Degrees

Visual Communications Design Major - Bachelor of Design Program
(second year entry)

The Visual Communications Design (VCD) major develops career professionals in advertising, graphic design, illustration, and character design through specialized program streams that students enter in their third year of study. Each stream is grounded in a commitment to practice, solid drawing and visualization skills, and industry relevance.

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The VCD curriculum is rigorous and comprehensive and prepares a new generation of professionals for the ever-evolving creative economy for which innovation and creativity are the core competencies. Complemented by Liberal Studies courses in design history, writing and storytelling, students develop an understanding of design as not only a powerful strategic business tool but also as a positive and tangible contribution to society and culture.

The Advertising Stream creates graduates who excel as designers, art directors and creative directors in the vast advertising industry. Students learn concept development, writing and storytelling, typography, history, and the fundamentals of marketing to create messages that penetrate an increasingly savvy consumer audience.

The Graphic Design Stream offers a studio-based learning experience in which students study strategic problem-solving methods and critical design thinking. With an appreciation of the ever-evolving design industry, students learn to apply their skills to a wide variety of design projects, including interactive and motion graphics.

The Illustration Stream examines storytelling, psychology, interpretation, and the imagination to enable the creation of unique and compelling ideas and images. Students learn to solve complex visual problems by exploring representational, analytical and observational drawing skills while also developing an understanding of how illustration both influences and connects to advertising and design.

Graduates of the Character Design Stream engage in a wide arc of design specializations including the development of action figures, online education icons, animations, characters for graphic novels or comics, and concept art for digital media such as video and online games. With an understanding of traditional and contemporary narrative structure, students learn to author and develop original content.

ACAD’s VCD Program is a competitive entry major, and is part of the Bachelor of Design Degree stream.

Tali Schtelzer Tali SchtelzerCity Harvest
Natyshen McNeil Natyshen McNeilDuracell
Derek Langille Derek LangilleBeaver
Raelee Fedyna Raelee FedynaNike Free
Luke Callahan Luke CallahanUmbro
How to apply
Portfolio Requirements
Recommended completed course work for application to Visual Communications Design

Applicants who intend to seek admission to Visual Communications Design or Photography should note that the following First Year Studies courses are recommended prior to admission:

Current ACAD students applying to Visual Communications Design (VCD)

Applicants to the Visual Communications Design Major who are currently attending ACAD should download the application below, complete all sections and return it to the ACAD Admissions Office before 4:15pm on April 1, 2011. Late applications and portfolios will not be accepted. Internal applicants must submit portfolios to the Admissions Office on May 2, 2011 between the hours of Noon and 4:00pm. Drop off location will be announced the morning of Friday, April 29, 2011.

Visit the VCD program Blog to find out more about what’s happening in the VCD program at ACAD.

Public Design at ACAD

The Alberta College of Art + Design has a valuable offer for selected non-profit organizations needing effective, yet inexpensive design communications. It’s called the Public Design service and we invite you to learn more about it and see if it is right for your organization. The Public Design Service matches students with not-for-profit clients who have applied to participate and have been approved by course instructors. Students get real-world design experience and clients get high-quality design communications (carefully supervised by course instructors) at low cost.

Who’s Who in the VCD Department at ACAD?

What happens when you combine 24 award-winning designers, creative directors, illustrators and animators into one department? At ACAD, you get the Visual Communications Design Program Faculty – an inspiring and exciting group of design professionals with an incredible wealth of experience in today’s design world. As professional designers, animators and strategic thinkers, ACAD’s VCD Program Faculty members are leading figures in the international design industry and passionate educators dedicated to mentoring and developing Canada’s next group of award winning design thinkers. Members of the ACAD VCD Program Faculty include: