Visual Communication Design - B.A.
Kent State University
Key Information
Campus location
Kent, USA
Languages
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Study format
On-Campus
Duration
4 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
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Application deadline
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Earliest start date
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Introduction
Visual Communication Design - B.A.
The Bachelor of Arts degree in Visual Communication Design prepares students for the graphic design and illustration professions. Students develop technical understanding and design skills in the organization of imagery and typography to communicate information in two-dimensional and three-dimensional forms. Students produce work for print, motion, video, screen displays, and interactive experiences, as well as package design, exhibition design, and environmental wayfinding.
This program focuses on design and illustration in the context of a broad liberal arts program, giving students the flexibility to choose 20 percent of their coursework (with guidance). This provides the opportunity for students to take a variety of courses to complement their design degree. Students learn at the intersections of communication, information, and technology. The B.A. degree program is for students planning to attend a graduate program or plan to pair their visual communication design degree with another field of study.
For students looking to work as a design professional, the B.F.A. program is recommended.
Through a core of diverse theory- and practice-based courses, students learn basic concepts that apply across the range of college programs and develop a sense of professional expectations and build toward interdisciplinary thinking and application.
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Several scholarship options are available. Please visit the university's website for more information.
Curriculum
Semester One
- Design: Principles, Processes and Practice
- Introduction to Visual Communication Design Studio
- Destination Kent State: First Year Experience
Kent Core Requirement
Kent Core Requirement
Kent Core Requirement
Semester Two
- Design/illustration Techniques I
- Typography I
College of Communication and Information Core Electives
Kent Core Requirement
Semester Three
- Introduction to Design Research
- Design/illustration Techniques II
- Graphic Design I
Kent Core Requirement
Kent Core Requirement
Semester Four
- Motion Design
- Internship I-graphic Design/illustration (ELR)
Kent Core Requirement
Kent Core Requirement
Kent Core Requirement
General Electives
Semester Five
- Graphic Design II
- Visual Ethics
Kent Core Requirement
Kent Core Requirement
General Electives
Semester Six
- Graphic Design Perspectives (WIC)
- VCD Bachelor of Arts Guided Electives
College of Communication and Information Core Electives
Kent Core Requirement
General Electives
Third Summer Term
- Glyphix Research Lab or Internship II-graphic Design/illustration/photography (ELR)
Semester Seven
VCD Bachelor of Arts Guided Electives
General Electives
Semester Eight
- Capstone Project (ELR)
VCD Bachelor of Arts Guided Electives
General Electives
Program Outcome
Accreditation
National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the ethics (and legal issues) closely associated with fields of visual communication.
- Demonstrate an understanding of traditional hands-on skills relative to craftsmanship. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the basic use of digital technologies as they relate to their areas of study.
- Demonstrate an ability to create visual response to communication problems, including understanding of hierarchy, typography, aesthetics, composition and construction of meaningful images.