Visual Communication: Graphic Design & Media Production
Graphic Design & Media Production offers a comprehensive education in design concepts and computer graphics, preparing students for dynamic careers in creative industries. Core courses cover design principles, color theory, typography, and layout, with hands-on experience in industry-standard design software, and includes general education components essential to a collegiate education.
Electives allow specialization in areas that will earn students additional certificates, including: Apparel Graphics & Production, Design Assistant, Digital Photography, Graphic Design, Mixed Media, Print Production, Promotional Graphics & Production, Sign and Graphic Production Specialist, and Visual Communication - Entrepreneurial Certificate, fostering a dynamic exploration of the intersection between creativity and technology through practical projects and real-world applications.
Graphic Design: Students will focus on the development of creative skills and technical skills to develop corporate identities and branding, and design projects such as logos, advertising, packaging, brochures, menus, and posters.
Photography: Students will explore the art and science of capturing impactful images and mastering camera techniques to post-production editing, gaining a strong foundation in both technical and artistic aspects of photography.
Video Production: Students will learn the entire process, from scripting and storyboarding to shooting and editing, acquiring skills in video editing software and gaining hands-on experience in creating professional-quality videos.
Web Design: Students will develop expertise in user experience (UX) design, interface design, and responsive web development, creating interactive and visually appealing websites that meet contemporary industry standards.
Animation: Students will learn the principles of motion graphics and 2D animation, gaining practical experience in animation software to bring their ideas to life.
Sign and Printing Technologies: Students will explore the technical side of graphic design and the processes involved in sign and printing technologies, from traditional methods to cutting-edge digital printing, gaining insight into materials, techniques, and industry standards.
Graduates can pursue careers in communication and advertising agencies, news media, printing and sign companies, public relations departments, and other creative services departments and businesses, including web design, photography, and video production studios. Entrepreneurial opportunities are also available within the visual communication field.
All technical courses must be completed with a grade of "C" (2.0) or higher to advance in all Visual Communication programs.
Degrees
Diplomas
Certificates
- Apparel Graphics and Production - Certificate
- Design Assistant - Certificate
- Digital Photography - Certificate
- Graphic Design - Certificate
- Mixed Media - Certificate
- Print Production - Certificate
- Promotional Graphics and Production - Certificate
- Sign and Graphic Production Specialist - Certificate
- Visual Communication - Entrepreneurial- Certificate
Approved Technical Electives
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| VCA 105 | Drawing Concepts | 3 |
| VCA 106 | Creative Typographical Design | 3 |
| VCA 108 | Color Theory 1 | 3 |
| VCA 120 | Digital Photography I | 3 |
| VCA 131 | Digital Photography II | 3 |
| VCA 164 | Portrait Photography | 3 |
| VCA 263 | Product Photography | 3 |
| VCA 264 | Commercial Photography | 3 |
| VCC 100 | Introduction to Visual Communication 1 | 3 |
| VCC 106 | Typography 1 | 3 |
| VCC 110 | Design Concepts 1 | 3 |
| VCC 125 | Computer Graphics I 1,2 | 3 |
| VCC 135 | Photo Editing for Photography | 3 |
| VCC 145 | Foundations of Sign & Graphic Production | 3 |
| VCC 150 | Mac Basics 2 | 3 |
| VCC 166 | Photoshop Basics 1 | 3 |
| VCC 200 | Illustrator Basics 1 | 3 |
| VCC 210 | Advanced Computer Illustration | 3 |
| VCC 214 | Promotional Graphics & Production | 3 |
| VCC 216 | Apparel Graphics & Production | 3 |
| VCC 218 | Digital Printing & Production | 3 |
| VCC 220 | InDesign Basics 1 | 3 |
| VCC 230 | Advanced InDesign | 3 |
| VCC 235 | Graphic Design I | 3 |
| VCC 245 | Graphic Design II | 3 |
| VCC 255 | Emerging Media Design | 3 |
| VCC 260 | Computer Graphics II | 3 |
| VCC 265 | Graphic Design III | 3 |
| VCC 266 | Advanced Photoshop | 3 |
| VCC 270 | Acrobat Basics | 3 |
| VCC 275 | Sign and Graphic Production | 3 |
| VCC 285 | Advanced Sign & Graphic Production | 3 |
| VCC 297 | Internship 1 | 3 |
| VCC 298 | Practicum | 3 |
| VCM 115 | 2-D Animation | 3 |
| VCM 125 | Foundations of Video Production | 3 |
| VCM 140 | Digital Video | 3 |
| VCM 150 | Audio Production I | 3 |
| VCM 215 | After Effects | 3 |
| VCM 220 | Webpage Design | 3 |
| VCM 230 | Advanced Webpage Design | 3 |
| VCM 240 | Advanced Digital Video | 3 |
| VCP 255 | Special Topics Lab | 3 |
| COE 199 | Cooperative Education: (Topic) | 3 |
| ART 110 | Drawing I | 3 |
| ART 112 | 2-Dimensional Design | 3 |
| BAS 125 | Social Media Marketing: Fundamental Concepts, Skills, and Strategies | 3 |
| BAS 126 | Social Media Marketing: Project Management and Implementation Strategies | 3 |
| BAS 160 | Introduction to Business | 3 |
| BAS 170 | Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| BAS 200 | Small Business Management | 3 |
| BAS 282 | Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| CIT 140 | JavaScript I | 3 |
| CIT 141 | PHP I | 3 |
| CIT 155 | Web Page Development | 3 |
| CIT 157 | Web Site Design and Production | 3 |
| ENG 207 | Creative Writing: (Subtitle Required) | 3 |
| ENG 281 | Introduction to Film | 3 |
| ENG 282 | International Film Studies | 3 |
| HUM 281 | Introduction to Film | 3 |
| HUM 282 | International Film Studies | 3 |
| IMD 133 | Beginning Web Design | 3 |
| IMD 180 | Intermediate Web Design | 3 |
| IMD 250 | Digital Video Editing I | 3 |
| IMD 255 | Digital Video Editing II | 3 |
| IMD 258 | Visual Effects for Video | 3 |
| TEC 200 | Technical Communications | 3 |
| UST 107 | Commercial Drone Operations | 3 |
| UST 170 | Drone Media Applications | 3 |
- 1
CORE courses
- 2
Approved for Digital Literacy
Suggested two-Year Schedule for Visual Communication: Graphic Design & Media Production
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| Heritage/Humanities | 3 | |
| VCC 100 | Introduction to Visual Communication | 3 |
| VCC 110 | Design Concepts | 3 |
| VCC 125 | Computer Graphics I | 3 |
| Three Credit Hours of Approved Technical Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENG 101 | Writing I | 3 |
| VCA 108 | Color Theory | 3 |
| VCC 106 | Typography | 3 |
| Six Credit Hours of Approved Technical Elective | 6 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| MAT 110 | Applied Mathematics | 3 |
| Fifteen Hours of Approved Technical Electives | 15 | |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Spring | ||
| Natural Science | 3 | |
| Social/Behavioral Science | 3 | |
| VCA 280 | Professional Portfolio Development | 3 |
| VCC 297 | Internship | 3 |
| Three Credit Hours of Approved Technical Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 63 | |