Visual Communication Ivy Tech State College’s Visual Communications Program provides professional career education in the creation of visual communications for commercial and not-for-profit venues.
Contact: Angela Boembeke, aboembek@ivytech.edu, (574)289-7001 ext. 5402
All classes are 3 credits unless indicated
Degrees certificates and specialties
Program description Degrees certificates and specialties
Visual Communication /Associate of Applied ScienceFilm and Video SpecialtySouth Bend Curriculum 07-08Visual Communication /Associate of Applied ScienceGraphic Design SpecialtySouth Bend Curriculum 07-08
Visual Communcation /Associate of Applied SciencePhotography SpecialtySouth Bend Curriculum 07-08
Visual Communcation /Associate of Applied ScienceWeb Design SpecialtySouth Bend Curriculum 07-08
Visual Communcation /Associate of Applied ScienceWeb Development SpecialtySouth Bend Curriculum 07-08
Program DescriptionThe Visual Communications Program provides professional career education in the creation of visual communications for commercial and not-for-profit venues. The program emphasizes the development of professional communication skills, visual principles, acquisition and manipulation of technology, and business practices for the visual artist. Students may specialize in areas such as Film and Video, Graphic Design, Interactive Media, Photography or Webmaster Design. Creation of an individual exit portfolio and an internship or co-op experience may be included. Webmaster Design courses prepare students for CIW Designer certification exams.PROGRAM OPTIONSOptions include the Associate of Fine Arts (AFA) degree and the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree. The AFA transfers into the BFA program at IU South Bend. Both the AAS and AFA degree programs transfer into four-year programs at Ball State University, Bethel College, Ferris State University, Indiana State University and elsewhere.FOR COMPLETE INFORMATIONThe Visual Communications Program is offered on the South Bend campus. Students may take general education requirements on the Elkhart or Warsaw campus, then transfer to South Bend for program courses. To learn more about specific course requirements, go to www.ivytech.edu/northcentral and click on "Degrees and Programs" under Quick Links. Or, call the campus nearest you.
TYPICAL CAREERS• Advertising or portrait photographer
• Broadcast technician
• Digital imaging manager
• Graphic designer/art director
• Multimedia producer
• News/magazine photographer
• Publications or Web designerEMPLOYMENT OUTLOOKJob opportunities are expected to increase faster than average (21 to 35 percent) for graphic designers and video broadcast technician, and as fast as average (10 to 20 percent) for photographers. Although an estimated growth rate for Webmaster and interactive media designers is not available, employment
opportunities are expected to increase in this new
creative field.OCCUPATIONAL AREAS• Advertising agencies
• Art departments
• Commercial photo studios
• Film production companies
• Graphic design studios
• Manufacturing
• Newspapers and magazines
• Portrait studios
• Printing firms
• Publishing firms
• Self-employment
• Television stationsEARNINGS, Broadcast TechnicianNational: Average wage $15.89 an hour
Indiana: Average wage $12.82 an hourEARNINGS, Film and video editorNational: Average wage $19.81 an hour
Indiana: Average wage $18.81 an hourEARNINGS, GRAPHIC DESIGNNational: Average wage $18.25 an hour
Indiana: Average wage $15.68 an hour
South Bend area: Average wage $16.79 an hourEARNINGS, PHOTOGRAPHYNational: Average wage $13.18 an hour
Indiana: Average wage $12.03 an hour
South Bend: Average wage $16.41 an hourEARNINGS, MULTIMEDIANational: Average wage $15.20 to $19.23 an hourAREA EMPLOYERS OF GRADUATES• Art Hansen Photographic
• BKR Studio Inc.
• College Football Hall of Fame
• Cressy and Everette/GMAC Real Estate
• East Race Printing & Graphics
• Elkhart Truth
• Emerson Design Studio
• Gene’s Camera Store
• Graphix Unlimited
• Homes & Lifestyles Magazine
• Impressions
• Johnson-Rauhoff Inc.
• Lithotone Inc.
• McCay Photography
• Military Department of Indiana/Public Affairs
• Mossberg & Co. Inc.
• ME Photographics
• NIPSCO
• Pathfinders Advertising and Marketing Group
• Perry Ballard, Inc.
• The South Bend Chocolate Company
• South Bend Tribune
• Studio A Advertising
• Woodwind and Brasswind
• University of Notre Dame
• Villing & Company Inc.
• WNDU-TV
• WNIT-TV
• WSBT-TV
• WSJV-TV
