The concentration in Motion Design pairs creative thinking and refined design skills with computer-based multimedia and motion design. Students study a variety of media including motion graphics, animation, video, gaming concepts, interactive web, and mobile apps to become innovative multimedia designers. A broad understanding of software applications and the concepts underlying them give students the capacity to stay current in this evolving field of Visual Communication. All visual communication courses above the sophomore level are taught at East Texas A&M in Dallas.
The BFA in Visual Communication is an intensive baccalaureate degree that prepares students for professional opportunities in the fields of advertising and design. Students pursuing the degree will choose from the following concentrations, each of which has a specified sequence of courses: Art Direction, Design, or Motion Design. Each concentration requires the student to complete the 42-semester hour University General Studies curriculum and a common core of freshman and sophomore-level art courses. These courses may be taken at East Texas A&M University or any accredited two or four-year institution. The BFA in Visual Communication does not require a minor area of emphasis.
All courses in Visual Communication above the sophomore level are taught at our Dallas location in a state-of-the art facility where students are introduced to the dynamic design community of one of the nation’s most vibrant cities. Shuttle service between the Commerce campus and 8750 North Park Central allows students to reside in Commerce while attending classes in Dallas.
Entry into the junior year of the Visual Communication program is by portfolio review. Prior to the review, students must have completed all University academic core and foundational art courses as outlined in the Undergraduate Catalog. At the time of the portfolio review, students must have an overall grade point average of at least 2.5 and an average of at least 3.0 in the core art classes. For the specific requirements of the portfolio and annual deadlines for submission, please visit this web site: www.tamuc.edu/viscom
The Visual Communication program has an assessment schedule that evaluates the progress of students as they advance in the BFA degree. Students will undergo a basic assessment of their work in the third or fourth year and an assessment of their specialized work as they near graduation. The purpose of the assessments is to correct deficiencies and to encourage consistent growth in a student’s portfolio, thus improving his or her opportunities for rewarding employment after graduation. If a student’s progress is unsatisfactory, they may be advised by the faculty to repeat courses to strengthen and further develop their skills. After the first year of the program, students will be required to enter competitive shows for the purpose of building professional experience and gaining a critical perspective of their work. In the final year of the BFA, students must pass an exit review in order to graduate. As with all degree programs at East Texas A&M University, students must earn a C or higher in their major courses for them to count towards graduation.
Provided they are part of the common course numbering system recognized across the State of Texas, courses from other accredited institutions may be transferred to East Texas A&M University. Courses that fall outside the numbering system may still be transferable, but they will be subject to a portfolio review. Portfolio reviews for transfer students will generally occur late in the spring semester for students wishing to enter the Visual Communication program in the fall semester and in the late fall semester for entry in the spring semester.
| Core Curriculum Courses | ||
| See the Core Curriculum Requirements | 42 | |
| Required courses in the major | ||
| Core Studio | ||
| Art Core/Sophomore Studio | ||
| ART 1316 | Drawing I | 3 |
| ART 1311 | Two-Dimensional Design and Color Theory | 3 |
| PHO 209 | Introduction to Video | 3 |
| ART 2313 | Visual Communication I | 3 |
| ART 2323 | Figure Drawing | 3 |
| PHO 2357 | Basic Photography | 3 |
| Visual Communication Core | ||
| ART 300 | Typography | 3 |
| ART 310 | Electronic Media and Methods | 3 |
| ART 311 | Introduction to User Experience | 3 |
| ART 360 | Creative Thinking | 3 |
| ART 365 | Design Communications I | 3 |
| ART 463 | Advanced Typography | 3 |
| ART 458 | Visual Communication Professional Practice | 3 |
| Required/Concentration Studio | ||
| ART 402 | Storyboarding | 3 |
| ART 410 | Advanced Video Application | 3 |
| ART 411 | Advanced User Experience in Multimedia | 3 |
| ART 412 | Video in Visual Communication | 3 |
| ART 414 | Motion Graphics | 3 |
| ART 416 | Advanced Motion Graphics | 3 |
| ART 417 | Applied Motion Graphics | 3 |
| ART 467 | Design Communications III | 3 |
| Advanced electives: 9 hours | 9 | |
| ART 406 | Illustration | 3 |
| ART 418 | Cross Cultural Design | 3 |
| ART 462 | Visual Communication Branding | 3 |
| ART 469 | Applied Typography | 3 |
| ART 472 | Art Direction | 3 |
| ART 495 | Internship | 1-4 |
| ART 497 | Special Topics | 1-4 |
| Required Support Courses | ||
| Art/Design History | ||
| History of Art I * | ||
| History of Art II * | ||
| ART 407 | History of 20th Century Graphic Design | 3 |
| ART 408 | History of American Typography | 3 |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
This course will satisfy the Core Curriculum requirement for Creative Arts or Degree Pathway.
| First Year | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer | Hours |
| CORE Eng 010 | 3 | CORE Eng 010 | 3 | CORE Hist 060 | 3 |
| CORE CID 090 | 3 | ART 1304 | 3 | ART 1303 | 3 |
| ART 1316 | 3 | ART 1311 | 3 | ||
| ART 2313 | 3 | PHO 2357 | 3 | ||
| ART 360 | 3 | ART 3101 | 3 | ||
| 15 | 15 | 6 | |||
| Second Year | |||||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer | Hours |
| CORE Math 020 | 3 | CORE Poli Sci 070 | 3 | CORE Phys Sci 030 | 3 |
| CORE Poli Sci 070 | 3 | CORE Phys Sci 030 | 3 | CORE Hist 060 | 3 |
| ART 3001 | 3 | ART 3651 | 3 | ||
| ART 2323 | 3 | ART 4631 | 3 | ||
| PHO 209 | 3 | ART 4081 | 3 | ||
| Portfolio Entry | |||||
| 15 | 15 | 6 | |||
| Third Year | |||||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | ||
| CORE Soc Sci 080 | 3 | CORE Lang/Phil/Cult 040 | 3 | ||
| ART 3111 | 3 | ART 4661 | 3 | ||
| ART 4141 | 3 | ART 4721 | 3 | ||
| ART 4071 | 3 | ART 4021 | 3 | ||
| Foundation Assessment | Tier Two Assessment | ||||
| 12 | 12 | ||||
| Fourth Year | |||||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | ||
| ART 4671 | 3 | ART 4581 | 3 | ||
| ART 4121 | 3 | ART 4171 | 3 | ||
| ART 4161 | 3 | ART 4101 | 3 | ||
| Advanced Elective for Design 1,2 | 3 | Advanced Elective for Design 1,2 | 3 | ||
| Senior Exit Application | Senior Exit Show | ||||
| 12 | 12 | ||||
| Total Hours: 120 | |||||
Course to be held in Dallas
Advanced Electives for Motion Design
