Department of Communication Arts

Narrative Illustration and Entertainment Design

student presenting work at senior show

About the Department

Students in Communication Arts explore the powerful and timeless relationship between art and narrative through drawing. A major in Communication Arts will help to broaden your artistic skills and conceptual understandings while giving you the opportunity to explore and expand your interests in observational drawing, digital image making, concept design, comics and graphic novels, storyboarding and mixed-media illustration.

VCUarts | Communication Arts

Your gift to the VCUarts Department of Communication Arts helps provide scholarships for our talented students, promote faculty research and host world-class artists.

Department Faculty

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Programs

Our alumni are character and creature designers, concept artists, illustrators for print and web publishing, graphic novelists and scientific illustrators.

Communication Arts student

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communication Arts

Broaden your artistic skills and conceptual understandings in courses that include figure drawing, digital 3D studio, visual studies and design, typography, and the history of visual communication.

 

 

students observing a visual effects demonstration

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communication Arts, concentration in visual effects

Develop the technical and artistic skills to create digital visual effects for live action footage with courses in 3D software, digital filming, compositing and motion-capture.

Minor in visual effects

For students seeking a specialization in the artistic, technical and narrative production of digital visual effects for live action footage.

Student Experience

Meet our faculty, learn about career and internship opportunities, and get the information you need about requirements and policies.

communication arts faculty member showing students illustrations

Meet our Faculty

Students in Communication Arts learn and work alongside professionals in the field.

Florence, Italy

Study Abroad

Learn more about the opportunity to study abroad in Florence, Italy.

Comm Arts

Internships and Careers

The Communication Arts program helps develop creative, flexible and multidisciplinary artists who enjoy greater career possibilities in an increasingly competitive global job market.

The department provides support for students seeking internships and career experiences in the field.

Career opportunities include:

  • Art Director
  • Children’s Book Illustrator
  • Comic Artist/Graphic Novelist
  • Digital Animator
  • Editorial Illustrator
  • Game Designer
  • Graphic Designer
  • Scientific Illustrator
  • Storyboard Artist

Resources for Students

Exhibitions and Showcases

The Department of Communication Arts hosts annual opportunities for students to showcase their work.

several students chatting in The Anderson's gallery

Exhibitions at The Anderson

Annual student exhibition.

Communication Arts event

Senior Expo

The Comm Arts Senior Expo is the annual year-end tabling event for the graduating class. Seniors build booths to promote their art, sell prints + merch, and connect with the VCU community.

 

Contact Us

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