Visual Communications Curriculum for the 21st Century: A Longitudinal Assessment of a Communication Design Program

As media evolves, a corresponding evolution is needed in visual communication education. This research explores an adaptation of curricula developed for the 21st century. The program introduces desirable difficulties, emphasizing reframing challenges and aligning coursework with future media careers. Through 5 years assessing a communication design program, four key findings emerged: getting students beyond their comfort zones, integrating iterative evaluation processes, cultivating a growth-centric environment, and emphasizing connections to careers. The communication design program’s iterative nature reinforces industry responsiveness, suggesting structured yet experimental approaches foster student growth and confidence in meeting evolving challenges in media education.