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What is Design and Visual Communications?

The design and visual communications degree is a field blending disciplines of art and business to arrive at visual art used for a variety of commercial applications.  Visual communication degree jobs may include professionals creating and designing a multitude of mediums for a corporation or agency.  Examples of communication design mediums are commercial advertisements, book jackets, corporate logos, signage, album covers, posters, personal stationary, advertising billboards, banner ads, magazine covers, television advertisements, website landing pages, and marketing campaigns.

The common denominator in design and visual communications is the value added by a professional to add value to a product, service, or idea.  Commercial artists are not one-trick ponies.  Conversely, they rely upon a variety of tools and skills to serve customers and promote a concept or product.  Visual designers will have one or more of the following skills to employ for each job:

  • Painting
  • Illustrating
  • Free-hand Drawing
  • Graphic Designer
  • Advertising Expertise
  • Design Communication
  • Visualization
  • Graphic Editing
  • Animation
  • Media Knowledge
  • Story-boarding
  • Conceptualization

Career Summary

MEDIAN SALARY

$63,270

PERCENT ABOVE NATIONAL
INCOME AVERAGE

41.42%

TOTAL SECTOR EMPLOYMENT

492,930

Degree Median Salary vs Adjacent Degree Types

Source: BLS, US Census, and IPEDS

2024 Best Design and Visual Communications Degree

With its free and open atmosphere, the University of Chicago was established in 1890 with the goal of encouraging students to become independent individuals and to develop their personal and professional development. Students' analytic, critical, and writing skills are developed as a result of the programs they provide, and they are prepared to become business leaders. 

By improving analytical and critical skills, visual language, and personal voice, the department of Visual Communication Design encourages students to identify their position as contributing designers and engage in the environment. The department offers courses including book design, motion graphics design, poster design, information design, exhibition design, letterpress, symbol design, and others. Students will also have an opportunity to visit lecture series of well-known and world-class designers. 

Acceptance Rate

6.17

Student to Faculty Ratio

5:1

Northwestern University is dedicated to advancing the academic and personal development of its students and faculty through groundbreaking research and excellent teaching. It serves over 21,000 students each year and operates 12 colleges throughout three campuses in the state. 

The university offers a course focusing on visual communication design with a goal to expose students to the principles of design degree such as spanning layout, typography, imagery, and other media and tools used for communication. Students will complete a wide range of projects throughout the course. In addition, they will also be taught to have more depth in design development and learn how to apply it to the process. 

Acceptance Rate

9.05

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

Washington University has been in operation since 1853 in St. Louis, Missouri. It offers high-quality educational opportunities for students to explore, discover, and positively influence the community. 

The communication design degree program offered by the university aims to help students learn graphic design, interaction design, and illustration. The program is equipped with experienced professionals who are highly skilled in the field particularly in social impact design, advertising, writing, user interface design, and publishing. Students will be taught how to take pictures for motion graphics and games, design printed books and posters, create comics, illustrate stories, and apply their skills to help the community by creating designs for urban education and public health. 

Acceptance Rate

13.85

Student to Faculty Ratio

7:1

The University of Notre Dame is well-known for its illustrious football legacy and prestigious academic programs. In 1842, Edward Sorin founded the university as a private Catholic institution. 

The Visual Communication Design degree has developed an undergraduate program in visual communication design that combines technology and visual arts to communicate ideas. Students will learn to manage and create the production of visual design by controlling the movement, color, type, symbols, and images. Throughout the program, students will be surrounded by the positive and welcoming campus environment that influences their ability to create long-lasting bonds with diverse people while learning how to positively contribute to the world’s social issues. 

Acceptance Rate

15.83

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

The University of Southern California is a global leader in technology, international business, and the arts, with a wide curriculum that provides students with numerous opportunities. It has a cutting-edge learning environment that serves 46,000 students annually. 

Students who are taking programs under the university’s school of arts and design can enroll in the interdisciplinary minor in communication design. Students will learn about visual literacy, digital managing, design, communication, public relations, business, and marketing. Some of the topics in the course are the introduction to photography, design fundamentals, internet art, web design, and many more. 

