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
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
General Education Requirements | 19 | |
World Languages and Cultures Requirements | 6-9 | |
Major Requirements | 84 | |
Free Electives | 11-8 | |
Total Credits | 120 |
Major Requirements
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Core Requirements | ||
ARFD 101 | Surface | 3 |
or PRDN 100 | Design Visualization I - Concept Sketching | |
ARFD 103 | Color and Light | 3 |
VIST 102 | Visual Culture | 3 |
VIST 105 | Global Foundations in Art and Visual Culture | 3 |
VIST 262 | See What I Mean: A History of Visual Communication Design | 3 |
VIST 306 | Critical Design Studies | 3 |
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 120 | Typography I | 3 |
VCDS 201 | Visual Communication Design Studio I | 3 |
VCDS 220 | Typography II | 3 |
VCDS 225 | Creative Coding | 3 |
VCDS 301 | Visual Communication Design Studio II | 3 |
VCDS 311 | Visual Communication Design Studio III | 3 |
VCDS 320 | User Interface Design | 3 |
VCDS 401 | Visual Communication Design Studio IV Thesis | 3 |
VCDS 411 | Visual Communication Design Studio V Portfolio/Thesis Exhibition | 3 |
VCDS 465 | Motion Design | 3 |
Collateral Courses | ||
CMST 110 | Introduction to Communication and Media | 3 |
ENTR 260 | Introduction to Innovation and 3D Printing | 3 |
ENTR 360 | Advanced Innovation and Digitally Mediated Making | 3 |
ENTR 460 | Applied Digital Innovation Design, and Lean Fabrication | 3 |
MKTG 240 | Introduction to Marketing | 3 |
Major Electives | ||
Complete six courses from the list below. | 18 | |
Total Credits | 84 |
Major Electives
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
ARGS 260 | Special Topics in Art and Design | 1-12 |
ANTH 100 | Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
ARIL 101 | Introduction to Illustration | 3 |
ARIL 200 | Digital Painting Methods | 3 |
ARIL 225 | Art of the Visual Narrative | 3 |
ARPH 201 | Digital Photo and Imaging I | 3 |
ARPM 262 | Screen Printing | 3 |
ARST 205 | Photography | 3 |
ARST 206 | Printmaking | 3 |
ARTX 120 | Introduction to Apparel Construction | 3 |
ARTX 201 | Culture and Appearance | 3 |
ARTX 220 | Textile and Apparel Colloquium | 3 |
ARTX 230 | Fashion Illustration | 3 |
BUGN 280 | Strategic Business Communications | 3 |
CMST 200 | Going Viral | 3 |
CMST 225 | New Media and Participatory Culture | 3 |
FMTV 201 | Digital Filmmaking I | 3 |
FMTV 252 | Fundamentals of Film and Television | 3 |
MKTG 250 | Professional Selling | 3 |
MUTC 101 | Music and Computer Technology I | 3 |
MUGN 109 | Introduction to Jazz | 3 |
MUGN 120 | Rap and Rock as Cultural Phenomena | 3 |
MUGN 152 | Music in Film | 3 |
POLS 100 | Introduction to Politics | 3 |
PRDN 201 | Design Visualization III - Digital Sketching | 3 |
PSYC 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
VCDS 335 | Visual Communication Design Co‐op | 3 |
VIST 203 | Modern Philosophies of Art | 3 |
General Education Requirements
Click here for a list of courses that fulfill General Education categories.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
A. New Student Seminar | ||
Complete a 1 credit New Student Seminar course. | 1 | |
C. Communication | ||
1. Writing | 3 | |
2. Literature | 3 | |
3. Communication | 3 | |
F. Humanities | ||
1. Great Works and Their Influences | ||
Fulfilled in the major. | ||
Global Foundations in Art and Visual Culture | ||
or VIST 106 | 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 Credits | 19 |
World Languages and Cultures Requirements
Click here for a list of courses that fulfill World Languages and Cultures categories.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
World Languages | ||
Based on language placement exam, complete one or two sequential courses in the same language. | 3-6 | |
World Cultures | ||
Requirement may be fulfilled by course selected in General Education - Social Science: Global Cultural Perspectives. | 0-3 | |
Total Credits | 3-9 |
Recommended Roadmap to Degree Completion
This recommended 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 | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | |
GENERAL EDUCATION: (A) New Student Seminar | 1 | |
GENERAL EDUCATION: (C1) Writing | 3 | |
World Cultures | 3 | |
ARFD 101 or PRDN 100 |
Surface or Design Visualization I - Concept Sketching |
3 |
VCDS 120 | Typography I | 3 |
VIST 102 | Visual Culture | 3 |
Credits | 16 | |
Spring | ||
GENERAL EDUCATION: (C2) Literature | 3 | |
GENERAL EDUCATION: (C3) Communication | 3 | |
ARFD 103 | Color and Light | 3 |
CMST 110 | Introduction to Communication and Media | 3 |
Core Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Second Year | ||
Fall | ||
GENERAL EDUCATION: (G) Computer Science | 3 | |
World Language 1 | 3 | |
VCDS 201 | Visual Communication Design Studio I | 3 |
VCDS 225 | Creative Coding | 3 |
VIST 105 | Global Foundations in Art and Visual Culture | 3 |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
World Language 2 | 3 | |
VIST 262 | See What I Mean: A History of Visual Communication Design | 3 |
MKTG 240 | Introduction to Marketing | 3 |
VCDS 220 | Typography II | 3 |
VCDS 301 | Visual Communication Design Studio II | 3 |
Credits | 15 | |
Third Year | ||
Fall | ||
GENERAL EDUCATION: (K1) Social Science – American and European History | 3 | |
ENTR 260 | Introduction to Innovation and 3D Printing | 3 |
VCDS 311 | Visual Communication Design Studio III | 3 |
VCDS 320 | User Interface Design | 3 |
VIST 306 | Critical Design Studies | 3 |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
ENTR 360 | Advanced Innovation and Digitally Mediated Making | 3 |
ENTR 460 | Applied Digital Innovation Design, and Lean Fabrication | 3 |
VCDS 465 | Motion Design | 3 |
Major Elective | 3 | |
Free Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Fourth Year | ||
Fall | ||
VCDS 401 | Visual Communication Design Studio IV Thesis | 3 |
Major Elective | 3 | |
Major Elective | 3 | |
Major Elective | 3 | |
Free Elective | 2 | |
Credits | 14 | |
Spring | ||
GENERAL EDUCATION: (F2) Humanities – Philosophical and Religious Perspectives | 3 | |
VCDS 411 | Visual Communication Design Studio V Portfolio/Thesis Exhibition | 3 |
Major Elective | 3 | |
Major Elective | 3 | |
Free Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Total Credits | 120 |