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B-SC in Visual Communication at Guru Nanak College (Autonomous)
Chennai, Tamil Nadu
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About the Specialization
What is Visual Communication at Guru Nanak College (Autonomous) Chennai?
This Visual Communication program at Guru Nanak College, Chennai, focuses on equipping students with essential skills in graphic design, photography, filmmaking, and digital media. It is tailored to meet the evolving demands of the Indian creative industry, fostering innovation and technical proficiency. The curriculum blends theoretical knowledge with hands-on practical experience, covering diverse aspects of visual storytelling and media production.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for creative fresh graduates seeking entry into the vibrant Indian media and entertainment sector, aspiring graphic designers, photographers, filmmakers, and animators. It also suits individuals with a passion for visual arts and a desire to contribute to digital content creation, advertising, or journalism, requiring basic artistic aptitude and an interest in technology.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect to pursue dynamic career paths in India such as graphic designers, video editors, photographers, content creators, and media planners. Entry-level salaries typically range from INR 2.5 LPA to 4.5 LPA, with experienced professionals earning significantly more. The program aligns with industry needs, opening doors to roles in advertising agencies, production houses, and digital marketing firms across India.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Master Core Design Software- (Semester 1-2)
Dedicate time to extensively practice CorelDraw, Photoshop, and basic MS Office applications. These are fundamental tools for any visual communication professional. Seek out online tutorials and complete personal projects to build proficiency beyond classroom assignments.
Tools & Resources
Adobe Photoshop, CorelDraw, Microsoft Office Suite, YouTube tutorials, LinkedIn Learning
Career Connection
Strong software skills are non-negotiable for entry-level design and media roles, significantly improving portfolio quality and job prospects in Indian creative agencies.
Build a Foundational Visual Portfolio- (Semester 1-2)
Start compiling all your drawing, sketching, photography, and initial digital design projects into a structured digital portfolio. Document your creative process and articulate your design choices. This early habit will streamline portfolio development later.
Tools & Resources
Behance, Dribbble (for inspiration), Google Drive/Dropbox for storage, Personal website platforms
Career Connection
An early-stage portfolio demonstrates initiative and practical application, crucial for internships and entry-level positions in the competitive Indian design market.
Engage Actively in Visual Storytelling- (Semester 1-2)
Beyond academics, participate in college photography clubs, short film groups, or design competitions. Experiment with different visual mediums to tell stories, developing a keen eye for composition, lighting, and narrative structures.
Tools & Resources
College clubs, Local photography/film groups, Online visual prompts, Instagram for sharing work
Career Connection
Developing storytelling abilities through practical projects is highly valued in advertising, journalism, and content creation roles, making you a more versatile candidate.
Intermediate Stage
Specialize in a Niche Skillset- (Semester 3-5)
Identify a specific area like graphic design, photography, or web design, and deepen your skills. Take advanced online courses, complete certification programs, and work on complex projects to gain expertise. This specialization adds significant value.
Tools & Resources
Coursera, Udemy, NPTEL, Adobe Creative Cloud, Specialized design forums
Career Connection
Specialized skills make you highly desirable for targeted roles within the Indian creative industry, potentially leading to higher-paying positions in specific domains.
Seek Industry Internships- (Semester 3-5)
Actively apply for internships at advertising agencies, media houses, production studios, or digital marketing firms in Chennai or other major Indian cities. Practical exposure to industry workflows and networking with professionals is invaluable.
Tools & Resources
LinkedIn, Internshala, Naukri.com, College placement cell, Professional networking events
Career Connection
Internships are often direct pathways to full-time employment in India and provide critical real-world experience, enhancing your resume significantly.
Build a Strong Professional Network- (Semester 3-5)
Attend industry workshops, seminars, and guest lectures. Connect with faculty, alumni, and industry professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. Participate in professional body events to expand your contacts and gain insights into career opportunities.
Tools & Resources
LinkedIn, Industry events and conferences (e.g., FICCI Frames, Kyoorius Designyatra), Alumni groups
Career Connection
Networking opens doors to hidden job opportunities, mentorship, and collaborative projects, accelerating your career growth in the Indian media landscape.
Advanced Stage
Develop a Professional Portfolio Website- (Semester 6)
Curate your best works, including internship projects, major assignments, and personal creations, into a professional online portfolio. Ensure it is visually appealing, easy to navigate, and showcases your specialized skills and versatility effectively.
Tools & Resources
Behance, Adobe Portfolio, Wix/Squarespace for custom websites, GitHub for web projects
Career Connection
A polished online portfolio is your primary tool for securing job interviews and demonstrating your capabilities to potential employers in India, especially for creative roles.
