Visual Communication Design - B.F.A.

Program Overview

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Visual Communication Design - B.F.A.

About This Program

Focused on an intensive studio arts experience, this Visual Communication Design major is the “professional degree” that will take your design skills to the next level. You’ll hone your craft solving communication challenges, while building a strong professional portfolio as a visual communicator and storyteller, preparing you for a successful career in a range of design industries.

Contact Information

• Daniel Alenquer | |

Program Delivery

• Delivery: In person
• Location: Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers

• Graphic Designer
• Art/Creative Director
• UI/UX Designer
• Motion Designer/Animator
• Illustrator
• Exhibit/Wayfinding Designer
• Package Designer

Accreditation

National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)

Admission Requirements

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students.

• First-Year Students on the Kent Campus: First-year admission policy on the Kent Campus is selective. Admission decisions are based upon cumulative grade point average, strength of high school college preparatory curriculum and grade trends. Students not admissible to the Kent Campus may be administratively referred to one of the seven regional campuses to begin their college coursework. For more information, visit the admissions website for first-year students.
• First-Year Students on the Regional Campuses: First-year admission to Kent State’s campuses at Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga, Salem, Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas, as well as the Twinsburg Academic Center, is open to anyone with a high school diploma or its equivalent. For more information on admissions, contact the Regional Campuses admissions offices.
• International Students: All international students must provide proof of proficiency of the English language (unless they meet specific exceptions) through the submission of an English language proficiency test score or by completing English language classes at Kent State’s English as a Second Language Center before entering their program. For more information, visit the admissions website for international students.
• Former Students: Former Kent State students who have not attended another institution since Kent State and were not academically dismissed will complete the re-enrollment process through the Financial, Billing and Enrollment Center. Former students who attended another college or university since leaving Kent State must apply for admissions as a transfer or post-undergraduate student.
• Transfer Students: Students who attended an educational institution after graduating from high school or earning their GED must apply as transfer students. For more information, visit the admissions website for transfer students.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

