Visual Communications Bachelor’s Degree Online
Is a Visual Communications Degree for You?
A bachelor's degree in visual communication focuses on basic visual organization and the process of translating information into materials for reading and viewing. The degree is designed to develop artistic students for careers commercial art and design. Students will learn the principles, practical applications, and methods used in completing creative graphic solutions. Visual communications students must be dedicated to completing an objective carefully and thoroughly, which is why students who are very patient as well as efficient thrive as in the degree program. It is important for students to work well in groups to accomplish a goal as well as work individually.
Because visual communications can encompass several different areas of visual arts, students should feel comfortable working in varying art forms, including computer-generated design as well as other traditional media. Before choosing a program for your bachelor's degree in visual communications, decide which specific area of study you are most passionate about and which one will maximize your skill set and make your career more satisfying.
Advice for Earning Your Visual Communications Degree Online
Visual communication industries rely on employees who are creative thinkers, organized, and precise. There are no extended accreditations required of an individual with a bachelor's degree in visual communications to enter the field. While some may seek specialized degrees at a master's or doctoral level, a bachelor's degree is usually sufficient to earn a job in visual communication. Those who do obtain a master's or doctoral degree in visual communication have the opportunity to find lead or management positions, or to teach on the college level.
Required Courses
Visual communication students can expect to take several art courses that explore both theory and practice. Typical classes completed by a visual communication bachelor's degree student include design principals, color theory, computer graphics, typography, basic Photoshop, computer illustration, computer animation, web design, and many others. Students in this degree program should expect to complete assignments that are group-based and those done independently. Also, some computer programming may be required of students obtaining a visual communication bachelor's degree, depending on their specific area of interest and degree specialization.
Common Career Paths
Here are some common career paths for those with a visual communications degree:
- Advertising Manager
An advertising manager is responsible for organizing a company’s market research, sales, advertising, and promotions. They also are responsible for marketing strategy, pricing, and product development. An advertising manger will work with the members of a sales team to come up with strong ideas for a campaign, then prepare a budget and cost estimates for the campaign with the finance department. Sometimes an advertising manager will play the role of mediator between a firm requiring the advertising and an advertising agency that will develop and place an ad.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for advertising and promotions managers was $80,220 in 2008. The salary of an advertising manager depends greatly on their level of managerial responsibility, how long they have been working in the profession, and their education. Further factors that can greatly impact pay are the location and size of the firm looking to hire and the industry in which the firm operates.
- Animator
An animator constructs special effects, animation, and other visual images with a computer program. Animators work mainly in motion picture and video industries. They are also commonly employed in advertising and computer systems design firms. An animator has the ability to put together storyboards for television commercials, movies, and animated features. A storyboard presents a script in a series of drawn scenes, almost like a comic strip. A lot of animators who work with computers model objects in 3-D, then work alongside programmers to make their images come to life and move.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2008, the median annual wages of salaried animators were $56,330. The middle 50% earned between $41,710 and $77,010, the lowest 10% less than $31,570, and the highest 10% more than $100,390.
- Graphic Designer
Graphic designers (also called graphic artists) are in charge of developing visual solutions to communications problems. They use a variety of illustration and typographical tools to design the layout of magazines, newspapers, and online publications. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wages for graphic designers were $42,400 in 2008. The middle 50% earned between $32,600 and $56,620. The lowest 10% earned less than $26,110, and the highest 10% earned more than $74,660.
