Department of Graphic (Communication) Design Courses

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Academic Programmes

BA Design (Communication Design) (B8CD2Q)

Communication Design is a vast, exciting, ever-evolving field that employs visually strong creative thinkers and problem solvers to use various design methods, processes, and techniques to communicate clearly to relevant audiences. Communication Designers, or Graphic Designers, create visual content to communicate to a particular audience.

Our program teaches students to create a variety of visual content, including layout, art direction, illustration, animation, data visualisation, and textual elements (typography). Students are prepared for multidisciplinary creative careers in an ever-evolving design world. Graduates are employed nationally and internationally in various fields, including government, science, IT, banking, and digital design. They design logos, app user interfaces, social media posts, packaging, murals, websites, brochures, magazines, illustrations, and infographics.

Our Department of Graphic Design offers a Bachelor of Arts in Design, specialising in Communication Design. Our facilities include six spacious studios, a computer lab with the latest high-end graphics computers, and access to the Faculty’s Fabrication Lab with 3D printers and Virtual Reality generators. Our award-winning department accepts a select few candidates and keeps class sizes relatively small to give each student the resources and one-on-one time they need to advance in the discipline and their interests.

Career Opportunities

Graduates will be able to enter a communication design career by working in design studios, marketing consultancies,branding and advertising agencies, and for newspapers, magazines and book publishers as:

— Graphic & communication designer — Art directors

— Typographic designer — Layout artists

— Illustrators — Instructional designer

— Digital designer

In addition, employment can be found as an in-house designer for companies or state-supported institutions, or graduates can choose to freelance or start their own graphic design business.


Admission Requirements 
— BA Design (Communication Design) (B8CD2Q)

— Senior certificate or equivalent qualification with a minimum APS or M-score.

 

Average Point Score (APS)

A minimum APS of 25 with Mathematics or 26 with Mathematical Literacy is required to apply for the programme

 

Outline of undergrad programme 

BA Communication Design is a fulltime, three-year degree course that prepares the graduating student for an entry-level career in various creative industries, and further academic study.

A general overview of the course is provided below. Please, note that this overview is subject to change based on technological advancement. The Graphic Design department is intentional about making sure learning content adapts according to evolution of technologies and trends present within industry, ensuring our graduates have the necessary skills to enter the workforce. This list is meant to indicate the type of content typically found in the programme.

First-year

In the first-year programme, Communication Design students are introduced to digital and communication-based design fundamentals. To complete the programme, students must complete five modules: three practice-based and two theoretical.

Communication Design 1 (24)
This module introduces students to:

  • Communication design fundamentals such as design principles, visual layout, typography and the basics of branding.
  • Design thinking fundamentals such as design research, creative strategy development and concept ideation.

 Communication Design Technology 1 (30)
This module introduces students to digital software and technologies used in multimedia design practices. These include:

  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Adobe Illustrator
  • Adobe Indesign
  • Adobe After Effects
  • Other relevant creative software

 Visualisation 1 (24)
This module is concerned image making and visualising information and concepts. Students are taught how to do this across a range of disciplinary practices including:

  • Drawing
  • Photography
  • Scamping
  • Illustration

Design Studies 1 (24)
In this theory-based module, students are introduced disciplinary, historical and cultural theories that assist students to better understand design and the social world in which design takes place. In Design Studies 1 students are expected to respond and debate concepts through written assignments

Professional Design Practice 1 (18)
In this theory-based module, students are introduced to the world of business. Topics taught in this module include: economics, business organisation, business culture and communication in business contexts.

Second-year

The second-year programme focuses on further developing students creative and theoretical abilities with a particular focus on Communication design practices and industries. To complete the programme, students must complete four modules: two practice-based and two theoretical.

Communication Design 2 (40 Credits)
At an intermediate level this module introduces students to a range of technological and design skills related to digital media in general and interactive and communication design in particular. A number of units are taught in this module include the following:

  • Branding design and principles
  • Editorial design
  • Infographic design
  • Social Media, Direct Marketing and Advertising campaign design and strategy
  • User interface and interaction design
  • Social impact design
  • Design Thinking
  • Packaging design

Visualisation 2 (30 Credits)
In Visualisation 2 builds upon the foundation that is developed in first year. At second year level, there is a strong focus on developing imagery that communicates information, within a design context. The following units teach students how imagery can be created, but also used to create visual identities, communicate message and narratives:

  • Photography
  • Illustration
  • Drawing
  • Motion Graphics

Design Studies 2 (32 Credits)
At an intermediate level this theory-based module, is concerned with disciplinary, historical and cultural theories that assist students to better understand design and the social world in which design takes place and affects. In Design Studies 2 students are expected to respond and debate concepts through written assignments

Professional Design Practice 2 (20 Credits)
In this theory-based module, students knowledge of business is extended. Topics taught in this module include: the business environment, Marketing and Branding, branding, and design entrepreneurship.

 Third-year

Design Studies 3 (50 Credits)

At an advanced level, this theory-based module, is concerned with disciplinary, historical and cultural theories that assist students to better understand design and the social world in which design takes place and affects changes. In Design Studies 3 students are expected to respond and debate concepts through written assignments. Focusses include Gender, South African Design History, Identity and Taste a& Class.

