Visual Communication Design

Overview

To provide a Visual Communication Design education that enables graduates to be creatively, intellectually, technically, and professionally competitive as graphic designers and visual communicators to the level of local and international standards. 

To prepare learners with knowledge and skills for viable career performance for all areas of the visual communication, design, digital design, and advertising industries. To empower learners to communicate effectively with appropriate skills for the visual communication design profession. 

To promote partnerships with industry, community, and society and with other educational institutions both within South Africa and abroad. To promote research and build research capacity that is appropriate/ relevant to the needs of contemporary South African society and informs both education and design practice. To research and apply new technologies and new applications of conventional techniques. To promote an ethical and critical approach to all three disciplines; and to affirm their capacity to function as important tools for social upliftment and change. To provide a supportive, nurturing environment for students and which promotes self-motivation. 

The purpose of the Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication Design from Durban University of Technology is to provide a first professional level education in the field of Visual Communication Design (VCD), and so to develop graduates who will be capable of gaining employment at an entry level in any of the range of industries that require applied VCD capabilities, and of applying their learning to these employment contexts immediately; and to prepare graduates for further studies at Honourslevel. 

Career opportunities 

As a first degree, it is expected that most graduates of this qualification may potentially seek employment or self-employment in any of the sub-fields of Visual Communication Design as broadly defined and evolving over time, including but not limited to design and illustration for print media and advertising; animation, web- and multi-media design, on-line design, product design, and other specialisations. The qualification will also enable graduates to pursue further studies at Honours level.