Art and Design B.A. – Visual Communication Design Emphasis
College of Performing and Visual Arts
Contact: Lisa Stocker, Administrative Assistant
Location: Guggenheim 103
Telephone: 970.351.2143
Fax: 970.351.2299
Website: www.arts.unco.edu/artanddesign
Advising Information:
Students must consult with their assigned major advisor each semester prior to registering.
Contact the Art office for more information.
The program consists of three parts:
- Liberal Arts Core (LAC) Credits
- Required Major Credits
- University-Wide Credits
Program Description:
The Visual Communication Design emphasis offers programs of study designed to allow students to become effective conceptual thinkers and creative problem solvers as they expand their visual/technical communication skills. Course experiences are designed to allow students to investigate the complexities of commercial fields of art, such as computer graphics, graphic design, illustration, advertising, photography, publications, and other areas of visual communications. Two concentration areas are available: Graphic Design and Photography.
Graphic Design Concentration . This program prepares students to work as visual thinkers and communicators using a variety of traditional print and emerging electronic media.
Photography Concentration. Courses in photography have been designed to increase an understanding of the most universal language in the world today - that of photography. Courses are designed to provide experiences in the fundamentals of photography which will lead to the achievement of objectives. Traditional photographic techniques, as well as experimental, non-traditional, and digital imaging techniques, are included in the curriculum.
Program Admission Requirements:
Academic Good Standing
Program Requirements:
- New Art & Design students must complete the Freshman Foundation requirements before they can begin their advanced art studies. The Freshman Foundation Courses include Art 181, Art 182, Art 183, Art 184, and Art 234. Students must also successfully complete the Foundation Portfolio.
- To graduate with a B.A. in Art & Design, all students must earn a 2.8 cumulative GPA or higher in all courses in the major, and a 2.8 GPA or higher for overall university coursework.
- A Specialization Portfolio is required to continue in Graphic Design Concentration after completion of Art 370. Specialization Portfolio is required to continue in Photography Concentration at completion of Art 274.
- An Exit level Senior Portfolio assessment is required prior to graduation. The portfolio consists of work from the student's concentration area.
- Three hours of internship (Art 492) is required. Student mush have a minimum GPA of 2.8 in Art and a 2.8 GPA for overall University coursework to apply for a Visual Communication Design internship.
Degree Requirements — 120 Credits
Degree Requirements
1. Remaining LAC — 31 credits
NOTE: ART 181, ART 182, and ART 185 all count for credit in area 3.a. One of these courses will count towards area 3, one will satisfy the additional area 3 or area 5 requirement, and one will count as an Elective credit to help reach the LAC 40 credit hour total.
2. Required Major — 57 - 60 credits
Take all of the following courses:
Complete the following five Freshman Foundation Courses First
Complete the following courses:
| ART 171 | Introduction to Visual Communication Design | 3 |
| ART 185 | Neoclassic to Modern Art History | 3 |
Take one 300 level Art History Course (3 credits)
Choose two of the following courses (6 credits)
Choose one of the following courses:
Choose one Concentration Area:
Graphic Design Concentration (27 semester credits)
Photography Concentration (24 semester credits)
| ART 271 | Introduction to Photography | 3 |
| ART 274 | Fundamentals of Black and White Photography | 3 |
| ART 373 | Digital Photography Manipulation | 3 |
| ART 472 | Photography Studio | 1-3 |
| ART 476 | Advanced Black and White Photography | 3 |
| ART 477 | Photographic Illustration and Lighting Techniques | 3 |
| ART 478 | Alternative Photographic Expression | 3 |
| ART 492 | Internship in Art | 1-5 |
3. University-Wide Credits — 29 credits
Complete additional credits to achieve the minimum credits needed for this degree at UNC; for this degree, that will typically be 29 credits.