Visual Communication Design Curriculum
The BFA in Design, Visual Communication Design program consist of a carefully-arranged sequence of courses that follow a four-year track from the fall semester of a student's year of admission to the program.
The curriculum listed below is subject to change and each student's path to graduation is unique. Students should meet with their academic advisor at least once per semester to ensure proper enrollment and track to graduation.
| Course | Hours |
|---|---|
| BDS 101: Think and Make I | 3 |
| BDS 103: Drawing for Design | 3 |
| ADS 325: Design Thinking and Research | 3 |
| HA 150/160: Western Art History | 3 |
| English 101: Composition | 3 |
| Course | Hours |
|---|---|
| VISC 200: Foundations in Typography | 3 |
| ILLU 200: Foundations in Image-Making | 3 |
| ADS 340: History & Philosophy of Design | 3 |
| HA 151/161: Western Art History | 3 |
| ENGL 102 or ENGL 105 | 3 |
| ADS 320: KU Design Lecture Series | 1 |
| Course | Hours |
|---|---|
| VISC 202: Elements of Type | 3 |
| VISC 204: Principles in Visual Communication | 3 |
| ADS 401: Design Ethics | 3 |
| HA Elective Requirement | 3 |
| KU Core Goal GE12 (Quantitative Literacy) | 3 |
| ADS 320: KU Design Lecture Series | 1 |
| Course | Hours |
|---|---|
| VISC 302: Typographic Systems | 4 |
| VISC 304: Designing Understanding | 4 |
| ADS 300: Fundamentals in UX Design | 3 |
| KU Core: GE22 (Oral Communication) | 3 |
| ADS 320: KU Design Lecture Series | 1 |
| Course | Hours |
|---|---|
| VISC 404: Designing Social Interactions | 4 |
| VISC 405: Branding | 4 |
| Professional Studies Requirement | 3 |
| KU Core Goal AE41 (Human Diversity) | 3 |
| ADS 320: KU Design Lecture Series | 1 |
| Course | Hours |
|---|---|
| VISC 402 or VISC 520 | 4 |
| Professional Studies Requirement | 3 |
| KU Core Goal GE3N (Natural Science) | 3 |
| Academic Concentration Requirement | 3 |
| VISC 530: Portfolio | 1 |
| ADS 320: KU Design Lecture Series | 1 |
| Course | Hours |
|---|---|
| VISC 525: Senior Problems | 4 |
| Professional Studies Requirement | 3 |
| KU Core Goal GE3S (Social Science) | 3 |
| Academic Concentration Requirement | 3 |
| ADS 320: KU Design Lecture Series | 1 |
| Course | Hours |
|---|---|
| VISC 402 or VISC 520 | 4 |
| Professional Studies Requirement | 3 |
| ENGL 203, 205, 209, 210, or 211 | 3 |
| Academic Concentration Requirement | 3 |
| ADS 320: KU Design Lecture Series | 1 |