Visual Communications Studies

Students taking mainstream courses in the College of Art and Design benefit from an impressive array of support services. The CAD Support Team provides:

Tutoring

Every effort is made to match faculty expertise with student major so in the best possible situation their tutor can be the same person as their academic advisor (our faculty members' areas of expertise are listed below).

Assisting Prospective Students

The CAD Support Team helps prospective students apply to baccalaureate programs by explaining requirements, reviewing and giving feedback on portfolios, helping with paperwork, and describing the mainstreamed experience. They also facilitate with Access Services.

With plenty of feedback from faculty and fellow classmates, everyone in the art studio learns from each other. Here you can develop your skills with traditional media like markers, paints and pencils.

The department has a new multi-purpose photo and video studio equipped with numerous digital cameras, studio lighting and backdrops, panoramic and small set image capture capabilities.

The department has six state-of-the-art labs to support design, desktop publishing, scanning, imaging, multimedia and Web productions. These also serve as open labs that you can access during evening and weekend hours to support your skill development.

You’ll get hands-on learning using a direct-imaging computer-to-plate, full-color offset press, an assortment of small-format binding and finishing systems, and wide-format inkjet printers with laminating/mounting/cutting systems.

Photo and Video Equipment

• The Visual Communications Studies department own a variety of photo and video equipment which VCS students may borrow to complete course projects and assignments.
• VCS faculty are expected to demonstrate proper use of photo and/or video equipment before students will be allowed to borrow the equipment.
• The cage room is managed by Jim DeMarco, VCS Facilities Coordinator.

Available Photo & Video Equipment

• Digital Cameras and Lenses
• Digital Video Cameras
• Tripods
• VR Panorama kits

Some equipment can be borrowed only with special permission from the VCS chairperson or faculty.

Procedure to Borrow Equipment

• An equipment loan agreement slip must be completed by borrower and verified by staff.
• All equipment will be inspected by VCS staff at the time of the loan.
• All equipment will be loaned for a specific time period which will be written on the loan agreement slip. Time limits will vary depending on the type of equipment and the needs for different courses.
• Any damage or loss must be reported immediately.
• All equipment will be inspected by VCS staff when returned.

Renewal of Loan

• Equipment may be renewed if it is not needed by other students for their assignments and projects. Any student who wishes to renew an equipment loan must return the equipment to the cage and have it inspected and approved for renewal.
• A new loan agreement slip will be required.Renewals must be made in person; no renewals will be made based on email or phone messages.

Late Return Policy

• Equipment that is returned late cannot be renewed. A student returns equipment late may lose equipment loan privileges for a specified period of time to be determined by the department chairperson.

Damage and Loss Policy

• A student who damages or loses equipment may lose loan privileges for a specified period of time to be determined by the department chairperson.