Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication Design)
Design
A course by
Ara Institute of Canterbury
Become a versatile design professional skilled in visual communication, branding, and creative problem solving. This degree prepares graduates for roles in advertising, marketing and broad communication design environments.
In-person study
Face-to-face learning in a physical classroom setting
Madras Street Campus, Christchurch
It will take a total of 3 years
Core skills this course teaches
Generate creative ideas and solve communication problems
Develop the ability to create original design solutions in response to advertising, marketing, and communication briefs.
Master visual communication tools
Become proficient in key design skills including graphics, branding, typography, art direction, and illustration.
Apply professional and contextual knowledge
Understand the historical, sociological, and ethical context of creative practices, and integrate this knowledge into design work.
What You're Signing Up For
With the Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication Design), you’ll develop creative talents and practical skills for the design industry. The programme covers idea generation, graphics and branding, typography, art direction, illustration, as well as academic and professional skills such as contextual and professional studies, business skills, and ethics. Electives allow you to focus your interests, and studio courses hone practical expertise. Graduates are ready for careers in a range of design, advertising, digital, and creative sectors.
Course Content
- Design strategies and processes
- Graphics and branding
- Communication design
- Typography
- Art direction
- Drawing and illustration
- Professional and contextual studies
- Academic communication skills
- History and sociology of creative practices
- Contemporary professional ethics
- Business skills
- Electives (e.g., Photography, Book Art, Illustration, Content Management, Spatial Design, Screen Printing, 3D Motion Graphics, Painting, Film Studies, Game Design, Digital Printing)
What you need to know first
NCEA Level 3 (60 credits at level 3 and 20 credits at level 2 or higher) including 14 credits at Level 3 in each of three approved subjects
Literacy: 10 credits at Level 2 or above (5 reading, 5 writing)
Numeracy: 10 credits at Level 1 or above
NZQA Level 4 or above in a related discipline (alternative)
Portfolio demonstrating art/design work (additional requirement)
If English is not first language: IELTS 6.0 Academic (no band below 5.5) or equivalent
What sort of industry will this job lead to
Design
Advertising
Marketing
Creative Industries
Publishing
Digital Media
Future employment opportunities might be
Advertising agency/design studio creative
Graphic designer
Web designer
App designer
Book/magazine illustrator
Motion graphic designer
Gallery or museum designer/curator
Set designer (stage, TV, film)