Visual Communication Major (M)
At Concordia University Wisconsin, the Visual Communication Major is dedicated to cultivating a community of innovative creators who are passionate about conveying powerful messages through visual artistry. We are committed to excellence in education, upholding Lutheran values of integrity, service, and respect in every facet of our curriculum. Our program is designed to inspire students to explore the intersection of technology and design, fostering a space where creativity meets purpose. Our state-of-the-art facilities provide a canvas for students to harness their skills in graphic design, multimedia, and digital imaging, ensuring they are proficient with the latest tools and techniques in the industry. As we guide our students through a rigorous, thought-provoking journey of artistic and personal growth, we also emphasize the importance of ethical responsibility and the impact of visual communication in society. We strive to equip our graduates with a robust portfolio that not only showcases their technical proficiency but also reflects their understanding of visual communication as a tool for positive change. Our mission is to empower each student to become a visionary Christian leader, ready to contribute to the world with faith-rooted confidence and creative excellence.
Our top-notch facilities act as a creative playground, enabling students to refine their skills across diverse art mediums, while staying abreast of the industry's evolving tools and techniques. Our educational journey is not just about artistic skill-building; it also delves into the ethical dimensions of art, highlighting the role and responsibilities of artists making visual images in society.
We're dedicated to preparing our students for the real world, ensuring they leave with a comprehensive portfolio that demonstrates their technical expertise and a deep understanding of art as a catalyst for positive change. Our ultimate goal is to nurture each student into becoming a visionary Christian leader, equipped to make meaningful contributions to the world with a blend of faith-driven confidence and artistic brilliance.
The Visual Communication major consists of 60 credit hours of course work, 12-15 of which are completed through a cooperative program with the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD). To enroll in MIAD courses, students must have a 3.0 minimum GPA in all prior course work in the major. MIAD is just a 25-minute drive from our Mequon Campus and offers the very latest in visual Communication technologies. A student Mac lab is available on the Concordia University campus for students completing course work at MIAD. In addition to the 45-credit Liberal Arts core requirements and required courses listed , all Visual Communication majors are encouraged to complete a minor. An Animation minor is strongly recommended to help students develop the skills they will need to channel their talents into a successful career. Required Macbook Pro (not a Macbook Air) 8GB Unified memory (Apple Education Store) + (Apple Care).
For specific information about MIAD courses please visit the MIAD website at www.miad.edu.
Program Learning Outcomes
Students will:
- Formulate and creatively solve visual problems.
- Communicate effectively in a range of media.
- Apply appropriate historical knowledge in the creation, description and analysis of works of visual art. Art and design are viewed as technical, spiritual/philosophical, and social endeavors.
- Demonstrate technical proficiency and aesthetic sensibility relative to observational drawing, composition, and the manipulation of visual arts media, including appropriate computer/digital applications.
- Evaluate personal art work and the art work of others.
- Selflessly share gifts and skills with others through teaching, community activities, and volunteerism.
- Prepare documents/artifacts and practice strategies to seek employment or to advance in a chosen field.
Curriculum
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | 45 | |
| Major Requirements | ||
| Concordia Required Courses | 42 | |
| MIAD Required Courses | 12 | |
| Major Electives | 6 | |
| Additional Electives | 15 | |
Minor: Optional (18 Credits Minimum) | ||
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses (Concordia Campus) | ||
| ART 1500 | 2-Dimensional Design | 3 |
| ART 1510 | Observational Drawing | 3 |
| ART 1540 | Interior Space Production | 3 |
| ART 1550 | Color Theory Application | 3 |
| ART 2200 | Art History Comprehensive | 3 |
| ART 2520 | History of Design | 3 |
| ART 2550 | Typography I | 3 |
| ART 4800 | Senior Portfolio/Exhibition | 3 |
| COMM 3200 | Mass Communication Campaigns | 3 |
| GD 1500 | Digital Vector Design | 3 |
| GD 1510 | Digital Raster Design | 3 |
| GD 3000 | Pixel Motion | 3 |
| GD 3510 | Creative Pixel Studio | 3 |
| GD 4800 | Design Outlook | 3 |
| Major Electives CUW or MIAD | 6 | |
| Digital Imaging Fundamentals | ||
| Ceramic Fundamentals | ||
| Glass Fundamentals | ||
| Ceramics: Throwing on the Wheel | ||
| History of Photography | ||
| Painting | ||
| Digital Imaging: Engineering | ||
| Digital Imaging: Artificial Intelligence | ||
| Art Study Abroad | ||
| Advanced Pixel Motion | ||
| Web Design Solutions | ||
| Required Courses (MIAD Campus) | ||
| CD 200 | Communication Design I | 3 |
| CD 201 | Communication Design II | 3 |
| CD 203 | Typography II | 3 |
| CD 305 | Communication Design III | 3 |
| Total Hours | 60 | |
| Semester 1 | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| ART 1500 | 2-Dimensional Design | 3 |
| ART 1510 | Observational Drawing | 3 |
| GD 1500 | Digital Vector Design | 3 |
| ENG 1040 | Introduction to Writing | 3 |
| REL 1000 | The Bible | 3 |
| HHP 1100 | Stewardship of the Body | 1 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| GD 1510 | Digital Raster Design | 3 |
| REL 1100 | Christian Faith | 3 |
| CCE 1010 | Christian Citizen | 3 |
| ART 1540 | Interior Space Production | 3 |
| ART 1550 | Color Theory Application | 3 |
| HHP PHYSICAL ACTIVITY OR VARSITY ATHLETICS | 1 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Semester 3 | ||
| CCE 1030 | Western Thought & Worldview | 3 |
| CCE 1020 | Western Culture & Worldview | 3 |
| CD 200 (MIAD) | 3 | |
| ART 2550 | Typography I | 3 |
| COMMUNICATION AND LANGUAGE | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 4 | ||
| CCE 1040 | Science & Humanity | 3 |
| CD 201 (MIAD) | 3 | |
| CD 203 (MIAD) | 3 | |
| FAITH AND LIFE | 3 | |
| NATURAL WORLD (MATHEMATICS OR COMPUTER SCIENCE) | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 5 | ||
| ART 2200 | Art History Comprehensive | 3 |
| CD 305 (MIAD) | 3 | |
| NATURAL WORLD (SCIENCE WITH LAB) | 4 | |
| HUMAN CREATIVITY AND EXPRESSION | 3 | |
| ELECTIVE (CUW OR MIAD MAJOR) | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Semester 6 | ||
| ART 2520 | History of Design | 3 |
| GD 3000 | Pixel Motion | 3 |
| HUMAN BEINGS AND BEING HUMAN | 3 | |
| ELECTIVE (CUW OR MIAD MAJOR) | 3 | |
| MINOR OR ELECTIVE | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 7 | ||
| COMM 3200 | Mass Communication Campaigns | 3 |
| GD 3510 | Creative Pixel Studio | 3 |
| SOCIETY AND CULTURE | 3 | |
| ELECTIVE OR MINOR | 3 | |
| ELECTIVE OR MINOR | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 8 | ||
| GD 4800 | Design Outlook | 3 |
| ART 4800 | Senior Portfolio/Exhibition | 3 |
| ELECTIVE OR MINOR | 3 | |
| ELECTIVE OR MINOR | 3 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Course options and schedule are subject to change.