Visual Communication (Graphic Design)

Visual Communication Design students learn to combine communication and technology with design and business to create powerful visual solutions. Students become adept in analyzing communication problems and inventing beautiful and appropriate solutions that respond to human needs and improve the quality of business, government and everyday life. Course content deals with a variety of visual communication design problems related to the community, society, industry, commerce, and advertising. Attention is given to the development of a well-rounded, representative, and quality portfolio.

Career options for visual communication designers include a wide range of areas such as traditional print media, magazine and book design, corporate marketing communications, branding, packaging design, exhibition and environmental design, motion graphic design, website design, interface design and more.

Visual Communication (Graphic Design) Department website

Sample of Related Skills

• Understand software utilized in the creation, dissemination and documentation of graphic design work 
• Demonstrate competence with the principles of visual organization, including the ability to work with visual elements in two and three dimensions; color theory and its applications; and drawing 
• Apply knowledge of the principles of visual organization to conduct formal analysis of artworks   
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of media, technologies and equipment applicable to their area of emphasis. This includes environmentally responsible practice  
• Integrate skills in studio practice, theory, analysis, media and technology to address a variety of art problems, independently and in collaboration with others  
• Demonstrate through public exhibition the capability to produce work that provides visual solutions to organization’s communication problems 
• Understand design problems related to the community, society, industry, commerce, and advertising 

Popular Career Paths

Advertising Designer: Involves creating graphics and layout for print, web, billboard, etc. advertisements

Freelance: Entails utilizing one’s network and resources to contract with individuals, companies, or organizations to complete project-based assignments

Print Designer: Involves ensuring print on a page is attractive and ready to print using typographical and technical skills

Web Designer: Entails coupling creativity and design skills with technical coding skills to design and build webpages 

Jobs to Consider

• Animator
• Advertising art director
• Art Director
• Commercial/Industrial Designer
• Fine Artist
• Graphic Designer
• Illustrator
• Interior and Spatial Designer
• Marketing Manager
• Multimedia Artist/Animator
• Fabric and Apparel Pattern Makers
• Public Relations Manager
• Theatre/Television/Film Production Designer
• Exhibition Designer
• Multimedia Specialist 

Places to Seek Employment

• Art and Film Companies
• Large Corporations
• Marketing Agencies
• State, Local, & Federal Agencies
• Manufacturing Companies
• Publishing Companies
• Advertising Agencies
• Technology Companies
• Universities and Colleges
• Public Relations Firms 

Explore More Career Resources

Americans for the ARTS - job bank with careers in the arts 

Creative Hotlist - online search engine geared towards career development in the art fields 

Coroflot - online resource for the "creative world at work" featuring job listings board, portfolio advice, groups, and general career advice  

National Art Education Association - premier electronic recruitment resource for the profession, includes job listings 

theCreativeloft - job listings for individuals in creative industries