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2004 - 2005 / 2005 - 2006 Catalog
2005-2006 Catalog Year (Archived)
Degree Plans
Visual Communications
Visual Communications AAS


VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS

Brookhaven only

(Associate in Applied Sciences Degree, Tech Prep Enhanced Skills Certificate)

  • Students pursuing this award program are required to meet Texas Success Initiative (TSI) standards and course prerequisites.
  • Students must earn at least 25% of the credit hours required for graduation through instruction by the college awarding the degree.

Degree Plan Code: AAS.VISUAL.COMM.05

The Visual Communications curriculum is designed to provide the student with a foundation of knowledge and technical skills required for various fields within the visual communications industry. Completion of the VCOM Core Curriculum enables the student to enter a specialized track of study of either Communication Design, Creative Web Design, Multimedia Communications, or Visual Journalism. Upon completion of the second year courses, an Associate of Applied Arts Degree is awarded. The complete course of study provides for the development of creative, conceptual, technical, interpersonal and communication skills necessary to a career within the visual communications industry. Each specialized area of study is described as follows:

Specialization In Communication Design
This course of study is designed to prepare the student to enter the graphic and internet design, advertising art, desktop publishing, and print production fields. Emphasis is upon concept development and technical skills for visual communication.

Specialization In Creative Web Design
This course of study prepares the student for a career in creative web design, interface design and/or design for e-commerce application. Emphasis is upon the visual presentation of websites, including concept development, page design, and preparation of graphics and images as well as the technical skills required in web page construction.

Specialization In Multimedia Communications
This course of study is designed to develop the skills and technical knowledge to enable students to create multimedia presentations. Emphasis is upon development of concept and design for multimedia communications and presentation materials.

Specialization In Visual Journalism
This course of study is designed to integrate writing and design skills to enable students to produce clear, effective media packages. Emphasis is upon writing and designing newspaper and magazine content, newsletters, press kits, web pages and other forms of journalistic communication.

CREDIT HOURS

PROGRAM CORE (1ST YEAR) CURRICULUM

SEMESTER I

ARTC 1305 Basic Graphic Design 3
ARTC 1302 Digital Imaging I 3
ARTC 2311 History of Communication Graphics 3
ARTS 1316 Drawing I 3
ENGL 1301 Composition I 3
15

SEMESTER II

ARTC 1309 Basic Illustration 3
ARTC 1317 Design Communication I 3
IMED 1316 Web Page Design I 3
GRPH 1359 Object Oriented Computer Graphics 3
SPCH 1311 Introduction to Speech Communication OR 3
SPCH 1315 Fundamentals of Public Speaking (3)
15

SEMESTER III

ARTC 2305 Digital Imaging II OR 3
PHTC 1349 Photo Digital Imaging I (3)
MATH 1314 College Algebra OR 3
+Elective Natural Sciences (4)
++Elective Social/Behavioral Sciences 3
9-10
Minimum Hours Required 39-40

A student must complete the Semester I, II, and III Core Curriculum and all courses in one of the following specializations (Communication Design, Multimedia Communications, Creative Web Design, or Visual Journalism) in Semesters IV and and V in order to be awarded the AAS in Visual Communications.

+Natural Sciences Elective - must be selected from the DCCCD Natural Sciences Core list.

++Social/Behavioral Sciences Elective - must be selected from the DCCCD Social/Behavioral Sciences Core list.

COMMUNICATION DESIGN SPECIALIZATION

SEMESTERS I, II, III

Visual Communications Program Core Curriculum 39-40
39-40

SEMESTER IV

ARTC 2372 Writing for Visual Media 3
IMED 2315 Web Page Design II 3
ARTC 2347 Design Communication II 3
ARTC 1313 Digital Publishing I 3
BUSI 1301 Introduction to Business OR 3
POFT 1321 Business Math (3)
15

SEMESTER V

GRPH 2309 Electronic Pre-press 3
ARTC 2333 Publication Design OR 3
ARTC 1353 Computer Illustration (3)
ARTC 2335 Portfolio Development for Graphic Design OR 3
ARTC 1392 Special Topics in Design and Visual Communications (3)
ARTC 2378 Design Studio Practices OR 3
ARTC 2388 Intership - Commercial and Advertising Art OR (3)
ARTC 2488 Intership - Commercial and Advertising Art (4)
12-13
Minimum Hours Required 66-68

MULTIMEDIA COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIZATION

SEMESTERS I, II, III

Visual Communications Program Core Curriculum 39-40
39-40

SEMESTER IV

ARTC 2372 Writing for Visual Media 3
IMED 2315 Web Page Design II 3
ARTC 1345 3-D Modeling and Rendering 3
IMED 1345 Interactive Multimedia I 3
BUSI 1301 Introduction to Business OR 3
POFT 1321 Business Math (3)
15

SEMESTER V

IMED 1351 Digital Video 3
ARTC 2335 Portfolio Development for Graphic Design OR 3
ARTC 1392 Special Topics in Design and Visual Communications (3)
ARTC 2378 Design Studio Practices OR 3
ARTC 2388 Intership - Commercial and Advertising Art OR (3)
ARTC 2488 Intership - Commercial and Advertising Art (4)
IMED 2345 Interactive Multimedia II 3
12-13
Minimum Hours Required 66-68

VISUAL JOURNALISM SPECIALIZATION

SEMESTERS I, II, III

Visual Communications Program Core Curriculum 39-40
39-40

SEMESTER IV

ARTC 2372 Writing for Visual Media 3
BUSI 1301 Introduction to Business OR 3
POFT 1321 Business Math (3)
ARTC 1313 Digital Publishing I 3
JOUR 1307 Introduction to Mass Communications 3
JOUR 2311 News Gathering and Writing 3
15

SEMESTER V

ARTC 2333 Publication Design 3
IMED 2315 Web Page Design II OR 3
ARTC 1353 Computer Illustration (3)
ARTC 2378 Design Studio Practices OR 3
ARTC 2388 Intership - Commercial and Advertising Art OR (3)
ARTC 2488 Intership - Commercial and Advertising Art (4)
JOUR 2305 Editing and Layout 3
12-13
Minimum Hours Required 66-68

CREATIVE WEB DESIGN SPECIALIZATION

SEMESTERS I, II, III

Visual Communications Program Core Curriculum 39-40
39-40

SEMESTER IV

ARTC 2372 Writing for Visual Media 3
IMED 2315 Web Page Design II 3
IMED 1341 2-D Interface Design 3
BUSG 2309 Small Business Management 3
BUSI 1301 Introduction to Business OR 3
POFT 1321 Business Math (3)
15

SEMESTER V

ARTC 1313 Digital Publishing I OR 3
ARTC 1353 Computer Illustration (3)
IMED 1345 Interactive Multimedia I 3
ARTC 2335 Portfolio Development for Graphic Design OR 3
ARTC 1392 Special Topics in Design and Visual Communications (3)
ARTC 2374 Professional Design Techniques OR 3
ARTC 2388 Intership - Commercial and Advertising Art OR (3)
ARTC 2488 Intership - Commercial and Advertising Art (4)
12-13
Minimum Hours Required 66-68

NOTE: Students enrolling in this program who plan to transfer to a four-year institution should consult an advisor or counselor regarding transfer requirements and the transferability of these courses to the four-year institution of their choice.