Visual Arts & Design
Discover the power of creativity and innovation with our new Bachelor of Science in Visual Arts & Design. This reimagined degree merges the expressive depth of fine arts with the practical impact of graphic design, offering students a comprehensive and career-focused foundation. Developed in response to evolving industry demands and student interests, the program equips aspiring artists and designers with the technical skills, creative versatility, and professional readiness needed to thrive in today’s dynamic visual arts landscape.
Key Program Features
Apply the necessary technical skills that demonstrate skill development at the expected and acceptable level of fine arts and graphic design media.
Demonstrate familiarity with elements and styles relevant to history & recognize important historical figures in the visual arts.
Integrate innate creativity with learned creative thinking into the creative process in the development of Visual Arts & Design projects.
Create an exemplary student portfolio that represents the individual’s best creative efforts in the study of the visual arts.
Defend personal aesthetics using terms appropriate to the creation of the Visual Arts & Design projects.
Visual Arts & Design Program Details
This innovative degree unites traditional fine arts—such as painting, drawing, and printmaking—with digital graphic design, offering students a rare opportunity to develop a broad, versatile skill set within a single program. By combining these two creative disciplines, the Visual Arts & Design major not only reflects the realities of today’s art and design industries, but also positions students for greater flexibility in their careers. The program streamlines pathways for students interested in both fine art expression and digital communication, making it a more efficient and attractive option for aspiring visual creators.
Designed for the modern visual communicator, this degree prepares students to meet the evolving demands of contemporary art, design, and visual communication. By blending traditional studio techniques with digital tools, students learn to create compelling visual work across multiple platforms and media. The program fosters creative thinking, visual literacy, and technical fluency—equipping graduates to move seamlessly between analog and digital environments. Areas of focus include illustration, graphic and web design, 3D design, printmaking, bookmaking, and poster design, offering students the flexibility to shape their own artistic identity while building a versatile, future-ready portfolio.
Scholarships are available to all Visual Arts & Design students. Scholarships may be based on a student’s portfolio or even financial need.
A minor in Visual Arts & Design is also available. Some students in the marketing and business management areas enroll in this minor. The minor consists of a required 21 semester hours. The courses include:
- VAD 120 Design Fundamentals
- VAD 130 Drawing Fundamentals
- VAD 150 Graphic Design Fundamentals
- VAD 160 Photography Fundamentals
- VAD 260 Digital Applications
- VAD 320 Printmaking
- VAD 340 Traditional Illustration
As computer design software uses AI inherently, the concept and use of AI is not a new one to the digital design world. We have a computer lab, a photography studio, and a fine arts studio. All these creative spaces are open to our students for their use at any time.
What Can You Do With Your Degree in Visual Arts & Design?
The career opportunities in the visual arts may include any business entity that desires creative thinkers. Some general areas of opportunity are:
- Publishing (newspapers, magazines, books)
- Advertising & Marketing
- Web Design
- Software Developers
- Printing
- The Film Industry
- Television
- Sports Communication
- Photography (studios, architecture firms, magazines, newspapers, general publishing)
- Museums
- Galleries
- Military (photographers, illustrators, graphic designers)
- Medical (medical illustrators, photographers, art therapists)
- Event Promotions Photography
- Education
Program Courses
Get Started on Your Visual Arts Degree
Take the next step in your career by earning your Visual Arts & Design Degree from North Carolina’s University of Mount Olive.
