With Communication Design, Illustration and Photography as cornerstones, this department focuses on the social and cultural consumption of communication and the art of persuasion through visual imagery.
Students are taught to create applicable pictorial and graphic representations and to find solutions for conveying meaningful messages through relevant, captivating communication strategies.
Department Head:
Adele Adendorff
BA (Fine Arts) / Hons UP / MA (Visual Studies) UP
Enrolled for DPhil (Fine Arts) UP
Subject
Communication Design
Communication Design provides an essential platform for students who plan to enter the graphic and print design industry.
The course serves as an introductory step into the world of graphic and print design.
It explores the underlying foundational elements and design principles to give students a clear understanding and appreciation of what it takes to produce quality designs.
Students will learn to analyse briefs and visualise concepts.
They will also explore and examine typography, corporate identity design, branding systems, advertising, packaging, as well as editorial design and layout.
Photography is a highly creative, competitive field of practice. Therefore, the curriculum is continuously adapting to fulfil industry demands – cutting-edge tasks and assignments bridge the gap between an academic and professional environment.
Students are given the technical competence, artistic sensitivity and self-confidence to master various photographic genres and channel their creative expression.
The aim is to create visually literate, thinking photographers who are on par with industry standards.
Illustration focuses on clarifying concepts through visual imagery. The subject deals with creating graphic, visual representations that convey factual and sensory information on a particular idea or concept.
Students are given market-related, relevant and thought-provoking illustration briefs within both print-based and digital platforms.
They are encouraged to use a wide variety of traditional and digital techniques, materials and media to develop a unique, personal visual language.
Basic aspects of illustration-based editorial design, typography and printing are also covered.
