Academic Catalog - 2024-2025

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Communication

Visual Communication, Bachelor of Fine Arts


Academic Information

Available Emphasis Areas:

The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Visual Communication 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, multimedia, interactivity, animation, motion graphics, photography, and project management to produce messages that clearly inform, effectively communicate brand experience, and persuade viewers.

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Academic Catalog - 2024-2025

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Communication

Visual Communication, Bachelor of Fine Arts


Careers

What Can I Do with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Communication?

In the Visual Communication program, you will acquire strong foundational training in Art, Design, and Technology. Our degree program offers the opportunity to graduate with an emphasis in graphic design or animation. The emphases prepare students seeking a career in industries such as design, advertising, film, TV, game design, and entertainment. In our small, intimate studio classes, you will be guided by faculty members to foster your artistic voice while creating effective strategic approaches. Work on real-world projects in one of our experiential and professional learning opportunities at the VisualDESIGNlab and Advanced Media Lab.

Our wide range of studio classes will prepare you with in-demand skills and expand your abilities in a continually evolving field for years to come. You will graduate with a highly competitive and individualized portfolio that will help you integrate seamlessly into the job market. Our alumni have started successful independent design practices and work for some of the country's leading firms and agencies, including NBC Sports, Yahoo, Citigroup, Motorola, Abercrombie Finch, GoDaddy, Amazon Game Studios, Google, IBM, GAP, W.L. Gore, Nike, and L’Oreal.

Career opportunities that might be pursued:
  • Graphic designer
  • Animator
  • Motion graphics designer
  • User interface (UI) designer
  • User experience (UX) designer
  • Interaction designer
  • Web designer
  • Packaging designer
  • Corporate media designer
  • Print production designer
  • Art director
  • Creative director
  • Design manager 
  • Freelance designer
  • Visual designer
  • Digital designer
  • Advertising designer
  • Content developer

With further education, one of these paths is possible:
  • Illustrator
  • Advanced education in these areas may lead to greater leadership opportunities, broader responsibilities, and scholarly pursuits. 

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Academic Catalog - 2024-2025

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Communication

Visual Communication, Bachelor of Fine Arts


University Requirements

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Academic Catalog - 2024-2025

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Communication

Visual Communication, Bachelor of Fine Arts


Overview

In addition to University Requirements:

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
Additional Admission Requirements Required
Fieldwork Experience/Internship Optional
University Honors Program Optional
AZ Transfer Students complete AGEC-A Recommended
Progression Plan Link View Progression Plan
Emphasis Required

An emphasis is required for this major.

Purpose Statement

The Visual Communications program develops the analytical skills and creative passion in our students to be designers, animators and professional artists who creatively, yet strategically, resolve challenging visual design problems across a variety of media in an artistic, visually compelling manner. 
 
In our program, students begin by building a strong foundation in the elements, principles, and processes of design.  They build upon this foundation across their studio classes by engaging in the creation of increasingly complex designs focused on solving real-world problems.  As a student progresses through the program, they incorporate a multi-disciplinary approach by applying concepts from art history, communication theory, drawing, and their liberal studies requirements to issues of design.  Cutting-edge software and technological applications are then integrated into their experience.  Particularly, students learn to apply design principles to software in a manner that provides the skills to adapt to the newest technologies in expectation for the technologies which will emerge in the future.
 
To be effective in the world of design, our students learn to develop excellent relationships with clients, and work collaboratively to co-create projects in teams.  By learning how to communicate effectively with clients and utilize the talents and strengths of design colleagues, our students learn how to creatively navigate relationships to develop the best design products. 
 
Our faculty members know that the elements, principles, and processes of design, the software, the ability to collaborate; all of this is just the beginning.  Our program is taught using small, studio-based courses, one-on-one faculty mentoring, and advanced facilities.  Yet, the ever-changing world of design requires its practitioners to learn throughout their careers and constantly keep their skills up-to-date.  Our program and faculty provide the strategic approaches to learning that will sustain our graduates’ abilities in a continually evolving field for years to come. 
 
Overall, our integrative approach develops students who are capable of applying fundamentals to solve increasingly complex design problems in technologically innovative ways, and result in a portfolio of work designed to launch them in their career.

Student Learning Outcomes

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

Graphic Design EmphasisAnimation Emphasis

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Academic Catalog - 2024-2025

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Communication

Visual Communication, Bachelor of Fine Arts


Details

Additional Admission Requirements
Major Requirements
General Electives
Additional Information
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Academic Catalog - 2024-2025

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Communication

Visual Communication, Bachelor of Fine Arts


Campus Availability

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