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Visual Communication, Bachelor of Fine Arts
- Available Emphasis Areas:
- Animation - Emphasis
- Graphic Design - Emphasis
The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Visual Communication is designed to produce graduates who are skilled in using art, design and technology to creatively communicate ideas and transform messages into visual communication. Through the rigorous coursework, students will develop skills in using aesthetic and conceptual judgment, color, type, symbols, digital images, multimedia, interactivity, animation, motion graphics, photography, and project management to produce messages that clearly inform, effectively communicate brand experience, and persuade viewers.
Requirements Accordion Open
To receive a bachelor's degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete at least 120 units of credit that minimally includes a major, the liberal studies requirements, and university requirements as listed below.
- All of Northern Arizona University's , .
- All requirements for your specific academic plan(s).
- At least 30 units of upper-division courses, which may include transfer work.
- At least 30 units of coursework taken through Northern Arizona University, of which at least 18 must be upper-division courses (300-level or above). This requirement is not met by credit-by-exam, retro-credits, transfer coursework, etc.
- A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 on all work attempted at Northern Arizona University.
The full policy can be viewed .
Overview Accordion Closed
In addition to University Requirements:
- At least 70Ìýunits of major requirements including 30 units of emphasis requirements
- Up to 9 units of major prefix courses may be used to satisfy Liberal Studies requirements; these same courses may also be used to satisfy major requirements.
- Elective courses, if needed, to reach an overall total of at least 120 units.
Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.
| Minimum Units for Completion | 120 |
| Major GPA | 2.5 |
| Highest Mathematics Required | |
| Additional Admission Requirements | Required |
| Fieldwork Experience/Internship | Optional |
| University Honors Program | Optional |
| AZ Transfer Students complete AGEC-A | Recommended |
| Progression Plan Link | |
| Emphasis Required | An emphasis is required for this major. |
Purpose Statement
The Visual Communications program develops the analytical skills and creative passion in our students to be designers, animators and professional artists who creatively, yet strategically, resolve challenging visual design problems across a variety of media in an artistic, visually compelling manner.Ìý
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In our program, students begin by building a strong foundation in the elements, principles, and processes of design.Ìý They build upon this foundation across their studio classes by engaging in the creation of increasingly complex designs focused on solving real-world problems.Ìý As a student progresses through the program, they incorporate a multi-disciplinary approach by applying concepts from art history, communication theory, drawing, and their liberal studies requirements to issues of design.Ìý Cutting-edge software and technological applications are then integrated into their experience.Ìý Particularly, students learn to apply design principles to software in a manner that provides the skills to adapt to the newest technologies in expectation for the technologies which will emerge in the future.
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To be effective in the world of design, our students learn to develop excellent relationships with clients, and work collaboratively to co-create projects in teams.Ìý By learning how to communicate effectively with clients and utilize the talents and strengths of design colleagues, our students learn how to creatively navigate relationships to develop the best design products.Ìý
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Our faculty members know that the elements, principles, and processes of design, the software, the ability to collaborate; all of this is just the beginning.Ìý Our program is taught using small, studio-based courses, one-on-one faculty mentoring, and advanced facilities.Ìý Yet, the ever-changing world of design requires its practitioners to learn throughout their careers and constantly keep their skills up-to-date.Ìý Our program and faculty provide the strategic approaches to learning that will sustain our graduates’ abilities in a continually evolving field for years to come.Ìý
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Overall, our integrative approach develops students who are capable of applying fundamentals to solve increasingly complex design problems in technologically innovative ways, and result in a portfolio of work designed to launch them in their career.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Studio
- Gain functional competence with principles of visual organization, including the ability to work with visual elements in two and three dimensions; color theory and its applications; and drawing.
- Present work that demonstrates perceptual acuity, conceptual understanding, and technical facility at a professional entry level in their chosen field(s).
- Become familiar with the historical achievements, current major issues, processes, and directions of their field(s).
- Be afforded opportunities to exhibit their work and to experience and participate in critiques and discussions of their work and the work of others
- Art/Design History, Theory, and Criticism
- Learn to analyze works of art/design perceptively and to evaluate them critically
- Develop an understanding of the common elements and vocabulary of art/design, the interaction of these elements, and be able to employ this knowledge in analysis.
- Acquire the ability to place works of art/design in historical, cultural, and stylistic contexts.
- Technology: Acquire a working knowledge of technologies and equipment applicable to their area(s) of specialization.
- Synthesis: While synthesis is a lifetime process, by the end of undergraduate studies students should be able to work independently on a variety of art and/or design problems by combining, as appropriate to the issue, their capabilities in studio, analysis, history, and technology.
- Specialization
- Students must demonstrate achievement of professional, entry-level competence in the major area of specialization, including significant technical mastery, capability to produce work and solve professional problems independently, and a coherent set of artistic/ intellectual goals that are evidence in their work.
- Students must demonstrate their competence by developing a body of work for evaluation in the major area of study.Ìý A senior project or final presentation in the major area is required.
