Skip to Content

2024 - 2025 Catalog Year
Visual Communications (Full-time)

Degree: Associate of Applied Science
Division: Liberal Arts, Communication and Social Sciences

This Sample Program Pathway is designed to provide an example of course selections in a term by term sequence. Please see an Academic Advisor for a plan specific to your academic needs.

Fall Semester (First Year)
Hours
 

Description: Students are introduced to the fundamental principles and elements of design, through the application of critical and creative thinking skills, messaging, and storytelling; understanding of social and cultural context, human behavior, color, typography, image and modeling, resulting in traditional and digital conceptualization of visual communication projects. Two classroom, four lab hours per week.

Notes: Time-Intensive/Studio Course Keep all VIS projects for your First Year Assessment

Description: Introduction to the design development process including research, ideation and iteration, computer illustration, imaging, photo manipulation, page layout, and composition techniques using industry-based software.

Notes: Keep all VIS projects for your First Year Assessment The department strongly recommends that students take VIS 1140 and VIS 1150 concurrently if they plan to take VIS 1220 and VIS 1250 the following term.

Notes: Time intensive Keep all VIS projects for your First Year Assessment The department strongly recommends that students take VIS 1140 and VIS 1150 concurrently if they plan to take VIS 1220 and VIS 1250 the following term.

Description: History of graphic design covering major designers and their work, as well as design movements. From the origins of graphic art including printing and typography through the rise of the Internet, this course will explore the connection between culture and technology in the evolution of graphic design.

 

Term hours subtotal:

15

Spring Semester (First Year)
Elective course signified by
Hours
 

Description: Introduction to drawing techniques as applied to design, including stylization, perspective, application of color and texture, design processes, shading and light to create depth and dimension in a 2-D rendering or illustration. Two classroom, four lab hours per week.

Notes: Time-Intensive/Studio Course Keep all VIS projects for your First Year Assessment

Description: Students will expand their fundamental understanding of typography by exploring research, establishing emotional connections with audiences, grid systems, hierarchy, color, and professional design practices. Through a series of exercises and projects, students will explore the advanced language of typography by examining, analyzing, and experimenting with the letterform, word, sentence, paragraph, column, and pages. Two classroom, four lab hours per week.

Notes: Time intensive/studio course Keep all VIS projects for your First Year Assessment

Prerequisites: VIS 1100 and VIS 1140 and VIS 1150

Description: This course will provide the fundamentals of the various printing and design processes. It will include digital prepress techniques used to prepare layouts for the different processes used in the industry.

Notes: Keep all VIS projects for your First Year Assessment

Prerequisites: VIS 1140 and VIS 1150

Description: An introduction to the technique of digital color photography, printing techniques, the presentation of digital prints and various camera and computer techniques will be employed to enhance the print. Student will supply own digital Single-lens Reflex (SLR) camera. Six studio hours per week.

Notes: Program elective. Choose from one of the following courses: ART 2265 or ART 1161

Prerequisites: ART 1161 and Other (ART 1175 (if ART major) OR VIS 1140 (if VIS major))

 

Term hours subtotal:

15

Summer Semester (First Year)
Elective course signified by
Hours
 

Description: In English Composition I students learn reflective, analytical and argumentative writing strategies, incorporating sources and personal experience. Students will negotiate between public and private rhetorical situations and purposes to achieve academic literacy. They will write multiple drafts using a recursive writing process as they work toward fluency in style and mechanics. Note: Students who have not successfully completed the pre-requisites listed can register for ENG 1101 together with the co-requisite course ENG 0101 - English Composition I Booster.

Prerequisites: DEV 0035 or Other (Placement Test Score)

Description: Mathematics of finance, mathematics of trade, payroll, taxes, insurance, elementary statistics. Traditional testing (proctored or in Testing Center) is used in all online sections.

Notes: MAT1120 or MAT1110 or any Mathematics, Statistics & Logic elective from the approved Ohio Transfer 36 List. View electives at: https://sinclair.edu/ot36

 

Term hours subtotal:

6

Fall Semester (Second Year)
Important message signified by
Elective course signified by
Hours
 

Description: Development of an identity system, visual language, stationery system and identity manual. Exploration of advanced elements and principles of design; introduction to symbology. Two classroom, four lab hours per week.

Notes: Fall only

Prerequisites: VIS 1110 and VIS 1208 and VIS 1250 and VIS 1218

Description: Design Applications I will cover the development of a pictogram and wayfinding system that will be used as a component to an overall Identity Manual developed in Design Principles. Two classroom, four lab hours per week.

Notes: Fall only

Prerequisites: VIS 1110 and VIS 1208 and VIS 1250 and VIS 1218

Description: Art history from the early Italian Renaissance through the contemporary period.

Notes: Program elective. Choose from one of the following courses: ART2230 or ART2231

Prerequisites: ART 2230 and Other (Non ART majors and transient students may complete the Art History survey courses (ART 2230 and ART 2231) out of sequence.)

Description: University-parallel course covering topics such as history and systems of psychology, behavioral research methods, physiology of behavior, sensation, perception, learning, memory, consciousness, cognition, personality, lifespan development, gender, social psychology, motivation, emotion, stress, mental disorders and therapies.

 

Term hours subtotal:

14

Spring Semester (Second Year)
Important message signified by
Elective course signified by
Hours
 

Description: Advanced application of design principles. Emphasis will be placed on information design to include creating print and fully developed digital media. Two classroom, four lab hours per week.

Notes: Spring only

Prerequisites: VIS 2110 and VIS 2120 or Approval of Department

Description: Graphic design business practices including individualized portfolio development, work experience and development of professional practice skills; including cost estimating, contract writing, sales and communication techniques. Two classroom, four lab hours per week.

Notes: Spring only

Prerequisites: VIS 2110 and VIS 2120 or VIS 2180 and VIS 2190 or VIS 2140 and VIS 2150

Description: Exploration of the development, maintenance and termination of interpersonal relationships. The focus is on effective verbal and nonverbal interactions between two people, highlighting methods of initiating and maintaining effective communication with, and understanding of, others through learning and applying interpersonal communication theory.

Description: Digital marketing is a broad and growing field encompassing any form of marketing that utilizes technology to deliver a message. Students in this course study some of the most popular tactics used by successful businesses today to promote their brand and reach their customers. This information is applied in hands-on activities that expose students to real-world business situations, including developing a digital marketing campaign for a brand.

Notes: Program elective. Choose from one of the following courses: MRK2135, ART1101, ART1102, ART1111, ART1141, ART2235, ART2236, ART2237, ART2238, CIS1350, IND1180, IND1230, IND1240, IND2135, MAN1107, MRK2100, MRK2102, MRK2220, MRK2225, VIS 1320, VIS 1420, VIS2270, OR VIS2297

 

Term hours subtotal:

14

This information is for planning purposes only. Sinclair College will make every effort to offer curriculum listed above but reserves the right to change, add and cancel curriculum offerings for unforeseen circumstances. View current catalog.