• Course List Code | Title | Credit Hours
  • CCI 12001 | PHOTOGRAPHY | 3
  • VCD 13000 | VISUAL DESIGN THINKING | 3
  • VCD 13001 | INTRODUCTION TO VISUAL COMMUNICATION DESIGN STUDIO (min B- grade) | 3
  • VCD 20010 | DESIGN RESEARCH AND METHODS | 3
  • VCD 22000 | DESIGN/ILLUSTRATION TECHNIQUES I 1 | 3
  • VCD 22001 | DESIGN/ILLUSTRATION TECHNIQUES II | 3
  • VCD 23001 | TYPOGRAPHY I (min B- grade) | 3
  • VCD 25000 | DESIGN HISTORY AND THEORY | 3
  • VCD 33000 | GRAPHIC DESIGN I | 3
  • VCD 33001 | GRAPHIC DESIGN II | 3
  • VCD 33101 | INTERACTION DESIGN I | 3
  • VCD 34004 | VISUAL ETHICS | 3
  • VCD 34005 | ELEMENTS OF BRAND DESIGN | 3
  • VCD 40035 | PROFESSIONAL PORTFOLIO BFA DESIGN | 3
  • VCD 40182 | INTERNSHIP PREPARATION: DESIGN, ILLUSTRATION AND PHOTOGRAPHY | 2
  • VCD 40192 | INTERNSHIP: DESIGN, ILLUSTRATION AND PHOTOGRAPHY (ELR) 2 | 1
  • VCD 44006 | MOTION DESIGN I | 3
  • VCD 43002 | TYPOGRAPHY II | 3
  • VCD 43003 | IDENTITY SYSTEMS | 3
  • VCD 49198 | WRITING FOR PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE (ELR) (WIC) 3 | 2
  • VCD Specialization Electives, choose from the following: | 12
    • EMAT 21000 | INTRODUCTION TO WEB DESIGN
    • EMAT 41000 | RESPONSIVE WEB DESIGN
    • VCD 40053 | GLYPHIX RESEARCH LABORATORY
    • VCD 40089 | GRAPHIC DESIGN-TRAVEL AND FIELD EXPERIENCE (DIVG) (ELR)
    • VCD 40095 | SPECIAL TOPICS IN DESIGN, ILLUSTRATION AND PHOTOGRAPHY
    • VCD 42002 | EDITORIAL ILLUSTRATION
    • VCD 42003 | ADVERTISING ILLUSTRATION
    • VCD 42005 | CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT AND DESIGN: THE HUMAN FIGURE
    • VCD 42006 | CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT AND DESIGN: ANIMALS AND ENVIRONMENTS
    • VCD 42007 | GRAPHIC NARRATIVE
    • VCD 43005 | INTEGRATED BRAND DESIGN
    • VCD 43006 | BRAND EXPERIENCES
    • VCD 43007 | INFORMATION DESIGN
    • VCD 43060 | TYPEFACE DESIGN
    • VCD 43101 | INTERACTION DESIGN II
    • VCD 46003 | EXPERIMENTAL TYPOGRAPHY
  • VCD Additional Electives, choose from the following: | 6
    • EMAT 41000 | RESPONSIVE WEB DESIGN
    • VCD 18002 | PHOTOGRAPHY II
    • VCD 28003 | DIGITAL IMAGING I
    • VCD 32000 | ILLUSTRATION I
    • VCD 32001 | ILLUSTRATION II
    • VCD 38004 | ADVANCED PHOTOGRAPHY
    • VCD 40053 | GLYPHIX RESEARCH LABORATORY
    • VCD 40089 | GRAPHIC DESIGN-TRAVEL AND FIELD EXPERIENCE (DIVG) (ELR)
    • VCD 40095 | SPECIAL TOPICS IN DESIGN, ILLUSTRATION AND PHOTOGRAPHY
    • VCD 40195 | SELECTED TOPICS IN DESIGN, ILLUSTRATION AND PHOTOGRAPHY
    • VCD 42002 | EDITORIAL ILLUSTRATION
    • VCD 42003 | ADVERTISING ILLUSTRATION
    • VCD 42005 | CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT AND DESIGN: THE HUMAN FIGURE
    • VCD 42006 | CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT AND DESIGN: ANIMALS AND ENVIRONMENTS
    • VCD 42007 | GRAPHIC NARRATIVE
    • VCD 43005 | INTEGRATED BRAND DESIGN
    • VCD 43006 | BRAND EXPERIENCES
    • VCD 43051 | TYPE HIGH PRESS 5
    • VCD 43060 | TYPEFACE DESIGN
    • VCD 43101 | INTERACTION DESIGN II
    • VCD 46003 | EXPERIMENTAL TYPOGRAPHY
• Additional Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA)
  • COMM 15000 | INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN COMMUNICATION (KADL) 6 | 3
  • or MDJ 20001 | MEDIA, POWER AND CULTURE (DIVD) (KSS)
  • UC 10001 | FLASHES 101 | 1
• College of Communication and Information Core Electives | 6
  • CCI 10095 | SPECIAL TOPICS IN COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION
  • CCI 40089 | BRANDING AND SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGIES FOR ITALIAN LIFESTYLE (DIVG) (ELR)
  • CCI 40095 | SPECIAL TOPICS IN COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION
  • CCI 40189 | ITALIAN POP CULTURE (DIVG) (ELR)
  • CCI 40289 | ITALIAN CINEMA (DIVG) (ELR)
  • CCI 40389 | DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKING (DIVG) (ELR)
  • CCI 40489 | MULTIMEDIA EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING (DIVG) (ELR)
  • CCI 45089 | INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE IN THE COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION (DIVG) (ELR)
  • CCI 46089 | INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE IN THE COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION (DIVG) (ELR)
  • COMM 15000 | INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN COMMUNICATION (KADL) 6
  • COMM 35852 | INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION (DIVG)
  • EMAT 25310 | CREATIVE CODING
  • EMAT 33310 | HUMAN-COMPUTER INTERACTION
  • LIS 30010 | INFORMATION FLUENCY IN THE WORKPLACE AND BEYOND
  • MDJ 20001 | MEDIA, POWER AND CULTURE (DIVD) (KSS) 6
  • MDJ 21008 | SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGIES
  • UXD 20001 | INTRODUCTION TO USER EXPERIENCE DESIGN
• Kent Core Composition | 6
• Kent Core Mathematics and Critical Reasoning | 3
• Kent Core Humanities | 9
• Kent Core Social Sciences (must be from two disciplines) 7 | 6
• Kent Core Basic Sciences (must include one laboratory) | 6-7
• Kent Core Additional 7 | 3
• General Electives (total credit hours depends on earning 120 credit hours, including 39 upper-division credit hours) 8 | 3

