Sinclair Community College

Visual Communications (VIS.S.AAS)

71.0-72.0 Credit Hours

The program prepares students for careers in visual communication which is creative, fast paced and in demand by most businesses. Students will develop the knowledge and technical skills necessary to create both printed and digital design work. This includes the design of stationery, brochures, magazines, advertising, packaging, signage, web pages, interactive media and other pieces. Creativity, problem solving and the design process are stressed. Advanced computer skills, portfolio development and job-seeking strategies are also incorporated into the curriculum.

Program Outcomes

printable version

Recognize, understand and use the language and jargon of design.

Demonstrate an understanding of the business fundamentals of visual communications.

Apply critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills to a variety of design problems.

Discuss the history, fundamentals and basic theories of design.

Develop print, animation and new media concepts using traditional and computer-based design tools.

Develop professional quality presentations and demonstrate adequate written and oral communication skills.

Communicate design concepts at various stages of development using the design process, drawing skills and/or appropriate software.

Curriculum

Visual Communications Elective
3 - 4 credit hours

ART 1161

Black & White Darkroom Photography I

3 credit hours

COM 2206

Interpersonal Communication

3 credit hours

ENG 1101

English Composition I

3 credit hours

MRK 2102

Principles of Advertising

3 credit hours

PSY 1100

General Psychology

3 credit hours

SCC 1101

First Year Experience

1 credit hour

VIS 1100

Design Basics

4 credit hours

VIS 1110

Design Drawing

4 credit hours

VIS 1140

Digital Design I

3 credit hours

VIS 1208

Typography

4 credit hours

VIS 1218

Digital Design II

4 credit hours

VIS 1250

Print Production

4 credit hours

VIS 2110

Design Principles

4 credit hours

VIS 2120

Design Applications I

4 credit hours

VIS 2160

Design Applications II

4 credit hours

VIS 2260

Visual Communications Portfolio

4 credit hours

VIS 1180

History of Design

3 credit hours

Course Option
(GLG 1101 AND GLG 1111 OR PHY 1104 AND PHY 1119)
4 credit hours

Course Option
(MAT 1110 OR MAT 1270)
3 credit hours

Course Option
(ART 2230 OR ART 2231)
3 credit hours

Visual Communications (VIS.S.AAS)

71.0-72.0 Credit Hours

Program Outcomes

graphical version

Recognize, understand and use the language and jargon of design.

Demonstrate an understanding of the business fundamentals of visual communications.

Apply critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills to a variety of design problems.

Discuss the history, fundamentals and basic theories of design.

Develop print, animation and new media concepts using traditional and computer-based design tools.

Develop professional quality presentations and demonstrate adequate written and oral communication skills.

Communicate design concepts at various stages of development using the design process, drawing skills and/or appropriate software.

Curriculum

3 - 4 credit hours Visual Communications Elective

3 credit hours ART 1161: Black & White Darkroom Photography I

3 credit hours COM 2206: Interpersonal Communication

3 credit hours ENG 1101: English Composition I

3 credit hours MRK 2102: Principles of Advertising

3 credit hours PSY 1100: General Psychology

1 credit hour SCC 1101: First Year Experience

4 credit hours VIS 1100: Design Basics

4 credit hours VIS 1110: Design Drawing

3 credit hours VIS 1140: Digital Design I

4 credit hours VIS 1208: Typography

4 credit hours VIS 1218: Digital Design II

4 credit hours VIS 1250: Print Production

4 credit hours VIS 2110: Design Principles

4 credit hours VIS 2120: Design Applications I

4 credit hours VIS 2160: Design Applications II

4 credit hours VIS 2260: Visual Communications Portfolio

3 credit hours VIS 1180: History of Design

4 credit hours Course Option: (GLG 1101 AND GLG 1111 OR PHY 1104 AND PHY 1119)

3 credit hours Course Option: (MAT 1110 OR MAT 1270)

3 credit hours Course Option: (ART 2230 OR ART 2231)

Visual Communications Elective

ART 1161 Black & White Darkroom Photography I
Credit Hours: 3.0
Department: Art
Division: Liberal Arts, Communication and Social Sciences

An introduction to the art and technique of black and white photography. Photographic shooting, processing and printing are stressed. Students to supply their own adjustable camera, (35mm or 120) film and print paper. Six studio hours per week.

COM 2206 Interpersonal Communication
Credit Hours: 3.0
Department: Department of Communication
Division: Liberal Arts, Communication and Social Sciences

Exploration of the development, maintenance and termination of interpersonal relationships. The focus is on effective verbal and nonverbal interactions between two people, highlighting methods of initiating and maintaining effective communication with, and understanding of, others through learning and applying interpersonal communication theory.