- Students must have the ability to form and defend value judgments about art and design and to communicate art/design ideas, concepts, and requirements to professionals and laypersons related to the practice of the major field.Ìý They are able to work collaboratively as appropriate to the area(s) of specialization.Ìý
- The ability to solve communication problems, including the skills of problem identification, research and information gathering, analysis, generation of alternative solutions, and prototyping.
- The ability to describe and respond to the audiences and contexts which communication solutions must address, including recognition of the physical, cognitive, cultural, and social human factors that shape design decisions.
- The ability to create and develop visual form in response to communication problems, including an understanding of principles of visual organization/ composition, information hierarchy, symbolic representation, typography, aesthetics, and the construction of meaningful images.
- An understanding of tools and technology, including their roles in the creation, reproduction, and distribution of visual messages.
- An understanding of design history, theory, and criticism from a variety of perspectives, including those of art history, linguistics, communication and information theory, technology, and the social and cultural use of design objects.
- An understanding of basic business practices, including the ability to organize design projects and to work productively as a member of teams.Ìý
- Knowledge and skills in the use of basic principles, concepts, tools, techniques, procedures, and technologies sufficient to produce animation from concept to a finished product that communicates ideas and/or stories to a viewer or to an audience. This includes, but is not limited to, the ability to use the competencies listed in items below in professional contexts as appropriate to the needs of specific projects.
- Knowledge of the principles of animation, including its visual, spatial, sound, motion, and temporal elements and features, and how these elements are combined in the development of animation projects.
- Functional understanding of and ability to useÌýnarrative, non-narrative, and other information/language structures (linear, non-linear, thematic, cinematic, interactive, etc.) to organize content in time-based media.
- Ability to use concepts and processes for the development, coordination, and completion of animation projects (examples include, but are not limited, to concept, visual, and character development; the use of scenarios and personas; and storyboarding, flowcharting, and layout).
- Functional understanding and ability to use the characteristics and capabilities of various animation methods and technologies in creative and project development contexts.
Details Accordion Closed
Additional Admission Requirements
Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
Admission to the Visual Communication Major is contingent upon:
- Completion of the Visual Communication Pre Major coursework (13 units) with a Grade of "C" or better and a minimum GPA of 2.5:
- , Ìý(6 units)
- Ìý(1 unit)
- , (6 units)
Approval of student portfolioÌýsubmitted onlineÌýthrough the ÌýPortfolio Review class and reviewed by the Visual Communication faculty.
Ìý
All VC courses at a 200-level or above are restricted to students who successfully complete the first year of Pre Major requirements and pass the Portfolio Review.
Major Requirements
This major requires 70Ìýunits distributed as follows:
- Visual Communication Pre-Major Requirements: 13 units
- Visual Communication Common Course Requirements: 27 units
- Select an Emphasis: 30 units
- Animation Emphasis: 30 units
- Graphic Design Emphasis: 30 units
Take the following 70 units with a Grade of "C" or better in each course. All courses must be completed with a minimum GPA of 2.5:
Visual Communication Common Course Requirements (27 units)
- , , (9 units)
- Select one from (3 units):
- , Ìý
- , ,
- (3 units)
- Ìý(3 units)
- Select one from the following (3 units):
- , ,
- Select one additional ARH course at the 200-level or higher, approved by your advisor (3 units)
- Select one from the following courses which meet the junior-level writing requirementÌý (3 units)
- ,
Emphasis Requirements - Select one (30 units)
- Animation Emphasis (30 units)
- , , , , (15 units)
- Select one from (3 units):
- , , , , ,
- ,
- though may be repeated for up to 9 units, only 6 units will count towards the major (6 units)Ìý
- though may be repeated for up to 6 units, only 3 units will count towards the major (3 units)
- which meets the senior capstone requirement (3 units)
- Animation Emphasis (30 units)
- Graphic Design Emphasis (30 units)
- , , , , (15 units)
- SelectÌý one from the following (3 units):
- , , , , ,
- , though may be repeated for to 9 units, only 6 units will count towards the major (3 - 6 units)
- Select from from the following (0 - 3 units):
- ,
- , though may be repeated for up to 6 units, only 3 units will count towards the major (3 units)
- which meets the senior capstone requirement (3 units)
- Graphic Design Emphasis (30 units)
All majors must earn the grade of "C" or better in their freshman composition required course and their foundation mathematics course.Ìý
Students in the Animation emphasis must complete , , , , , , and be assigned the Animation Milestone before enrolling in , and .
Students in the Graphic Design emphasis must complete , , , , , , and be assigned the Graphic Design Milestone before enrolling in , , and .
A dual emphasis BFA degree is available. Completing both Animation and Graphic Design emphases may take longer than 4 years. Please consult an advisor to develop a progression plan.
Please note that you must complete the last five of your emphasis courses at Northern Arizona University.
General Electives
Additional coursework is required if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 120 units of credit.
You may take these remaining courses from any of the academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. You may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren't used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements.
We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you.
Additional Information
- See the School of Communication page for information about the Communication Core, Advising and Student Responsibilities, and Graduation Requirements.
Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.
