.png&w=1920&q=75)
B-SC 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 B.Sc Visual Communication program at SRM Institute of Science and Technology focuses on equipping students with comprehensive skills in creative design, digital media, and effective visual storytelling. The curriculum is meticulously crafted to meet the evolving demands of the Indian media and design industries, blending theoretical knowledge with extensive practical application. It differentiates itself through a strong emphasis on contemporary digital tools and industry-relevant projects, fostering innovative visual communicators.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for creative fresh graduates and 10+2 pass outs with a passion for art, design, and media, seeking entry into dynamic fields like advertising, filmmaking, or graphic design. It also suits individuals with basic artistic aptitude looking to formalize their skills for professional careers, and those keen on understanding the technical and theoretical underpinnings of visual communication in India, aspiring to make a mark in the creative industry.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect diverse India-specific career paths including graphic designer, web designer, photographer, video editor, animator, art director, and media planner. Entry-level salaries typically range from INR 2.5 LPA to 4.5 LPA, with experienced professionals earning significantly more. The program prepares students for roles in advertising agencies, production houses, media organizations, digital marketing firms, and even entrepreneurship within the thriving Indian creative sector.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Master Design and Drawing Fundamentals- (Semester 1-2)
Consistently practice core design principles, drawing techniques, and color theory. Dedicate time daily to sketching, observing visual elements, and recreating designs. Actively participate in practical sessions for Drawing I & II, and Design Fundamentals to build a strong artistic base.
Tools & Resources
Sketchbooks, Charcoal and Pencils, Color Palettes, Online tutorials (e.g., YouTube channels for art fundamentals), Design inspiration platforms (Behance, Pinterest)
Career Connection
Strong fundamentals are the bedrock for any visual communication role, from graphic design to animation, ensuring visually compelling and effective outputs sought by employers in India''''s creative sector.
Build Digital Software Proficiency Early- (Semester 1-2)
Alongside coursework, proactively learn and experiment with industry-standard software like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. Utilize online courses and practice projects to go beyond classroom basics, ensuring a comfortable grasp of digital tools essential for modern design.
Tools & Resources
Adobe Creative Cloud Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator), YouTube tutorials (e.g., PiXimperfect), Udemy/Coursera courses on digital design, Graphic tablets
Career Connection
Early proficiency in essential software directly translates to faster learning curves during internships and makes graduates highly desirable for entry-level designer and digital artist roles in Indian companies.
Cultivate Visual Literacy and Critical Thinking- (Semester 1-2)
Develop a habit of critically analyzing advertisements, films, and media campaigns across various platforms. Understand the underlying visual communication theories taught in class. Discuss and critique peers'''' work and actively seek feedback on your own to refine your visual judgment.
Tools & Resources
Visual Communication Theories textbooks, Design blogs (e.g., AIGA, Creative Bloq), Art history documentaries, Peer review sessions
Career Connection
A strong critical eye helps in producing effective, impactful designs, understanding target audiences, and articulating design choices, which are crucial for roles like Art Director or Brand Strategist in the Indian market.
Intermediate Stage
Engage in Applied Projects and Competitions- (Semester 3-5)
Actively seek out and participate in college projects, department events, and external design/photography competitions. Apply learned skills in Graphic Design, Photography, and Web Design to real-world or simulated client briefs to build a practical portfolio.
Tools & Resources
College design clubs and hackathons, Local/national design contests (e.g., Kyoorius Young Blood Awards), Freelancing platforms for small projects (e.g., Upwork, Fiverr), Behance/Dribbble for showcasing work
Career Connection
Practical project experience builds a strong portfolio, demonstrates problem-solving skills, and provides a competitive edge during placement interviews and job applications in India''''s fast-growing creative industry.
Network with Industry Professionals and Alumni- (Semester 3-5)
Attend webinars, workshops, and guest lectures by industry experts. Connect with alumni and professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. Seek their advice, understand industry trends, and explore mentorship opportunities to expand your professional circle and insights.
Tools & Resources
LinkedIn, Industry conferences (e.g., FICCI FRAMES, GoaFest), Design workshops and meetups, Alumni networking events
Career Connection
Networking opens doors to internships, job opportunities, and invaluable industry insights, which are often more effective than traditional job searches, especially in the tightly-knit creative communities in India.