ENG 1101 English Composition I
Credit Hours: 3.0
Department: English
Division: Liberal Arts, Communication and Social Sciences

In English Composition I students learn reflective, analytical and argumentative writing strategies, incorporating sources and personal experience. Students will negotiate between public and private rhetorical situations and purposes to achieve academic literacy. They will write multiple drafts using a recursive writing process as they work toward fluency in style and mechanics.

MRK 2102 Principles of Advertising
Credit Hours: 3.0
Department: Management
Division: Business and Public Services

This course focuses on integrated marketing communications (IMC). The concepts of IMC enhance the equity of brands and show how advertising, promotion, packaging and branding strategies, point-of-purchase communications, public relations, event and cause-oriented sponsorships can affect the marketing of products, goods, services or ideas.

PSY 1100 General Psychology
Credit Hours: 3.0
Department: Psychology
Division: Liberal Arts, Communication and Social Sciences

University-parallel course covering history and systems of psychology, behavioral research methods, physiology of behavior, sensation, perception, learning, memory, consciousness, cognition, personality, lifespan development, gender, social psychology, motivation, emotion, stress, mental disorders and therapies.

SCC 1101 First Year Experience
Credit Hours: 1.0
Department: Sinclair Community College
Division: Liberal Arts, Communication and Social Sciences

This course is designed to help new students make a successful transition to Sinclair Community College. Topics include college resources; academic, career and personal goals; learning styles; the learning process; financial responsibility; stress and wellness; and an introduction to the general education competencies at Sinclair.

VIS 1100 Design Basics
Credit Hours: 4.0
Department: Visual Communications
Division: Liberal Arts, Communication and Social Sciences

Introduction to the fundamentals of two-dimensional and three-dimensional design. Students will apply critical and creative thinking techniques to applied projects that will explore the use of conceptualization, color, typography, image, modeling and applying the fundamentals of design. Two classroom, four lab hours per week.

VIS 1110 Design Drawing
Credit Hours: 4.0
Department: Visual Communications
Division: Liberal Arts, Communication and Social Sciences

Introduction to design drawing techniques as applied to visual communications, including stylization, perspective, shading and rendering. Two classroom, four lab hours per week.

VIS 1140 Digital Design I
Credit Hours: 3.0
Department: Visual Communications
Division: Liberal Arts, Communication and Social Sciences

Introduction to computer illustration, imaging, photo manipulation, page layout and composition techniques using industry-based software.

VIS 1208 Typography
Credit Hours: 4.0
Department: Visual Communications
Division: Liberal Arts, Communication and Social Sciences

Introduction to typography as an element and tool of visual communication. The concept of type as image is emphasized. Two classroom, four lab hours per week.

VIS 1218 Digital Design II
Credit Hours: 4.0
Department: Visual Communications
Division: Liberal Arts, Communication and Social Sciences

Introduction to media design, including digital video, animation and web-based software applications, for the development of online interactive media. Design basics and a hands-on approach emphasized.

VIS 1250 Print Production
Credit Hours: 4.0
Department: Visual Communications
Division: Liberal Arts, Communication and Social Sciences

This course will provide the fundamentals of the various printing processes. It will include digital prepress techniques used to prepare layouts for the different processes used in the industry.

VIS 2110 Design Principles
Credit Hours: 4.0
Department: Visual Communications
Division: Liberal Arts, Communication and Social Sciences

Development of an identity system, visual language, stationery system and identity manual. Exploration of advanced elements and principles of design; introduction to symbology. Two classroom, four lab hours per week.

VIS 2120 Design Applications I
Credit Hours: 4.0
Department: Visual Communications
Division: Liberal Arts, Communication and Social Sciences

Design Applications I will cover the development of a pictogram and wayfinding system that will be used as a component to an overall Identity Manual developed in Design Principles. Two classroom, four lab hours per week.

VIS 2160 Design Applications II
Credit Hours: 4.0
Department: Visual Communications
Division: Liberal Arts, Communication and Social Sciences

Advanced application of design principles. Emphasis will be placed on creating fully developed digital media. Two classroom, four lab hours per week.

VIS 2260 Visual Communications Portfolio
Credit Hours: 4.0
Department: Visual Communications
Division: Liberal Arts, Communication and Social Sciences

Graphic design business practices including individualized portfolio development, work experience and development of professional practice skills; including cost estimating, contract writing, sales and communication techniques. Two classroom, four lab hours per week.

VIS 1180 History of Design
Credit Hours: 3.0
Department: Visual Communications
Division: Liberal Arts, Communication and Social Sciences

History of graphic design covering major designers and their work, as well as design movements. From the origins of graphic art including printing and typography through the rise of the Internet, this course will explore the connection between culture and technology in the evolution of graphic design.

COMPLEX REQUIREMENT
(GLG 1101 AND GLG 1111 OR PHY 1104 AND PHY 1119)

COMPLEX REQUIREMENT
(MAT 1110 OR MAT 1270)

COMPLEX REQUIREMENT
(ART 2230 OR ART 2231)

- View the Master Syllabus

- View the Course Schedule