Master Interview and Presentation Skills- (Semester 6)
Practice mock interviews, work on your communication, and refine your presentation skills. Be prepared to articulate your project experiences, design process, and career aspirations clearly and confidently during placement drives and interviews.
Tools & Resources
College career services, Mock interview sessions, Public speaking clubs, Presentation software practice
Career Connection
Strong interview and presentation skills are critical for converting internship offers into full-time roles and excelling in campus placements at leading Indian companies.
Explore Entrepreneurial Avenues- (Semester 6)
Consider developing a capstone project into a viable startup idea or freelancing service. Research market gaps in India for visual communication solutions and explore business fundamentals. This builds an entrepreneurial mindset.
Tools & Resources
Startup incubators (e.g., NASSCOM 10,000 Startups), Freelancing platforms (e.g., Upwork, Fiverr India), Business plan templates
Career Connection
Entrepreneurial skills provide alternative career paths, allowing you to create your own opportunities and potentially employ others, contributing to India''''s growing startup ecosystem.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- Candidates seeking admission to the first year B.Sc. Degree Course in Visual Communication shall be required to have passed the Higher Secondary Examination conducted by the Government of Tamil Nadu or an Examination accepted as equivalent by the Syndicate of University of Madras.
Duration: 3 years / 6 semesters
Credits: 140 (as per official program summary table) Credits
Assessment: Internal: 25%, External: 75%
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TAMN11 | Language I - Tamil | Language (Part I) | 3 | Modern Tamil Literature, Ancient Tamil Literature, Grammar and Composition, Short Story and Poetry Analysis, History of Tamil Language |
| ENNG11 | English I | English (Part II) | 3 | Prose and Poetry Reading, Functional Grammar, Developing Communication Skills, Paragraph Writing, Vocabulary Building |
| UVIC31 | Introduction to Visual Communication | Core | 4 | Concept of Communication, Elements of Visual Communication, Visual Perception Theories, Semiotics: Signs and Symbols, Functions of Visual Media |
| UVIC32 | History of Art | Core | 4 | Pre-historic and Ancient Art, Medieval and Renaissance Art, Indian Art Forms, Modern Art Movements, Art Criticism and Aesthetics |
| UVICA1 | Computer Fundamentals and MS-Office | Allied (Practical) | 4 | Computer Hardware Components, Operating System Basics, MS Word for Document Creation, MS Excel for Data Management, MS PowerPoint for Presentations |
| UVICA2 | Introduction to Drawing and Sketching | Allied (Practical) | 4 | Basic Drawing Techniques, Line, Form and Texture, Shading and Tonal Values, Perspective Drawing, Still Life and Figure Sketching |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TAMN21 | Language II - Tamil | Language (Part I) | 3 | Classical Tamil Texts, Literary Criticism, Advanced Grammar and Usage, Translation Skills, Cultural Communication |
| ENNG21 | English II | English (Part II) | 3 | Literary Forms and Genres, Creative Writing, Business Communication, Report and Essay Writing, Public Speaking Skills |
| UVIC33 | Elements of Photography | Core | 4 | Camera Types and Functions, Exposure Control (ISO, Aperture, Shutter Speed), Composition Techniques, Lighting Principles, Digital Photography Workflow |
| UVIC34 | Printing and Publishing | Core | 4 | History of Printing, Printing Processes (Offset, Digital, Screen), Pre-press and Post-press Operations, Typography and Layout, Paper and Inks |
| UVICA3 | CorelDraw & Photoshop | Allied (Practical) | 4 | Vector Graphics using CorelDraw, Image Editing and Manipulation with Photoshop, Layers, Masks, and Filters, Retouching and Color Correction, Creating Digital Artworks |
| UVICA4 | Principles of Advertising | Allied | 4 | History and Evolution of Advertising, Types of Advertising, Advertising Agencies, Consumer Behavior, Media Planning and Strategy |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UVIC35 | Graphic Design | Core | 4 | Design Elements and Principles, Typography and Layout, Color Theory and Application, Branding and Identity Design, Packaging and Editorial Design |
| UVIC36 | Journalism and Mass Communication | Core | 4 | History of Journalism, News Reporting and Editing, Media Ethics and Social Responsibility, Mass Communication Theories, Public Relations Fundamentals |