In the Visual Communication program, you will acquire strong foundational training in Art, Design, and Technology. Our degree program offers the opportunity to graduate with an emphasis in graphic design or animation. In our small, intimate studio classes, you will be guided by faculty members to foster your artistic voice while creating effective strategic approaches. Work on real-world projects in one of our experiential and professional learning opportunities at the VisualDESIGNlab and Advanced Media Lab.
Our wide range of studio classes will prepare you with in-demand skills and expand your abilities in a continually-evolving field for years to come. You will graduate with a highly competitive and individualized portfolio that will help you integrate seamlessly into the job market. Our alumni have started successful independent design practices and work for some of the country's leading firms, including Yahoo, Citigroup, Motorola, Netflix, GoDaddy, Amazon Game Studios, Google, IBM, GAP, W.L. Gore, Nike, and L’Oreal.
HIGHLIGHT REEL
Frequently asked questions
WHAT TYPES OF CAREERS CAN I HAVE WITH THIS DEGREE? Accordion Closed
- Graphic designer
- Motion graphics designer
- UI/UX designer (User Interface / User Experience)
- Interaction designer
- Animator
- Web designer
- Packaging designer
- Illustrator
- Corporate media designer
- Print production designer
- Art director
- Creative director
- Design manager
- Freelance designer
- Advertising designer
- Content developer
WHAT ARE THE STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES? Accordion Closed
Outcomes align with Standards from the National Association of Schools of Art & Design Accreditation
Studio
- Gain functional competence with principles of visual organization, including the ability to work with visual elements in two and three dimensions; color theory and its applications; and drawing.
- Present work that demonstrates perceptual acuity, conceptual understanding, and technical facility at a professional entry level in their chosen field(s).
- Become familiar with the historical achievements, current major issues, processes, and directions of their field(s).
- Be afforded opportunities to exhibit their work and to experience and participate in critiques and discussions of their work and the work of others
Art/ Design History, Theory, and Criticism
- Learn to analyze works of art/design perceptively and to evaluate them critically.
- Develop an understanding of the common elements and vocabulary of art/design and of the interaction of these elements, and be able to employ this knowledge in analysis.
- Acquire the ability to place works of art/ design in historical, cultural, and stylistic contexts.
Technology
- Acquire a working knowledge of technologies and equipment applicable to their area(s) of specialization.
Synthesis
- While synthesis is a lifetime process, by the end of undergraduate studies students should be able to work independently on a variety of art and/or design problems by combining, as appropriate to the issue, their capabilities in studio, analysis, history, and technology.
Specialization
- Students must demonstrate achievement of professional, entry-level competence in the major area of specialization, including significant technical mastery, capability to produce work and solve professional problems independently, and a coherent set of artistic/ intellectual goals that are evidence in their work.
- Students must demonstrate their competence by developing a body of work for evaluation in the major area of study. A senior project or final presentation in the major area is required.
- Students must have the ability to form and defend value judgments about art and design and to communicate art/ design ideas, concepts, and requirements to professionals and laypersons related to the practice of the major field. They are able to work collaboratively as appropriate to the area(s) of specialization.
WHAT WILL I LEARN IN THE GRAPHIC DESIGN EMPHASIS? Accordion Closed
- The ability to solve communication problems, including the skills of problem identification, research and information gathering, analysis, generation of alternative solutions, and prototyping.
- The ability to describe and respond to the audiences and contexts which communication solutions must address, including recognition of the physical, cognitive, cultural, and social human factors that shape design decisions.
- The ability to create and develop visual form in response to communication problems, including an understanding of principles of visual organization/composition, information hierarchy, symbolic representation, typography, aesthetics, and the construction of meaningful images.
- An understanding of tools and technology, including their roles in the creation, reproduction, and distribution of visual messages.
- An understanding of design history, theory, and criticism from a variety of perspectives, including those of art history, linguistics, communication and information theory, technology, and the social and cultural use of design objects.
- An understanding of basic business practices, including the ability to organize design projects and to work productively as a member of teams.
WHAT WILL I LEARN IN THE ANIMATION EMPHASIS? Accordion Closed
-
Knowledge and skills in the use of basic principles, concepts, tools, techniques, procedures, and technologies sufficient to produce animation from concept to a finished product that communicates ideas and/or stories to a viewer or to an audience. This includes, but is not limited to, the ability to use the competencies listed in items below in professional contexts as appropriate to the needs of specific projects.
-
Knowledge of the principles of animation, including its visual, spatial, sound, motion, and temporal elements and features, and how these elements are combined in the development of motion graphics.
-
Functional understanding of and ability to useÌýnarrative, non-narrative, and other information/language structures (linear, non-linear, thematic, cinematic, interactive, etc.) to organize content in time-based media.
-
Ability to use concepts and processes for the development, coordination, and completion of motion graphics (examples include, but are not limited, to concept, visual, and character development; the use of scenarios and personas; and storyboarding, flowcharting, and layout).
-
Functional understanding and ability to use the characteristics and capabilities of various animation methods and technologies in creative and project development contexts.Ìý