Learning visual communication: A preliminary analysis of HCI/UX curricula

Both the significant impact of visual design on users' perceptions of products and the industry‐demand for employees with well‐developed visual design skills in the HCI/UX fields has been well‐documented. However, the question remains: are HCI/UX graduates prepared to address the visual design challenges they will face in their future careers? To answer this question, we have collected and analyzed program outcomes and titles, descriptions, and syllabi for courses relating to visual design and communication. Currently we have looked at 24 universities in North America that offer graduate‐level HCI/UX programs and plan to expand our search to include other countries and undergraduate programs. This visual presentation provides an overview of the current visual design courses being offered to HCI/UX students and introduces a new typology to develop a more comprehensive approach to visual design instruction in this field.