Progression Requirements

• Students must earn a minimum B- grade in VCD 13001 before enrolling in VCD 23001. VCD 13001 may be taken a maximum three times until a minimum B- grade is achieved.
• Students must earn a minimum B- grade in VCD 23001 before enrolling in VCD 33000.
• Students must maintain a 2.700 major GPA in order to continue taking VCD courses. Failure to do so at the end of one semester will result in a written warning with the option of repeating certain VCD courses in order to meet minimum grade and GPA requirements to continue. Failure to do so at the end of two consecutive semesters will result in not being permitted to enroll in VCD courses. Students in this situation will be contacted by an academic advisor to create an alternative plan of study with a new major.

Graduation Requirements

• Graduation Requirements Summary Minimum Major GPA | Minimum Overall GPA
  • 2.700 | 2.000

Roadmap

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. Students will work with their advisor to develop a sequence based on their academic goals and history. Courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Plan of Study Grid | Semester One | Credits

• ! | VCD 13000 | VISUAL DESIGN THINKING | 3
• ! | VCD 13001 | INTRODUCTION TO VISUAL COMMUNICATION DESIGN STUDIO | 3
• | UC 10001 | FLASHES 101 | 1
• | Kent Core Requirement | 3
• | Kent Core Requirement | 3
• | Kent Core Requirement | 3
• | Credit Hours | 16
• Semester Two
  • COMM 15000 or MDJ 20001 | INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN COMMUNICATION (KADL) or MEDIA, POWER AND CULTURE (DIVD) (KSS) | 3
  • VCD 20010 | DESIGN RESEARCH AND METHODS | 3
  • ! | VCD 22000 | DESIGN/ILLUSTRATION TECHNIQUES I 1 | 3
  • ! | VCD 23001 | TYPOGRAPHY I | 3
  • | Kent Core Requirement | 3
  • | Credit Hours | 15
• Semester Three
  • ! | VCD 22001 | DESIGN/ILLUSTRATION TECHNIQUES II | 3
  • VCD 25000 | DESIGN HISTORY AND THEORY | 3
  • ! | VCD 33000 | GRAPHIC DESIGN I | 3
  • VCD 44006 | MOTION DESIGN I | 3
  • CCI Core Elective | 3
  • | Credit Hours | 15
• Semester Four
  • VCD 33001 | GRAPHIC DESIGN II | 3
  • VCD 33101 | INTERACTION DESIGN I | 3
  • ! | VCD 34005 | ELEMENTS OF BRAND DESIGN | 3
  • Kent Core Requirement | 3
  • Kent Core Requirement | 3
  • | Credit Hours | 15
• Semester Five
  • VCD 34004 | VISUAL ETHICS | 3
  • VCD 43003 | IDENTITY SYSTEMS | 3
  • VCD 43002 | TYPOGRAPHY II | 3
  • VCD Specialization Elective | 3
  • Kent Core Requirement | 3
  • | Credit Hours | 15
• Semester Six
  • CCI 12001 | PHOTOGRAPHY | 3
  • VCD 40182 | INTERNSHIP PREPARATION: DESIGN, ILLUSTRATION AND PHOTOGRAPHY | 2
  • VCD Specialization Electives | 6
  • Kent Core Requirement | 3
  • | Credit Hours | 14
• Third Summer Term
  • VCD 40192 | INTERNSHIP: DESIGN, ILLUSTRATION AND PHOTOGRAPHY (ELR) | 1
  • | Credit Hours | 1
• Semester Seven
  • VCD 49198 | WRITING FOR PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE (ELR) (WIC) | 2
  • CCI Core Elective | 3
  • VCD Additional Elective | 3
  • Kent Core Requirement | 3
  • Kent Core Requirement | 3
  • | Credit Hours | 14
• Semester Eight
  • VCD 40035 | PROFESSIONAL PORTFOLIO BFA DESIGN | 3
  • VCD Specialization Elective | 3
  • VCD Additional Elective | 3
  • Kent Core Requirement | 3
  • General Elective | 3
  • | Credit Hours | 15
  • | Minimum Total Credit Hours | 120

University Requirements

All students in a bachelor's degree program at Kent State University must complete the following university requirements for graduation.

