College of Communication and Information
School of Visual Communication Design
www.kent.edu/vcd

Contact Information

• School Director: Daniel Alenquer | vcd@kent.edu | 330-672-7856
• Speak with an Advisor
• Chat with an Admissions Counselor

Fully Offered

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers

• Graphic Designer
• Art/Creative Director
• UI/UX Designer
• Motion Designer/Animator
• Illustrator
• Exhibit/Wayfinding Designer
• Package Designer

Description

The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Visual Communication Design prepares students for design and illustration professions. Students develop technical proficiency and design expertise in the organization of imagery and typography to communicate information in two-dimensional and three-dimensional forms using interactive media, environments and motion design. Students produce work for print, video, screen and interactive experiences, as well as package design, exhibition design and environmental wayfinding.

This major leads to a professional degree and focuses on intensive work in the visual arts. The B.F.A. degree consists of approximately two-thirds of the coursework in the creation and study of the visual arts, with the remainder in liberal/general studies. Because of the greater emphasis on upper-level studio courses, the B.F.A. degree allows students an opportunity to build greater expertise in a given area of the field. The B.F.A. degree is for students planning to pursue a career in visual communication design and want to leave Kent State with a strong portfolio.

There are many study abroad/away opportunities. For more information contact the Office of Global Education or coordinator of the college's International Study Programs.

Accreditation

National Association of Schools of Art and Design

Admission Requirements

Admission to this major is selective.¹ The B.F.A. degree requires a minimum 2.700 major GPA and a 2.000 overall GPA calculated after the completion of VCD 33000.

The School of Visual Communication Design recognizes that competence in visual design as well as intellectual capacity are necessary qualities in students who plan to prepare for a career in visual communication design. Therefore, the right is reserved to require evidence of achievement in design and related areas from all students endeavoring to enroll for the first time in a a majors in the school. Early admission is recommended.

Each transfer student will be evaluated individually in terms of his or her ability to perform within the program. Transfer applicants' strengths and deficiencies will be considered, and their transfer credits will reflect that consideration. The director of the School of Visual Communication Design may impose additional requirements considered reasonable and necessary.

¹ Effective spring 2023, admission to the program will no longer be selective.

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students who graduated from high school three or more years ago.

First-Year Students on the Kent Campus: First-year admission policy on the Kent Campus is selective. Admission decisions are based upon cumulative grade point average, strength of high school college preparatory curriculum and grade trends. Students not admissible to the Kent Campus may be administratively referred to one of the seven regional campus to begin their college coursework. For more information, visit the admissions website for first-year students.

First-Year Students on the Regional Campuses: First-year admission to Kent State’s campuses at Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga, Salem, Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas, as well as the Twinsburg Academic Center, is open to anyone with a high school diploma or its equivalent. Check with a regional campus admissions office to determine application requirements, as they may differ among campuses.

International Students: All international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions) by earning a minimum 525 TOEFL score (71 on the Internet-based version), minimum 75 MELAB score, minimum 6.0 IELTS score, minimum 48 PTE score or minimum 100 DET score; or by completing the ESL level 112 Intensive Program. For more information, visit the admissions website for international students.

Transfer Students: For more information, visit the admissions website for transfer students.

Former Students: Former Kent State students or graduates who have not attended another college or university since Kent State may complete the reenrollment or reinstatement form on the University Registrar’s website.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the ethics (and legal issues) closely associated with fields of visual communication.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of traditional hands-on skills relative to craftsmanship.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the basic use of digital technologies as they relate to their areas of study.
4. Demonstrate an ability to create visual response to communication problems, including understanding of hierarchy, typography, aesthetics, composition and construction of meaningful images.

University Requirements

All students in a bachelor's degree program at Kent State University must complete the following university requirements for graduation.

NOTE: University requirements may be fulfilled in this program by specific course requirements. Please see Program Requirements for details.

Kent Core Requirements

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

¹

Minimum 1 credit hour of VCD 40192 is required for the program. However, students can apply maximum 4 credit hours of the course toward their degree program.

²

A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.

³

Courses taken as VCD Specialization Electives may not also count toward VCD Additional Electives.

⁴

Maximum 6 credit hours of VCD 43051 may be applied toward the VCD Additional Electives.

⁵

Students can apply COMM 15000 or MDJ 20001 toward the Communication and Information Core Electives if NOT already taken toward Additional Requirements.

⁶

If MDJ 20001 is completed, then 3 credit hours of Kent Core Social Sciences and 6 credit hours of Kent Core Additional is required. If COMM 15000 is completed, then 6 credit hours of Kent Core Social Sciences and 3 credit hours of Kent Core Additional is required.

⁷

A maximum of 4 credit hours of Physical Activity, Wellness and Sport (PWS) courses may be applied toward the degree program.

Progression Requirements

• Students must earn a minimum B- grade in VCD 13001 before enrolling in VCD 23001. VCD 13001 may be taken a maximum three times until a minimum B- grade is achieved.
• Students must earn a minimum B- grade in VCD 23001 before enrolling in VCD 33000.
• Students must maintain a 2.700 major GPA in order to continue taking VCD courses. Failure to do so at the end of one semester will result in a written warning with the option of repeating certain VCD courses in order to meet minimum grade and GPA requirements to continue. Failure to do so at the end of two consecutive semesters will result in not being permitted to enroll in VCD courses. Students in this situation will be contacted by an academic advisor to create an alternative plan of study with a new major.

Graduation Requirements

• A minimum B- grade may be required in some courses.

Roadmap

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.