Specialize and Develop a Niche Skill- (Semester 3-5)
Explore various aspects like advertising, filmmaking, web design, or animation. Based on your interest, choose professional electives and focus on mastering one or two specific skills deeply. This allows for focused growth and expertise in a chosen area.
Tools & Resources
Advanced software tutorials (e.g., for After Effects, Figma), Specialized online courses (e.g., advanced video editing, UI/UX bootcamps), Industry-specific forums and communities, Department faculty for guidance on specialization
Career Connection
Developing a niche skill (e.g., motion graphics artist, UI/UX designer) makes you a specialist, increasing your market value and allowing you to target specific, high-demand roles within Indian design and media companies.
Advanced Stage
Build a Professional Portfolio and Personal Brand- (Semester 6)
Curate your best work from all semesters into a professional portfolio (online and/or print). Develop a consistent personal brand identity for yourself, including a well-designed resume and cover letter, to present a polished image to potential employers.
Tools & Resources
Portfolio websites (Behance, Adobe Portfolio, Wix), Personal website builders, Professional resume templates, Graphic design software for branding materials
Career Connection
A strong, well-presented portfolio is the most critical asset for a visual communication graduate, directly influencing interview calls and job offers in design and media agencies across India.
Engage in Extensive Internship and Project Work- (Semester 5-6)
Maximize the internship opportunity in Semester 5 and the significant project work in Semester 6. Seek out challenging projects that allow you to apply advanced skills and gain significant industry exposure. Treat the final project as a real-world client brief.
Tools & Resources
SRMIST Placement Cell assistance, Industry contacts developed through networking, Project management tools (e.g., Trello, Asana), Client feedback loops
Career Connection
Hands-on experience from internships and major projects enhances practical skills, adds valuable entries to your resume, and often leads to pre-placement offers or strong recommendations from Indian companies.
Prepare for Industry Interviews and Presentations- (Semester 6)
Practice articulating your design process, project challenges, and creative solutions. Prepare for technical questions related to software and design principles. Refine your presentation skills for portfolio reviews, ensuring you can effectively communicate your vision and skills.
Tools & Resources
Mock interviews with faculty/alumni, Presentation software (PowerPoint, Keynote, Google Slides), Peer feedback sessions on presentations, Online resources for creative interview tips
Career Connection
Effective communication and presentation skills are crucial for interviews, client meetings, and defending design decisions, leading to successful placements and faster career advancement in the competitive Indian creative market.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- A Pass in 10+2 / HSC / Equivalent Examination with a minimum of 50% aggregate.
Duration: 6 semesters / 3 years
Credits: 140 Credits
Assessment: Internal: 40% (for theory courses) / 60% (for practical courses) / 50% (for projects), External: 60% (for theory courses) / 40% (for practical courses) / 50% (for projects)
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21LEH101T | Professional English-I | AEC | 3 | Basic Grammar and Vocabulary, Reading Comprehension Strategies, Effective Public Speaking, Fundamentals of Report Writing, Basic Presentation Skills |
| 21LVA101T | Fundamentals of Visual Communication | PC | 3 | Elements of Design, Principles of Design, Visual Language and Semiotics, Color Theory and Psychology, Basics of Typography, Visual Perception |
| 21LVA102P | Drawing – I | PC | 3 | Line, Form, and Texture, Perspective Drawing Techniques, Light and Shade, Still Life Composition, Basic Figure Drawing |
| 21LVA103T | History of Art – I | PC | 3 | Prehistoric and Ancient Art, Classical Greek and Roman Art, Medieval Art and Architecture, The Renaissance Period, Baroque and Rococo Styles |
| 21LVA104T | Photography – I | PC | 3 | Camera Operation and Functions, Exposure Triangle (Aperture, Shutter, ISO), Rules of Composition, Basic Lighting Techniques, Introduction to Digital Photography |
