Overview

Program Learning Outcomes

The Visual Communication Design department at School of the Art Institute of Chicago encourages students to actively engage their world and define their role as contributing designers by developing their critical and analytical skills, personal voice, and visual language. The department cultivates a sense of social responsibility and inquiry in student designers who will be working at the intersection of art, design, and mass culture.

A large faculty of recognized practicing designers, writers, and theorists teach a broad offering of courses in design principles, issues, theory, methodologies, processes, technology, and practice. Students develop their role as designers, authors, critics, and citizens, expanding their conceptual, critical, and organizational abilities in the process. Our extensive technical, advising, and administrative staff further the creation and assessment of each student’s unique body of work.
Our students are consistently represented in national design competitions and publications, while our alumni are designing, exhibiting, and teaching at leading studios and institutions across the country and beyond.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Books/bookbinding

Coding/programming/scripting

Data visualization/diagrams/maps

Design issues

Film titles

Fonts

Identity systems

Illustrations

Image text narrative

Installations/way finding signage

Interface design

Letterpress printing

Methodologies

Museum exhibitions/kiosks

Packages/package graphics

Posters

Print production and offset printing

Digital/screen-based production

Publications/magazines

Strategy

Symbols/web icons

Theory

Typography

Websites/design for mobile phone and tablets

Video

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-08-27 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-06-15 00:00:00
Starting 2027-01-22 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-01-15 00:00:00

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

110

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

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4.9/5 student rating

Credits

120 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Chicago, United States

Disciplines

Design Visual Arts Digital Media View 856 other Bachelors in Design in United States

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

110

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Show us 10–15 of your best and most recent works.

Use your portfolio to showcase your interests, skills, and creative potential.

You may show us work created across media or focus entirely in one medium.

Work can range from observational to abstract.

We have no media-specific limitations nor do we present portfolio assignments.
Transcripts
Test Scores
Letter of Recommendation
Pre-College Credit Information

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

57240 USD / year

≈ 57240 USD / year
Out-of-State

57240 USD / year

≈ 57240 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

57240 USD / year

≈ 57240 USD / year

Living costs

Chicago

United States

1297 - 2491 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

About

Overview

Program Learning Outcomes

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Chicago

Funding

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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