• ABOUT WLU
  • CALENDAR
  • CAMPUS POLICE
  • CONTACT WLU
  • DIRECTORY
  • GO WLU
  • NEWS
  • WLU A – Z

West Liberty University

Department of Media and Visual Arts

Art Education  ·  Visual Communication Design (with a track in Illustration)
Digital Media Design  ·  Art Therapy 

SearchWLU SearchWLU SearchWLU Search
  • Academics
    • Creative Arts Therapy
    • MA in Art Therapy and Counseling
    • Art Education
    • MA in Education, Concentration in Visual Art Education
    • Broadcasting
    • Media Communications
    • Visual Communication
      • Digital Media Design
  • Special Projects
    • AIGA Student Chapter
    • MAD Festival
    • Nutting Art Gallery
    • Study Abroad – Design Camp Korea
    • TopperStation
    • The Trumpet: Student News Source
    • WGLZ Radio 91.5
  • Facilities
    • facilities – communications
  • Faculty
    • Martyna Matusiak
    • Aaron Anslow
    • Sarah Davis
    • Brian Fencl
    • Terri Giller
    • Dr. Jeffrey Grubbs
    • Moonjung Kang
    • Christian H. Lee
    • Ryan McCullough
    • Jeff Pfister
    • Dr. Susan Ridley
    • Jared Thompson
  • Prospective Students
    • Prospective Communications Students
    • Scholarships
    • Arrange a Campus Visit
  • Contact
    • Faculty Directory/ Mailing Address
  • Give
Home Visual Communication Design

Visual Communication Design

The Visual Communication Design (Graphic Design) program is about much more than just designing logos. We teach students how to engage in design thinking and user experience to create meaningful and effective design solutions. We also encourage a broad range of formats and expression including traditional and digital illustration, packaging, poster design, app design, video editing, website development and motion graphics. Students begin with a comprehensive foundation program to learn art and design theory in a studio setting. Then they build on specific interests by choosing to focus on Graphic Design or Illustration.

Apply Now

Visual Communication Design Program Description

The Visual Communication Design (aka Graphic Design) degree program has as its philosophy the understanding that education precedes design. Therefore a bachelor’s degree with the general studies component is essential to a broad understanding of other disciplines as well as professional support courses. The Visual Communication Design degree curriculum prepares students for employment opportunities in the rapidly changing design field by nourishing their abilities and creativity to become visual explorers. In addition, the Visual Communication and Graphic Design classes give students a good foundation in traditional image making as well as digital technology.

Visual Communication Design is a user-focused, interdisciplinary, problem-solving activity that combines visual acuity with skill and knowledge in areas of communications, technology, and business. Emphasis is placed on the conception, design, planning, and implementation of visual solutions to complex problems in contemporary culture. The visual communication design profession specializes in the structuring of visual information to aid in communications through branding, interactive design solutions for web and mobile, UI/UX, motion graphics, packaging and various print media. In addition, the department seeks to encourage freedom of expression and creativity through the development of innovative concepts with professional execution to help students become conversant in the philosophy and psychology of both historical and contemporary art and design forms.

West Liberty #2 in West Virginia for Graphic Design

About Face: Lizzee Solomon

Throughout the program, students will “develop a broad range of communication skills in visualization, communication, presentation, writing, and technology. These skills provide an excellent foundation for careers in publishing, graphic design, web design, multimedia, arts administration, copywriting, and specialist careers in the art, design, and digital media industries.”

Read the article here

Visual Communication Design Program Goals

  • Develop and implement solutions to problems encountered in all phases of the Visual Communication Design process.
  • Create visual communications through the application of design theories and principles to develop effective design solutions.
  • Apply typographic skills and knowledge to create effective visual communications.
  • Effective use of technologies to create and manipulate graphic design elements in producing a final product.
  • Communicate effectively, credibly, and accurately with clients, supervisors, and target audiences by using a variety of media.
  • Apply effective business practices and project management skills appropriate to his/her position in the graphic design field.

Graphic Design Facilities

Special facilities for this program include a Visual Communication Design classroom with fifteen Macintosh computers, with Internet access, projection system, storage area, and a professional quality laser printer. The Art Program also makes use of a painting/drawing studio, sculpture studio, twenty five-seat lecture room, ceramics studio (located in the Annex building across campus), The Nutting Art Gallery and a printmaking lab. Digital Media Design majors also have access to a Midi lab, state of the art sound recording studio, state of the art television studio and Media Arts classrooms. We are in the process of building a photography studio and darkroom on the second floor of the Student Union. These new facilities will be used for the Photography courses, 3-D Graphic Design, Graphic Design III, Animation courses and the WLU Photography Club.

