What is Visual Communication - Design & Technology?
Design & Technology emphasizes creative problem solving and insight into the mix of art, design and technical competence. This program includes a Graphic Design track, a Mixed Media Design track, and a Production Design track, with a core of courses common to all. The core includes general education components essential to a collegiate education and technical courses giving students an introduction to design concepts and computer graphics. In addition to core courses, students will take specialty courses for their selected track.
The Graphic Design track emphasizes several aspects of graphic design and focuses on the development of creative skills and technical skills to design logos, advertising, packaging, and a wide variety of publication materials.
The Mixed Media Design track provides students with a mix of courses within the visual communication program or approved electives that serves the interests and skills of the student. These courses may include web design, animation, printing & graphics production, photography, and video production.
The Graphic & Print Production Track provides students training in the operations of various printing and graphics production equipment, along with finishing and bindery equipment. Students will learn skills to design and produce a wide variety of printed materials, promotional items, and signage; in addition to proper prepress and file preparation procedures.
Students also have a variety of certificates they may earn in the process of completing
their AAS degree. These certificates include: Apparel Design and Production, Design
Assistant, Digital Photography, Visual Communication – Entrepreneurial Certificate,
Mixed Media Design, Graphic Design, Print Production, Promotional Design & Production,
Sign & Graphic Production Specialist
Prospective employment opportunities are in communication and advertising agencies, news media, printing and signage companies, public relations departments, and other creative services departments and businesses, including web design and video production studios. Students also have many options if they desire to become an entrepreneur in the visual communication field.
All technical courses must be completed with a ‘C’ (2.0) or greater to advance in all Visual Communication programs.
What are my career choices?
- News Media
- Advertising Agencies
- Graphic Design Studios
- Printing and Signage Companies
- Web Design and Video Production Studios
- Colleges and Universities
- Other Creative Services Departments
What are my degree, diploma, or certificate options?
Associate in Applied Science
- Design & Technology: Graphic Design Track
- Design & Technology: Mixed Media Design Track
- Graphic & Print Production Track
Diplomas
Certificates
- Apparel Design and Production
- Design Assistant
- Digital Photography
- Visual Communication – Entrepreneurial Certificate
- Mixed Media Design
- Graphic Design
- Print Production
- Promotional Design & Production
- Sign & Graphic Production Specialist
Length of Program
You can earn an associate in applied science degree in two years if you maintain full-time status.
This information should not be considered a substitute for the KCTCS Catalog. You should always choose classes in cooperation with your faculty advisor to ensure that you meet all degree requirements.
Resources
Scholarship Opportunities
Find out about scholarship opportunities for Visual Communication majors offered by:
WAVE (Working Artists Value Education)
WAVE is an art and design workshop for high school students. This workshop targets young creatives, and brings awareness to the Visual Communication, Fine Arts and Computer Aided Drafting programs here at Big Sandy Community and Technical College. BSCTC has a lot to offer the students who attend the workshop. They received hands-on training in different software and printing techniques. In the Eastern Kentucky region there are not many outlets for young creatives. WAVE gives them the opportunity to be able to express themselves. April 24-26 we hosted our first WAVE event. Schools from all over the area attended and we conducted workshops in Videography, Photography, 3D Printing, Drawing, Painting, Photoshop, Illustrator, Screen Printing, Vinyl Cutting, and Dye Sublimation. Approximately 200 High School students attended the event on the BSCTC Mayo Campus. The purpose was for recruiting and to introduce high school students in the area to the opportunities in this field in hopes they will enroll at BSCTC.
