Visual Communications

Whether your career goal is to start your own freelance business, to advance your career in an existing business, or to continue your education at a four-year institution, the Visual Communications program can be a stepping stone on your path to success.

Visual communications students learn to communicate messages, emotions, and ideas through the use of images and words. Students gain experience with computer illustration, design, interactivity and photography. Visual communications courses emphasize both the technical and aesthetic aspects of good design.

Finding employment in the industry is currently very competitive, so a priority is given to developing a professional portfolio throughout the program. Students also interact with industry professionals and present work verbally to a jury.

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WHY CHOOSE THE VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS PROGRAM?
Visual Communications offers an arena with a variety of creative and technical career opportunities. Students who are set to become professionals in visual communications have the skills that will give them control over their futures. Many students decide to move on to more urban areas or larger cities with job opportunities with publishing companies, advertising agencies, web development firms, photography studios and other creative providers. Those who decide to stay closer to their communities often find a wide variety of career pursuits with smaller companies, such as foundations, news organizations and other types of companies. Many of them find rewarding careers as freelance designers, web developers, wedding or portrait photographers and a myriad of other possibilities.

In addition to the job possibilities driven by technology and economic growth, students graduating from visual communications programs inevitably find careers for which they are passionate and provide a lifetime of enjoyable and creative endeavors.

SAMPLE CAREERS IN THIS FIELD
Art Director, Camera Operator, Editor, Fine Artist, Graphic Designer, Photographer, Multimedia Artist/Motion/Animator, Web Designer/Developer

DEGREES AVAILABLE
Associate of Science, Associate of Applied Science. NOTE: The number of credits required for a degree or certification is based on students who are program-ready and does not include non-academic skills courses. Availability of degrees varies by campus. Contact your campus of interest below for more information.

ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE IN VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS
(Minimum of 60 credit hours)

Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree programs are two-year programs that prepare students for careers, career changes and career advancement. Students who need to take longer to complete the degree because of job or family obligations can take the program over a longer period of time. AAS programs may also prepare students for transfer to four-year institutions. These programs offer education in recognized technical areas and specialties with emphasis on analysis, synthesis and evaluation. The program content, which is approximately 30% general education and 70% professional/technical, provides depth and breadth in conceptual and professional/technical skills. The general education courses equip students with the problem solving, communications, scientific and mathematical skills to compete successfully in the job market. Professional/technical courses equip students with the skills to obtain employment and to advance in the workforce.

ASSOCIATE OF FINE ARTS IN VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS
(Minimum of 61 credit hours)

The Associate of Fine Arts degree prepares you for transfer to a university to pursue a baccalaureate degree. Contact the North Central campus below to find out more about the Associate of Fine Arts transfer degree program. You are also encouraged to contact the institution and consult the current catalog and web page of the institution to which you wish to transfer.

ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE IN VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS
(Minimum of 60 credit hours)

The Associate of Science (AS) degree prepares you for transfer to a university to pursue a baccalaureate degree. To find out information about your transfer options to public and private universities, contact your academic advisor or the transfer office of your local Ivy Tech. You are also encouraged to contact the institution and consult the current catalog and web page of the institution to which you wish to transfer.

Accreditation and Transfer Information
Three locations are fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art & Design (NASAD). Additional locations are actively pursuing accreditation. NASAD is an organization of schools, colleges, and universities that offer art and design studies. Founded in 1944, it has approximately 315 institutional members. Accreditation with NASAD affords excellent transfer opportunities to 4-year universities locally and across the country. Or after completing the degree, students may pursue immediate employment in the field. For students wishing to continue education at a 4-year university, a portfolio of all work is typically required by the accepting school. Several formal transfer agreements exist with Indiana University, Saint Mary of the Woods College and the University of Southern Indiana.

TECHNICAL CERTIFICATE IN VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS
(Minimum of 31 credit hours)

Technical Certificate programs provide education in conceptual and technical skills for specific occupations. The program content is designed to develop competency in the comprehension of general and technical skills. Certificate programs require mastery of basic reading, writing, mathematical and quantitative skills.