Visual Communication Design

Digital design, Technology, Multimedia

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Communication Design (VCD) is the only professionally oriented BFA degree within the Visual Arts program. The program bridges the space between fine art and applied graphic and digital design—merging conceptual thinking with professional skill-building. Our faculty are internationally recognized for their scholarly work, exhibitions, and creative research. They bring a mix of industry experience, design awards, academic publishing, and cross-disciplinary practices to the classroom. Their combined experience helps facilitate a balanced technical and conceptual learning experience settings our program apart from other visual arts programs.

Tours of the UW Visual Arts facilities are available to prospective or current UW students who are interested in art and curious about how to become involved in the department.

Book Tour

The VCD Experience

This degree supports a wide range of design paths including graphic design, motion graphics, multi- and mixed-media art, branding, digital media, interactive design, and more. Students develop technical fluency while gaining experience in visual storytelling, critical theory, and research-based creative practice. In their final year, students join a year-long BFA Capstone cohort, working alongside Studio Art BFA students. This experience includes mentorship, independent research, portfolio development, and a public exhibition of thesis projects.

VCD students work with a full range of industry-standard and experimental tools, including:

  • Adobe Creative Cloud,

  • Open-source design and coding platforms,

  • 3D printers and CNC machinery,

  • Laser cutters and etching tools,

  • AR/VR/MX environments,

  • Digital photography and large-format printing,

  • and Micro-electronics for interactive design.

faq

Check out the FAQ for more information about VCD.

Photo credit: Student Work, VCD, no date

Student work on display in hall

The VCD curriculum emphases a "Design for Impact" ethic by exploring the cultural, ethical, and environmental roles of design. Students are encouraged to question and shape the world around them through design for sustainability, equity, and innovation. From typography and branding to speculative design and visual activism, students learn to design with purpose.

VCD Graduates enter the design world professionally prepared with a competitive portfolioand the conceptual grounding to pursue work in design firms, media companies, cultural institutions, tech startups, or graduate study.

Department faq

Learn more about the Department of Visual Arts scholarships and awards, events and opportunities, ways to get involved, and how to access campus resources.

Photo credit: Student Work, VCD, no date

Student work on display in hallway

UW Department of Visual Arts offers a variety of scholarships and awards to support Visual Art undergraduate students, including a Post-Undergraduate Assistantship (PUA).

The Department of Visual Arts has several student organizations (RSOs) welcoming all UW students to participate.

Visit the VA campus resource page to learn more about the range of resources available to support University of Wyoming students.

If you have further questions, please contact visualarts@uwyo.edu or call (307) 766-3269.