The medium is the message

HAVE YOUR SAY VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS MAJORS HAVE TO BE ADEPT AT THE ART OF CREATING MESSAGES BY MIXING ART, ADVERTISING AND COMMUNICATION PRINCIPALS

Visual communication is the transmission of information to key audiences via visual media, including pictures and other forms of visual art, television broadcasts, billboards, videos/films, animation, live performances, website design, slideshow presentations, online advertisements, uploaded videos and even designs created using software such as illustrator or dreamweaver, and more. Multimedia and visual communication majors specialise in using multiple media platforms including print, radio, video, social media, and other advertising mediums to tell stories. "By mixing art, advertising, and communication principals, multimedia and visual communication majors have to understand how to convey a message and the technical skills involved in designing media campaigns," says Dr Vijaymohan, principal, College of Art, Delhi University. Multimedia and visual communication can be studied through certificate, associate, bachelor's, master's, and PhD programmes. On the certificate and associate degree level, you will get an introduction to design basics, image editing, and multimedia publishing. Majority of courses focus on foundational art and graphic design classes. "Some schools focus their multimedia and visual communication degrees around digital imaging and desktop publishing courses while others focus more on traditional studio art classes and design classes. Review your school's curriculum carefully before handing over a tuition cheque," says Latika Gaur a multimedia practitioner. At the bachelor's level, you'll have to complete two years of foundational liberal art courses followed by two years of in-major work that will include introductory studio art courses and classes in graphic design, digital video, design, media history, and advertising. Master's degrees offer a general set of visual communication classes while others focus on just one area such as ad design, product packaging, or digital media. PhD programmes emphasise historical and sociological aspects of visual communication and theories and methods.