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.
Programs
Our alumni are character and creature designers, concept artists, illustrators for print and web publishing, graphic novelists and scientific illustrators.
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.
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communication Arts, concentration in scientific illustration
Develop the artistic skills and visual communication strategies necessary to effectively present complex and detailed scientific information.
Bachelor of Fine Arts with a 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 scientific illustration
For students majoring in biology or environmental sciences with an interest in illustration.
Minor in visual effects
For students seeking a specialization in the artistic, technical and narrative production of digital visual effects for live action footage.
Featured Student Work
Project: Ink-wash Self Portrait
Course: Fall 2020, Figure Observed
Medium: Ink, gel pen
Project: Retrograde
Course: Fall 2020, 3D Studio
Medium: Blender
Project: 3D render replicating a film photograph
Course: Fall 2020, 3D Studio
Medium: Maya
Project: Bobcat skull
Project: Kiwano Spread
Project: Laternfly
Course: Spring 2020, Scientific Illustration
Medium: Watercolor on paper
Project: Fruit Dispute
Course: Spring 2020, Digital Drawing
Medium: Adobe Photoshop
Project: Fish
Student Experience
Meet our faculty, learn about career and internship opportunities, and get the information you need about requirements and policies.
Meet our Faculty
Students in Communication Arts learn and work alongside professionals in the field.
Study Abroad
Learn more about the opportunity to study abroad in Florence, Italy.
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
Communication Arts News
View all
Exhibitions and Showcases
The Department of Communication Arts hosts annual opportunities for students to showcase their work.
Exhibitions at The Anderson
Annual student exhibition.
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
Franklin Terrace
812 West Franklin Street, Suite 201
Richmond, Virginia 23284-4508
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 842508
Richmond, Virginia 23284-4508