Work by West Liberty University Graduates

Infographics created for the WVDEP by Megan Bumgardner
Infographics created for the WVDEP by Megan Bumgardner
Infographics created for the WVDEP by Megan Bumgardner
Infographics created for the WVDEP by Megan Bumgardner
Jesse Lenz (2010 Graphic Design graduate) is now a professional illustrator with work published in major publications, like this piece in the December issue of Wired Magazine.
Jesse Lenz (2010 Graphic Design graduate) is now a professional illustrator with work published in major publications, like this piece in the December issue of Wired Magazine.
Previous
Next

Graphic & Visual Communication Design Internships

Another strength of the WLU Art program is accessibility to many possible internships. As part of the required practicum in their upper level coursework all students work with real world clients. Recent clients include:

  • 4-H Foundation of Hancock County
  • ANXIETY AND PANIC DISORDERS PROGRAM – Wheeling Hospital
  • Brooke Hancock Family Resource Network
  • Echo International
  • Grand Vue Park and Recreation Center
  • The John Fowles Society –identity system, website, posters, etc.
  • The Ohio Valley Museum Consortium
  • St. Vincent de Paul Parish – Wheeling
  • The Strand Theatre Preservation Society
  • Our Lady of Lebanon Church in Wheeling
  • Pittsburgh Chapter of the AIGA
  • YOUTH SERVICES SYSTEM, INC. – Wheeling
  • WLU Center for Student Success
  • WLU Division of Music website
  • WLU International Students Web Page
  • WLU Protestant Campus Ministry
  • WV Arts and Crafts Guild Biennial  Website

Internships are not required but are strongly encouraged and easily coordinated with the Visual Communication Design faculty. Some of these internships include:

  • The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars
  • Design and Image Studio
  • Center for Educational Technologies
  • Challenger Space Center
  • Oglebay Institute
  • Action Images
  • WLU IT Department
  • Lamar Advertising
Apply Now

Have a question about Visual Communication Design?

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Academics Resources

  • General Info
  • Bachelor of Arts in Art Education
  • Visual Communication Design
  • Digital Media Design
  • Art Therapy

Links

  • Admissions Home
  • Media Art and Design Festival
  • Nutting Gallery on Facebook
  • Senior Capstone Project: Fall 2021
  • Senior Project: Fall 2020
  • Senior Project: Spring 2020
  • Senior Project: Spring 2021
  • Topper Station
  • University Catalog, College of Arts and Communication
  • WLU Creative Arts Therapy Club on Facebook
  • WLU Home
  • WLU Printmaking on Facebook

Media and Visual Arts

  • Activities
  • Academics
  • Facilities
  • Faculty
  • Prospective Students
  • Nutting Gallery
  • Contact

COLLEGE OF LIBERAL AND CREATIVE ARTS

  • College of Liberal and Creative Arts
  • Visual Arts
  • Department of Journalism and Communication Studies
  • Department of Music

Donate to Media and Visual Arts

CONTACT

Department of Media and Visual Arts
West Liberty University
College of Liberal and Creative Arts
208 University Dr.
West Liberty, WV 26074

304.336.8006
304.336.8056

Or just send us a message!

WLU

CARING . QUALITY . AFFORDABLE . TOTAL COLLEGE EXPERIENCE

WEST LIBERTY UNIVERSITY

208 University Drive
West Liberty, WV 26074

 

304.336.5000
Toll Free: 866-WESTLIB

 

Contact WLU via Email

  • WLU A – Z
  • About WLU
  • Academics
  • Admissions
  • Alumni
  • APPLY NOW
  • Board of Governors
  • Bookstore
  • Business Office
  • Campus Map
  • Campus Police
  • Catalog
  • Colleges
  • Counseling Services
  • Current Students
  • Dining Services
  • Directory
  • Employment Information
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Fast Facts
  • Financial Aid
  • Foundation
  • Future Students
  • Give Now
  • Grades
  • Graduate Students
  • Honors College
  • Information Technology
  • International Students
  • Intramurals
  • Library
  • Maintenance
  • Majors
  • Media Relations
  • Net Price Calculator
  • News
  • Provost Office
  • RAVE / TopperNET
  • Registrar’s Office
  • Request Info
  • Residence Life
  • Scholarships
  • Student Health Services
  • Student Life
  • Title IX
  • Transcripts
  • The Trumpet
  • Tuition
  • WGLZ Radio
  • © WEST LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • EMERGENCIES