Visual Communication  

visual communication 

Degrees offered

  • Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Communication with emphasis in Interactive Design
  • Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Communication with emphasis in Graphic Design

Both emphases focus on developing the student's conceptual and creative thinking, visual perception and problem-solving skills. The program fosters the highest levels of professionalism, ethics and visual literacy, enabling students with the tools to effectively communicate messages.Students produce visually compelling solutions that inspire and persuade the viewers and users. They learn color theory, layout, symbology, illustration, typography, photography, interactivity and motion. In addition, they learn to collaborate with other designers, illustrators, artists, programmers, photographers, animators, project managers, business executives, marketing researchers, and printers to design successful communication strategies for clients. Projects developed in the program include editorial design, web design, advertising, branding, interactive multimedia, package design, user experience architecture, print design, and motion graphics/animation.

Students are encouraged to join professional organizations such as the Professional Association  for Design (AIGA), SIGGRAPH, local user's groups, as well as subscribe to professional publications  such as Print and Communication Arts magazines and to read other current literature on design.

Career opportunities

Visual communication graduates are prepared for careers in:

  • Graphic Design
  • Web Design
  • Game Design
  • Identity Design
  • Publication Design
  • Information Design
  • Type Design
  • Film/TV title Design
  • Environmental Design
  • Package Design
  • Illustration

 Employment opportunities include:

  • Advertising agencies
  • In-house design departments
  • Design studios
  • Museums
  • Game Studios
  • Marketing departments
  • Media and publishing corporations

Additional information

For major specific information including student organizations, scholarships and study abroad:

Northern Arizona University
Box 5619
Flagstaff, AZ 86011-5619
Phone: 928-523-8114 or 928-523-0419
Email: Chris Johnson or Rodrigo De Toledo
Or visit the academic catalog.