Acceptance Rate

11.42

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

The University of California in Los Angeles has been preserving through the impossibility and turning futile to become attainable. It has nearly a thousand achievements in the Olympics, NCAA, Nobel Prize, and MacArthur Fellows. 

Through the design and communication arts certificate program of the university, students will ignite their creativity to help them become prepared for a career in graphic design. The program will develop their visual literacy, visual communication, and other skills needed for the professional setting. Upon completion, students will learn how to approach and collaborate with designers, programmers, clients, writers, printers, and other people involved in the design process. 

Acceptance Rate

12.32

Student to Faculty Ratio

18:1

The University of California, Berkeley, was established in 1868 with the aim of making California a happier and more glorious city. It offers more than 250 degree and diploma programs and provides students with the opportunity to participate in Nobel Prize-winning research projects. 

The university offers a professional program in graphic design wherein students will learn about effective communication that is essential to have when working in the field. The program focuses on the design principles and the current design trends. Students will also learn how to build a portfolio from industry professionals who are committed to sharing their knowledge and experiences in the field. 

Acceptance Rate

16.25

Student to Faculty Ratio

20:1

As a global research institution, Carnegie Mellon University serves 14,000 students and offers interdisciplinary programs in humanities, computing, arts, business, engineering, and many more. It started operating in 1912 on its campus in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 

It has developed various programs in design such as the Integrative Design, Arts, and Technology Network wherein students will learn about the creative practices using technology. The program provides opportunities for students to learn more about media design, media design, animation, sound design, special effects, and many more. Upon completion, students will earn a bachelor’s degree that they can use to pursue employment or continue their studies in the field. 

Acceptance Rate

15.44

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

Northeastern University is located in Boston, Massachusetts, and provides world-class research and academic programs to its nearly 30,000 students every year. It has six campuses in various states in the United States, Canada, and London. 

The degree in Visual Communication Studies and Graphic Design are some of the undergraduate programs offered by Northeastern University. It is a 5-year course wherein students will learn about communication studies, foreign language, designing, media arts, writing, and many more. The program will also teach students about integrating texts, data, and images, as well as the design of meaning and messages. Also, students can receive financial aids, career advising, and academic counseling from faculty and staff. 

Acceptance Rate

18.05

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

The University of San Diego offers graduate and undergraduate degree programs in liberal studies, arts, natural sciences, business, and engineering. It was established in 1949 with a mission to prepare students to become ethical and compassionate leaders. 

With the help of the College of Arts and Sciences, the university has developed a visual arts communication major program that encourages students to explore arts and understand the traditions and languages of visual expression. The program concentrates on providing excellent film and media art studies as well as sculpture, writing, film, printmaking, painting, photography, and drawing. Throughout the program, students will be guided by professional instructors who have years of experience in the field.

Acceptance Rate

31.48

Student to Faculty Ratio

19:1

Lehigh University is a private institution located in Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania. It provides opportunities for students and challenges their entrepreneurial mindset to help them adapt to the global industry. 

Individuals who are interested to become designers can enroll in Lehigh University’s Design program developed by the Department of Art, Architecture, and Design. The program will engage students with new materials, media, and technologies in developing the critical thinking and creative processes of individuals. Students will also study and train in studios, centers, and other academic resources inside or outside the campus. Students can also take minor courses such as product design, graphic design, and apparel design. 

Acceptance Rate

32.1

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

The University of Texas at Austin is home to over 50,000 students and has a 137-year history of providing high-quality research education. It is an Ivy League school with 17 libraries and a variety of services, including the McDonald's Observatory. 

The School of Creative Technologies and design aims to graduate creative and diverse students who are the best designers, problem solvers, and technical creators with exceptional job opportunities. It provides various degree programs including a master's in design and design health, and a bachelor’s degree in arts and entertainment technologies. It also offers certificate programs wherein students can focus on design strategies and digital arts and media. 

Acceptance Rate

31.82

Student to Faculty Ratio

N.A

University Farm was the name given to the University of California when it was established in 1905. Its 2,967-acre campus in Davis, California, can support forty thousand students each year.

The Department of Design has developed a visual communication program focusing on the relationship between content, context, and form. Students of this program will enhance their critical thinking and critical making skills that are needed for the creation of artifacts, interactions, environment, and experiences in screen, print, and three-dimensional media. In addition to the core courses, students will be given a chance to take electives in anthropology, computer science, rhetoric, intercultural communication, and other related areas that can be used for research and developmental processes. 