| UVICN1 | Non-Major Elective I: Basics of Advertising / Animation | Non-Major Elective | 2 | Introduction to Advertising Concepts, Types of Advertisements, Fundamentals of Animation, 2D Animation Techniques, Principles of Motion |
| UVICS1 | Skill-based Elective I: Desk Top Publishing | Skill-based Elective (Practical) | 2 | Page Layout Software (e.g., InDesign), Designing Brochures and Flyers, Creating Newsletters and Magazines, Typography and Grids, Pre-press Preparation for Print |
| UVIC37 | Audio Production | Core (Practical) | 4 | Physics of Sound, Microphones and Recording Techniques, Digital Audio Workstations (DAW), Audio Editing and Mixing, Sound for Visual Media |
| UVICA5 | Web Design | Allied (Practical) | 4 | HTML for Structuring Web Content, CSS for Styling Web Pages, Introduction to JavaScript, Responsive Web Design, UI/UX Principles for Web |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UVIC38 | Media Laws and Ethics | Core | 4 | Indian Constitution and Media, Freedom of Press, Copyright and Intellectual Property, Defamation and Libel, Ethical Dilemmas in Media |
| UVIC39 | Television Production | Core | 4 | TV Production Process, Camera Operations and Techniques, Lighting for Television, Scriptwriting for TV, Post-production and Broadcast |
| UVICN2 | Non-Major Elective II: Video Production / Multimedia | Non-Major Elective | 2 | Video Pre-production and Planning, Basic Videography Techniques, Elements of Multimedia, Interactive Multimedia Development, Multimedia Authoring Tools |
| UVICS2 | Skill-based Elective II: Graphic Designing | Skill-based Elective (Practical) | 2 | Advanced Graphic Software (e.g., Illustrator), Logo and Icon Design, Digital Illustration, Creating Infographics, Building a Design Portfolio |
| UVICA6 | Film Studies | Allied | 4 | History of World Cinema, Film Theory and Criticism, Film Genres and Movements, Elements of Film Language (Mise-en-scène, Cinematography), Indian Cinema Evolution |
| UVIC40 | Communication Theories | Core | 4 | Models of Communication, Interpersonal Communication, Group and Organizational Communication, Mass Communication Theories, Cross-cultural Communication |
Semester 5
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UVIC41 | Film Production | Core | 4 | Screenwriting and Storyboarding, Directing Techniques, Cinematography and Lighting, Sound Design for Film, Film Editing and Post-Production |
| UVIC42 | Web Programming and Interactivity | Core | 4 | Advanced JavaScript and DOM Manipulation, Introduction to Web Frameworks, Database Integration for Web, User Experience (UX) Design, Client-side and Server-side Scripting |
| UVICDE1 | Department Elective I: Photography / Animation / Event Management | Elective | 4 | Advanced Photographic Techniques, Digital Animation Production, Event Planning and Execution, Specialized Software Applications, Portfolio Development |
| UVICDE2 | Department Elective II: Advertising / Public Relations / Media Research | Elective | 4 | Integrated Marketing Communications, Public Relations Strategies, Media Research Methodologies, Campaign Planning and Evaluation, Crisis Communication |
| UVICA7 | Advertising and Public Relations | Allied | 4 | Advertising Campaign Development, Public Relations Tools and Tactics, Corporate Communication, Brand Building Strategies, Ethical Considerations in PR and Advertising |
| UVIV01 | Value Education | Part IV Compulsory | 2 | Human Values and Ethics, Moral and Spiritual Development, Social Harmony and Responsibility, National Integration, Interpersonal Values |
Semester 6
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UVIC43 | Digital Post Production | Core (Practical) | 4 | Video Editing Software Proficiency, Color Grading and Correction, Motion Graphics and Animation, Visual Effects (VFX) Basics, Audio Post-production and Mastering |
| UVIC44 | Media Management | Core | 4 | Media Business Models, Marketing and Promotion in Media, Media Finance and Budgeting, Human Resource Management in Media, Entrepreneurship in Visual Communication |
| UVICDE3 | Department Elective III: Print Production / Electronic Media Production / Web Production | Elective | 4 | Advanced Print Production Workflows, Broadcast Media Production, Web Content Management Systems, Interactive Media Development, Quality Control in Media Production |
| UVICPR | Project Work | Project | 5 | Research Design and Methodology, Proposal Writing, Project Execution and Data Collection, Report Writing and Documentation, Viva Voce and Presentation |
| UVIEN01 | Environmental Studies | Part IV Compulsory | 2 | Ecosystems and Biodiversity, Environmental Pollution and Control, Natural Resources Management, Climate Change and Global Warming, Sustainable Development Goals |