• NOTE: University requirements may be fulfilled in this program by specific course requirements. Please see Program Requirements for details.

Bachelor's Requirements Requirement | Credits/Courses

• Flashes 101 (UC 10001) | 1 credit hour
• Course is not required for students with 30+ transfer credits (excluding College Credit Plus) or age 21+ at time of admission.
• Diversity Domestic/Global (DIVD/DIVG) | 2 courses
• Students must successfully complete one domestic and one global course, of which one must be from the Kent Core.
• Experiential Learning Requirement (ELR) | varies
• Students must successfully complete one course or approved experience.
• Kent Core (see table below) | 36-37 credit hours
• Writing-Intensive Course (WIC) | 1 course
• Students must earn a minimum C grade in the course.
• Upper-Division Requirement | 39 credit hours
• Students must successfully complete 39 upper-division (numbered 30000 to 49999) credit hours to graduate.
• Total Credit Hour Requirement | 120 credit hours

Kent Core Requirements

Bachelor's Requirements Requirement | Credits/Courses

• Kent Core Composition (KCMP) | 6
• Kent Core Mathematics and Critical Reasoning (KMCR) | 3
• Kent Core Humanities and Fine Arts (KHUM/KFA) (min one course each) | 9
• Kent Core Social Sciences (KSS) (must be from two disciplines) | 6
• Kent Core Basic Sciences (KBS/KLAB) (must include one laboratory) | 6-7
• Kent Core Additional (KADL) | 6
• Total Credit Hours: | 36-37

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the ethics (and legal issues) closely associated with fields of visual communication.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of traditional hands-on skills relative to craftsmanship.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the basic use of digital technologies as they relate to their areas of study.
4. Demonstrate an ability to create visual response to communication problems, including understanding of hierarchy, typography, aesthetics, composition and construction of meaningful images.

Full Description

The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Visual Communication Design prepares students for design and illustration professions. Students develop technical proficiency and design expertise in the organization of imagery and typography to communicate information in two-dimensional and three-dimensional forms using interactive media, environments and motion design. Students produce work for print, video, screen and interactive experiences, as well as package design, exhibition design and environmental wayfinding.

This major leads to a professional degree and focuses on intensive work in the visual arts. The B.F.A. degree consists of approximately two-thirds of the coursework in the creation and study of the visual arts, with the remainder in liberal/general studies. Because of the greater emphasis on upper-level studio courses, the B.F.A. degree allows students an opportunity to dedicate more time to developing their portfolios. The B.F.A. degree is for students planning to pursue a career in visual communication design and graphic design.

Students may apply early to the following master's degree programs and double count 9 credit hours of graduate courses toward both degree programs. See the Combined Bachelor's/Master's Degree Program Policy in the University Catalog for more information.

• Master of Arts degree in Communication Studies
• Master of Arts degree in Visual Communication Design
• Master of Fine Arts degree in Visual Communication Design
• Master of Library Information Science degree in Library and Information Science
• Master of Science degree in Emerging Media and Technology
• Master of Science degree in Health Informatics
• Master of Science degree in Knowledge Management
• Master of Science degree in User Experience

There are many study abroad/away opportunities. For more information contact the Office of Global Education or coordinator of the college's International Study Programs.

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Equipment and Facilities

VCD's facilities feature a signature gallery, photography studios, graduate and undergraduate studios and the Creative Lab, with equipment check-out, printing resources and more.

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The way humans connect and communicate is at the heart of what we do. Explore communication, design, media, technology or information at Kent State.