Acceptance Rate

38.87

Student to Faculty Ratio

20:1

Syracuse University was founded in 1870 and offers interdisciplinary education that is divided into various schools and colleges. Located in New York, the university is known for its outstanding research programs. 

Students who are interested to deepen their knowledge and skills in design can enroll in the university’s undergraduate degree in communication design. Throughout the program, students will learn to translate information and ideas through different forms of media. The program also enhances the students’ ability to think strategically in terms of design and marketing which will result in a successful professional career in the industry. 

Acceptance Rate

44.38

Student to Faculty Ratio

15:1

North Carolina State University at Raleigh was launched as an engineering and agriculture-focused higher education institution. This university is now recognized as one of the foremost providers of world-class research and academic programs in the fields of finance, technology, statistics, architecture, and science. 

Graphic and Visual Design major is one of the programs offered by the university’s college of design. It has a purpose to let students create the best designs that promote, directs, educates, exposes, informs, delights, clarifies, and beautifies the people who engage with it. Students will also learn to communicate through images, typography, physical materials, digital platforms, and symbols as well as learn to visualize and produce prototypes such as magazines, books, signage, websites, and many others. 

Acceptance Rate

45.13

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

The Ohio State University has been delivering outstanding academics and student programs for 151 years, with the slogan "college for citizenship." It has a 1,665-acre campus in Columbus, which houses over 60,000 college students. 

Recognized as one of the best programs in the university, the degree in Visual Communication Design of the department of design allows students to explore a range of modern technologies that support the areas of specialization. Students will learn the use of advanced computing technology and digital tools to present and visualize their complex data and ideas. The program can be completed within four years and students must submit their own unique portfolio before graduation. 

Acceptance Rate

53.74

Student to Faculty Ratio

19:1

The University of Washington is a flagship state institution with a 703-acre campus in Seattle, Washington, that offers roughly 50,000 students with various fields of study each year. It offers its students and faculty scholarship opportunities as well as study programs. 

One of the undergraduate programs of the University of Washington is the visual communication design that trains and educates designers for the communication needs of society and industry. The program emphasizes the creation, realization, and planning of visual solutions to the complicated problems in modern culture. Students will also have an opportunity to expand their knowledge in design systems, exhibition design, typography, new media, publication design, and visual methods

Acceptance Rate

51.76

Student to Faculty Ratio

19:1

Since its founding 100 years ago, Texas Christian University has valued culture and heritage while striving to provide exceptional academic learning to the community. It has a global alumni base of over 90,000 people. 

Texas Christian University offers a unique major in design studies that guides students to design a future in the visual of today’s world. It is an undergraduate program wherein students will receive a bachelor’s degree upon completion of the requirements. Students will study the various courses including advertising design, package design, typography, and history of visual communication among others. Before entering the program, students are encouraged to upload a portfolio as part of the general admission requirements. 

Acceptance Rate

47.12

Student to Faculty Ratio

N.A

The College of the Ozarks has a purpose to provide Christian education to young people, as well as a vision to create Christ-like citizens. It gives students opportunities and prepares them for the future by allowing them to become well-educated, patriotic, and hardworking individuals. 

The Art Department of the college has developed minor and major programs that concentrate on various art and design courses including graphic design technology. The program will emphasize digital photography, graphic design, web page design, typography, portfolio design, and the like. With the help of expert instructors, students will learn about the industry-standard software used in creating designs to develop their technical skills as well as learn to effectively communicate with their target audience. 

Acceptance Rate

10.26

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

More than 50,000 devoted students are studying on the 2,730-acre campus of the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, with the support of 20,000 dedicated staff and faculty. Its mission is to unite the community through engaging outreach projects, world-class education, and ground-breaking science. 

University of Minnesota’s College of Design has developed undergraduate programs that offer a full range of courses in the design field that connects to science, business, technology, and more. One of its programs is graphic design that is equipped with professionals who mentor students while learning both technological and traditional production techniques. Students will build skills in digital and hand drawing, web design, color theory, data visualization, design thinking, and more. 

