Communication Design

Communication Design, also known as graphic design or visual communication design, is the communication of messages and ideas across visual media platforms.
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Why study Communication Design?

Enjoy the freedom of creative expression, developing design skills for web and print design and motion graphics, and excel in arranging typography, form, and images for impactful and effective visual communication. You will be recognised for the quality of your contribution to our visual culture.

As a communication designer, you will work to combine type and image to attract an audiences's attention and deliver your client's messages.

Communication designers work in areas such as branding, environmental graphics, wayfinding systems, editorial design (newspapers, magazines, books), catalogues, museum displays and every aspect of our visual landscape where there is a communication need.  You will find communication designers working in digital mediums too, and the Communication Design major offers opportunities for you to learn web design and motion graphic design as well.

You can study Communication Design as a major in the Bachelor of Design (BDes).

Career Opportunities

  • Art Director
  • Creative Director
  • Graphic Artist
  • Graphic Designer
  • Web Designer

Study Communication Design in these qualifications

Practical experience

In addition to the practical experience gained throughout the Bachelor of Design degree, you have the opportunity to undertake a real-world design project in the 300 level paper DSIGN350. In this project you work relatively independently and collaborate with your peers and with members of the professional design industry.

The final semester 300 level paper DSIGN360 involves a self-directed brief which culminates each year in a Design Showcase. The Design Showcase projects cover a wide range of media including web design and production, mobile design, interactive design, brand development, visual identity work, interactive installation, motion graphics, 3D animation and more.

Scholarships and prizes

Computer Science Undergraduate Scholarship

For students who are currently in Year 12 or Year 13 at a New Zealand secondary school. Candidates must be intending to enrol full-time in either the BCompSc, BSc majoring in Computer Science, or BE(Hons) majoring in Software Engineering.

Read more about the Computer Science Undergraduate Scholarship.

Looking for more scholarships?

Visit our Scholarship Finder for information about possible scholarships.

Graduate study options

Communication Design papers