
The Visual Communication Design program requires a 3.0 GPA in the major.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students will:
1. Attain competency in studio practice / technical skills:
- Attain competency in composing the elements of art with the principles of design
- Develop technical skills in a range of mediums and design applications related to the visual communication design field
2. Develop conceptual process in problem solving abilities for visual communication:
- Acquire abilities to develop creative strategies to visual communication problems, understand message hierarchies, typography, aesthetics, composition and the construction of meaningful images
- Understand and effectively use graphic design terminology
- Develop an understanding of basic business practices, including the ability to organize design
3. Analyze design with regard to cultural context:
- Achieve a broad understanding of diverse issues and contexts for design
- Understand and apply knowledge of significant historical and contemporary achievements in graphic design
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