Visual Communication Design

SCHOOL OF

Visual Communication

Bachelor of Arts in Visual Communication Design

NQF Level 7 | SAQA ID: 60470

ABOUT


Open Window’s VISUAL COMMUNICATION programme is a progressive platform for learners to explore the disciplines of Communication DesignPhotography and Illustration. The programme is designed to offer the graduate a sustainable career by focusing on an area of specialisation in one or two of the aforementioned fields, whilst encouraging interdisciplinary awareness through a wide selection of skills-based modules. This approach provides flexibility that promotes broad thinking and interdisciplinary articulation within a student’s chosen field of study.

REQUIREMENTS


  • Subject to OW’s Admissions Vetting Process
  • An English mark of 55%
  • International applications please contact crm@openwindow.co.za

1st YEAR

COMPULSORY

  • Academic Practice
  • Drawing & Narrative
  • Media Perspectives

CHOICE SUBJECTS

Leading to majors. Choose 4:

2nd YEAR

MAJOR SUBJECTS

Choose one 1st year choice subject for a single major option or choose two of the 1st year choice subjects for a double major option:

For more information on the 2nd and 3rd year subjects click on one of the major subjects.

*Double major only allowed within qualifications.

Double Majors
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Communication Design

Communication Design


Bachelor of Arts in Visual Communication Design

If you are intrigued by fonts, patterns and bold images, and the visual relationships that these establish, this may be the field of study for you.

A communication designer plays a vital role in shaping the visual world around us. The designer’s job is to create communicative designs that inspire ideas and transform, shift and shape the world in which we live. The course explores the endless possibilities that exist when image and type are integrated and equips learners with the tools needed to engage the contemporary design landscape.

Careers

  • Advertising Executive
  • Creative/Art Director
  • Brand Consultant
  • Brand Manager
  • Brand Identity Designer
  • Copywriter
  • Corporate Designer
  • Editorial Designer
  • Finishing Artist/Retoucher
  • Graphic Designer
  • Layout Artist
  • Marketing Designer
  • Marketing Manager
  • Packaging Designer
  • Surface Pattern Designer
  • Not limited to the above! 

If you are intrigued by fonts, patterns and bold images, and the visual relationships that these establish, this may be the field of study for you.

A communication designer plays a vital role in shaping the visual world around us. The designer’s job is to create communicative designs that inspire ideas and transform, shift and shape the world in which we live. The course explores the endless possibilities that exist when image and type are integrated and equips learners with the tools needed to engage the contemporary design landscape.

Careers

  • Advertising Executive
  • Creative/Art Director
  • Brand Consultant
  • Brand Manager
  • Brand Identity Designer
  • Copywriter
  • Corporate Designer
  • Editorial Designer
  • Finishing Artist/Retoucher
  • Graphic Designer
  • Layout Artist
  • Marketing Designer
  • Marketing Manager
  • Packaging Designer
  • Surface Pattern Designer
  • Not limited to the above! 
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Illustration

Illustration


Bachelor of Arts in Visual Communication Design

If you can’t get enough of drawing, are constantly coming up with new ideas and enjoy expressing your thoughts through colour, line and texture, then you should look further into this area of study.

An illustrator creates images that communicate ideas and tell stories. Illustrators have the power to establish new worlds and test boundaries of reality through drawing and stylisation.

The course thus explores various mediums and stylistic approaches that can be combined in order to arrive at an illustrated visual expression that outlines and clarifies specific concepts or ideas. Illustration communicates by combining visual cues in a considered composition and can be applied to various platforms such as posters, books and editorials, amongst other things.

Careers

  • Editorial Illustrator
  • Illustrator in Advertising
  • Illustrator (General)
  • Children’s Book Illustrator
  • Visual Artists
  • Medical Illustrator
  • Graphic Novelist
  • Comic Artist
  • Illustrator
  • Storyboard Artist

If you are addicted to doodling and can’t stop drawing, painting and expressing your thoughts and ideas with colour and line, this area of study is definitely for you.

An illustrator crafts images that express ideas – they will absorb all the information on a certain topic and distill it into a single, striking image, in the most suitable style.

The course explores various mediums and approaches that can be combined to arrive at an illustrated visual expression which outlines and clarifies concepts or ideas. Illustration communicates through various styles to present illustrated content for posters, books and editorials, amongst other things.

Careers

  • Editorial Illustrator
  • Illustrator in Advertising
  • Illustrator (General)
  • Children’s Book Illustrator
  • Visual Artists
  • Medical Illustrator
  • Graphic Novelist
  • Comic Artist
  • Illustrator
  • Storyboard Artist
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Photography

Photography


Bachelor of Arts in Visual Communication Design

If you are interested in a medium that captures an instant in time and preserves it forever, look no further. A photographer is a storyteller, communicating through still images.

Photography combines technical skills with a deep appreciation for observation. It is not only about expressing what you see, but also about considering how you interpret what you see, and how you want others to perceive this. At the Open Window, we draw on conceptual and technical skills through the critical study of the history of the creative experience in order to create a professional photographer that is fully equipped for this brave new world.

Careers

  • Wedding Photographer
  • Photo Retoucher
  • Blog/Lifestyle Photographer
  • Fashion Photographer
  • Corporate Photographer
  • Image Retoucher
  • Press Photographer
  • Events Photographer
  • Travel Photographer
  • Not limited to above

If you are interested in a medium that captures an instant in time and preserves it forever, look no further. A photographer is a storyteller, communicating through still images.

Photography combines technical skills with a deep appreciation for observation. It is not only about expressing what you see, but also about considering how you interpret what you see, and how you want others to perceive this. At the Open Window, we draw on conceptual and technical skills through the critical study of the history of the creative experience in order to create a professional photographer that is fully equipped for this brave new world.

Careers

  • Wedding Photographer
  • Photo Retoucher
  • Blog/Lifestyle Photographer
  • Fashion Photographer
  • Corporate Photographer
  • Image Retoucher
  • Press Photographer
  • Events Photographer
  • Travel Photographer
  • Not limited to above

Photography Equipment List

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