The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Visual Communication is offered to students interested in pursuing careers as graphic designers, web/multi-media designers, and advertising designers. The visual communicator utilizes good aesthetic judgment, effective project management, and computer technology to combine words and images, to interest, inform or persuade a specific audience.

In the past two decades there have been rapid changes in technology and a high demand for graphic design graduates whose training and experience include a solid foundation in theory, technology, and professional business practices. At Cazenovia College, the Visual Communication Program offers this and more. Students learn to connect, conceptualize, strategize, translate, communicate, and create with a clear connection between client and designer. It is this connection between the client and the designer that defines visual communications.

The program encourages a broad exploration of three areas: graphic design/print media, graphic design/multi-media, and advertising design. As students develop basic design and business foundation, they are encouraged to pursue a concentration in one of these three areas. With small class sizes, advanced technical training in state-of-the-art Mac computer labs, a distinct and extensive curriculum, and a one-on-one relationship with faculty, students are able to build upon a broad base and individualize their experience.

Graduates of the program are prepared to enter the field competitively with a well-developed portfolio, job experience, and solid exposure to the industry.  

Special Strengths of the Program
In the junior year, students take part in internships that offer real-world industry experience. These internships can be conducted regionally or nationally. Some internships have led to job offers for students.

In the senior year, students take courses that specifically prepare them  to launch their careers. The Portfolio Development and Professional Prep course helps students develop sound business practices and job search methods. Students create portfolios with real world assignments. In their Senior Project and Senior Seminar courses, students create a major yearlong project that focuses on their area of concentration. Each student is assigned a “professional contact,” a successful industry expert, as a mentor for the senior project. This professional contact meets with the student individually to discuss and provide feedback. Students are able to go beyond the classroom and the professor to network and build professional relationships that connect the student with those in the industry of their concentration.

Students are also offered extra-curricular opportunities in which to network and build professional skills. Some of these activities include Images Magazine, the College's art and literary publication; the Visual Communications Club, whose mission is to connect students with activities and professionals in the profession; and field tips to many local and regional areas. The Visual Communication Club sponsors a trip to New York City every semester. Some of the places the club members have visited include the New York Times, Architectural Digest, The Concept Farm, Weiden & Kennedy Advertising Agency, AIGA (the American Institute of Graphic Artists), The National Society of Illustrators, and the Art Directors Club.

Goals of the Program

• To teach students to solve communication problems visually, to partake in conceptual message development, and to achieve personal creative excellence;
• To help students understand and respond to the cultural influences that shape various audiences, messages, client needs, and design decisions;
• To develop proficiency in classic media as well as fluency in new technologies;
• To ensure understanding of basic business practices as a designer, including production as a team member and project organization.

Facilities
The Visual Communications Program is housed in Cazenovia College's  Art & Design Building. The classrooms provide instruction in state-of-the-art smart classroom technology so students can view lectures and demonstrations on large screens.

All classroom labs are Mac-based and include G4 and G5 Macs with industry standard software and hardware. Finished projects for classroom assignments or portfolios can be printed on full-color laser jet, ink jet, or large format printers. Scanners, CD and DVD technology is also available in every classroom.

A fully equipped homework lab, equipped with the same technology as the classroom labs, is provided for students.

The latest version of graphics software such as Quark, InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Flash, Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Director, and Acrobat is installed on each computer.

The following list provides a sample of some of the latest internship sponsors:

Career Opportunities  

After graduation students pursue degrees in higher education, go into business as freelancers, or find employment in corporate art departments, advertising agencies, design studios, publishing houses, newspapers, magazines, multi-media and web design businesses, or printing firms.

Students with a BFA in Visual Communications enter a growing job market with many career options. Typical employers would include advertising agencies, multimedia production companies, publishers, design groups and consultancies, magazines, local government, education, television, charities, commerce and local industry.

Positions graduates may seek include:

Further study or placement is possible in areas such as media design, typographic design, graphic arts, multi media, digital imaging, and design for television and film/video.

Link to:

Sample Path to Graduation

Contact Information:

	Laurie Selleck Associate Professor and Program Director, Visual Communications Art and Design 111 Phone: (315) 655-7151 Email: lselleck   Please add suffix (@cazenovia.edu) for all e-mail addresses.