Art History; Studio Art; and Visual Communication & Graphic Design

The School of Visual Arts offers degrees in three programs: art history, studio art, and visual communication design.

Art history develops the student's ability to place a work of art in its historical, cultural, social, and political contexts by giving equal weight to the development of both analytical and visual skills. While an undergraduate concentration in art history may lead directly to graduate studies and to a career in teaching and scholarly research, there are also many opportunities in museums, galleries, auction houses, and publishing companies. There is no entry portfolio requirement for art history.

Studio arts majors can choose a concentration from disciplines including creative technologies, digital art, painting, drawing, ceramics, animation, and sculpture. The built-in flexibility of the studio curriculum encourages students to explore and develop their talents and interests. While specialization in the traditional sense is open to all majors, the school also encourages innovative approaches by exploring areas in which different media and disciplines overlap or intersect. The bachelor of fine arts in studio arts is specially addressed to students who aim to continue their education as artists at the graduate level. A required entry portfolio review determines acceptance into studio arts.

Visual communication and graphic design offers concentrations in creative technologies, visual communication design, graphic design, 3D animation, and modeling. Students in this program develop conceptual abilities, problem solving skills, and technical know-how required by fast-paced, competitive fields. These concentrations demand individual creativity, teamwork skills, and adaptability to changing markets and technologies. Graduates are prepared for the job market with practical experience and a full, professionally reviewed portfolio and may find themselves working in print design, product and packaging design, multimedia web page design, gaming, film, or advertising design. Visual communication design is a restricted option requiring a special application, portfolio review, and completion of specific art prerequisites.

• Check out Art History; Studio Art; and Visual Communication & Graphic Design ’s website for more information: http://www.art.vt.edu

College of Architecture & Urban Studies

Art History; Studio Art; and Visual Communication & Graphic Design is a part of the College of Architecture & Urban Studies. Majors in this college may share high school preparation requirements as well as common coursework at Virginia Tech.

• More information about the College of Architecture & Urban Studies