Hands-on/Experiential Learning
Ramapo College’s Visual Communication Design program integrates deep experiential learning into every stage of the student journey—empowering students to build the creative, technical, and professional skills needed to thrive in the design industry.
Project-based coursework forms the backbone of the curriculum. Starting with foundational classes such as Foundations of Visual Communication Design and Graphic Design, then moving into advanced studios in motion graphics, interactive media, and visual identity. This culminates in a senior capstone where you design real-world solutions for community partners. These classes foster hands-on collaboration and allow you to “learn by doing” in small, idea-rich environments.
Critiques play a central role in your growth. Faculty—many of whom are nationally or internationally recognized design professionals—and your peers engage in structured reviews of your work. These conversations promote critical thinking around ethics, cultural awareness, and sustainability while helping you sharpen your individual creative voice.
You will gain direct exposure to industry leaders through guest lectures, workshops, and networking events facilitated by the School of Contemporary Arts and the Cahill Career Development Center. Through faculty and institutional partnerships, students secure internships—often for credit—with organizations such as NBCUniversal, BuzzFeed, Ogilvy Health, and Viacom, translating academic skills into professional experience.
Internships and Co-ops
Internships and co-ops, supported through Ramapo’s Cahill Development Center and Handshake platform, offer semester-long immersive work opportunities challenging you to explore career paths while earning academic credit. These placements build your resume, and strengthen your client-designer collaboration skills through real-world creative projects.
This is backed by cutting-edge facilities, including labs equipped for digital imaging, interactive media, and motion graphics, as well as collaborative gallery spaces for showcasing and reviewing ongoing work. Within this vibrant and inclusive community, you gain skills to confidently navigate studio production, critique, and professional environments with confidence and contextual awareness.
By combining project-based learning, meaningful critique, professional exposure, and internship experiences, the VCD program equips you with a distinctive portfolio and the real-world skills employers seek—empowering you to graduate ready for impact as a thoughtful, ethical, and versatile designer.
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