About the Program

“Designers need to acknowledge their role in shaping culture and society, to take a more proactive role in shaping the message of the lifestyle, and to accept responsibility for the outcomes of their work. Design reflects a narrative through which the fundamental existence of being human is experienced, communicated, and understood. I believe design has the power to change the world. To secure our future on the planet, we have to view design as part of a larger fabric of human existence: it must serve to connect us with each other and the world.”
—Christy Schellhas, faculty

The Visual Communication Design program at AAC integrates fine-art studio experience with contemporary design education. Faculty regard the design process as a creative mode of inquiry to acquire knowledge; they recognize that knowing is often intellectual and intuitive. This unique approach emphasizes each individual’s development of a personal voice and vision, while cultivating the skills students need to become successful professionals.

Students in the VCD major learn elements of color, composition, typography and imagery, while being challenged to create smart and transformative design solutions. They tackle a range of challenges, including brand identity, posters, environmental design, product design, and the Web. Many of our graduates go on to work at nationally and internationally recognized design studios, or in related fields such as architecture and furniture design.

View requirements for the Visual Communication Design major and all majors
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