Best Master's Degrees in Visual Communication

Depending on the school, certain undergraduate degrees may be required to get accepted into a graduate visual communication program. Typically, these are in a related field like graphic design, though some universities also offer a bachelor's in visual communication. Schools may also allow individuals to apply for their programs if they have work experience in design. Not all schools, however, require applicants to have a particular undergraduate degree to qualify for these graduate programs. Even if that is the case, degrees in related disciplines like art, graphic design or film/video may prove quite helpful when studying visual communication.

Admission requirements vary depending on the school, but there are a few mainstays that many students may encounter when applying for a master's program in visual communication. For example, a graduate application is usually necessary, and a bachelor's degree complete with transcripts and minimum GPA requirements may also be required. If a program is specifically design-focused, students may also need to submit a portfolio of their design work. A personal letter about why you want to study visual communication and letters of recommendation may similarly be required. It is not common for these programs to require students to take the standardized tests sometimes used for graduate degrees (like the GMAT and GRE) because they do not focus on many of those types of skills.

There are several reasons why someone might get a visual communication master's degree. These graduate programs can be extremely beneficial to practicing professionals in this sector because they often teach more or new skills in the design process including hands-on and soft skills. Relatedly, obtaining this degree can help those build a portfolio to qualify for more employment opportunities. Finally, in many ways, visual communication remains an emerging field as more applications in our increasingly digital world are discovered, so it can appeal to those who want a job that will probably expand in the future.

In the first place, this subject may appeal to you because of its creative, hands-on nature or because it combines those aspects with a more business and marketing-savvy mindset. It is also an emerging field, meaning there are many opportunities for growth.

In terms of choosing a program, one key aspect to consider is whether you want to earn an MA or MFA. The latter degree is more rigorous and time-consuming, whereas the former typically focuses more on improving design skills and learning new technologies in an effort to boost your career. Once you decide that, two factors to weigh when considering programs are how interdisciplinary they are and the work that graduates of the program have done. The more visual communication degrees teach you beyond design and artistic disciplines, the more marketable you may be. And, by looking at the work of predecessors, which is often available on a program's website, you can see if that output is something to which you aspire.

When it comes to accrediting visual communication programs, the most common and reputable organization is the National Association of Schools of Art & Design (NASAD). Founded in 1944 by representatives of art and design schools, this group has grown over the years to include free-standing schools and departments within colleges and universities from across the United States. It is now regarded as the leader in developing and setting educational standards in art and design. As such, it has rigorous accreditation criteria that any educational institution must meet to become a member and earn accreditation. These govern areas of education including curriculum, tuition, faculty, resources like library space and technology, and historical track record.

The amount of coursework graduate-level visual communication programs require students to complete varies depending on the school and the degree. Generally speaking, graduates finish approximately 30 hours of coursework to earn an MA in visual communication. Obtaining an MFA in this subject, on the other hand, typically requires more coursework. As a result, the time required to earn this degree also varies. Some programs frequently have students graduate in fewer than two years, while others can take three or more years to complete. The most common time requirement, however, is roughly two years.

Visual Communication Foundational Courses

Given the diverging career and education approaches you can take with a master's degree in visual communication, it may not come as a surprise that the foundational courses in this subject can be very program-dependent. Some programs may be more interdisciplinary than others. Others may focus more on traditional design elements like typography or the history of design. These classes may also be in a sequence, with students taking multiple courses on the same subject such as illustration I, II, and III. Almost all programs, however, require students to take a graduate seminar introducing them to the program and department. Possible class topics include:

• History of design
• Web design
• Typography
• Communication/design theory
• Technology for design
• Design Research methods
• Information design basics
• Illustration

Like the early classes, the terminal ones can change greatly from program to program. To earn a master's in visual communication, students may need to write a thesis paper, obtain an internship, or complete a final visual communication project. Sometimes, a combination of these options is mandated by a program.

Visual Communication Specialist & Elective Courses

It is fairly uncommon to find a visual communication program that offers specializations at the graduate level. It's more likely that visual communication will be its own specialization within a larger design department. Those that do offer concentrations may offer them in subjects like photography, management, and information graphics, and interactive design. It is more common, though, for students to specialize through interdisciplinary study and the elective classes they take. Those may include classes in design or visual communication, in addition to classes in related disciplines like business or marketing. Possible electives may include:

• Information graphics
• Commercial photography
• Audio/visual storytelling
• Coding
• Data journalism
• Social media marketing

There are no doctoral degrees specifically in visual communication in the United States. For those who want to continue studying, most likely with the goal of becoming a professor or researching design in some way, the best option is to earn a doctoral degree in a related field like art or design. This may be a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) or Doctor of Design (DDes) degree, though the former is more common. These programs typically focus less on practical design concerns and more on researching design in an applied setting.