| 21LVA105P | Design Fundamentals | PC | 3 | Graphic Design Principles, Layout and Grid Systems, Introduction to Branding, Visual Identity Elements, Digital Illustration Basics |
| 21LEL101 | Holistic Education | AEC | 2 | Ethics and Values, Self-awareness and Personal Development, Leadership Skills, Social Responsibility, Environmental Consciousness |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21LEH201T | Professional English-II | AEC | 3 | Advanced Grammar and Punctuation, Critical Reading and Analysis, Formal and Academic Writing, Research and Referencing, Interview Skills and Etiquette |
| 21LVA201T | Introduction to Advertising | PC | 3 | History of Advertising, Types of Advertising Media, Advertising Campaign Planning, Consumer Behavior Analysis, Brand Communication Strategies |
| 21LVA202P | Drawing – II | PC | 3 | Advanced Perspective and Rendering, Human Anatomy for Artists, Portraiture and Caricature, Outdoor Sketching and Landscapes, Mixed Media Techniques |
| 21LVA203T | History of Art – II | PC | 3 | Neoclassicism and Romanticism, Realism and Naturalism, Impressionism and Post-Impressionism, Art Nouveau and Symbolism, Early Modern Art Movements |
| 21LVA204P | Computer Graphics – I | PC | 3 | Adobe Photoshop Interface, Image Editing and Retouching, Photo Manipulation Techniques, Digital Painting Fundamentals, Raster Graphics Concepts |
| 21LVA205T | Visual Communication Theories | PC | 3 | Semiotics in Visuals, Gestalt Principles of Perception, Communication Models, Visual Rhetoric and Persuasion, Cognitive Aspects of Visuals |
| 21LVA206P | Stop Motion Animation | SEC | 2 | Principles of Animation, Storyboarding for Animation, Character Design and Rigging, Claymation and Object Animation, Stop Motion Software and Techniques |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21LVA301T | Media Communication | PC | 3 | Mass Media and Society, Communication Theories, Media Ethics and Responsibility, Digital Media Trends, Public Relations Basics |
| 21LVA302P | Computer Graphics – II | PC | 3 | Adobe Illustrator Interface, Vector Graphics Creation, Logo Design Principles, Iconography and Symbol Design, Infographics and Data Visualization |
| 21LVA303T | History of Art – III | PC | 3 | Modern Art Movements (Cubism, Surrealism), Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art, Minimalism and Conceptual Art, Contemporary Art Trends, Indian Art History Overview |
| 21LVA304T | Graphic Design – I | PC | 3 | Advanced Layout Design, Grid Systems in Design, Typography for Print and Digital, Brand Guideline Development, Packaging Design Concepts |
| 21LVA305P | Photography – II | PC | 3 | Advanced Studio Lighting, Portrait Photography Techniques, Landscape and Nature Photography, Photojournalism Principles, Fashion Photography Basics |
| 21LVA306P | Web Design – I | PC | 2 | HTML Structure and Elements, CSS Styling and Layout, Responsive Web Design, User Interface (UI) Principles, User Experience (UX) Fundamentals |
| GCC/OE | General Elective / Open Elective | GCC/OE | 2 | Diverse topics based on student choice, Interdisciplinary learning, Skill enhancement outside core domain, Broadening academic exposure, Personal interest exploration |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21LVA401P | Graphic Design – II | PC | 3 | Editorial Design and Magazine Layout, Brochure and Pamphlet Design, Poster and Billboard Design, Corporate Identity Manuals, Event and Exhibition Graphics |
| 21LVA402P | Video Production – I | PC | 3 | Scriptwriting and Storyboarding, Cinematography Basics, Video Editing Software (e.g., Premiere Pro), Sound Design for Video, Introduction to Filmmaking |
| 21LVA403T | Marketing Communication | PC | 3 | Marketing Principles, Brand Management, Market Research Techniques, Digital Marketing Strategies, Integrated Marketing Communication |
| 21LVA404P | Web Design – II | PC | 2 | JavaScript Fundamentals, DOM Manipulation, Introduction to Front-end Frameworks, Web Animation Techniques, Performance Optimization for Web |
| 21LVA405T | Media Laws and Ethics | PC | 3 | Copyright and Intellectual Property, Defamation and Libel, Media Regulations in India, Ethical Journalism and Advertising, Privacy and Data Protection |
| 21LVA4E1P | Character Design (Professional Elective – I) | PE | 3 | Character Anatomy and Proportions, Expressive Character Posing, Stylization and Exaggeration, Character Sheet Development, Digital Sculpting Basics |
