Visual Communications Programs
Visual Communications is exactly what the name says: communicating to your audience visually as a digital artist, web designer, multimedia artist or even retail designer. Visual presentation is vital to increasing sales, whether you are setting up a store window, creating a commercial, crafting an interactive web page, or making a movie. It all comes down to appealing to the sense of sight to communicate, motivate, educate, and persuade.
Jobs & Salaries
Visual Communications is a broad term that covers multimedia and graphic design, as well as marketing and advertising. Depending on which area an artist focuses his or her talents, the jobs can be lucrative and plentiful, or low-paying. As with any creative job, careers in Visual Communications are highly competitive however. The highest paid art directors averaged an income of $154,840, with the median earning between $54,490 and $108,090 (BLS.gov).
Prerequisites & Coursework
Some degree programs offer Visual Communications degrees with an emphasis either in Graphic Design or Multimedia. A few programs require students take an entry exam and submit a portfolio as part of their application. Classes include digital photography, computer graphics, magazine publishing, Photoshop, business advertising and marketing. Other coursework should include marketing and even some psychology classes.
