Visual Communications

Visual Communication students are encouraged to be creative while emphasizing strong technical and presentation skills.

At the freshman and sophomore levels, students gain a background in design history, theory, and current visual communication practices. Students use this knowledge and understanding to experiment and develop their own design approaches as they design advertising campaigns, logos, other product packaging, posters, publications, web page layouts, and more. Visual communication students also develop skill sets to utilize the printing process, web design skills, and produce materials for their portfolios. Visual communication courses at Wade College are taught in a graphics laboratory/studio using the latest hardware and industry specific software, which is continually updated. Current Adobe Creative Cloud applications: Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign are stressed. Typography as it relates to message, medium, product, and the impact on the marketplace is emphasized. Classroom facilities include iMac computers equipped with scanners, laser printers, and online access to databases and the Internet. Students improve their technical and conceptual skills while developing a personal creative vision. All graduating visual communication students at the associate-degree level express their design philosophies in a finished portfolio presented during the Wade College Professional Portfolio Critique. Additionally, students may showcase their work in various art contests and competitions.

At the junior and senior level, students will be engaged in simulated real-world challenges and immersed in a focused curriculum of design thinking, design practice, and innovative technology. The program challenges students with issues pertaining to context, content, aesthetics, design constraints, social responsibility, and behavioral science. Brand identity, brand marketing, advertising, and web design are a focus. Upper division courses transform students into professionals who can design engaging and purposeful pieces that communicate effectively and strategically across diverse target audiences while incorporating a concern for the environment and society at large. The development of diverse skills such as critical thinking, professional procedures, professional practices, and communication skills that include verbal, written, and visual formats will empower students to attain significant positions in the workforce. Major courses address areas like advanced web design, design for small digital media, art direction, and advanced design methodologies. Upon completion of the visual communication degree, students should have the skill sets to secure employment opportunities within a visual communication or related field, communicate professionally using appropriate aesthetic and design principles for the business environment, and make significant contributions to the industry and community by supporting their peers and juniors in a mentoring role. Mastery of the field is demonstrated by all graduating baccalaureate-level students in a formal presentation at the Wade College Professional Portfolio Critique.