Visual Communication and Experience Design

Two years.

60-61 credit hours

Junior UX Designer (0-2 years): $78,961
UI/UX Designer, UX Designer, UI Designer, Product Designer, Interaction Designer, and User Experience Researcher, Exhibit Designer, Event Designer

Junior Graphic Designer (0-2 years): $40,000 to $55,000 per year.
web design, UI design, branding, motion graphics, illustration, and advertising, or specialize in areas like packaging, print, and publication design.

Design Thinking, Graphic Design, UI/UX.

• COMM 3359 UI/UX & Digital Experience (3 hours)
• An introduction to the design of effective and engaging digital experiences. Focus on user-centered design principles and techniques. Topics covered include user research, information architecture, interface design, usability testing, and visual design, with an emphasis on designing for multiple devices and platforms. Through hands-on projects, students learn to create wireframes, prototypes, and final designs for websites, mobile apps, and other digital products. Emphasis given to optimization of user experiences across different channels and touchpoints. Students utilize the prototyping application Figma.

• COMM 4313 Brand Experience (3 hours)

• This course explores the strategic creation and management of brands as valuable corporate assets, focusing on brand positioning, total brand experience, relevance, equity, and extension strategies. Students will also develop proficiency in identity design and brand expression, learning to craft compelling visual and verbal elements that communicate a brand’s core values and personality. Through a practical project, students will integrate strategic brand management with creative identity development to build successful brands that resonate with customers and drive business growth.

• COMM 4441 Communication Internship (3 hours)
• An intensive, quality, structured learning opportunity that immerses students in appropriate professional contexts. Supervision of the internship is a shared responsibility between the faculty advisor and on-site supervisor.

• COMM 4471 Experience Design (3 hours)
• An exploration of the process of creating meaningful and memorable experiences for users across various touchpoints and channels. XD principles and methods examined include user research, persona development, prototyping, usability testing, interaction design, visual design, storytelling, and service design. Students learn to apply business-oriented techniques to create user-centered and context-aware experiences, using user feedback and data analysis to shape websites, mobile apps, physical spaces, products, and services

• COMM 4491 Design Studio (3 hours)
• This studio course focuses on developing a robust and personalized portfolio, essential for launching a successful design career. Students will engage in self-directed projects that address both personal creative aspirations and identified professional needs, culminating in a polished collection of work demonstrating technical proficiency, conceptual depth, and a unique design voice. Through iterative critique, collaborative feedback, and focused project development, students will refine their skills in areas such as visual communication, user experience, and branding, preparing them to confidently present their abilities to potential employers and clients.

• COMM 2228 Media Ecology & Social Media (3 hours)
• A survey of media as a convergent phenomenon in its historical, industrial, and cultural manifestations, this course examines how systems have developed nationally and globally. Case studies in television, film, recorded music, print, video games, and online communication are used to analyze production processes, job roles, and social receptivity. 

• COMM 1203 Communication Theory and Research (3 hours)
• An examination of the process through which humans create, and share meaning and strive to understand, relate to, and influence others. A survey of scientific and interpretive theories of interpersonal, group, public, and mass communication categories. Emphasis given to diversity of historical scholarship in communication theory, verbal and non-verbal dynamics, and the process of evaluating contexts, motivations, and solutions within communication scenarios. 

•  INDS 3610 VCXD Career Readiness (1 hour)
• This career readiness course equips design students with the essential tools and strategies for a successful transition into the professional world. Beyond portfolio refinement, students will cultivate a compelling personal brand, craft impactful resumes and cover letters, and master effective job-finding techniques. The curriculum covers interview skills, including behavioral and technical questions, alongside the strategic use of LinkedIn for networking and professional presence. Students will also develop a professional portfolio website, showcasing their work and skills in a dynamic online format, ensuring they are prepared to confidently navigate the competitive design job market.