Communication Design 3 (70 Credits)

At an advanced level this module introduces students to a range of technological and design skills related to digital media in general and interactive and communication design in particular.This module predominantly focuses on teaching students the skills that they will require in industry, as well as developing a suitable portfolio of projects that demonstrate their creative, technical and design thinking skills to prospective employers. A number of units are taught in this module include the following:

  • Self-Branding design and principles
  • Personal portfolio development
  • Event design and Marketing
  • Editorial design
  • Social Media, Direct Marketing and Advertising campaign design and strategy
  • User interface design
  • Social impact design
  • Wayfinding and signage
  • Packaging and 3D Design
  • Interaction Design
  • Preparation for a career in Communication Design.
  • Experiential work placement
  • Intellectual property rights

Contact details

Ms Elda Majola
Departmental Secretary: Communication (Graphic) Design
Faculty Art, Design and Architecture
Tel +27 11 559 1117

BA Honours Design (Communication Design)
The Bachelor of Arts Honours in Design prepares students for research-based postgraduate study and entry into a design career by enabling them to produce creative solutions to complex problems within a specialist area of design, and to conduct and report research under supervision.

Admission requirements

An appropriate Bachelor’s degree with a recommended minimum of 60% for all final year modules.

Selection Criteria

In addition to the minimum admission requirements as outlined above, prospective students may be required to present a portfolio of their own work to an interview panel.

 

Programme structure

a) Minimum duration: One year full-time/two years part-time

b) Maximum number of modules per year of study:

i) Full-time: Five semester modules

ii) Part-time: Three semester modules in year one (Research Methodology, Design Theory, Research Essay); and two semester modules in year two (Communication Design/Jewellery Practice and Design Project)

* Please refer to the applicable programme code and the curriculum structure with respect to an elective indicated with an asterisk ( *).

** Prerequisites herein are set up against for programme code H8DE1Q.

 

MODULE CODEMODULE NAMEMODULE TYPEPREREQUISITES
CDH8XA4Communication Design A (1st sem)Elective
FDH8XA4*Fashion Design A (1st sem)Elective
MDH8XA4*Digital Media Design A (1st sem)Elective
JPH8XA4*Jewellery Practice A (1st sem)Elective
IDH8XA4*Industrial Design A (1st sem)Elective
DPH8XB4Design Project B (2nd sem)Compulsory**CDH8XA4 or JPH8XA4
RMH8XA4Research Methodology: Design A (1st sem)Compulsory
DTH8XA4Design Theory A (1 st sem)Compulsory
REH8XB4Research Essay: Design B (2nd sem)Compulsory

RMH8XA4 and

DTH8XA4

The BA Honours in Design (Communication) is a one year full-time or two-year part-time post-graduate degree.

In this Honours programme students undertake a number of modules:

Design Theory (10 Credits)
In this semester module students are expected to engage with and respond to a number of theoretical concepts relevant to the discourse of digital media design.

Research Methodology (10 Credits)
In this semester module students are introduced to a range of research methods and methodologies relevant to planning and writing academic research an academic research report.

Communication Design IV (40 Credits)
In this practice-based semester module students develop a range of design projects relevant to their chosen design specialisation. Subjects include Design Thinking, Human-centred Design and Crafting and refinement of design.

Design Project (30 Credits)
In the Design Project module students are expected to creatively and appropriately respond to a complex theory-based problem relevant to their specialist field of Communication design practice.

Research Essay (30 Credits)
In this module students are expected design, undertake and document an academic research study relevant to an aspect of Communication design.

For more information email fadapg@uj.ac.za 

MA (Design) Department of Graphic Design
The purpose of the programme is to educate and train researchers who can contribute to the development of knowledge at an advanced level. The Master’s degree is earned by completing a single advanced research project, culminating in the production and acceptance of a dissertation.

Admission requirements
A relevant Bachelor Honours Degree. A “professional” Bachelor’s Degree, or a Postgraduate Diploma, with sufficient preparation to conduct research with a recommended minimum of 60% for all final-year modules. A relevant Baccalaureus Technologiae, with an average mark of at least 65%
combined with a research methodology short learning component as recommended by a Status Committee and approved by the Faculty Board.

Selection criteria
In addition to the minimum admission requirements as outlined above, prospective students may be required to present a portfolio of their own work to an interview panel. A portfolio would be requested if further evidence is required of a students’ readiness to conduct textual or artefactual research. In the case of textual research the portfolio would contain examples of written research, and in the case of artefactual research a portfolio with design artefacts would be required.

Curriculum*
CODE MODULE: MGD9X01 Research Dissertation: Design
MGD9X02 Research Dissertation: Design
* Offered by the Department of Graphic Design

Programme structure

  • Minimum duration: One year full-time/two years part-time.
  • Maximum duration: Two years full-time/three years part-time
  • The research component comprises 100% of the programme.

For more information email: fadapg@uj.ac.za

PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) in Art and Design P8AD1Q

Admission requirements 
An appropriate Master’s Degree or equivalent with a minimum final mark of 65%

Selection criteria
An appropriate Master’s Degree or equivalent with a minimum final mark of 65%

Purpose of the programme
The purpose of the programme is to enable candidates to undertake research at the most advanced academic level culminating in the submission, assessment and acceptance of a thesis. The candidate is required to demonstrate high-level research capability and make a significant and original academic contribution at the frontiers of art and/or design. In certain instances, creative work such as designed artefacts, public performances, public exhibitions or other practice based outputs may constitute the partial fulfilment of the research requirements.

Duration of programme
Minimum duration: Two years full-time or part-time.
Maximum duration: Four years full-time or five years part-time

Curriculum

​CODE​MODULE
​PAD10XA​Thesis Art and Design
​PAD10XB​Thesis Art and Design

Contact details

Name: Mrs Adele Maritz
Tel: 011 559 1126

Email: fadapg@uj.ac.za