.png&w=1920&q=75)
B-A in Visual Communication at SRM Institute of Science and Technology
Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu
.png&w=1920&q=75)
About the Specialization
What is Visual Communication at SRM Institute of Science and Technology Chengalpattu?
This Visual Communication program at SRM Institute of Science and Technology focuses on equipping students with artistic and technical skills essential for the dynamic media industry. It integrates design principles, photography, videography, advertising, and digital media, preparing graduates for diverse roles in India''''s booming creative sector. The curriculum emphasizes both theoretical knowledge and hands-on practical experience.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for creative fresh graduates seeking entry into visual communication, advertising, and film industries. It caters to aspiring graphic designers, photographers, filmmakers, and digital content creators. Individuals passionate about visual storytelling and keen to leverage digital tools for communication will find this program rewarding, requiring a basic understanding of art and media.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect diverse India-specific career paths as graphic designers, photographers, videographers, advertising executives, or social media specialists. Entry-level salaries range from INR 2.5 LPA to 4.5 LPA, growing significantly with experience. Opportunities exist in media houses, advertising agencies, film production, and e-commerce, with potential for advanced certifications in specific design software.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Master Design Fundamentals and Software- (Semester 1-2)
Dedicate time to thoroughly understand the core principles of design (elements, principles, color theory) and gain proficiency in basic design software like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. Practice daily on small projects and tutorials to build a strong foundational skill set.
Tools & Resources
Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator), Online tutorials (YouTube, Udemy), College design labs
Career Connection
A strong foundation in design and software proficiency is critical for all visual communication roles, enabling you to execute creative ideas efficiently and stand out in entry-level design positions.
Build a Diverse Portfolio Early- (Semester 1-2)
Start building a portfolio from day one. Document all your class projects, assignments, and personal creative work, even if they are simple. Focus on variety, showcasing your skills in photography, drawing, basic graphic design, and any creative endeavors.
Tools & Resources
Behance, Dribbble, Personal blog/website, Digital camera/smartphone
Career Connection
An early and diverse portfolio is your primary tool for internships and job applications, demonstrating your practical abilities and creative potential to prospective employers.
Engage in Peer Learning and Feedback- (Semester 1-2)
Form study groups and actively seek feedback from peers and faculty on your creative work. Constructive criticism is invaluable for growth. Participate in internal college competitions or design challenges to apply skills and learn from others'''' approaches.
Tools & Resources
College art/media clubs, Peer review sessions, Online design communities
Career Connection
Developing critical self-assessment and the ability to incorporate feedback are crucial professional skills, improving your design output and collaborative abilities for future team roles.
Intermediate Stage
Explore Specialization and Niche Skills- (Semester 3-5)
During intermediate semesters, identify areas of visual communication that interest you most (e.g., advertising, filmmaking, UI/UX). Take relevant electives and deep-dive into specific software and techniques for your chosen niche. Attend workshops and masterclasses.
Tools & Resources
Advanced Adobe tools (Premiere Pro, InDesign), Figma/Sketch for UI/UX, Specialized photography/videography gear
Career Connection
Specializing helps you become an expert in a specific domain, making you more marketable for targeted roles in advertising agencies, film production houses, or digital marketing firms.
Undertake Live Projects and Internships- (Semester 3-5)
Actively seek opportunities for short-term internships, freelance projects, or live client work, even if unpaid. This provides invaluable real-world experience, helps build a professional network, and strengthens your portfolio with commercial projects.
Tools & Resources
College placement cell, Freelance platforms (e.g., Upwork, Fiverr), Industry contacts
Career Connection
Practical industry exposure is highly valued by employers, often leading to pre-placement offers or significant advantage during job interviews, showcasing your ability to deliver under professional constraints.
Participate in National Level Competitions- (Semester 3-5)
Engage in national-level design, photography, or filmmaking competitions like those by Spikes Asia or film festivals. This tests your skills against a wider talent pool, provides recognition, and offers networking opportunities with industry leaders.
Tools & Resources
National/International design contests, Film festivals (e.g., Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival)
Career Connection
Winning or even participating in prestigious competitions enhances your resume, boosts confidence, and demonstrates your competitive edge and creative excellence to potential employers across India.
Advanced Stage
Develop a Signature Style and Portfolio Refinement- (Semester 6)
Cultivate a unique visual style that reflects your individuality and artistic vision. Critically review and refine your portfolio, showcasing only your best and most relevant work for your desired career path. Ensure high-quality presentation.