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Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

Focused on an intensive studio arts experience, this Visual Communication Design major is the “professional degree” that will take your design skills to the next level. You’ll hone your craft solving communication challenges, while building a strong professional portfolio as a visual communicator and storyteller, preparing you for a successful career in a range of design industries. The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Visual Communication Design prepares students for design and illustration professions. Students develop technical proficiency and design expertise in the organization of imagery and typography to communicate information in two-dimensional and three-dimensional forms using interactive media, environments and motion design. Students produce work for print, video, screen and interactive experiences, as well as package design, exhibition design and environmental wayfinding. This major leads to a professional degree and focuses on intensive work in the visual arts. The B.F.A. degree consists of approximately two-thirds of the coursework in the creation and study of the visual arts, with the remainder in liberal/general studies. Because of the greater emphasis on upper-level studio courses, the B.F.A. degree allows students an opportunity to dedicate more time to developing their portfolios. The B.F.A. degree is for students planning to pursue a career in visual communication design and graphic design.

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Outline:

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Program Requirements:

• Major Requirements (courses count in major GPA):
• CCI 12001 PHOTOGRAPHY (3 credit hours)
• VCD 13000 VISUAL DESIGN THINKING (3 credit hours)
• VCD 13001 INTRODUCTION TO VISUAL COMMUNICATION DESIGN STUDIO (3 credit hours, minimum B- grade)
• VCD 20010 DESIGN RESEARCH AND METHODS (3 credit hours)
• VCD 22000 DESIGN/ILLUSTRATION TECHNIQUES I (13 credit hours)
• VCD 22001 DESIGN/ILLUSTRATION TECHNIQUES II (3 credit hours)
• VCD 23001 TYPOGRAPHY I (3 credit hours, minimum B- grade)
• VCD 25000 DESIGN HISTORY AND THEORY (3 credit hours)
• VCD 33000 GRAPHIC DESIGN I (3 credit hours)
• VCD 33001 GRAPHIC DESIGN II (3 credit hours)
• VCD 33101 INTERACTION DESIGN I (3 credit hours)
• VCD 34004 VISUAL ETHICS (3 credit hours)
• VCD 34005 ELEMENTS OF BRAND DESIGN (3 credit hours)
• VCD 40182 INTERNSHIP PREPARATION: DESIGN, ILLUSTRATION AND PHOTOGRAPHY (2 credit hours)
• VCD 40192 INTERNSHIP: DESIGN, ILLUSTRATION AND PHOTOGRAPHY (ELR) (21 credit hours)
• VCD 44006 MOTION DESIGN I (3 credit hours)
• VCD 43002 TYPOGRAPHY II (3 credit hours)
• VCD 43003 IDENTITY SYSTEMS (3 credit hours)
• VCD 49198 RESEARCH PAPERS AND PROPOSALS FOR DESIGN, ILLUSTRATION AND PHOTOGRAPHY (ELR) (WIC) (3 credit hours)
• VCD Specialization Electives, choose from the following (12 credit hours):
• VCD 40053 GLYPHIX RESEARCH LABORATORY
• VCD 40089 GRAPHIC DESIGN-TRAVEL AND FIELD EXPERIENCE (DIVG) (ELR)
• VCD 40095 SPECIAL TOPICS IN DESIGN, ILLUSTRATION AND PHOTOGRAPHY
• VCD 42002 EDITORIAL ILLUSTRATION
• VCD 42003 ADVERTISING ILLUSTRATION
