Visual Communication Design, B.F.A.: 120 units

Offered by: College of Environmental Design, Art Department

The curriculum matrix for the degree program may be found here. The curriculum matrix is the alignment of courses (curriculum) with the desired goals and student learning outcomes of the program. It shows what is taught and how these outcomes are achieved through the completion of the degree program.

Visual Communication Designers create images that may interpret, inform, instruct, persuade, or entertain. This work addresses audience, content, and context, while meeting functional communication needs. We are concerned with the physical, cultural, societal, and technological aspects of creating visual work, whether that work is print-based design, interactive media, or environments.

Visual Communication Design Program: Student Learning Outcomes

1. Ability to solve communication problems, including the skills of problem identification, research and information gathering, analysis, generation of alternative solutions, and prototyping.
2. Ability to describe and respond to the audiences and contexts including recognition of the physical, cognitive, cultural and social human factors that shape design decisions.
3. Ability to create and develop visual form in response to communication problems.
4. Ability to effectively use typography and typographic principles.
5. Fluency with the elements of design and the principles of organization, including color theory, composition, perspective, etc.
6. Understanding information hierarchy, symbolic representation, and aesthetics.
7. Ability to create and develop meaningful and original imagery.
8. Have an understanding of tools and technology, including their roles in the creation, reproduction, and distribution of vital messages. Relevant tools include but not limited to, drawing, offset printing, photography and time-based and interactive media.
9. Understanding design history, theory, and criticism from a variety of perspectives, including those of art history, linguistics, communication and information theory, technology, and the social and cultural use of design objects.
10. Understanding the basic business practices, including the ability to organize projects and work productively as a member of teams.