Tools & Resources
Professional portfolio platforms, Mentorship from faculty/industry experts
Career Connection
A distinctive style and a meticulously curated portfolio are essential for securing premium placements and freelance opportunities, distinguishing you from other candidates in a competitive market.
Network Actively and Attend Industry Events- (Semester 6)
Regularly attend industry seminars, workshops, and exhibitions in major cities like Chennai, Bangalore, or Mumbai. Network with professionals, recruiters, and alumni. Utilize platforms like LinkedIn for building professional connections.
Tools & Resources
LinkedIn, Industry conferences (e.g., Kyoorius Designyatra), Alumni network
Career Connection
Networking is crucial for uncovering hidden job opportunities, gaining insights into industry trends, and establishing relationships that can lead to referrals and collaborations, essential for career progression.
Master Interview and Presentation Skills- (Semester 6)
Practice mock interviews, especially focusing on presenting your portfolio and articulating your creative process effectively. Develop strong verbal and visual communication skills, essential for convincing potential employers of your capabilities and vision.
Tools & Resources
Career services department, Mock interview sessions, Presentation tools
Career Connection
Polished interview and presentation skills are paramount for converting opportunities into successful placements, ensuring you can articulate your value and creative contributions confidently to Indian and international firms.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- Pass in 10+2 / HSC / Equivalent Examination with a minimum aggregate of 50%
Duration: 3 years (6 semesters)
Credits: 140 Credits
Assessment: Internal: 50%, External: 50%
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21HUC101T | English I | Ability Enhancement Compulsory Course (AECC) | 4 | Communication Skills, Grammar and Usage, Reading Comprehension, Writing Paragraphs and Essays, Vocabulary Building |
| 21VUC101T | Introduction to Visual Communication | Core Course (CC) | 4 | History of Visual Communication, Elements of Design, Principles of Design, Visual Language and Semiotics, Role of Visuals in Society |
| 21VUC102T | Photography I | Core Course (CC) | 4 | Camera Anatomy and Function, Exposure Triangle (Aperture, Shutter Speed, ISO), Composition Techniques, Basic Lighting Principles, Digital Photography Workflow |
| 21VUC103P | Visual Communication Lab I | Core Course (CC) | 2 | Basic Design Software Tools (e.g., Photoshop, CorelDraw), Layout Design Fundamentals, Typography and Letterforms, Image Editing and Manipulation, Color Theory Application |
| 21TNC101T | Tamil I | Ability Enhancement Compulsory Course (AECC) | 2 | Modern Tamil Literature, Grammar and Syntax, Prose and Poetry Analysis, Basic Communication in Tamil, Cultural Aspects of Language |
| 21GES101T | Environmental Science | Ability Enhancement Compulsory Course (AECC) | 2 | Ecosystems and Biodiversity, Environmental Pollution and Control, Natural Resources and Conservation, Climate Change and Global Warming, Sustainable Development |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21HUC201T | English II | Ability Enhancement Compulsory Course (AECC) | 4 | Advanced Reading Skills, Critical Thinking and Analysis, Report Writing and Documentation, Presentation Skills, Group Discussion Techniques |
| 21VUC201T | History of Art | Core Course (CC) | 4 | Prehistoric and Ancient Art, Medieval and Renaissance Art, Modern Art Movements, Indian Art Forms and History, Contemporary Art Trends |
| 21VUC202T | Drawing and Sketching | Core Course (CC) | 4 | Basic Drawing Techniques, Perspective Drawing, Anatomy and Figure Drawing, Still Life and Landscape Sketching, Shading and Texturing |
| 21VUC203P | Photography Lab II | Core Course (CC) | 2 | Advanced Camera Operations, Studio Lighting Setups, Portrait and Product Photography, Landscape and Street Photography, Photo Editing and Retouching |
| 21VSC201T | Constitution of India / Value Education | Ability Enhancement Compulsory Course (AECC) | 2 | Preamble and Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles of State Policy, Union and State Government Structure, Constitutional Amendments, Citizenship and Duties |
| 21VUC204T | Desktop Publishing | Core Course (CC) | 4 | DTP Software (e.g., Adobe InDesign), Page Layout and Grid Systems, Typography for Print Media, Pre-press and Printing Techniques, Book and Magazine Design |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21VUC301T | Advertising | Core Course (CC) | 4 | Principles of Advertising, Advertising Campaign Planning, Media Planning and Strategy, Creative Advertising Concepts, Consumer Behavior in Advertising |
