COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Communication Design is a highly regarded and competitive program recognized as one of the largest public design programs in the United States and one of the strongest in the Southwest. It prepares students not only as visual designers but also as creative problem-solvers, strategic thinkers, and innovators who can address real-world challenges across industries. The program emphasizes a broad range of applications, including branding, trademark and logo design, web and app design, packaging, advertising campaigns, social media content creation, and digital product design. Students also contribute to socially impactful projects such as public awareness campaigns on health and community issues, demonstrating how design can influence society beyond commercial purposes. Through a strong combination of conceptual learning and technical skill development, students are trained to think critically, communicate visually, and develop meaningful design solutions for businesses, organizations, and communities. The program’s reputation is reinforced by consistent student success in prestigious national, regional, and local competitions, including The One Show, American Advertising Federation Awards, AIGA Flux, The National Show, Creative Summit, and multiple Addy Awards in cities such as Houston, Austin, and San Antonio. In addition, student work has been published in respected design journals like Communication Arts, CMYK, Step Inside Design, Graphis New Talent Annual, LogoLounge, and PRINT, highlighting the professional-level quality of student output. Overall, the B.F.A. in Communication Design equips students with both artistic creativity and industry-ready skills, preparing them for careers in advertising, branding, digital media, UX/UI design, publishing, and other creative industries. Graduates leave the program with a strong portfolio and the ability to adapt to the rapidly evolving design field, making them highly competitive in both national and international job markets.