BFA in Visual Communication - Concentration in Art Direction | Texas A&M University-Commerce Catalogs

BFA in Visual Communication - Concentration in Art Direction | Texas A&M University-Commerce Catalogs
2025-26 Undergraduate Catalog
The concentration in Art Direction prepares students for professional positions as creative team leaders who target specific market audiences, and produce client branding, single ads or campaigns in printed, broadcast and interactive media.  Courses in art direction and advertising emphasize the development of concepts from infancy through the finished product.  The Art Direction student gains proficiency in creating headlines, copy, layout and storyboarding, partnering with copywriting students, as well as in directing the work of designers, photographers, illustrators and other contributions.
The BFA in Visual Communication is an intensive baccalaureate degree that prepares students for professional opportunities in the fields of advertising and design. Students pursuing the degree will choose from the following concentrations, each of which has a specified sequence of courses: Art Direction, Design, or Motion Design.  Each concentration requires the student to complete the 42-semester hour University General Studies curriculum and a common core of freshman and sophomore-level art courses.  These courses may be taken at East Texas A&M University or any accredited two or four-year institution. The BFA in Visual Communication does not require a minor area of emphasis.
All courses in Visual Communication above the sophomore level are taught at our Dallas location in a state-of-the art facility where students are introduced to the dynamic design community of one of the nation’s most vibrant cities.  Shuttle service between the Commerce campus and 8750 North Park Central allows students to reside in Commerce while attending classes in Dallas.
Entry into the junior year of the Visual Communication program is by portfolio review.  Prior to the review, students must have completed all University academic core and foundational art courses as outlined in the Undergraduate Catalog.  At the time of the portfolio review, students must have an overall grade point average of at least 2.5 and an average of at least 3.0 in the core art classes.  For the specific requirements of the portfolio and annual deadlines for submission, please visit this web site:
www.tamuc.edu/viscom
The Visual Communication program has an assessment schedule that evaluates the progress of students as they advance in the BFA degree.  Students will undergo a basic assessment of their work in the third or fourth year and an assessment of their specialized work as they near graduation.  The purpose of the assessments is to correct deficiencies and to encourage consistent growth in a student’s portfolio, thus improving his or her opportunities for rewarding employment after graduation.  If a student’s progress is unsatisfactory, they may be advised by the faculty to repeat courses to strengthen and further develop their skills.  After the first year of the program, students will be required to enter competitive shows for the purpose of building professional experience and gaining a critical perspective of their work. In the final year of the BFA, students must pass an exit review in order to graduate.  As with all degree programs at East Texas A&M University, students must earn a C or higher in their major courses for them to count towards graduation.
Provided they are part of the common course numbering system recognized across the State of Texas, courses from other accredited institutions may be transferred to East Texas A&M University.  Courses that fall outside the numbering system may still be transferable, but they will be subject to a portfolio review.  Portfolio reviews for transfer students will generally occur late in the spring semester for students wishing to enter the Visual Communication program in the fall semester and in the late fall semester for entry in the spring semester.
BFA in Visual Communication - Concentration in Art Direction
Core Curriculum courses
See the
Core Curriculum Requirements
42
Required courses in the major
Core Studio
Art Core/Sophomore Studio
ART 1311
Two-Dimensional Design and Color Theory
ART 1316
Drawing I
PHO 209
Introduction to Video
ART 2313
Visual Communication I
ART 2323
Figure Drawing
PHO 2357
Basic Photography
Visual Communication Core
ART 300
Typography
ART 310
Electronic Media and Methods
ART 311
Introduction to User Experience
ART 360
Creative Thinking
ART 365
Design Communications I
ART 463
Advanced Typography
ART 458
Visual Communication Professional Practice
Required/Concentration
ART 402
Storyboarding
ART 412
Video in Visual Communication
ART 413
Copywriting
ART 462
Visual Communication Branding
ART 466
Design Communications II
ART 472
Art Direction
ART 473
Advertising Concepts
ART 474
Campaign Concepts
Advanced electives: Choose 9 semester hours from below
ART 414
Motion Graphics
ART 418
Cross Cultural Design
ART 464
Screen Printing for Visual Communication
ART 465
Letterpress
ART 467
Design Communications III
ART 468
Design Communications IV
ART 473
Advertising Concepts
ART 474
Campaign Concepts
ART 495
Internship
1-4
ART 497
Special Topics
1-4
Required Support Courses
Art/Design History
ART 1303
History of Art I
ART 1304
History of Art II
ART 407
History of 20th Century Graphic Design
ART 408
History of American Typography
Total Hours
120
This course will satisfy the Core Curriculum requirement for Creative Arts or Degree Pathway.
A grade of “C” or higher must be earned in all courses in this Major.
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First Year
Fall
Hours
Spring
Hours
Summer
Hours
CORE CID 090
CORE Eng 010
CORE Hist 060
CORE Eng 010
ART 1304
ART 1303
ART 1316
ART 1311
ART 2313
PHO 2357
ART 360
ART 310
15
15
Second Year
Fall
Hours
Spring
Hours
Summer
Hours
CORE Math 020
CORE Poli Sci 070
CORE Phys Sci 030
CORE Poli Sci 070
CORE Phys Sci 030
CORE Hist 060
ART 300
ART 365
ART 2323
ART 463
PHO 209
ART 408
Portfolio Entry
15
15
Third Year
Fall
Hours
Spring
Hours
CORE Soc Sci 080
CORE Lang/Phil/Cult 040
ART 311
ART 466
ART 414
ART 472
ART 407
ART 402
Foundation Assessment
Tier Two Assessment
12
12
Fourth Year
Fall
Hours
Spring
Hours
ART 473
ART 458
ART 412
ART 474
ART 462
ART 413
Advanced Elective for Design
1,2
Advanced Elective for Design
1,2
Senior Exit Application
Senior Exit Show
12
12
Total Hours: 120
Course held in Dallas
Advanced Electives for Art Direction
ART 411 Advanced User Experience in Multimedia
ART 410 Advanced Video
ART 464 Screen Printing for Visual Communication
ART 465 Letterpress
ART 495 Internship
ART 402 Storyboarding
ART 412 Video for VisCom
ART 418 Cross Cultural design
Core Curriculum Requirements Core
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