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Visual Communication — Multimedia Major
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Multimedia Major B.S.

The Multimedia Major combines the professional practice of interactive design, user experience, and web development. You'll earn a Bachelor of Science degree in visual communication that prepares you for careers in a wide range of communication settings, especially those requiring UX/UI design.

With our Intensive training in visual communication, across multiple disciplines and platforms, you will do your storytelling through interactive websites, mobile platforms, and other methods including motion graphics (animation), video, and informational graphics. 

Graduates of this program work as interactive designers, website developers, motion graphics designers and mobile app designers.

Student Work

Storytelling is Our Passion.

Students in this major are interested in visual communication and storytelling through interactive websites, mobile platforms, and other methods, including motion graphics (animation), video, and informational graphics.

On the first floor of Schoonover, the School of Visual Communication runs a gallery. Rotating regularly between student and alumni shows, students can not only show their work, but gain experience participating in the exhibitions.

The VisCom Focus Gallery

Soul of Athens project, created by students in the Interactive Capstone class

Soul of Athens Project

Soul of Athens project, created by students in the Interactive Capstone class

 

Careers with a Multimedia B.S. Degree

The degree program is designed to provide students with realistic and thorough broad-based professionally oriented training in visual communication while providing the necessary liberal arts and cultural background for a strong educational foundation.

Intensive training is offered in visual communication, across multiple disciplines and platforms: Publication design, data visualization, and informational graphics, with preparation for careers in the magazine, newspaper, corporate, and non-governmental organization (NGOs) communication fields; interactive design and UX for web and digital mobile platforms for careers in a wide range of communication settings; documentary photojournalism and video storytelling for newspapers, magazines, NGOs, and online venues; and commercial photography, with preparation for careers in the fashion, product, and corporate

Hands holding a mobile phone

Alumni Spotlight: Justin Herman '01

Alumnus Justin Herman (BSVC '01) has helped shape the visual language of modern culture — from MTV promos and Paramount branding to animated collaborations with hip-hop legends. He's built an extraordinary career at the intersection of art, technology and storytelling. Currently vice president and senior design director at Paramount Global (CBS), he leads a team of 13 to 18 designers, illustrators, animators, developers and video editors within the Sales and Marketing division.

Between art and service: The design work of Justin Herman

Connect with Justin Herman on LinkedIn

Justin Herman: Design, Love and Science graphic

Admission Requirements

The School of Visual Communication requires an informal interview for admission to the program. During this interview, we would like to learn more about your creative goals and review any examples of creative work you can provide. This is also an opportunity for you to learn about us. If you don’t have a portfolio or other examples of your work, we still want to talk to you. We encourage you to apply and visit, even if you don’t have a formal portfolio. For additional information about general admission guidelines please visit Undergraduate Admissions. Transfer students should view Transferring to VisCom.

Visual Communication Portfolio Review

  • Tuition & Fees

    OHIO is committed to your lifelong success through our Guarantee+, which offers fixed tuition and fees, a graduation plan and lifelong benefits to our students. We're continuously striving to make college more affordable and accessible, while maintaining the high quality and value of an OHIO education.

    Tuition & Fees

  • Financial Aid & Scholarships

    Our Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships provides services to students and parents both in-person and remotely. You can visit our office on the ground floor of Chubb Hall or reach us at financial.aid@ohio.edu or 740.593.4141.

    Financial Aid & Scholarships

Multimedia B.S. Courses & Curriculum

View Courses & Degree Requirements in the Official Academic Catalog

The bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in multimedia is a 120-credit hour program that includes a major core of study, general liberal arts classes, a focus on a specialization area and an internship. In our program, students start studying design during their first semester.

Internship Requirement

One advisor-approved internship is required for the visual communication major. Internships should be approximately 400 hours of paid and supervised work in your field. Many students have more than one internship experience prior to graduation. Additionally, VisCom alumni have had successful careers in the industry in a variety of capacities and have worked and interned for a variety of companies, including The Wall Street Journal, National Geographic, The Los Angeles Times, Q Interactive, Southwest Airlines, and Column 5.

Facilities & Equipment

  • Equipment Checkout Room

    VisCom also supplies an Equipment Checkout Room with the support of Nikon, Canon, Mamiya Corporation of America and Sony. Students can check out DSLR cameras, lenses, lighting gear, audio equipment, video equipment, a 360-degree camera, tripods other stabilization tools.

    A form will be emailed to students every year to gain access to the equipment room. If you did not receive this form or cannot find it, contact Josh Birnbaum at birnbaum@ohio.edu or (740)-597-1778.

  • Computer Labs

    The School of Visual Communication uses Apple computers and predominantly the Adobe Creative Suite. We are pleased to provide computer labs with Apple computers, the Adobe Creative Suite and other software needed for classes. These labs also have open hours in the evenings, as do other labs on campus, and have color printers and photo printers students can use with purchase of a print card.

In the News: Conference Expands Global Storytelling and Cultural Exchange

In the five-day Visual Discovery Conference, students and faculty from universities around the world collaborate to tell visual stories rooted in the identity of a host city.
The Visual Discovery Conference

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