• VCD 42005 CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT AND DESIGN: THE HUMAN FIGURE
• VCD 42006 CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT AND DESIGN: ANIMALS AND ENVIRONMENTS
• VCD 43005 INTEGRATED BRAND DESIGN
• VCD 43006 BRAND EXPERIENCES
• VCD 43060 TYPEFACE DESIGN
• VCD 43101 INTERACTION DESIGN II
• VCD 46002 RESPONSIVE WEB DESIGN
• VCD 46003 EXPERIMENTAL TYPOGRAPHY
• VCD 49199 CAPSTONE PROJECT (ELR)
• VCD Additional Electives, choose from the following (46 credit hours):
• VCD 18002 PHOTOGRAPHY II
• VCD 21000 INTRODUCTION TO WEB DESIGN
• VCD 28003 DIGITAL IMAGING I
• VCD 32000 ILLUSTRATION I
• VCD 32001 ILLUSTRATION II
• VCD 38004 ADVANCED PHOTOGRAPHY
• VCD 40053 GLYPHIX RESEARCH LABORATORY
• VCD 40089 GRAPHIC DESIGN-TRAVEL AND FIELD EXPERIENCE (DIVG) (ELR)
• VCD 40095 SPECIAL TOPICS IN DESIGN, ILLUSTRATION AND PHOTOGRAPHY
• VCD 40195 SELECTED TOPICS IN DESIGN, ILLUSTRATION AND PHOTOGRAPHY
• VCD 42002 EDITORIAL ILLUSTRATION
• VCD 42003 ADVERTISING ILLUSTRATION
• VCD 42005 CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT AND DESIGN: THE HUMAN FIGURE
• VCD 42006 CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT AND DESIGN: ANIMALS AND ENVIRONMENTS
• VCD 43005 INTEGRATED BRAND DESIGN
• VCD 43006 BRAND EXPERIENCES
• VCD 43051 TYPE HIGH PRESS (5 credit hours)
• VCD 43060 TYPEFACE DESIGN
• VCD 43101 INTERACTION DESIGN II
• VCD 46002 RESPONSIVE WEB DESIGN
• VCD 46003 EXPERIMENTAL TYPOGRAPHY
• VCD 49199 CAPSTONE PROJECT (ELR)
• Additional Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA):
• COMM 15000 INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN COMMUNICATION (KADL) (63 credit hours) or MDJ 20001 MEDIA, POWER AND CULTURE (DIVD) (KSS) (6 credit hours)
• UC 10001 FLASHES 101 (1 credit hour)
• College of Communication and Information Core Electives (6 credit hours)
• CCI 40089 BRANDING AND SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGIES FOR ITALIAN LIFESTYLE (DIVG) (ELR)
• CCI 40189 ITALIAN POP CULTURE (DIVG) (ELR)
• CCI 40289 ITALIAN CINEMA (DIVG) (ELR)
• CCI 40389 DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKING (DIVG) (ELR)
• CCI 40489 MULTIMEDIA EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING (DIVG) (ELR)
• COMM 15000 INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN COMMUNICATION (KADL) (6 credit hours)
• COMM 35852 INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION (DIVG)
• EMAT 25310 CREATIVE CODING
• EMAT 33310 HUMAN-COMPUTER INTERACTION
• LIS 30010 INFORMATION FLUENCY IN THE WORKPLACE AND BEYOND
• MDJ 20001 MEDIA, POWER AND CULTURE (DIVD) (KSS) (6 credit hours)
• MDJ 21008 SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGIES
• UXD 20001 INTRODUCTION TO USER EXPERIENCE DESIGN
• Kent Core Composition (6 credit hours)
• Kent Core Mathematics and Critical Reasoning (3 credit hours)
• Kent Core Humanities (9 credit hours)
• Kent Core Social Sciences (76 credit hours, must be from two disciplines)
• Kent Core Basic Sciences (6-7 credit hours, must include one laboratory)
• Kent Core Additional (73 credit hours)
• General Electives (83 credit hours, total credit hours depends on earning 120 credit hours, including 39 upper-division credit hours)
• Minimum Total Credit Hours: 120

