Visual Communication Design (B.F.A.)

Program Overview

The Visual Communication Design Major is a rigorous, pre-professional program stressing concept development and visual communication skills necessary to prepare content and imagery for print, interactive media and the Web. Students gain a comprehensive understanding of the discipline and build a portfolio of work to begin a career in the graphic design profession. The program is based in the Department of Art and Design. For further information, go to: Visual Communication Design (BFA).

Program Requirements Overview

General Education Requirements19
World Languages and Cultures Requirements6-9
Major Requirements84
Free Electives11-8
Total Credits120

Major Requirements

Core Requirements
ARFD 101Surface3
or PRDN 100 Design Visualization I - Concept Sketching
ARFD 103Color and Light3
VIST 102Visual Culture3
VIST 105Global Foundations in Art and Visual Culture3
VIST 262See What I Mean: A History of Visual Communication Design3
VIST 306Critical Design Studies3
Core Elective
Complete one course from the following:3
Perceptual Drawing
Drawing as Research
Space
Digital Literacy
Textiles
Anatomical Drawing for Product Designers
Special Topics in Global Art Cultures
Studio Requirements
VCDS 120Typography I3
VCDS 201Visual Communication Design Studio I3
VCDS 220Typography II3
VCDS 225Creative Coding3
VCDS 301Visual Communication Design Studio II3
VCDS 311Visual Communication Design Studio III3
VCDS 320User Interface Design3
VCDS 401Visual Communication Design Studio IV Thesis3
VCDS 411Visual Communication Design Studio V Portfolio/Thesis Exhibition3
VCDS 465Motion Design3
Collateral Courses
CMST 110Introduction to Communication and Media3
ENTR 260Introduction to Innovation and 3D Printing3
ENTR 360Advanced Innovation and Digitally Mediated Making3
ENTR 460Applied Digital Innovation Design, and Lean Fabrication3
MKTG 240Introduction to Marketing3
Major Electives
Complete six courses from the list below.18
Total Credits84

Major Electives

ARGS 260Special Topics in Art and Design1-12
ANTH 100Cultural Anthropology3
ARIL 101Introduction to Illustration3
ARIL 200Digital Painting 13
ARIL 225Art of the Visual Narrative3
ARPH 201Digital Photo and Imaging I3
ARPM 262Screen Printing3
ARST 205Photography3
ARST 206Printmaking3
ARTX 120Introduction to Apparel Construction3
ARTX 201Culture and Appearance3
ARTX 220Textile and Apparel Colloquium3
ARTX 230Fashion Illustration3
BCOM 280Strategic Business Communications3
CMST 200Going Viral3
CMST 225New Media and Participatory Culture3
FMTV 201Digital Filmmaking I3
FMTV 252Fundamentals of Film and Television3
MKTG 250Professional Selling3
MUTC 101Music and Computer Technology I3
MUGN 109Introduction to Jazz3
MUGN 120Rap and Rock as Cultural Phenomena3
MUGN 152Music in Film3
POLS 100Introduction to Politics3
PRDN 201Design Visualization III - Digital Sketching3
PSYC 101Introduction to Psychology3
VCDS 335Visual Communication Design Co‐op3
VIST 203Modern Philosophies of Art3

General Education Requirements

Click here for a list of courses that fulfill General Education categories.

A. New Student Seminar
Complete a 1 credit New Student Seminar course.1
C. Communication
1. Writing 3
2. Literature3
3. Communication 3
F. Humanities
1. Great Works and Their Influences
Fulfilled in the major.
Global Foundations in Art and Visual Culture
Modern Visions 1400-1945
2. Philosophical and Religious Perspectives 3
G. Computer Science
Complete a 3 credit Computer Science course.3
K. Social Science
1. American and European History 3
Total Credits19

World Languages and Cultures Requirements

Click here for a list of courses that fulfill World Languages and Cultures categories.

World Languages
Based on language placement exam, complete one or two sequential courses in the same language. Requirement is automatically fulfilled by language major courses.3-6
World Cultures
Requirement may be fulfilled by course selected in General Education - Social Science: Global Cultural Perspectives. Requirement may also be fulfilled by major coursework. See list of courses.0-3
Total Credits3-9

Recommended Roadmap to Degree Completion

This four-year plan is provided as an outline for students to follow in order to complete their degree requirements within four years.  This plan is a recommendation and students should only use it in consultation with their academic advisor.

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
GENERAL EDUCATION: (A) New Student Seminar1GENERAL EDUCATION: (C2) Literature3
GENERAL EDUCATION: (C1) Writing3GENERAL EDUCATION: (C3) Communication3
World Cultures3ARFD 1033
ARFD 101 or PRDN 1003CMST 1103
VCDS 1203Core Elective3
VIST 1023 
 16 15
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
GENERAL EDUCATION: (G) Computer Science3World Language 23
World Language 13VIST 2623
VCDS 2013MKTG 2403
VCDS 2253VCDS 2203
VIST 1053VCDS 3013
 15 15
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
GENERAL EDUCATION: (K1) Social Science – American and European History3ENTR 3603
ENTR 2603ENTR 4603
VCDS 3113VCDS 4653
VCDS 3203Major Elective3
VIST 3063Free Elective3
 15 15
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
VCDS 4013GENERAL EDUCATION: (F2) Humanities – Philosophical and Religious Perspectives3
Major Elective3VCDS 4113
Major Elective3Major Elective3
Major Elective3Major Elective3
Free Elective2Free Elective3
 14 15
Total Credits 120