Acceptance Rate

56.74

Student to Faculty Ratio

17:1

Founded in 1826, Furman University has been providing premier sciences and liberal arts education and broad research opportunities for the community of Greenville, South Carolina, and beyond. Today, it serves more than 2,000 students on its 800-acre campus. 

Art is one of the most known programs in the university. It offers students with knowledge in six-course departments including ceramics, painting, photography, sculpture, design, and drawing. Students will also be provided with visual training on how to contextualize and decode images that cover global topics and contemporary arts. Students can also choose their learning path depending on what suits them best, it can be a bachelor of arts in art history or studio art or a master’s degree in strategic design.

Acceptance Rate

56.81

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

Purdue University was established in 1869 by John Purdue and has been a part of the Purdue University System ever since. It is located in West Lafayette, Indiana, with a campus area of 2,602-acres in total. 

With the help of the college of liberal arts and the school of arts, performance, and design, the university has developed a program that focuses on visual communication design. The program expands the knowledge of students to help them become solvers and problem seekers with the capability to form effective visual products and to plan efficient communication strategies. Upon graduation, students will master the conceptual and technical skills involved in color design, image negation, typography, and visual structure. 

Acceptance Rate

59.83

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

Rutgers University in New Brunswick was established in 1766 with the mission to provide great education and professional opportunities to the local community and the world. Its campus in New Jersey is the oldest university among the five major Rutgers campuses in the country.  Aspiring visual communication designers can admit to the program graphic design program offered by the university. It has a broad curriculum that focuses on arts, sciences, and designs. Students will learn the mission of the designers, the communication materials, coloring, imaging, drawing, and the like. In addition, students will also understand and practice effective communication while serving the clients and the public. 

Acceptance Rate

61.22

Student to Faculty Ratio

16:1

The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising was established in 1969 and has been serving approximately 3,000 undergraduate students each year. It offers degree programs concentrating on entertainment, fashion, design, and beauty. 

Among its design programs, the institution has developed a graphic design curriculum that deepens the practical skills of students as well as their network in the industry to help them obtain real-world experiences. During the four-year program, students will learn the various techniques to have a strong visual message from industry professionals. Aside from it, students will also learn to develop and create diverse projects such as beauty product packaging, campaigns, website designs, and campaigns for entertainment purposes. 

Acceptance Rate

36.24

Student to Faculty Ratio

18:1

Bennington College is a liberal arts college that offers an undergraduate education and helps students in developing important skills useful in pursuit of graduate education or employment. A liberal arts curriculum exposes students to a variety of topics and subjects. The school is located in Bennington, Vermont, which is a predominantly rural area. The school's smaller size in terms of enrollment, around 800 students, offers students a more hands on education due to the size of the class and ease of access to professors.

Students can pick from a few areas of study, including but not limited to:

  • English Language And Literature
  • Visual And Performing Arts
  • Social Sciences
  • Liberal Arts And Sciences
  • Health And Clinical Professions
  • Foreign Languages And Literature

Students applying for admission are usually required to submit an application, school records, standardized test scores and any requested personal statements, which will then be reviewed by the school. Roughly 70 percent of all applicant were admitted at Bennington College, with 26 percent of those admitted choosing to attend. More information regarding admissions can be found at bennington.edu.

The cost of undergraduate tuition is close to $47,000, but may change yearly. Students are encouraged to visit the school's tuition calculator to better estimate their cost of attending this school. Housing is available for students and costs around $7,200 for the year. Financial aid may be provided to students that meet the necessary requirements.

Students should take a look at the school's http://www.bennington.edu to see additional information.

Acceptance Rate

60.79

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

Top Design Degree Programs

Prospective college students seeking to earn visual communications degrees or certificate in design have myriad options to choose from. Programs range from undergraduate certificate programs to degree programs both in class and online. The combination of options may be confusing at first, but we have taken the time to break them down into bite-size chunks for you.

By slicing each degree type into manageable sections, students can easily align programs with personal priorities and link up with colleges that fit your objectives. A summary of the most popular degree programs for a visual communication major can be found below.