| 21VUC302T | Computer Graphics | Core Course (CC) | 4 | Vector Graphics Fundamentals, Raster Graphics Concepts, Graphic Design Software (e.g., Adobe Illustrator), Logo Design and Brand Identity, Digital Illustration Techniques |
| 21VUC303P | Computer Graphics Lab | Core Course (CC) | 2 | Hands-on Vector Illustration, Creating Infographics and Icons, Developing Brand Collateral, Digital Painting and Texturing, Layout for Digital Media |
| 21VUC304T | Print Media | Core Course (CC) | 4 | History and Evolution of Print Media, Newspaper and Magazine Design, Brochure and Pamphlet Creation, Editorial Design Principles, Print Production Workflow |
| 21VUE301L | Discipline Specific Elective I (e.g., Media Ethics) | Discipline Specific Elective (DSE) | 4 | Ethical Theories in Media, Media Responsibility and Accountability, Censorship and Freedom of Expression, Privacy and Confidentiality, Social Impact of Media |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21VUC401T | Public Relations | Core Course (CC) | 4 | Principles of Public Relations, Media Relations and Outreach, Crisis Communication Strategies, Corporate Social Responsibility, Event Management in PR |
| 21VUC402T | Script Writing for Media | Core Course (CC) | 4 | Fundamentals of Storytelling, Character Development, Dialogue Writing, Screenplay Format, Writing for Various Media (Film, TV, Ads) |
| 21VUC403P | Script Writing Lab | Core Course (CC) | 2 | Developing Short Film Scripts, Writing Ad Commercials, Documentary Scripting, Storyboarding Techniques, Pitching Ideas |
| 21VUC404T | Digital Photography | Core Course (CC) | 4 | Advanced Digital Camera Features, RAW Image Processing, Photo Manipulation and Retouching, HDR and Panorama Photography, Developing a Photography Portfolio |
| 21VUE401L | Discipline Specific Elective II (e.g., Web Design Principles) | Discipline Specific Elective (DSE) | 4 | User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) Basics, HTML and CSS Fundamentals, Responsive Web Design, Wireframing and Prototyping, Introduction to Web Content Management Systems |
Semester 5
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21VUC501T | Event Management | Core Course (CC) | 4 | Event Planning and Strategy, Logistics and Operations Management, Event Marketing and Promotion, Sponsorship and Budgeting, Risk Management and Safety |
| 21VUC502T | Cinematography | Core Course (CC) | 4 | Camera Movements and Angles, Lighting Techniques for Film, Lens Selection and Filters, Film Aesthetics and Visual Storytelling, Working with a Film Crew |
| 21VUC503P | Video Production Lab | Core Course (CC) | 2 | Short Film Production, Documentary Filmmaking Techniques, Video Editing Software (e.g., Premiere Pro), Sound Design and Mixing, Post-production Workflow |
| 21VUC504T | Advertising & Visual Merchandising | Core Course (CC) | 4 | Brand Identity and Image, Retail Environment Design, Store Layout and Display Techniques, Consumer Psychology in Merchandising, Visual Storytelling in Retail |
| 21VUE501L | Discipline Specific Elective III (e.g., Radio Production) | Discipline Specific Elective (DSE) | 4 | Radio Jockeying and Voice Modulation, Scripting for Radio Programs, Sound Editing and Mixing, Podcast Creation and Distribution, Radio Broadcast Ethics |
Semester 6
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21VUC601T | Media Law & Ethics | Core Course (CC) | 4 | Copyright and Intellectual Property, Defamation and Libel, Freedom of Speech and Expression, Media Regulatory Bodies in India, Professional Conduct and Codes |
| 21VUC602T | Film Studies | Core Course (CC) | 4 | History of Cinema, Film Genres and Movements, Auteur Theory and Film Critics, Critical Analysis of Films, World Cinema and Indian Film Industry |
| 21VUC603T | Design for Digital Media | Core Course (CC) | 4 | UI/UX Design Principles, Web Graphics and Animation, Mobile App Interface Design, Interactive Media Development, Digital Content Creation Tools |
| 21VUC604P | Project Work | Core Course (CC) | 6 | Research Methodology, Project Proposal and Planning, Implementation and Execution, Documentation and Report Writing, Presentation and Defense |
| 21VUC605I | Internship | Core Course (CC) | 2 | Industry Exposure and Experience, Application of Academic Knowledge, Professional Networking, Skill Enhancement and Development, Internship Report Submission |