While no large professional organization is dedicated specifically to visual communication professionals, these individuals are welcome in at least two major groups serving the discipline of design as a whole. Joining either of these groups can provide networking opportunities, continuing education options, and prestige. The two organizations are:

• American Institute of Graphic Arts - The AIGA is the oldest and largest professional organization in the design field that has a membership. It has over 18,000 members at more than 70 chapters dedicated to advancing design in numerous ways. AIGA advocates on behalf of its members, provides professional development opportunities, shares celebrated and groundbreaking work, offers career-focused events, and helps set the standard for effective and ethical design.
• International Council of Design The ico-D is a worldwide group that seeks to provide a non-governmental, non-partisan voice for design and those who work in that sector. It began in 1963 in the United Kingdom and has since grown to the point that it has held conferences on six continents. It aims to define and increase awareness of best practices and standards, advocate on behalf of all designers, foster recognition for excellent design, facilitate cooperation among design professionals, and support the development of design-focused education.

As mentioned above, you can work in numerous fields with a master's degree in visual communication. That is because more and more companies and nonprofits need individuals who can design their websites, social media graphics, and internal publications. So, with this degree, you may find employment with entities as disparate as Amazon, the Mayo Clinic and Chase Bank. The options may only grow as user interface design, which is abbreviated UI/UX, becomes more necessary for more employers. Job titles might include:

• Art director
• Visual designer
• Type designer
• UI/UX visual designer
• UI/UX developer
• Visual artist
• User experience designer
• Graphic designer
• Designer/animator

Job Outlook for a Master's in Visual Communication

With such a range of career possibilities in design, it can be difficult to pin down the career information for those with a degree in visual communication. Experts generally agree that the field is emerging and therefore still growing, which portends well for those who get a master's degree in this discipline. It is challenging, however, to find a particular statistic that shows this. Instead, it may be best to examine job growth among a few different job titles someone with this degree may possess.

For example, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported in 2019 that employment of digital designers is projected to grow 8 percent from 2019 to 2029, which is twice the rate of the average for all occupations. Likewise, the employment of animators is expected to grow 4 percent over that same span. Conversely, the BLS projected employment in the more traditional roles of art director and graphic designer will shrink slightly from 2019 to 2029 - down 2 percent and 4 percent, respectively. Based on this, it seems plausible that those more focused on design with cutting-edge technology have a more favorable job outlook.

How to Become a Digital Designer

Digital designers develop and test website or interface functions, layout, and navigation to create maximum usability. In other words, they are responsible for the look and functionality of whatever product they are designing. This may involve selecting photos, colors, fonts, and graphics before determining the size and placing of each of those elements within a website or interface. Digital designers must also often ensure that the product works properly and is compatible across multiple types of devices.

Educational requirements for this role vary, but at least a bachelor's degree is often required. More important than education is a demonstrated ability to successfully design products for the web, and one way to show this talent is through earning a master's in visual communication. In addition to learning advanced techniques and theories, you will often create a portfolio while earning this degree that can help you stand out to employers. The BLS reported in 2020 that digital designers made a median annual wage of $77,200.

How to Become an Art Director

A position of higher seniority and authority, art directors are responsible for the visual style and images in a given form of media like films, TV shows, or video games. They create the overall design aesthetic and work with others to bring that vision to life, overseeing the work of other designers, animators, or artists. In this supervisory role, there are more managerial responsibilities and less hands-on work, though art directors may still create some materials to show their subordinates the look they are attempting to achieve with a project. Reviewing the work of others, creating budgets and timelines, and working with clients and higher-up managers are often parts of the art director's job description.

With that increased responsibility comes a need for more advanced qualifications. Art directors typically need at least a bachelor's degree and work experience in a related field. Some art directors supplement this experience with an MA or MFA in a subject like visual communication to show their abilities. Creativity, leadership, time management, resourcefulness, and communication skills are all key qualities for art directors. The BLS reported in 2020 that these individuals had a median yearly salary of $97,270.

To begin searching for financial aid for a master's in visual communication, students need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application shows students what, if any, federal loans, grants, or work-study programs they may qualify for. Filling out the FAFSA is a relatively involved process that may require various documents like social security numbers, driver's license numbers, and federal tax information.

For those seeking scholarships while pursuing their graduate degree in visual communication, the two largest sources of funds are private organizations and schools themselves. In the former case, professional organizations, student groups, and nonprofits may have very competitive scholarships available. In the latter instance, there are usually scholarships only available to students of a particular university, though they may not only be for those pursuing a master's in visual communication. Another great resource is the Scholarship Finder tool from CareerOneStop.