Oct 13, 2024  
College Catalog 2024 - 2025 
  
College Catalog 2024 - 2025

Visual Design Option, A.S.


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Programs of Study

The Associate in Science Degree in Visual Design is intended to prepare students for transfer to 4-year design schools and for entry into the field of visual design. This program is comparable to the first two years of a typical four-year design program. It provides students with rigorous foundation and design courses, and pragmatic experience. Working through the program, students will produce a portfolio of design work that demonstrates their preparedness in industry-standard technical and visual-thinking skills essential for transfer into undergraduate design programs, and entry-level jobs.

* Milestone Courses should be taken in the order shown. This will help you stay on track and graduate on time.

Total Credits: 15


Semester 1 Advising Note

Total Credits: 15


Semester 2 Advising Note

  • Students, please consult with a VMA faculty member before registering.
  • Consider taking Gen. Ed. Courses during the summer.
  • VMA-105  is not for VMA majors - do not take.
  • VMA-132  required for VMA-275  in semester 3 (Fall).
  • VMA-133  required for VMA-232  in semester 3 (fall semester).

Semester 3


Total Credits: 18-19


Semester 3 Advising Note

  • Students, please consult with a VMA faculty member before registering.
  • Consider taking Gen. Ed. Courses like ENG-112  and GenEd-QPS during the summer.
  • VMA-232  only offered in the Fall. Must have VMA-232  for VMA-233  .

Semester 4


Total Credits: 13-14


Semester 4 Advising Note

  • Students, please consult with a VMA faculty member before registering.
  • Consider taking Gen. Ed. Courses during the summer.
  • At least one Gen Ed will have to be taken over the semester; the program is 64 credits.
  • Apply for graduation

Upon Completion of This Concentration Graduates Will Be Able To:


  • Approach visual design as a responsive process of problem identification, ideation, and creation.
  • Apply design skills in typography, color, image, form, and materials to print and digital media projects.
  • Produce portfolio content that is suitable for applying to four-year design programs, internships, and design-related employment.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in software applications for drawing, image editing, and layout.
  • Use industry standard procedures to produce files and materials for print and digital production.
  • Plan and execute projects to meet deadlines and design objectives.
  • Practice effective communication and presentation skills necessary to engage in professional visual design practice.
  • Engage in creative and analytical discourse about design in order to communicate concepts to colleagues and clients.
  • Cultivate habits of life-long learning and creativity.

Career Outlook


Graduates of this program will produce a portfolio of design work demonstrating foundation and entry-level skills and knowledge needed for careers in fields such as: advertising, print and digital book design, editorial design, environmental design, experience design, identity design, illustration, information design, in-house design, interaction design, motion graphics, packaging, print design, product design, typography, UX design, and web design.

Explore Career Options

Transfer Options


Transfer Advising Guides

MassTransfer A2B Map

  • Bridgewater State University
  • Salem State University
  • Westfield State University

MassTransfer A2B Link

  • University of Massachusetts Lowell

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Programs of Study