Academics

Visual Communication Design

BFA • Major

Student in the design computer lab

Design the world you see or want to see! From smartphone apps to subway posters, visual communication designers shape how we experience the world. At Montclair State University, the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Visual Communication Design is a four-year, pre-professional program that prepares you to become a creative problem-solver and persuasive design thinker. Through a combination of studio work and liberal arts coursework, you’ll gain the technical, conceptual and collaborative skills to succeed in careers such as graphic design, UX/UI design, motion graphics, creative coding and more. You’ll learn how to use typography, imagery, layout and media to communicate powerful messages—and build a portfolio that showcases your creative range. Graduates have gone on to careers with top organizations like Instagram, L’Oréal, MSNBC and the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), among many others. See the curriculum.

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Program Highlights

  • Hands-on training in typography, branding, web, motion and print design
  • Courses in color theory, composition, art history and creative coding
  • Emphasis on concept development, teamwork and professional presentations
  • Small class sizes for personalized mentorship and feedback
  • Real-world portfolio development with a wide range of media
  • Faculty with deep industry experience and creative expertise
  • Graduates work in top creative roles across media and design industries
  • Accredited: Montclair State University’s art and design programs are among the region’s most competitive, and meet the rigorous standards of the National Association of Schools of Art & Design (NASAD)
typography sketches on graph paper

Career Options

Montclair’s Visual Communication Design graduates have found work in a variety of professional settings, including design studios, advertising agencies, public relations firms and publishing companies. Some also work as freelancers or start their own businesses. Possible careers include:

  • Advertising Design
  • Book Cover Design
  • Corporate Creative Services
  • Design Education
  • Environmental Design
  • Exhibition Design for trade shows and museums
  • Film, Video and Video Game Graphic Design
  • Interactive Design for websites, video games and computer displays
  • Logo, Identity and Brand Design
  • Magazine and Page Layout Design
  • Information Design
  • Package Design
  • Retail Design
  • Television Graphics
  • Type Design
  • Product Graphics
  • Web Design

Turn your passion for design into a powerful career!

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Office of Undergraduate Admissions

The office of Undergraduate Admissions will guide you every step of the way on your journey from learning about the University and its offerings, to applying for a program through to acceptance and enrollment.

Department of Art and Design

For more than five decades, the Department of Art and Design has educated artists and designers who interpret, impact and often shape the world as we experience it. Through exposure to all facets of the visual arts, you will develop a portfolio of work that will enable you to live and work as an artist, designer, historian, arts manager or educator.

Program Coordinator: Kathy Tamburo

Get detailed information about the program itself—from curriculum and faculty expertise to research, internships and career outcomes. The program coordinator can explain how the program connects to your academic and professional goals.

Next Steps

Wherever you learn—on campus or online—Montclair State University offers the programs, community and support to help you reach your goals. Take the next step today.

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