Visual Communication
The Visual Communication emphasis includes tracks in Video Production, Graphic Design, and Photography, and is designed to provide students with knowledge and skills to succeed in a variety of fields, including: Advertising/Commercial Photographer, Graphic Designer, Videographer, Multimedia Journalist, Creative Director, Magazine or Documentary Photographer, Web/UX Designer, Studio Manager, Illustrator, Photo Editor, Technical Director, Video Producer & Director, Announcer, and Environmental Graphic Designer.
Tracks & Degree Requirements
Design
As visual communicators, graphic designers plan, analyze and create visual solutions to communication problems for the general public through print, digital or electronic media or film. Graphic design is a broad field, so students study typography, color, photography, illustration, animation, and more in our program. Graphic designers who are well read, who are interested in current affairs, and who have a broad liberal arts education and experience in marketing and business management will experience the highest levels of success in this field in the future. Our department offers many options for our students to expand their skills and understanding in these areas.
Core Courses:
- CMP 1110 Media Writing
- CMP 2202 Photo, Graphic, and Video Editing
- CMP 2286 Visual Rhetoric
- CMP 3339 Web Design
- CMP 4403 Mass Communication and Society
- CMP 4410 Mass Media History, Law, and Ethics
Required Track Courses:
- CMP 2231 Introduction to Graphic Design
- CMP 3336 Studio I: Typography and Digital Media
- CMP 3338 Studio II: Typography and Print Media
- CMP 4437 Illustration and Brand Identity
- CMP 4438 Graphic Design Portfolio
Choose TWO of the following:
- CMP 2250 History and Appreciation of Photography
- CMP 2251 Introduction to Photography
- CMP 2271 Television and Video Production
- CMP 3310 Multiplatform Storytelling
- CMP 3352 Photo Communication
- CMP 3355 Studio Photography
- CMP 3371 Narrative Video Production
- CMP 4457 Advanced Photography
- CMP 4471 Advanced Video Production
- CMP 4475 Corporate Video Production
Select TWO Electives:
- CMP 2201 Business and Professional Communication
- CMP 2203 Media Literacy
- CMP 2209 Persuasion
- CMP 2241 Introduction to Public Relations
- CMP 2261 Introduction to Advertising
- CMP 3307 Social and Interactive Media Campaigns
- CMP 3332 3-D Modeling and Design
- CMP 3333 Virtual Reality Environments
- CMP 4404 Gender and Communication
- CMP 4422 Conflict Management
- CMP 4483 Rhetoric of Popular Culture
Photo Media
The Photo Media option prepares students for careers in both journalistic and creative fields. Students learn business concepts for operating their own commercial studio business. In addition to the traditional still photography courses, students also learn to think multi-modally, repurposing images for multiple platforms and developing visual narratives. As the only photo program in the Idaho University system housed in a Communication/Media department, students learn the theories behind visual rhetoric and imagery, and the role images and media play in society - not just how to create photos as “art.”
Core Courses:
- CMP 1110 Media Writing
- CMP 2202 Photo, Graphic, and Video Editing
- CMP 2286 Visual Rhetoric
- CMP 3339 Web Design
- CMP 4403 Mass Communication and Society
- CMP 4410 Mass Media History, Law, and Ethics
Required Track Courses:
- CMP 2250 History and Appreciation of Photography
- CMP 2251 Introduction to Photography
- CMP 3352 Photo Communication
- CMP 3355 Studio Photography
- CMP 4457 Advanced Photography
Choose TWO of the following:
- CMP 2231 Introduction to Graphic Design
- CMP 2271 Television and Video Production
- CMP 3310 Multiplatform Storytelling
- CMP 3336 Studio I: Typography and Digital Media
- CMP 3338 Studio II: Typography and Print Media
- CMP 3371 Narrative Video Production
- CMP 4437 Illustration and Brand Identity
- CMP 4438 Graphi Design Portfolio
- CMP 4471 Advanced Video Production
- CMP 4475 Corporate Video Production
Select TWO Electives:
- CMP 2201 Business and Professional Communication
- CMP 2209 Persuasion
- CMP 2241 Introduction to Public Relations
- CMP 2261 Introduction to Advertising
- CMP 3307 Social and Interactive Media Campaigns
- CMP 3332 3-D Modeling and Design
- CMP 3333 Virtual Reality Environments
- CMP 4404 Gender and Communication
- CMP 4422 Conflict Management
- CMP 4483 Rhetoric of Popular Culture
Video
Students in the video track will receive a broad foundation in fictional and nonfictional storytelling forms including TV news, documentary, dialogue (fictional) scenes, and nonverbal scenes. They will also learn to make public-relations-style videos for businesses and nonprofits. They will learn about aesthetics, ethics, and analytical frameworks that go into making quality videos.
Core Courses:
- CMP 1110 Media Writing
- CMP 2202 Photo, Graphic, and Video Editing
- CMP 2286 Visual Rhetoric
- CMP 3339 Web Design
- CMP 4403 Mass Communication and Society
- CMP 4410 Mass Media History, Law, and Ethics
Required Track Courses:
- CMP 2271 Television and Video Production
- CMP 3310 Multiplatform Storytelling
- CMP 3371 Narrative Video Production
- CMP 4471 Advanced Video Production
- CMP 4475 Corporate Video Production
Choose TWO of the following:
- CMP 2231 Introduction to Graphic Design
- CMP 2250 History and Appreciation of Photography
- CMP 2251 Introduction to Photography
- CMP 3336 Studio I: Typography and Digital Media
- CMP 3338 Studio II: Typography and Print Media
- CMP 3352 Photo Communication
- CMP 4437 Illustration and Brand Identity
- CMP 4438 Graphic Design Portfolio
- CMP 4457 Advanced Photography
Select TWO Electives:
- CMP 2201 Business and Professional Communication
- CMP 2209 Persuasion
- CMP 2241 Introduction to Public Relations
- CMP 2261 Introduction to Advertising
- CMP 3307 Social and Interactive Media Campaigns
- CMP 3332 3-D Modeling and Design
- CMP 3333 Virtual Reality Environments
- CMP 4404 Gender and Communication
- CMP 4422 Conflict Management
- CMP 4483 Rhetoric of Popular Culture