BA (Hons) Graphic Design (3+0)

  Institution: KBU International College

BA (Hons) Graphic Design (3+0)

The three-year degree programme covers core modules ranging from practical, theoretical work and continuous assessment. Students will also receive regular feedback through individual or group tutorials, critique sessions and portfolio review in order to get their progress on check. Team work is also an important key feature in the programme as it helps to develop the communication skills that are essential in many commercial graphic design practices. Learning will take place through a variety of methods that include: lectures, workshops, seminars, group tutorials, individual tutorials, portfolio reviews, work experience, peer group discussion and independent study.

Career Opportunities

Design consultancies, advertising agencies, television graphics, publishing and multimedia companies, post-production firms, visual merchandising branding and packaging design consultancies, in-house graphic departments.
Duration: 3 years at KBU
Intake: January and August (Year 1),September ( Year 2)
Entry Requirements: Foundation in Art & Design or UEC (art & design stream) or equivalent qualifications OR STPM/A-Levels/ Diploma in relevant studies with appropriate art portfolio will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Programme Structure

Year 1
A stimulating and wide-ranging introduction to the basic principles and history of graphic design. There is a series of project briefs and emphasis on a ‘learn by doing’ approach. This combines creativity with technology that incorporates use of state-of-the-art software and visualization techniques.

The Evolution of Graphic Design

Outlines the development and role of graphic design and the graphic designer in a historical and theoretical context, and within contemporary practice.
Lecture topics include:

• Renaissance
• Neo-Classicism Industrial Revolution
• Bauhaus
• Early modernism
• Avant garde art & design in European setting
• Graphic design goes to war
• Swiss typography
• Graphic design in the corporate age
• Post-Modernism
• Graphic design in an urban environment

Design Process

• Research methods
• Idea generation and visualization
• Concept and image communication
• Presentation skills

Relating Theory and Practice

• Introduction to animation
• Typography: Type and image, Publication
• Video and Photography
• Narrative: TV Adverts
• Poster Design
• Visual Identity
• Creative production and studio workshops

Year 2

The second year places increased focus on professional practices and students often have the opportunity to start live project work through links with external companies. Students can also benefit from short work placements of up to four weeks in commercial design companies.

Contextualising Graphic Design

Lecture topics include:

• Early avant garde cinema
• Advertising and marketing campaigns
• Medium and message
• The Part in Hollywood and Soviet cinema
• The Pop Video
• Virtual worlds
• 60′s Design
• The Heritage industry
• Green issues

Understanding the Professional Context

Application of practical, technological and theoretical techniques that relate more closely to professional practices. There is focus on team working, critical debate, self reflections and management skills.

• Corporate identity
• Advertising design
• Illustration and visual explorations
• Editorial and publication design
• Digital techniques: Web design, animation or motion graphics

Towards a Personal Direction
Allow students a choice of projects in their areas of interest. This culminates in a period of negotiated study in preparation for independent study.

Year 3

Students specialise in areas of their choice by developing their own project and design briefs as well as student competition briefs. By the end of this year, students produce a portfolio of self-initiated design show-work and a fully research dissertation on a subject of their choice.

Dissertation

A dissertation of between 5,000 – 6,000 words on a subject selected by negotiation with tutors. Emphasis is on self-motivated research using appropriate methods: reading, visits, interviews, etc.

Developing a Personal Portfolio
Optional set projects: corporate communications, illustration, motion graphics, advertising, branding, packaging, typography, etc.

• Student competitions
• Negotiated projects
• Outside commissions with clients

MQA Compulsory Subjects*

• Bahasa Kebangsaan A / B
• Pengajian Islam / Pendidikan Moral
• Pengajian Malaysia

*All local students are required to take 3 MQA Compulsory Subjects that include Bahasa Kebangsaan A, Malaysian Studies, and Islamic Studies (for Muslims) or Moral education (for non-Muslims). Malaysian students are required by MQA to pass all these 3 subjects to qualify for their awards. MQA Compulsory Subjects are optional for all International Students.

Source: KBU International College