Design & Visual Communications Certificates

Online certificate programs in visual communication and design can come into two primary levels: undergraduate and graduate. Undergraduate certificate programs are remedial tracks emphasizing the basics in visual communications. Students in an undergraduate certificate program will learn the basics with an emphasis on career readiness. Examples of classes you may find in an undergraduate certificate program include:

  • Survey of Art & Culture
  • Computer Graphics
  • Color and Design Theory
  • Visual Communication Designer
  • Informatics
  • Marketing
  • Networking Communications
  • Photography, Editorial Photography & Color Photography
  • Studio Lighting Techniques
  • Website Development
  • Studio and Field Production
  • Music and Film Appreciation
  • Interactive Design
  • 2D and 3D rendering & animation
  • Electronic Illustration
  • Sales and Sales Management

Graduate certificate programs in design are upper-level classes aimed at working professionals and qualifying students. A series of classes focused on a specific area of design provide key skills and knowledge to experienced professionals to help upskill, remain competitive, and enhance career growth.

Associate's Degrees in Visual Communications

An online associate visual communications degree can be conferred as an Associate of Arts (AA) or an Associate of Applied Science (AAS). Online associate degrees will be conferred as a function of the program emphasis and curricular design provided by the school. Associate degrees take approximately 2-years to complete for full-time students.

AAS and AA programs mix liberal arts education with core classes to provide a balance, integrative set of thinking skills for students. General education courses may include classes such as philosophy, creative writing, psychology, and business administration. Core classes will vary by school and include classes in photography, sales, digital branding, social media, brand development, digital photography, public relations, visual merchandising, computer rendering, and entrepreneurship.

Bachelor Degrees in Visual Communications

A bachelors degree in visual communications and design can be found in a course catalog as a Bachelor of Arts (BA). Online Bachelor of Arts in design is a 4-year program for full-time students. Part-time students will take longer to complete as a function of course load and college requirements. Online bachelor degrees are the most popular degree track and much like an associate degree they include a fusion of liberal arts education or core curricula. Select schools do offer online master degrees in design visual communication and a graduate certificate visual communications.

To help provide some additional structure to the bachelor's degree program in design and visual communications program, we have assembled a typical course for you to review. Design degree programs and communications degree programs will typically include classes such as:

  • Introduction to Design
  • Drawing
  • Form and Color
  • Graphic Design
  • Photography for Designers
  • Design: Aesthetics and Experience
  • Coding for Designers
  • 3D Design
  • Visual Communications
  • Sustainable Design
  • Interactive Media
  • Product Design
  • Global Fashion
  • Lighting Technology
  • Information Design
  • Computer Aided Design (CAD)
  • Interactive Media

Outlook in Graphic Design & Visual Communications

Visual communications jobs are growing briskly and forecast to continue in the coming decade. National surveys performed by the BLS indicate a rapid growth for visual communications majors. Examples include the fact that multimedia artists will grow 8%, video editors at 13%, and web developers at 15% growth rate in the coming term. Job growth will often translate to employment opportunities for qualified candidates. Likewise, upward mobility designed with a valuable degree occurs as change transpires in a business or industry.

A visual communications majors will discover a wide breadth of jobs in the marketplace after graduation. The skills acquired while in college are not limited to a singular job thus opening doors for a robust career in various industries. Visual communications students can elect to specialize in school in graphic design or online advertising. Alternatively, a student can build skills on the job that relate to a specific industry. Both pathways provide the skills and technical know-how for visual designers to incorporate into a team and add substantial value to a campaign or initiative as a contractor or full-time employee.

Visual Communications Designer Career

The median annual income for a Visual Communications professional is $65,300 with the top 10% earning $115,960 on average with the bottom ten percent average just under forty-thousand dollars a year. The large span in overall compensation for a visual communications specialist is driven by organization type, work experience, job duties within an organization, and employment type.

Job growth in the greater Design and Visual Communications domain are well above average. Projected growth for designers is 8% per the BLS translating to some 15,900 added jobs over the coming decade. Related fields in vision communications and design may include careers in public relations, corporate training, conferences, graphic design, advertising, corporate marketing, blogging, and editing.

List of Niche Visual Communications Associations

For additional information, students may consider researching non-profit associations. Visual communications organizations like these provide member benefits and resources for professionals in the field. With networking opportunities and cutting-edge research, visual communications associations may be a beneficial tool to help advance your career in the field of visual design.

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