Art & Visual Communication Department
Semester Conversion Effective Autumn 2012
- Confirm your major at onestop.uc.edu
- Check with your advisor to create your Independent Advising Plan
Applied Graphic Communication
The Applied Graphic Communication major is for students seeking foundational skills appropriate for further study in the design field or for employment in areas of design support.
Graphic Communication is a professional field encompassing a broad range of design formats for both print and web-based media. Included among these are advertisements, newsletters, brochures, magazines, technical literature, identity and branding systems, package design, web pages and multimedia. Students in the Applied Graphic Communication programs participate in small classes with considerable personal attention and direction from faculty. Art and design classes are taught in well-equipped studio facilities and labs using industry-standard computers and software.
Students who succeed in the Applied Graphic Communication program are creative thinkers who solve problems visually. They enjoy the process of developing multiple solutions to given design problems through research and experimentation, and they demonstrate a willingness to work hard, follow directions and meet deadlines.
The Applied Graphic Communication program may be completed full time in either two or three years. Students should meet with an academic advisor regularly to ensure that they take courses in the correct sequence and that they meet prerequisites.
Opportunities
Graduates of this major have strong foundational skills appropriate for further study in the design field or for employment in areas of design support. They may seek employment in a variety of professional settings requiring design support including advertising agencies, printing companies, in-house art departments, or other areas of communications and public relations.
Semester Conversion
The transition to semesters in Autumn 2012 brings with it a number of changes to the Department of Art & Visual Communication. Most significant is a program revision which includes a first year of coursework identical to that offered by the School of Design in the College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP). While successful completion of the first, “Foundation Year” does not guarantee matriculation into a School of Design program, it will create a viable transition path. Students can choose to complete the Associates Degree at UCBA or transfer to a Baccalaureate Program.
The most visible difference will be the program name change from “Communication Design” to “Applied Graphic Communication”. This is intended to strengthen correlation between the DAAP’ “Graphic Communication Design” program and ours here at UCBA.
Also, the Print and Web Options will merge into a single degree offering with more comprehensive coursework for students. Furthermore, the Professional Certificate programs will be suspended indefinitely and the Pre-Art & Design transfer program will be dissolved in favor of the “Foundation Year” transition path. This path will include studio coursework that is more likely to transfer to DAAP and other Baccalaureate design programs without loss of credit.
Please refer to the University of Cincinnati’s semester conversion site if you have questions or concerns:
http://www.uc.edu/conversion/pledge.html
If you are currently taking coursework in any Communication Design Program, please make an appointment with your advisor if you have questions about how the transition affects your academic plans. Advisors will begin working with students to create an Individual Advising Plan (IAP) during the 2011–2012 school year.
Please consult the university’s semester conversion website for more information:
http://www.uc.edu/conversion.html
Practicum
Internships, externships, and job shadowing will be available through the Design Practicum courses for students who meet department qualifications. Participants acquire professional experience while earning college credit and attending classes. Please contact your advisor if you have questions or plan to participate.
Accreditation
The Communication Design programs are accredited by the National Associaton of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).