Design and Visual Communications Degree

The essence of the Design and Visual Communications as a field of study is fusing art and business to arrive at creative art or visual art used for commercial purposes. With an eye for design and a creative spirit, the sky is the limit! Get more details below including other Virginia colleges that offer design and visual communications degrees.

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Virginia Western Community College

Also known as Virginia Tech

210 Burruss Hall, 800 Drillfield Dr., Blacksburg, VA

About
Virginia Western Community College, located in Roanoke, Virginia, was founded in 1966 to provide educational opportunities and services to residents of its service area, which includes cities of Salem and Roanoke, and the counties of Roanoke, Craig and Botetourt, and part of Franklin County. The school is one the third largest in the Virginia Community College System and has an annual enrollment of over 12,ooo students. The school is dedicated to providing the best education possible for its students, constantly reviewing and updating programs and services to meet current and future expectations.

Academics
Virginia Western Community College offers 23 programs of study that result in academic transfer or career development opportunities. Academic transfer is accomplished through the completion of the first two years of a four year education, followed by the application to a college or university to continue one's education by completing the final two years and earning a bachelor's degree. Transfer to a public institution in Virginia is made easier through transfer agreements, though students may apply to private and  out of state institutions, which will have more stringent and varying admissions requirements.

Career programs provide in depth training and education in a specific field. These programs assist students in developing the skills necessary to enter the workforce as qualified professionals and perform their assigned duties and responsibilities properly. These programs combine traditional classroom education with practical courses that allow students to perfect methods and techniques used within their field in a controlled environments that simulates workforce settings. Programs take between one and two years to complete and result in a certificate or associate degree that demonstrates competency and allows for the pursuit of entry level employment.

Programs offered include:

• Accounting
• Culinary Arts
• Paralegal Studies
• Business Administration
• Liberal Arts

Admissions and Financial Aid
Virginia Western Community College is an open enrollment institution, and as a result allows any individual eighteen years of age or older or having a high school diploma or equivalent to enroll by submitting a completed application and paying all accrued fees. Students should supply transcripts and standardized test scores if available, the information from which may be used in lieu of the required placement exam. Individuals are also encouraged to participate in new student orientation to become familiar with the campus. Additionally, student should meet with a counselor to discuss goals, curriculum and program enrollment.

Financial aid is available in the form of loans, grants and scholarships. Students in need of financial assistance must complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the information provided by which will be used by the school to determine aid needs and program eligibility for forming an aid packet. Aid must be applied for prior to each academic year and  may be chosen at random to supply additional information to be compared to their FAFSA in order to verify its accuracy.

Students Enrolled in the Design and Visual Communications Program

Get more details below regarding enrollment, academics, and school demographics. Virginia Tech offers an associate's degree program in design and visual communications.

Students by Gender (2019)

Students by Race (2019)

Source: IPEDS Survey 2012-2020: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.

Career Options for Graduates

Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary

Description

Teach courses in drama, music, and the arts including fine and applied art, such as painting and sculpture, or design and crafts. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Commercial and Industrial Designers

Description

Develop and design manufactured products, such as cars, home appliances, and children's toys. Combine artistic talent with research on product use, marketing, and materials to create the most functional and appealing product design.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, commercial and industrial designers employment is expected to grow at a rate of 2.0% from 2014 to 2024

Graphic Designers

Description

Design or create graphics to meet specific commercial or promotional needs, such as packaging, displays, or logos. May use a variety of mediums to achieve artistic or decorative effects.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, graphic designers employment is expected to grow at a rate of 1.4% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA
  • Total Employment: 70
  • Average Hourly Rate: $20.64
  • Average Annual Salary: $42930

Set and Exhibit Designers

Description

Design special exhibits and movie, television, and theater sets. May study scripts, confer with directors, and conduct research to determine appropriate architectural styles.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, set and exhibit designers employment is expected to grow at a rate of 6.8% from 2014 to 2024

Source: Job descriptions, estimated salary and wages, and projected job growth are taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).