2015-2016

Visual Communication, Bachelor of Fine Arts

Visual Communication

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Visual Commuication is designed to produce graduates who are skilled in using art, design and technology to creatively communicate ideas and transform messages into visual communication. Through the rigorous coursework, students will develop skills in using aesthetic and conceptual judgment, color, type, symbols, digital images, multi-media, interactivity, motion graphics, photography, and project management to produce messages that clearly inform, effectively communicate brand experience, and persuade viewers.

  • Available Emphasis Areas:
  • Interactive Design - Emphasis
  • Graphic Design - Emphasis

  • To receive a bachelor's degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete at least 120 units of credit that minimally includes a major, the liberal studies requirements, and university requirements as listed below.

    • All of Northern Arizona University's diversity, liberal studies, junior-level writing, and capstone requirements.
    • All requirements for your specific academic plan(s).
    • At least 30 units of upper-division courses, which may include transfer work.
    • At least 30 units of coursework taken through Northern Arizona University, of which at least 18 must be upper-division courses (300-level or above). This requirement is not met by credit-by-exam, retro-credits, transfer coursework, etc.
    • A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 on all work attempted at Northern Arizona University.

    The full policy can be viewed here.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • At least 66 units of major requirements including 39 units of emphasis requirements

  • Up to 9 units of major prefix courses may be used to satisfy Liberal Studies requirements; these same courses may also be used to satisfy major requirements.

  • Elective courses, if needed, to reach an overall total of at least 120 units.

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

Minimum Units for Completion 120
Major GPA 2.5
Highest Mathematics Required MAT 114
Fieldwork Experience/Internship Optional
University Honors Program Optional
Progression Plan Link Not Available
Student Learning Outcomes

Visual Communication

Outcomes align with Standards from the National Association of Schools of Art & Design Accreditation

  • Studio.
    • Gain functional competence with principles of visual organization, including the ability to work with visual elements in two and three dimensions; color theory and its applications; and drawing.
    • Present work that demonstrates perceptual acuity, conceptual understanding, and technical facility at a professional entry level in their chosen field(s).
    • Become familiar with the historical achievements, current major issues, processes, and directions of their field(s).
    • Be afforded opportunities to exhibit their work and to experience and participate in critiques and discussions of their work and the work of others
  • Art/ Design History, Theory, and Criticism.
    • Learn to analyze works of art/ design perceptively and to evaluate them critically
    • Develop an understanding of the common elements and vocabulary of art/ design and of the interaction of these elements, and be able to employ this knowledge in analysis.
    • Acquire the ability to place works of art/ design in historical, cultural, and stylistic contexts.
  • Technology: Acquire a working knowledge of technologies and equipment applicable to their area(s) of specialization.
  • Synthesis: While synthesis is a lifetime process, by the end of undergraduate studies students should be able to work independently on a variety of art and/or design problems by combining, as appropriate to the issue, their capabilities in studio, analysis, history, and technology.
  • Specialization
    • Students must demonstrate achievement of professional, entry-level competence in the major area of specialization, including significant technical mastery, capability to produce work and solve professional problems independently, and a coherent set of artistic/ intellectual goals that are evidence in their work.
    • Students must demonstrate their competence by developing a body of work for evaluation in the major area of study.  A senior project or final presentation in the major area is required.
    • Students must have the ability to form and defend value judgments about art and design and to communicate art/ design ideas, concepts, and requirements to professional and laypersons related to the practice of the major field.  They are able to work collaboratively as appropriate to the area(s) of specialization. 
Graphic Design Emphasis
  • The ability to solve communication problems, including the skills of problem identification, research and information gathering, analysis, generation of alternative solutions, and prototyping.
  • The ability to describe and respond to the audiences and contexts which communication solutions must address, including recognition of the physical, cognitive, cultural, and social human factors that shape design decisions.
  • The ability to create and develop visual form in response to communication problems, including an understanding of principles of visual organization/ composition, information hierarchy, symbolic representation, typography, aesthetics, and the construction of meaningful images.
  • An understanding of tools and technology, including their roles in the creation, reproduction, and distribution of visual messages.
  • An understanding of 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.
  • An understanding of basic business practices, including the ability to organize design projects and to work productively as a member of teams. 
Interactive Design Emphasis
  • The ability to solve communication problems, including the skills of problem identification, research and information gathering, analysis, generation of alternative solutions, prototyping and user testing, and evaluation of outcomes.
  • Knowledge of the concepts related to the visual, motion, and interactive elements/features of digital technology and principles for their use in the creation and application of digital media-based work.
  • Knowledge of the processes for the development and coordination of digitally-based art and design strategies (for example, storyboarding, concept mapping, and the use of scenarios and personas.)
  • Ability to analyze and synthesize relevant aspects of human interaction in various contexts (physical, cognitive, cultural, social, political, and economic) and with respect to technologically-mediated communication, objects, and environments.
  • Understanding of what is useful, usable, effective, and desirable with respect to user/audience-centered digitally-based communication, objects, and environments.

Major Requirements


  • All majors must earn the grade of "C" or better in COM 101, COM 200, their freshman composition required course and their foundation mathematics course.

General Electives

  • Additional coursework is required if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 120 units of credit.

    You may take these remaining courses from any of the academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. You may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren't used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements.

    We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you.

Additional Information
  • See the School of Communication page for information about the Communication Core, Advising and Student Responsibilities, and Graduation Requirements.

  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.