Delivery: A mix of daytime and evening courses.
Start: Fall or Spring: Full- or Part-Time.

Associate of Applied Science Degree

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Diploma

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About the Program

Visual Communications Careers (VCC), previously called Visual Communications Technologies (VCT), is the new name of the program area comprising the following degrees: 3D Modeling and Animation, Graphic Design & Production, Narrative Video Production, Photographic Careers, and Web Design.

Our industry advisors tell us that all media types are mixed in the computer these days; therefore, it is difficult to isolate the media into only one career area. That is why we give students a solid foundation in visual communications and specialty skills in our five degree areas.

If you are interested in cool visual media, read the bullet points listed below for each degree. Keep looking until you find the ones that ignite your passion.

Then click on the degree program page to learn more, and schedule a tour!



Cost & Financial Aid

    Program Faculty

  • Emily Anderson
    Faculty
    Visual Communications Careers
  • Jonas Burand
    Faculty
    Visual Communications Careers
  • Experience:Ms. DeMillo has sixteen years of experience teaching Design and Digital Media courses. She has served as adjunct faculty at Century College, Anoka Ramsey Community College, and Dakota County Technical College and is a freelance designer who specializes in designing for justice and equity.Technical College. She is a freelance designer who specializes in nonprofit organizations, like Hazelden Publications, the white Bear Area Food Shelf, and the Rice Street Gardens
    Teaching Approach:Every student has a unique set of skills and talents. I work individually and collectively with students, as a guide in drawing out their authenticity and hone their talent, with an eye toward using those skills to find employment that will benefit both the students and their community.
    Education:Masters Degree in Education from Hamline UniversityBA in Studio Art from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
    Notable:MNActeSnp Teacher of the Year, 2005Speaker at the national autism conference, Reaching New Frontiers, Reno, NV, 1998
    Connie DeMillo
    Faculty
    Bio
    Visual Communications Careers
  • Experience:Tom has worked in photography since 1989, creating a professional photography studio in 2001 that focused on commercial and architectural photography. In 2007, Tom branched out to create Posers Photography studio, specializing in Portrait, Pets, Events, and Commercial photography. He began teaching studio classes in 2000 expanding into all areas of professional photography classes: Architectural, Commercial, Event, Industrial, Portrait along with the Business of photography.
    Teaching Approach:The Photographic Careers program’s focus is to teach you the technical and creative skills that you can apply in whatever direction you want to take your photography career. Topics include professional equipment, lighting, posing, product, advertising, editing, workflow, portfolio development, business, and marketing practices for photographers.
    Education:Hennepin Technical College: Eden Prairie, MN - AAS Degree: Commercial Photography; Diploma: Commercial Photography; Certificate: Photographic Lab Technician
    Notable:I continue to participate in photographic education opportunities, this is paramount to maintaining current with trends, software editing and photographic techniques. We must continue learning or we will become stagnant and obsolete. I am here to help.
    Hobbies:Camping, Hiking, Travel, Wildlife
    Tom Hanly
    Faculty/Department Chair
    Bio
    Visual Communications Careers
    651-444-3523
  • Adam Johnson
    Faculty
    Visual Communications Careers
  • John Kothera
    Faculty
    Visual Communications Careers
  • Joseph Snyder
    Tech College Faculty
    Visual Communications Careers
  • Experience:Caroline has taught art and photography year-round at several post-secondary institutions for the past 14 years. She has taught at the Art Institutes International Minnesota, Century Community and Technical College, the Minneapolis College of Art and Design Continuing Education Department, North Hennepin Community College, and the University of Minnesota. She started her career on the cusp of the digital revolution so is well versed in both digital and analogue photography techniques as well as has been teaching online since before the pandemic. Recently she has been teaching digital photography using Adobe programs, focusing on specialized skills in digital editing and printing techniques. Beyond the technical she teaches conceptual thought, with students completing portfolios with an understanding of their work in greater cultural contexts. Her expertise has come from developing many classes from scratch, as well as making adjustments to institutional changes such as a new curriculum and short-notice class changes.
    Teaching Approach:My goal, when teaching, is to foster critical thinking and problem solving, as well as to help students develop their own style and ideas. My assignments consist of both technical and conceptual challenges so the students do more than just follow directions. Critical thinking is imperative, and these assignments help them to develop such skills. I recognize that each student inherently learns in different ways and address each learning style through a variety of teaching techniques. I also take into account the class dynamic as I alter my lectures according to the interests and needs of each class. Another high priority is to encourage new ways to solve problems and take risks in their work. Taking risks often brings out the most unique ideas. My students leave the class having confidence in their technical skills and experience trying new approaches, not being afraid to take risks in their endeavors.
    Education:BFA, College of Visual Arts, Saint Paul, MN; MFA, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
    Hobbies:Photography, crochetting, and cats!
    Caroline Solomon
    Faculty
    Bio
    Visual Communications Careers