Visual Communications VIS.S.AAS
Associate of Applied Science - 64 - 65 Credit Hours
Division: Liberal Arts, Communication and Social Sciences
Department: Design
Effective as of Fall 2023
Design Your Own Future! Study Visual Communications at Sinclair
From stationery to magazines and packaging to multimedia, graphic designers have a variety of career options and marketable skills. The visual communications program at Sinclair works to provide you with state-of-the art instruction to help you develop real-world job skills.
Graphic design work is creative, fast-paced, and in-demand by most businesses and Sinclair is prepared to help you enter this growing field. In addition to the design experience and program understanding, you will also gain advanced computer skills, develop a portfolio, and practice job-seeking techniques.
This program might be for you if:
- You consider yourself artistic and enjoy creating in a variety of mediums.
- You would like to work in fast-paced, creative environments.
- You are familiar and enjoy working with computers and new technologies.
- You find yourself admiring advertisements and want to make your art seen.
Visual communications graduates typically pursue careers as graphic artists in corporations and private design studios, advertising and marketing agencies, newspapers, magazine and book publishers, and even interactive media and Web design studios.
What is the program about?
The program prepares students for careers in visual communication which is creative, fast paced and in demand by most businesses. Students will develop the knowledge and technical skills necessary to create both printed and digital design work. This includes the design of stationery, brochures, magazines, advertising, packaging, signage, web pages, interactive media and other pieces. Creativity, problem solving and the design process are stressed. Advanced computer skills, portfolio development and job-seeking strategies are also incorporated into the curriculum. This degree program contains one or more embedded certificates which will be automatically awarded when the certificate requirements are completed. If you do not want to receive the embedded certificate(s), please notify Registration and Student Records at studentrecords@sinclair.edu.
Program Outcomes
- Recognize, understand and use the language and jargon of design.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the business fundamentals of visual communications.
- Apply critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills to a variety of design problems.
- Discuss the history, fundamentals and basic theories of design.
- Develop print, animation and new media concepts using traditional and computer-based design tools.
- Develop professional quality presentations and demonstrate adequate written and oral communication skills.
- Communicate design concepts at various stages of development using the design process, drawing skills and/or appropriate software.
Career Opportunities
Visual Communications graduates typically pursue careers as graphic designers (print) or digital designers (interactive/web) in design studios, advertising agencies, web firms, magazine and book publishing companies, printing companies or corporate design departments. Some graduates choose to continue their education in design or a related field at a four-year institution.
Transferability
Formal articulation agreements with other colleges and universities indicate how Sinclair programs and courses will transfer to other institutions.
Additional Information
To assist in completing the Visual Communications degree (VIS.S.AAS) in a timely manner, the department recommends the following course loads per semester for full time students.
Curriculum
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ART 1161 (Black & White Darkroom Photography I) OR ART 2265 (Digital Color Photography I) | 3 | |
| ART 2230 (Art History: Ancient through Medieval Periods) OR ART 2231 (Art History: Renaissance through Contemporary Periods) | 3 | |
| COM 2206 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| ENG 1101 | English Composition I | 3 |
| MAT 1120 (Business Mathematics) OR MAT 1110 (Math for Technologists) OR Ohio Transfer 36: Mathematics Elective | 3 | |
| PSY 1100 | General Psychology | 3 |
| VIS 1100 | Design Foundations | 4 |
| VIS 1140 | Design Processes | 4 |
| VIS 1150 | Design Processes II | 4 |
| VIS 1180 | History of Design | 3 |
| VIS 1210 | Design Drawing | 4 |
| VIS 1220 | Typographic Design | 4 |
| VIS 1250 | Print Production | 4 |
| VIS 2110 | Design Principles | 4 |
| VIS 2120 | Design Applications I | 4 |
| VIS 2160 | Design Applications II | 4 |
| VIS 2260 | Visual Communications Portfolio | 4 |
| Visual Communications Elective | 3 - 4 |
Program Accreditation Information
Sinclair Community College has been accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) since 2002.