| 21LVA4E2T | Visual Merchandising (Professional Elective – I) | PE | 3 | Retail Store Design, Window Display Techniques, In-store Layout and Flow, Brand Storytelling in Retail, Consumer Psychology in Merchandising |
| 21LVA4E3P | Game Design Concepts (Professional Elective – I) | PE | 3 | History of Game Design, Core Game Mechanics, Level Design Principles, Narrative Design for Games, Prototyping and Playtesting |
| 21LVA406P | 2D Animation | SEC | 2 | Principles of 2D Animation, Character Animation Techniques, Motion Graphics in After Effects, Traditional Animation Workflows, Digital Ink and Paint |
| GCC/OE | General Elective / Open Elective | GCC/OE | 2 | Diverse topics based on student choice, Interdisciplinary learning, Skill enhancement outside core domain, Broadening academic exposure, Personal interest exploration |
Semester 5
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21LVA501P | Advertising Design | PC | 3 | Advertising Campaign Development, Print Advertisement Design, Television Commercial Production, Digital Advertising Formats, Integrated Communication Campaigns |
| 21LVA502P | Video Production – II | PC | 3 | Advanced Video Editing Techniques, Visual Effects (VFX) Integration, Motion Graphics for Video, Documentary Filmmaking, Short Film Production Workflows |
| 21LVA503P | Typography | PC | 3 | Type Anatomy and Classification, Font Pairing and Hierarchy, Expressive Typography, Grid Systems in Typography, Calligraphy and Lettering Basics |
| 21LVA504T | Multimedia Design | PC | 3 | Interactive Design Principles, UI/UX for Multimedia, Sound Design for Interactive Media, Animation for Web and Apps, Digital Storytelling Techniques |
| 21LVA5E1P | Digital Painting (Professional Elective – II) | PE | 3 | Digital Brushes and Textures, Color Blending and Lighting, Concept Art and Illustration, Matte Painting Techniques, Wacom Tablet Proficiency |
| 21LVA5E2P | Brand Identity Design (Professional Elective – II) | PE | 3 | Logo Design Process, Brand Guideline Development, Stationery Design, Brand Manual Creation, Rebranding Strategies |
| 21LVA5E3P | Advanced Photography (Professional Elective – II) | PE | 3 | Fashion Photography, Product Photography, Architectural Photography, Post-processing in Lightroom/Capture One, Drone Photography Basics |
| 21LVA505P | Internship | SEC | 2 | Industry Exposure and Experience, Application of Academic Knowledge, Professional Networking, Workplace Ethics and Culture, Internship Report and Presentation |
| GCC/OE | General Elective / Open Elective | GCC/OE | 2 | Diverse topics based on student choice, Interdisciplinary learning, Skill enhancement outside core domain, Broadening academic exposure, Personal interest exploration |
Semester 6
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21LVA601P | Portfolio Design | PC | 3 | Portfolio Curation and Selection, Personal Branding and Identity, Presentation Skills for Portfolio Reviews, Resume and Cover Letter Writing, Interview Preparation for Creative Roles |
| 21LVA602P | Environmental Graphic Design | PC | 3 | Signage Systems and Wayfinding, Public Space Graphics, Exhibition and Event Design, Experiential Graphic Design, Mural and Large-scale Art |
| 21LVA603P | Motion Graphics | PC | 3 | Adobe After Effects Workflow, Kinetic Typography, Explainer Videos and Infographics, Broadcast Graphics and Openers, Visual Effects Compositing |
| 21LVA604T | Research Methodology in Visual Communication | PC | 3 | Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods, Data Collection Techniques, Academic Writing and Citation, Case Study Analysis, Design Research and User Studies |
| 21LVA6E1P | UI/UX Design (Professional Elective – III) | PE | 3 | User Research and Personas, Wireframing and Prototyping, Usability Testing, Figma/Adobe XD Proficiency, Interaction Design Principles |
| 21LVA6E2P | Documentary Filmmaking (Professional Elective – III) | PE | 3 | Documentary Research and Treatment, Interview Techniques, Ethical Considerations in Documentary, Cinematography for Documentaries, Post-production Workflow for Docs |
| 21LVA6E3T | Media Entrepreneurship (Professional Elective – III) | PE | 3 | Business Planning for Creative Ventures, Startup Ecosystem in Media, Funding and Investment Strategies, Marketing and Branding for Startups, Legal Aspects of Media Business |
| 21LVA605PJ | Project | PC | 20 | Problem Identification and Scope Definition, Conceptualization and Ideation, Design Development and Iteration, Execution and Production, Final Presentation and Documentation |
