Visual Communications

The Visual Communications program emphasizes visual media in print, video, web, and interactive formats. Students in this major are able to extend their foundation work in traditional media into the digital-based realm. Emphasis is placed on creative problem solving in addition to user experience skills. Presentations are designed and executed in preparation for inclusion in the student's final portfolio. Graduates of the program may enter careers in corporate or institutional marketing communication departments, digital advertising firms, video editing companies, web development companies, self-employment, or opt for further study at the baccalaureate level.

Offered at the following campus(es): Dover

What You Can Do

In this program, you will gain the knowledge and skills to prepare you for positions such as:

  • Graphic designer
  • Advertising designer
  • Illustrator
  • Webpage designer
  • Art director
  • Pre-press technician
  • Artist
  • Desktop publisher
  • Graphic designer/production
  • Sign designer
  • T-shirt designer
  • In-house designer for small companies, corporations, publishers, schools, retailers, design firms
  • Self-employment

What You Will Learn

Program Graduate Competencies

The Program Graduate Competencies listed below identify the major learning goals related to your specific program of study and identify the knowledge and skills you will have when you graduate to be successful in your chosen field.

  1. Integrate the principles and elements of design and interactive graphics into cohesive problem solving techniques for interactive/web assignments.
  2. Critique design solutions and develop strategies for strengthening their conceptual and technical effectiveness.
  3. Structure a problem-solving strategy for delivery of the client's message to his market, making efficient use of current design, production, and delivery technologies.
  4. Synthesize components of media delivery solutions into cohesive presentations that are technically and conceptually effective.
  5. Create or evaluate and select illustrative, photographic, layout, and/or responsive imagery for use in effectively evoking digital/web-based solutions for multiple devices.
  6. Integrate professional, ethical, and legal standards into business practice.

Core Curriculum Competencies

The Core Curriculum Competencies listed below identify what you will be able to do as a graduate, regardless of your program of study. You will acquire these core competencies through general education courses and program-specific coursework. You will be expected to use relevant technology to achieve these outcomes:

  1. Apply clear and effective communication skills.
  2. Use critical thinking to solve problems.
  3. Collaborate to achieve a common goal.
  4. Demonstrate professional and ethical conduct.
  5. Use information literacy for effective vocational and/or academic research.
  6. Apply quantitative reasoning and/or scientific inquiry to solve practical problems.

Pathway to Graduation

Semester 1

Number Course Title Credits
SSC 100 First Year Seminar 1
ENG 101 Composition I 3
VSC 109 Drawing I 3
VSC 115 Intro To Design 3
MAT 152 Quantitative Reasoning 3

Semester 2

Number Course Title Credits
ENG 102 Composition II 3
VSC 160 Raster Graphics 3
VSC 165 Photography I 3
BUS 101 Introduction to Business 3

Semester 3

Number Course Title Credits
HIS 132 Art History II 3
MKT 212 Principles of Marketing 3
VSC 210 Layout Graphics 3
Elective Technology Elective  

Semester 4

Number Course Title Credits
Elective Technology Elective  
MKT 214 Advertising and Promotion 3
VSC 262 Web Graphics 3
PSY 121 General Psychology 3

Semester 5

Number Course Title Credits
Elective Technology Elective  
MKT 217 Digital Marketing Fundamentals 3
VSC 251 Portfolio Workshop 4
VSC 273 Applied Practice Multimedia 3

Select 3 Technical Electives:

Number Course Title Credits
VSC 161 Vector Graphics 3
VSC 166 Advanced Photography 3
VSC 190 Intro to Videography 3
VSC 271 Illustration 3
VSC 276 Advanced Web 3
VSC 277 Advanced Photo and Video Editing 3
VSC 278 Advanced Layout and Illustration 3

To complete program requirements, you must pass the above courses and earn at least 61 credits. The number of courses and credits required for graduation may be more depending on college readiness and the elective courses offered in your program major (if electives are a part of the program).

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Alumni | Bijou Cox

Campus-Specific Program Information
Contact Dover

Patti Bishop
Department Chair, Instructor,
and Program Advisor
pbishop2@ywt99.com
(302) 857-1310

Adobe Certified Associate Authorized Testing Center

The Adobe Certified Associate (ACA) certifications offer students a foundation for success by validating their digital skills. Certification testing is offered within the curriculum of several courses within the Visual Communication Department. Upon a successful attempt of the exam, the student is instantly able to promote the Adobe badge received and meet the popular demand of validating skills in the Adobe application.

This program is offered at the Dover campus.

This program is offered at the Dover campus.

This program is offered at the Dover campus.