Program Overview

---

Communication Arts Program

Overview

The Communication Arts program at Virginia Commonwealth University is designed to help students develop their artistic skills and conceptual understandings in the field of narrative illustration and entertainment design. The program offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and provides students with the opportunity to explore various aspects of communication arts, including observational drawing, digital image making, concept design, comics and graphic novels, storyboarding, and mixed-media illustration.

Concentrations

The Communication Arts program offers two concentrations:

• Scientific Illustration
• Visual Effects

Program Description

The program is focused on the powerful and timeless relationship between art and narrative. Students in the Communication Arts program will have the opportunity to broaden their artistic skills and conceptual understandings, while exploring their interests in various areas of communication arts.

Career Opportunities

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communication Arts helps develop creative, flexible, and multidisciplinary artists who enjoy greater career possibilities in an increasingly competitive global job market. Career opportunities for graduates of the program include:

• 3D modeling
• Storyboarding and comics
• Professional illustration
• Visual effects
• Other opportunities involving narrative illustration and entertainment design

Bachelor-Level Job Titles

Some potential job titles for graduates of the Communication Arts program include:

• 3D Environment/Character Artist
• Character Designer
• Comic Book Artist
• Concept Artist
• Game Designer
• Infographics Artist
• Motion Graphics Artist/Animator
• Scientific Illustrator
• Storyboard Artist
• Visual Effects Artist

Graduate and Professional Level Job Titles

Some potential job titles for graduates of the Communication Arts program at the graduate and professional level include:

• Consultant
• Director of Communications
• Editor
• Public Relations Manager

Professional Associations and Resources

Some professional associations and resources relevant to the Communication Arts program include:

• Guild of Natural Science Illustrators
• Siggraph
• Society of Illustrators
• The Professional Association for Design (AIGA)

Degree Requirements

The degree requirements for the Communication Arts program can be found in the university's bulletin. The program offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with concentrations in scientific illustration and visual effects.

Plan of Study

The plan of study for the Communication Arts program can be found in the university's bulletin. The program offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with concentrations in scientific illustration and visual effects.

Requirements

Some requirements for the Communication Arts program include:

• Completion of the Art Foundation Program as a prerequisite for entry into all fine art and design departments
• Submission of an application and required portfolio
• Typical application deadlines are November 1 (for spring applicants) and April 1 (for fall applicants)
• Highest level of math required: Quantitative Foundations requirement only
• Science required: Natural Sciences requirement only
• Foreign language requirements: None
• Additional tuition/fees: Yes
• GPA requirements: 2.0+ cumulative GPA to graduate, 2.0+ major GPA to graduate

Yearly Program Outline

The Communication Arts program is designed to be completed in four years. The yearly outline includes:

Year 1: Explore

• MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING: Schedule an appointment with academic advisor, sharpen study skills, meet with writing consultant, enroll in student success course, map out 4-year course plan, explore UNIV 291 modules, apply to university grants and scholarships
• GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY: Get involved with student clubs and organizations, participate in RAM CAMP, register to vote, connect with Resident Assistant, consider applying to Honors College, attend VCUarts visiting artist lectures
• DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY: Join RAMmalogues, review Global Learning's Major Advising Sheets, check out Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, connect with Global Education Office, visit study abroad fair, visit local museums
• EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS: Complete Handshake profile, set up profile in Student Opportunity Center, consider applying for federal work-study job, seek research opportunities, apply to be Division of Student Affairs peer leader, create draft resume
• PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE: Explore "What Can I Do With This Major", build resume and LinkedIn profile, join Students Today Alumni Tomorrow, access free credit report, make 4-year affordability plan, digitally archive studio and personal work

Year 2: Experience

• MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING: Get familiar with research process, schedule appointment with advisor, explore minors and certificates, learn foundational and technical skills
• GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY: Discuss personal and professional interests with faculty, take service-learning class, volunteer, learn about Sophomore Year Experience, join Residence Hall Association, attend student art exhibitions
• DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY: Make friends with diverse perspectives, explore social issues, investigate globally-focused courses, apply for Critical Languages Scholarship
• EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS: Complete gap analysis, seek practical experience, explore global career options, organize examples of academic and professional experiences, attend career and internship fairs
• PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE: Conduct informational interviews, connect with alumni, ask faculty or staff member to be academic and professional mentor, meet with coach at The Money Spot, talk to professors about electives

Year 3: Experience

• MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING: Enhance business, software, technology, and creative skills, see academic and career advisors, take virtual library tour, research and experiment with art projects
• GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY: Design community-engaged research project, attend civic meetings, make appointment with National Scholarship Office, motivate peers by presenting at Leaders Unleashed, attend regional art events
• DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY: Build language proficiency and cultural competence, get required REAL experience, explore new cultures, prepare for future work on multidisciplinary and multicultural teams
• EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS: Take advantage of mock interview opportunities, apply for Graduate School Mentorship Program, secure internship and independent study opportunities, take advantage of opportunities like being published in VCU magazines
• PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE: Make plan with academic, career, and faculty advisors, prepare for job offer negotiation, study for and complete standardized exams, discuss possible directions in arts, create professional online resource

Year 4: Excel

• MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING: Schedule appointment with academic advisor, choose REAL electives, maximize final year with opportunities relevant to postgraduate goal
• GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY: Serve in leadership role, apply for post-graduation programs, attend professional association conferences, take part in student clubs and organizations
• DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY: Carry out globally-oriented research projects, read scholarly articles about diversity, master answers to interview questions, plan for growing cultural agility after graduation
• EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS: Consider becoming educator, meet with academic or professional mentor, publish original research, connect with organizations in scope and career direction
• PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE: Prepare for graduation, single out prospective employers, create job or graduate school search strategy, have personal statement or cover letter reviewed, connect with Office of VCU Alumni Relations