Visual communication design is the communication of information and ideas through visual representation. It touches our lives every day in forms such as corporate identity, packaging, web sites, books, magazines, movie titles, promotional materials, logos, posters, exhibitions and signage, to name a few. The visual communication design BA and BFA tracks at NKU are designed to develop each student as a creative, sophisticated visual communicator, an engaged design citizen, and a strong, critical thinker. Through a sequentially structured course of study and a wide variety of creative experiences, students develop their design voice as well as their career and personal goals based on their strengths and interests. Graduates are employed widely in the professional design community in a range of competitive and respected organizations and positions.
BFA and Visual Communication Design Track
The BFA is a professional degree, recognized as the entry-level degree by the visual communication industry and the National Association of Schools of Art & Design. The BFA degree gives graduates a competitive advantage in the marketplace because of its advanced, specialized coursework, in-depth portfolio development, the senior capstone project and exhibition, and a design internship requirement. Students apply for this degree during their junior year with another, more developed portfolio.
BA and Visual Communication Design Track
The BA is a general studies degree, teaching the student about design from a broad point of view. This degree requires either a minor or an area of concentration outside of the visual arts, expounding upon the general studies thrust of this degree.
CAREER PATHS
Careers in visual communication design are ripe with opportunities. The 21st century multi-media explosion along with the emergence of the web, smart phones and digital tablets has created opportunities for designers and artists like never before. Business and cultural organizations across the planet need compelling visual content for these modern technologies. Combined with new technologies such as motion graphics the creative class is helping to revolutionize our world. Here are possible paths your NKU Art & Design education will prepare you for...
App Design
Art Director
Art Lecturer/Visiting Scholar
Arts Management
Arts Organization Administrator
Brand and Identity Design
Creative Director
Design Director
Design Strategy
Digital Designer
Digital Imaging
Digital Product Designer
Environmental Design
Exhibition Designer
Experience Design
Fabric and Textile Designer
Font Designer
Graphic Designer
Illustration
Information Design
Interaction Design
Interface Design
Motion Design
Multimedia Designer
Package Design
Production
Professor of Art/Design
Publication Design
TV/Video/Film, Cinematography
User Interface Designer
Urban Graphics Designer
Visual Designer
Web and Digital Interface Designer
*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please check with institution
September 2025
College of Arts and Sciences
Steely Library, Suite 410,
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS,
Kentucky,
41099, United States
*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please check with institution
January 2026
Northern Kentucky University
Nunn Drive,
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS,
Kentucky,
41099, South, United States
Students should have completed secondary school coursework and any appropriate examination (if applicable).
English proficiency required for admission can be satisfied by any one of the following:
An official and satisfactory score from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) taken within the last two years. The minimum TOEFL scores to be considered for admission are a 500 on the paper-based exam or a 61 on the internet-based (iBT) exam.
Documentation of having satisfactorily completed freshman-level English composition at an American regionally accredited college or university in the U.S. and an overall acceptable GPA. Non-native speakers of English may still be asked to take the TOEFL if it has been several years since taking the English courses or if the student has returned to his or her home country for several years since taking the course.
A satisfactory score on the verbal portion of the ACT or SAT taken within the last two years. The minimum scores to be considered for admission are an ACT of 18 or SAT of 430 (through 3/15/16) or 25 (effective 3/16/16).
An official and satisfactory score from the International English Language Testing Service (IELTS) taken within the last two years. The minimum IELTS scores to be considered for admission must include a cumulative band of 5.5 and sub-scores in reading and writing of 5.0 or better.
Successful completion of NKU’s American English Language Program with at least an 80% in each AELP class.
Priority deadline: For Fall Semester: April 15; Spring Semester: October 15
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.
NKU has a focus on undergraduate research and experiential learning, and graduates develop versatile skill sets in preparation for employment.
