Visual Communications: Art & Graphic Design
Bachelor of Science Degree
The Visual Communications Department has a history of nearly seventy-five years of innovation and excellence. The graphic design program offers a comprehensive and relevant educational experience that prepares students to be real-life creative problem-solvers in traditional and emerging fields. Graduates demonstrate valuable professional skills and technological competencies vital for succeeding in an evolving creative environment.
The Visual Communications: Art & Graphic Design Baccalaureate Degree experience also includes opportunities that enable students to gain essential professional experience and participate beyond the classroom. Two internship courses encourage students to pursue professional opportunities, while the “in-house” agency courses allow students to work collaboratively and directly with clients. The Design Club enables students to participate in the industry and gain practical experience. There are also industry-related field trips and unique study abroad programs with trips that range from a few weeks to an entire semester.
The success of graduates in positions of responsibility in some of the best-known agencies, design teams, studios, and corporations in the region and around the country illustrates our program’s strength. Many alumni have become thriving entrepreneurs by establishing new agencies and art-related businesses or as well as through active freelance careers.
For additional information, or to schedule an interview and tour of our facilities, please contact the Visual Communications Department at 934-420-2181.
Typical Employment Opportunities
Art Director
Brand Identity Designer
Creative Director
Editorial Designer
Graphic Designer
Interface Designer
Package Designer
Photographer
Production Manager
Social Media Designer
Visual Content Designer
Web Designer
Visual Communications (BS) Program Outcomes
- Graduates will receive a strong foundation in design, will have opportunities to explore, experiment, and master skillets in traditional disciplines and digital techniques.
- Graduates will demonstrate diverse knowledge and skills required to perform professionally in an evolving creative work environment.
- Graduates will exhibit the knowledge necessary to understand design from an historical perspective, as well as current and future trends of industry.
- Graduates will have learned specific professional skills addressing resume development, self-promotion, job search skills, industry procedures and practices and presentation techniques.
- Graduates will have created a portfolio of work, which will meet industry demands in order to successfully compete in the current job market.
Qualifications for the Graphic Design Program
To be considered for admission to the Graphic Design Program, you must meet the following qualifications:
- A freshman high school GPA of 80 or higher
- A transfer GPA of 2.5 or higher
- One high school or college level art class
- A passing score on the Visual Communications portfolio test
- A passing score on an art aptitude test
In addition to these qualifications, we also look for applicants who demonstrate creativity, originality, and strong communication skills. If you are interested in pursuing a career in graphic design, we encourage you to apply to our program.
Farmingdale State College is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.
Admission to Farmingdale State College - State University of New York is based on the qualifications of the applicant without regard to age, sex, marital or military status, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, disability or sexual orientation.
Contact Information
Visual Communications
Jack Harris
Hale Hall, Room 156
934-420-2181
artdept@farmingdale.edu
Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:00pm
Fall 2025
Subject to revision
| College Requirement | (1 credit) |
| FYE 101 First Year Experience* | 1 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | (39 credits) |
|---|---|
| EGL 101 Composition I: College Writing (GE) | 3 |
| ART 200 History of Graphic Design (GE) | 3 |
| ART 201 Survey of Art History: Prehistoric Times through the Middle Ages (GE) | 3 |
| ART 202 Art History – Early Renaissance to Present (GE) | 3 |
| Any 300+ Art Elective | 3 |
| US History and Civic Engagement (GE) | 3 |
| Mathematics (GE) | 3 |
| Oral Communication | 3 |
| Natural Sciences and Scientific Reasoning (GE) | 3 |
| World History and Global Awareness (GE) | 3 |
| Social Sciences (GE) | 3 |
| 300+ Liberal Arts Elective | 6 |
| Support Courses | (12 credits) |
| BUS 131 Marketing Principles | 3 |
| Free Elective | 6 |
| 300+ Free Elective | 3 |
| Visual Communications Core | (69 credits) |
| VIS 110 Drawing I | 3 |
| VIS 112 Two-Dimensional Design | 3 |
| VIS 114 Color | 3 |
| VIS 115 Three-Dimensional Design | 3 |
| VIS 116 Digital Media and Methods | 3 |
| VIS 120 Drawing II | 3 |
| VIS 122 Typography I | 3 |
| VIS 222 Graphic Design I | 3 |
| VIS 225 Photography I | 3 |
| VIS 318 Four-Dimensional Design | 3 |
| VIS 232 Graphic Design II | 3 |
| VIS 236 Typography II | 3 |
| VIS 332 Graphic Design III | 3 |
| VIS 336 Advertising I | 3 |
| VIS 338 Illustration for Graphic Designers | 2 |
| VIS 340 Industry Preparation | 3 |
| VIS 346 Advertising II | 2 |
| VIS 350 Photography II | 2 |
| VIS 414 Interaction Design | 3 |
| VIS 416W Senior Project I | 3 |
| VIS 418 Portfolio | 3 |
| VIS 426W Senior Project II | 3 |
| Technical Electives (BUS, BCS, VIS, IXD) ** | 3 |
| 300+ Technical Elective | 3 |
| Total Credits: | 120-121 |
Curriculum Summary
*FYE 101 First Year Experience is required for all first time full time students
**Technical Electives can be chosen from any course that has a BCS (Computer Systems), BUS (Business Management), VIS (Art & Graphic Design), or IXD (Interaction Design) course designator for which the pre-requisite has been met. This gives students the opportunity to develop their interests within Visual Communications: Art & Graphic Design and related fields. One course must be at the 300 level or higher.
Degree Type: BS
Total Required Credits: 120-121
Please refer to the General Education, Applied Learning, and Writing Intensive requirement
sections of the College Catalog and consult with your advisor to ensure that graduation
requirements are satisfied.
As a part of the SUNY General Education Framework, all first-time full time Freshman
at Farmingdale State College (FSC) beginning Fall 2023, are required to develop knowledge
and skills in Diversity: Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice (DEISJ). Students will
be able to fulfill this requirement at FSC by taking a specially designated DEISJ
course that has been developed by faculty and approved by the DEISJ Review Board.
DEISJ-approved courses may meet other General Education Knowledge and Skills areas
and/or core competencies and thus be dually designated. DEISJ-approved courses may
also earn other special designations such as those for Applied Learning or Writing
Intensive.
Transfer credit is granted at the discretion of the faculty based on grades and a portfolio assessment. All students entering the program, including transfer students, will be required to take VIS 116 Digital Media & Methods.