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Nashville State Community College

Visual Communications, A.A.S.

Graphic Design, Multimedia Design, Photography, Web Design
Associate of Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.)
Contact Information: Program Office 615-353-3390, E-mail: vis.com@nscc.edu

General Information
Graphic Design Information, Course Requirements & Recommended Schedule
Multimedia Information, Course Requirements & Recommended Schedule
Web Design Information, Course Requirements & Recommended Schedule
Photography Information, Course Requirements & Recommended Schedule
Program Website
Course Descriptions

General Information

Mission Statement
The Visual Communications program provides a strong technical foundation to prepare students for visual media careers.

The Visual Communications program fosters a creative learning environment where students have access to state of the art equipment, current software, instruction, and strong technical foundations in a variety of visual media fields. They are challenged to expand and refine problem-solving skills while experiencing realistic class projects and job situations in preparation for success in the workforce.

Students learn design principles, current imaging technology, business practices, and portfolio development. The specific concentrations prepare students for careers in photography, print, web, or multimedia industries.

Graduates of the program should be able to:
• Demonstrate academic knowledge required of all Nashville State Community College students including competency in writing, information literacy, verbal and visual communications, and quantitative and critical thinking.
• Identify career options and assume a professional role in the workplace.
• Exercise professional and ethical standards in the workplace and community.
• Communicate effectively with clients, vendors, management, and team members.
• Demonstrate technical proficiency of hardware and software applications related to discipline.
• Exhibit creative and conceptual visual skills and craft through creative problem solving.
• Demonstrate time management skills by meeting deadlines.
• Identify current issues and trends and emerging technologies.
• Assess and develop one's own strengths, abilities and potential.
• Compile a portfolio of finished work that is displayed in a professional manner.

Notice of Right to Retain Student Work
The Visual Communications program reserves the right to retain copies of selected examples of student work for teaching purposes, promotional purposes, and as a part of its permanent collection.

Special Requirements
Our courses are designed with the expectation that entering students possess fundamental computer skills, including the ability to:
• Save files to specific destinations.
• Navigate drive directories.
• Write to a hard drive, CD, or flash drive.
• Type effectively.
• Edit text in a word processing program.
• Send email with attachments.

Students without typing skills are encouraged to complete OAD 1100 Keyboarding/Formatting and those lacking the computer skills listed above should enroll in COM 1210 Electronic Media I prior to taking other computer courses.

Grading Policy
A grade of "C" or above must be earned in all courses to meet prerequisite and
graduation requirements.

Transfer/Advising
The A.A.S. degree is designed to prepare a student for employment upon graduation. Some universities, at their discretion, accept some technical courses for transfer. A student who plans to transfer to a university should consult his/her advisor and the receiving university about transfer and articulation policies. Failure to do so could result in loss of transfer credits.

Graphic Design Concentration
The Graphic Design Concentration includes theory of traditional design in the evolving computer environment for illustration, image manipulation, and electronic publishing.

Graduates of the program should be able to:
• Demonstrate knowledge of typography and design.
• Apply principles of color and value relationships.
• Convey an intended message through visual means.
• Demonstrate working knowledge of industry standard software.

Career Opportunities
• Production Artist
• Entry-level Graphic Designer
• Printing Customer Service Representative

GRAPHIC DESIGN CONCENTRATION COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Recommended Full-Time Schedule

First Year

Second Year

Note: Part-time students are encouraged to consult with their advisor for a suggested schedule of classes.

Cooperative work experience can be an important addition to a student's formal classroom work. Co-op courses may substitute for technical coures with the prior approval of the Program Coordinator. The Career Employment Center will provide the correct course numbers.

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Multimedia Design Concentration
The Multimedia concentration in the Visual Communications degree program prepares
students for employment in the field of multimedia development. The program
includes fundamental principles of design, desktop audio and video editing, pre- and
post-production, and Web authoring.

Graduates of the program should be able to:
• Effectively communicate design requirements.
• Use critical thinking to develop a coherent design approach.
• Integrate audio, visual, and programmatic components into a finished presentation.
• Output the finished presentations to a variety of file formats.

Career Opportunities
• Multimedia Designer/Developer
• Interactive Content Specialist
• Media Specialist

MULTIMEDIA CONCENTRATION COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Recommended Full-Time Schedule

First Year

Second Year

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Photography Concentration
The Photography Concentration includes traditional and digital components, preparing photographers to work effectively in darkroom, studio and digital environments.

Graduates of the program should be able to:
• Convey an intended message photographically.
• Efficiently operate a 35mm SLR, digital SLR, and large format camera.
• Work comfortably with digital imaging computer programs.
• Function competently in a photography lab.
• Efficiently operate professional studio lighting equipment.
• Approach photographic problem-solving in a creative manner.
• Produce and present a professional quality portfolio.

Career Opportunities
• Photographer
• Photographer's Assistant
• Lab Technician

PHOTOGRAPHY CONCENTRATION COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Recommended Full-Time Schedule

First Year

Second Year

Web Design Concentration
The Web Design Concentration prepares students for employment in the field of Web design.
The program includes fundamental principles of design, production techniques for Web graphics and Web page content, and strategies for effective site development using W3C standards. Elective courses allow students to specialize in advanced Web design topics.

Graduates of the program should be able to:
• Think critically to plan the structure, usability, accessibility, and navigation of a Web site.
• Create and employ Web graphics.
• Create Web pages using HTML, CSS, and industry-standard Web authoring software.
• Determine the usability of Web site prototypes through hands-on testing.

Career Opportunities
• Web Designer
• Web Developer
• Web Graphics Artist
• Web Production Specialist

WEB DESIGN CONCENTRATION COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Recommended Full-Time Schedule

First Year

Second Year

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