Degree Overview: Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) Degree in Visual Communications
Majors Overview April 13, 2015Get information about Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) degree programs in Visual Communications and their education requirements, coursework, career choices, job and wage outlook, and continuing education information.
Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) Degree Programs in Visual Communications
Students enrolled in Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) programs in Visual Communications are typically made adept in the processes of creation, planning, and design conception. Students are taught about the objectives and functions of visual communications and develop understandings and aesthetic awareness of symbolic representation. Students may also become experts in visual analysis and research.
Students enrolled in the majority of visual communications programs will develop their individual portfolios of work, and internship opportunities may be provided. Armed with Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Visual Communications degrees, individuals can seek entry-level careers in art, illustration, and design.
Education Requirements
Admission criteria typically require incoming students to hold a GED certificate or high school diploma. As a result of a competitive admission process, portfolios may need to be submitted by applicants to demonstrate their artistic work.
Coursework
Students who complete visual communications coursework will develop skills in 2-D and 3-D design forms, including painting, sculpting and drawing. Historical and cultural concepts of visual communications are also often studied. Core coursework may include topic areas such as:
•Prototyping
•Interactive design
•History of art
•Symbol design
•Printmaking
•Color management
•Typography
•Computer graphics
•Corporate identity
•Publication design
Career Choices
Those who successfully graduate from BFA in Visual Communications programs are trained to seek careers in both digital and traditional media. They may seek positions such as:
•Art directors
•Graphic designers
•Illustrators
Job and Wage Outlook
Over the 2012 – 2022 decade, slower-than-average job growth rate of 7% have been predicted for graphic designers (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). In 2012, these professionals brought in an average annual wage of $44,150.
Continuing Education Information
Some bachelor’s degree program graduates may seek continued education by earning graduate degrees in visual communications or other related fine arts fields. Students enrolled in these programs continue to develop their knowledge of design theory alongside their technical abilities. Experimentation with their work and development of personal design styles are encouraged in master’s-level programs.