The B.F.A. in Communication Arts with a concentration in visual effects is designed for students seeking a specialization in the artistic, technical and narrative production of digital visual effects for live-action footage.
The communication arts courses for the concentration mirror those for the non-concentration B.F.A., with additional requirements focused on 2D and 3D software, digital filming, compositing, motion-capture and applicable post-production workflows. The approved cinema course will focus on the mechanics of screenwriting to serve as a foundation for interpreting narrative storytelling into a visual effects storyboard.
The 18 credits required in the concentration will combine art and technology to develop a broad understanding of digital visual effects. A students who intends to establish a professional career in post-production and visual effects will benefit from this concentration.
Student learning outcomes
Communication arts core outcomes
- Students will demonstrate proficiency in drawing, including the figure.
- Students will demonstrate conceptual and critical thinking.
- Students will articulate conceptual and visual ideas to communicate content.
- Students will demonstrate competence in the use of traditional media.
- Students will demonstrate competence in the use of digital media and emerging technologies.
- Students will demonstrate knowledge of the historical and current context of communication arts.
- Students will demonstrate ethical and professional practices.
Visual effects concentration-specific outcomes
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Students will be able to create digital 2D and 3D computer-generated imagery for real-time and pre-rendered contexts, demonstrating proficiency across the production pipeline from concept development to final output.
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Students will be able to apply principles of storytelling, visual design and cinematography to create expressive, coherent and believable CGI sequences.
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Students will be able to execute contemporary industry-standard workflows, including collaborative production pipelines and technical methods used in professional visual effect and video game/real-time graphics productions.
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Students will be able to resolve problems during production through analysis, iteration, group critique and refinement.
Special requirements
Successful completion of ARTF 131, ARTF 132, ARTF 133, ARTF 134 and a minimum GPA of 3.0 is required to major in communication arts with a concentration in visual effects. VFX studios are exclusively offered in sequence, beginning in the spring semester.
Degree requirements for Communication Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) with a concentration in visual effects
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General education | ||
| Select 30 credits of general education courses in consultation with an adviser. | 30 | |
| Major requirements | ||
| • Major core requirements | ||
| COAR 201 | Figure I: ____ | 3 |
| COAR 203 | 3D I: Digital 3D Sculpting | 3 |
| COAR 210 | Concept I: ____ | 3 |
| COAR 311 | Type and Presentation | 3 |
| COAR 321 | Illustration I: Sequential | 3 |
| COAR 352 | History of Visual Communications | 3 |
| COAR 450 | Business of Art: ____ | 3 |
| COAR 464 | Senior Project I: ____ | 3 |
| COAR 465 | Senior Project II | 3 |
| • Concentration requirements | ||
| COAR 309 | 3D II: ____ | 3 |
| COAR 310 | VFX I: Synthetic Photography | 3 |
| COAR 432 | 3D III: ___ | 3 |
| COAR 435 | 3D IV: ____ | 3 |
| COAR 436 | VFX II: Studio | 3 |
| COAR 437 | VFX III: Studio | 3 |
| • Major electives | ||
| Art history elective 1 | 3 | |
| COAR upper-division electives | 6 | |
| Ancillary requirements | ||
| Art Foundation Program | ||
| ARTF 131 | Drawing Studio: ____ | 3 |
| ARTF 132 | Surface Research: ____ | 3 |
| ARTF 133 | Space Research: ____ | 3 |
| ARTF 134 | Time Studio: ____ | 3 |
| ARTF 139 | Project Studio | 2 |
| or ARTF 138 | Project Seminar | |
| ARTH 103 & ARTH 104 | Survey of Art I and Survey of Art II | 6 |
| Additional requirements | ||
| Upper-division electives | 16 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Students may take COAR 355 or an ARTH course.
The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.
What follows is a sample plan that meets the prescribed requirements within a four-year course of study at VCU. Please contact your adviser before beginning course work toward a degree.
Recommended course sequence/plan of study
| Freshman year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall semester | Hours | |
| ARTF 131 | Drawing Studio: ____ | 3 |
| ARTF 132 | Surface Research: ____ | 3 |
| ARTF 139 or ARTF 138 | Project Studio or Project Seminar | 1 |
| ARTH 103 | Survey of Art I | 3 |
UNIV 111  Play course video for Introduction to Focused Inquiry: Investigation and Communication | Introduction to Focused Inquiry: Investigation and Communication (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) | 3 |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 16 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| ARTF 133 | Space Research: ____ | 3 |
| ARTF 134 | Time Studio: ____ | 3 |
| ARTF 139 or ARTF 138 | Project Studio or Project Seminar | 1 |
| ARTH 104 | Survey of Art II | 3 |
| UNIV 200 | Advanced Focused Inquiry: Literacies, Research and Communication (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) | 3 |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 16 | |
| Sophomore year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| COAR 201 | Figure I: ____ | 3 |
| COAR 203 | 3D I: Digital 3D Sculpting | 3 |
| COAR 210 | Concept I: ____ | 3 |
| COAR 352 | History of Visual Communications | 3 |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| COAR 309 | 3D II: ____ | 3 |
| COAR 310 | VFX I: Synthetic Photography | 3 |
| COAR 321 | Illustration I: Sequential | 3 |
| Art history elective | 3 | |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Junior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| COAR 311 | Type and Presentation | 3 |
| COAR 432 | 3D III: ___ | 3 |
| COAR 436 | VFX II: Studio | 3 |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Upper-division elective | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| COAR 435 | 3D IV: ____ | 3 |
| COAR 437 | VFX III: Studio | 3 |
| COAR 450 | Business of Art: ____ | 3 |
| COAR upper-division elective | 3 | |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Senior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| COAR 464 | Senior Project I: ____ | 3 |
| COAR upper-division elective | 3 | |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Upper-division elective | 6 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| COAR 465 | Senior Project II | 3 |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Upper-division elective | 7 | |
| Term Hours: | 13 | |
| Total Hours: | 120 | |
The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.