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Progression Requirements:

• Students must earn a minimum B- grade in VCD 13001 before enrolling in VCD 23001.
VCD 13001 may be taken a maximum three times until a minimum B- grade is achieved.
• Students must earn a minimum B- grade in VCD 23001 before enrolling in VCD 33000.
• Students must maintain a 2.700 major GPA in order to continue taking VCD courses.
Failure to do so at the end of one semester will result in a written warning with the option of repeating certain VCD courses in order to meet minimum grade and GPA requirements to continue. Failure to do so at the end of two consecutive semesters will result in not being permitted to enroll in VCD courses. Students in this situation will be contacted by an academic advisor to create an alternative plan of study with a new major.

---

Graduation Requirements:

• Minimum Major GPA: 2.700
• Minimum Overall GPA: 2.000
• A minimum B- grade may be required in some courses.

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Roadmap:

• Semester One:
• VCD 13000 VISUAL DESIGN THINKING (3 credit hours)
• VCD 13001 INTRODUCTION TO VISUAL COMMUNICATION DESIGN STUDIO (3 credit hours)
• UC 10001 FLASHES 101 (1 credit hour)
• Kent Core Requirement (3 credit hours)
• Kent Core Requirement (3 credit hours)
• Kent Core Requirement (3 credit hours)
• Total Credit Hours: 16
• Semester Two:
• COMM 15000 INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN COMMUNICATION (KADL) (3 credit hours) or MDJ 20001 MEDIA, POWER AND CULTURE (DIVD) (KSS) (3 credit hours)
• VCD 20010 DESIGN RESEARCH AND METHODS (3 credit hours)
• VCD 22000 DESIGN/ILLUSTRATION TECHNIQUES I (13 credit hours)
• VCD 23001 TYPOGRAPHY I (3 credit hours)
• Kent Core Requirement (3 credit hours)
• Total Credit Hours: 15
• Semester Three:
• VCD 22001 DESIGN/ILLUSTRATION TECHNIQUES II (3 credit hours)
• VCD 25000 DESIGN HISTORY AND THEORY (3 credit hours)
• VCD 33000 GRAPHIC DESIGN I (3 credit hours)
• VCD 44006 MOTION DESIGN I (3 credit hours)
• CCI Core Elective (3 credit hours)
• Total Credit Hours: 15
• Semester Four:
• VCD 33001 GRAPHIC DESIGN II (3 credit hours)
• VCD 33101 INTERACTION DESIGN I (3 credit hours)
• VCD 34005 ELEMENTS OF BRAND DESIGN (3 credit hours)
• Kent Core Requirement (3 credit hours)
• Kent Core Requirement (3 credit hours)
• Total Credit Hours: 15
• Semester Five:
• VCD 34004 VISUAL ETHICS (3 credit hours)
• VCD 43003 IDENTITY SYSTEMS (3 credit hours)
• VCD 43002 TYPOGRAPHY II (3 credit hours)
• VCD Specialization Elective (3 credit hours)
• Kent Core Requirement (3 credit hours)
• Total Credit Hours: 15
• Semester Six:
• CCI 12001 PHOTOGRAPHY (3 credit hours)
• VCD 40182 INTERNSHIP PREPARATION: DESIGN, ILLUSTRATION AND PHOTOGRAPHY (2 credit hours)
• VCD Specialization Electives (6 credit hours)
• Kent Core Requirement (3 credit hours)
• Total Credit Hours: 14
• Third Summer Term:
• VCD 40192 INTERNSHIP: DESIGN, ILLUSTRATION AND PHOTOGRAPHY (ELR) (1 credit hour)
• Total Credit Hours: 1
• Semester Seven:
• VCD 49198 RESEARCH PAPERS AND PROPOSALS FOR DESIGN, ILLUSTRATION AND PHOTOGRAPHY (ELR) (WIC) (2 credit hours)
• CCI Core Elective (3 credit hours)
• VCD Additional Elective (3 credit hours)
• Kent Core Requirement (3 credit hours)
• Kent Core Requirement (3 credit hours)
• Total Credit Hours: 14
• Semester Eight:
• VCD Specialization Elective (3 credit hours)
• VCD Additional Elective (3 credit hours)
• Kent Core Requirement (3 credit hours)
• General Elective (3 credit hours)

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Careers:

• Graphic Designer
• Art/Creative Director
• UI/UX Designer
• Motion Designer/Animator
• Illustrator
• Exhibit/Wayfinding Designer
• Equipment and Facilities: VCD's facilities feature a signature gallery, photography studios, graduate and undergraduate studios and the Creative Lab, with equipment check-out, printing resources and more.
• Study Abroad/Away Opportunities: There are many study abroad/away opportunities.
• Combined Bachelor's/Master's Degree Program Policy: Students may apply early to the following master's degree programs and double count 9 credit hours of graduate courses toward both degree programs.
See the Combined Bachelor's/Master's Degree Program Policy in the University Catalog for more information.
• Master of Arts degree in Communication Studies
• Master of Arts degree in Media and Journalism
• Master of Arts degree in Visual Communication Design
• Master of Fine Arts degree in Visual Communication Design
• Master of Library Information Science degree in Library and Information Science
• Master of Science degree in Emerging Media and Technology
• Master of Science degree in Health Informatics
• Master of Science degree in Knowledge Management
• Master of Science degree in User Experience