Undergraduate Programs
Communication Design Certificate
The interdisciplinary shift in the profession of communication design brings about a high demand in the job market for graduates whose training and experience include a theoretical foundation coupled with practical knowledge of how to use the industry-standard software applications to create well-designed visual communication forms.
The Communication Design Curriculum differentiates itself from the typical art school's design curriculum in that it provides a theoretical foundation that students apply to the creation of meaningful and persuasive forms of visual communication. This curriculum also gives students the opportunity to study design within the context of historical, social, and cultural developments. As technology changes and the industry-standard software applications become more diverse, the students will have a foundation that carries them through the technological changes.
Undergraduate students who complete the B.S. in Communication, B.S. in Communication with a Concentration in Graphic Design, B.S. in EMAC, or B.S. in IT/Communication can also earn an Undergraduate Certificate in Communication Design. The American Institute of Graphic Design, the leading membership organization for professionals engaged in graphic design and visual communication confirms that "this form of certification in a four-year bachelor of science program will:
- Provide valuable knowledge and skills relevant to the professional practice of graphic design
- Provide a general foundation for graduate study in graphic design
- Show students' level of interest in communication design"
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It is imperative that students working in communication design demonstrate a competency that includes:
- Knowledge of the basic vernacular of communication design
- Awareness of exemplary visual signs and symbols that have made an impact on the profession of communication design (that includes graphic design and visual communication)
- Ability to analyze a graphic design for meaning and implicit design strategies
- Ability to determine appropriate visual treatments, typefaces and graphics in the creation of meaningful, persuasive forms of visual communication
- Critical understanding of visual design in historical, social, and cultural context
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To meet these objectives the communication design courses in LL&C will teach students:
- Communication design theory (i.e., visual design theory, color theory)
- Critical thinking in communication design
- Presentation skills
- Technical skills (i.e., industry-standard applications for communication design)
- Graphic design history and methods
- Problem-solving skills in communication design (i.e., a methodology for the communication design process)
- Typography
- Interactive multimedia design for electronic communication
- Organizing principles for layout, information hierarchy and aesthetics, type and image integration, graphics creation and manipulation
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Students seeking this certificate should consult with Erin Glasheen and fill out the following form as soon as they decide to pursue the certificate.
Students should submit the completed form to Erin Glasheen.
 Undergraduate Communication Design Certificate Plan of Study (.doc, revised 08.13.2007)
To earn this certificate students must complete a total of 20 credit hours (5 courses) in graphics in the Department of Language, Literature, and Communication (LL&C). Students may not use these communication design courses to fulfill the H&SS Core requirements.
Students must achieve at least a B grade in each course. The requirements are divided into three progressive levels as outlined below:
- Level 1:
(Introduction to Visual Communication)
- Level 2:
- Level 3:
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- 4 credit hours
- 8 credit hours
- 8 credit hours
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Upon completion of the course requirements for the Undergraduate Certificate in Communication Design, students must submit a print and/or electronic portfolio for review by the Graphics and Communication Design Committee. Students who, through the quality of their portfolio, meet the objectives of the Communication Design Curriculum and pass the Visual Literacy Assessment Test will be awarded LL&C's Undergraduate Certificate in Communication Design.
Visual Literacy Assessment Test (.pdf, revised 07.08.2008)
Level 1 - 4 credit hours
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The following course is required of all undergraduate students seeking the Undergraduate Certificate in Communication Design:
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Level 2 - 8 credit hours
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The following course is required of all undergraduate students seeking the Undergraduate Certificate in Communication Design:
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Students must take one of the following intermediate courses in LL&C:
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Level 3 - 8 credit hours
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EMAC STUDENTS
EMAC students must take two thesis courses from those listed below. Thesis courses involve demonstrating a wide range of knowledge and skills that span a student's undergraduate experience, and result in a presentation and documentation of a performance or work that will become part of a student's portfolio.
Thesis courses cannot satisfy both the Thesis requirement and the Concentration requirement for EMAC.
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EMAC Thesis Requirement Form (.doc, revised 08.14.2007)
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NON-EMAC STUDENTS
Non-EMAC students must take the following course, and the content of the course must focus on visual communication or graphic design and be approved by the Graphics and Communication Design Committee:
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Non-EMAC students must also take one of the following advanced courses:
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Students pursuing the Undergraduate Certificate in Communication Design may want to focus on print media or electronic media. Suggested courses for these pathways are outlined below.
Students who seek entry-level positions in graphic design upon graduation may complete the requirements as follows:
LEVEL 1
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LEVEL 2
Students may choose one of the following pairs:
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LEVEL 3
Students may choose one of the following pairs:
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Students who seek entry-level positions in web design or multimedia design (i.e., CD-ROMs) upon graduation may want to complete the requirements as follows:
LEVEL 1
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LEVEL 2
Students may choose one of the following pairs:
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LEVEL 3
Students may choose one of the following pairs:
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