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
Click here for a list of courses that fulfill General Education categories.
Click here for a list of courses that fulfill World Languages and Cultures categories.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| I. General Education | ||
| A. New Student Seminar | ||
| GNED 199 | New Student Seminar | 1 |
| C. Communication | ||
| 1. Writing | 3 | |
| 2. Literature | 3 | |
| 3. Communication | 3 | |
| F. Humanities | ||
| 1. Great Works and Their Influences - Fulfilled by ARHT 105 or ARHT 106 in the major. | 0 | |
| 2. Philosophical and Religious Perspectives | 3 | |
| G. Computer Science | 3 | |
| K. Social Science | ||
| 1. American and European History | 3 | |
| II. World Languages and Cultures | ||
| A. World Languages | 6 | |
| B. World Cultures | ||
| Fulfilled by ARHT 101 or ARTX 201 in the major. | 0 | |
| III. Major Requirements | ||
| A1. Core Requirements | ||
| ARFD 100 | Perceptual Drawing | 3 |
| ARFD 101 | Surface | 3 |
| ARFD 102 | Drawing as Research | 3 |
| ARFD 103 | Color and Light | 3 |
| ARFD 104 | Space | 3 |
| A2. Program Core Requirements | ||
| ARFD 106 | Digital Literacy | 3 |
| ARFD 200 | Time | 3 |
| ARFD 400 | Art and Design Forum | 3 |
| ARHT 102 | Visual Culture | 3 |
| ARHT 306 | Critical Design Studies | 3 |
| ARHT 101 | Special Topics in Global Art Cultures | 3 |
| or ARTX 201 | Culture and Appearance | |
| ARHT 105 | Global Foundations in Art and Visual Culture | 3 |
| or ARHT 106 | Modern Visions 1400-1945 | |
| B. Studio Requirements | ||
| VCDS 120 | Typography I | 3 |
| VCDS 220 | Typography II | 3 |
| VCDS 225 | Creative Coding | 3 |
| VCDS 320 | User Interface Design | 3 |
| VCDS 335 | Visual Communication Design Co‐op | 3 |
| VCDS 201 | Visual Communication Design Studio I | 3 |
| VCDS 301 | Visual Communication Design Studio II | 3 |
| VCDS 311 | Visual Communication Design Studio III | 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 |
| C. Collateral Courses | ||
| CMDA 110 | Introduction to Communication and Media Arts | 3 |
| MKTG 240 | Introduction to Marketing | 3 |
| ENTR 201 | The Entrepreneurial Mindset and Innovation | 3 |
| ENTR 303 | Create and Pitch Your Startup | 6 |
| D. Major Electives | ||
| Complete 3 courses from the following (other electives may be approved by Coordinator): | 9-10 | |
| Cultural Anthropology | ||
| Physical Anthropology | ||
| Anthropology of Globalization | ||
| Introduction to Politics | ||
| American Government and Politics | ||
| Comparative Politics | ||
| Introduction to Psychology | ||
| IV. Free Electives | ||
| Complete additional coursework to reach 120 credits. | 2-1 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |