Department of Graphic (Communication) Design Courses
Academic Programmes
BA Design (Communication Design) (B8CD2Q)
Communication designers are creative thinkers and problem solvers who use a range of design methods, processes and techniques to create professional communication designs, such as posters, books, magazines, corporate identity programmes, packaging and web sites, both individually and as members of teams. The Department of Graphic Design offers a Bachelor of Arts in Design specialising in Communication Design. The Department’s facilities include a number of studios and a centrally located computer studio.
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.
— Submission of a portfolio of creative tasks.
Average Point Score (APS)
A minimum APS of 23 with Mathematics or 24 with Mathematical Literacy is required to apply for the programme.to page 4 of this brochure
| Languages | | Maths or Maths Literacy | Life Orientation | Subjects 1, 2 & 3 |
| Language of teaching and learning | Other recognised language | | | |
5 (60 – 69%) | 4 (50 – 59%) | Maths: 3 (40 – 49%) or Maths Lit: 4 (50 – 59%) | 4 (50 – 59%) | 4 (50 – 59%) 4 (50 – 59%) 3 (40 – 49%) |
ENTRANCE SELECTION PORTFOLIO REQUIREMENTS
The entrance selection portfolio requirements for the BA Design (Communication Design) (B8CD2Q) will consist of the following sections:
Section 1 – Self-Introduction Video
Upload a video of yourself.
This video must not be longer than 30 seconds.
A video that is longer than 30 seconds will not be assessed.
Very briefly, in 30 seconds, tell us who you are and what you find most exciting about studying at FADA.
Submission Format: MP4, 40MB
Section 2 – Three-Dimensional Drawing
Draw a three-dimensional drawing of a chair or a shoe of your choice.
Submission Format: jpg, jpeg, png, 2MB
Section 3 – Written Component
Essay Question:
Write an essay of 300 words only, about a recent news story or article that had an impact on your life and
how did it influence you or change the way you think about an issue?
Submission Format: Input to be made within the textbox provided as part of Section 3, via the online entrance selection portfolio submission process.
Section 4 – Departmental Assessment
Divide an A2 piece of paper into a grid consisting of 16 rectangles. Letter the word “go” differently in each rectangle. A variety of mediums must be used, from the traditional, such as pencil or paint, to the non-traditional, such as tea, beans, or bleach.
Assessment criteria: creativity, visual communication skills, technical ability, presentation skills, attitude.
Submission Format: PDF, jpeg, jpg, 2MB
Disclaimer:
Submission of a portfolio must only take place once you have officially applied to the university and have been officially invited by the faculty to participate in the entrance selection portfolio process.
You will be informed by means of an official entrance selection letter from the faculty regarding the portfolio requirements and the submission process.
No emailed portfolios (or part thereof) will be accepted.
Outline of undergrad programme
First Year
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. 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 and typography
- 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 allows student to explore and develop their technical and creative abilities in a range of visual orientated design projects 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 design
- Social impact design
- Design Thinking
- Packaging and 3D Design
- Interaction Design
Visualisation 2 (30 Credits)
In Visualisation 2 conceptual and production approaches focus on the crafting of informational and experiential visual design. As such a number of the themes taught in this module include:
- Photography
- Illustration
- Drawing
- 2D animation / 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. 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
Articulation possibilities
The Graphic Design Department offers a Bachelor of Arts
Honours in Design and a Master’s of Arts in Design.
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 CODE | MODULE NAME | MODULE TYPE | PREREQUISITES |
| CDH8XA4 | Communication 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 | |
| DPH8XB4 | Design Project B (2nd sem) | Compulsory | **CDH8XA4 or JPH8XA4 |
| RMH8XA4 | Research Methodology: Design A (1st sem) | Compulsory | |
| DTH8XA4 | Design Theory A (1 st sem) | Compulsory | |
| REH8XB4 | Research Essay: Design B (2nd sem) | Compulsory | RMH8XA4 and DTH8XA4 |
Outline of post-graduate programmes
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