Communication Design
Communication Design is concerned with visually communicating messages and ideas across multiple media platforms. As a communication designer, you will work to combine type and image to attract an audience's attention and deliver your client's messages.
Communication Design is also known as visual communication design or graphic design.
As a communication designer, you will be responsible for arranging typography, form and image on a myriad of communication platforms, and in various types of media. You will be recognised for the quality of your contribution to our visual culture.
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).
Computing facilities at Waikato
The University of Waikato offers students 24-hour computer lab access with all the latest computer software, and several labs fully equipped with Mac computers, commonly used in professional design environments. Graduate students have a dedicated lab space and access to all undergraduate facilities.
Key information
| Study Locations: | Hamilton |
|---|---|
| Faculty: |
Study Communication Design in these qualifications
Communication Design as a specialisation of
Career opportunities
- Graphic Designer
- Graphic Artist
- Web Designer
- Creative Director
- Art Director
Papers
Available Communication Design papers
100 level
| Code | Paper Title | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|
| COMPX101 | Introduction to Computer Science | 18A (Hamilton), 18A (Online), 18B (Hamilton) & 18C (Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou China) |
| This paper introduces computer programming in C# - the exciting challenge of creating software and designing artificial worlds within the computer. It also covers concepts such as the internals of the home computer, the history and future of computers, cyber security, computer gaming, databases, mobile computing and current researc... | ||
| COMPX161 | Computing Media | 18B (Hamilton) & 18C (Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou China) |
| In this paper students will create multimedia web content using appropriate software packages. Web design concepts will be introduced for the effective use of text, images and sounds. Students will be introduced to relevant computing concepts and provided with software tutorials and related exercises. | ||
| DSIGN125 | Introduction to Communication Design Production | 18A (Hamilton) & 18C (Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou China) |
| This paper enables students to perform basic computing operations and to operate software packages for the manipulation of visual images and text for use in print and screen-based applications. Students will be introduced to basic computing concepts and provided with software tutorials and related exercises. | ||
| DSIGN141 | Design 1 | 18A (Hamilton) & 18C (Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou China) |
| This paper develops the student's ability to recognise and utilise the basic elements and principles of design both two and three dimensionally. It explores topics related to 'thinking' and creativity with an emphasis on raising a student's creativity consciousness and attitude. The work will primarily be abstract in nature and wil... | ||
| DSIGN142 | Design 2 | 18B (Hamilton) |
| This paper develops the student's ability to put into graphic application the basic elements and principles of design. It will also provide an introduction to typography. The emphasis of the study is to apply these basics to 2D and 3D mediums. The work will be resolved in both traditional and computer technology. | ||
| DSIGN151 | A History of Visual Communication | 18B (Hamilton) |
| Students consider the role of visual communication design in society and culture, from the evolution of writing to the revolutions of twentieth century modernism, through the study of visual images and critical theory. | ||
| MEDIA102 | Film Production 1: Audio-Visual Communication | 18A (Hamilton) & 18B (Hamilton) |
| A hands-on practice paper in which students learn to apply film production theory to communicate ideas and tell stories. Students gain experience capturing, constructing and manipulating both audio and moving image in the process of making digital short films. | ||
200 level
| Code | Paper Title | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|
| DSIGN241 | Design 3: Aspects of Web Design | 18A (Hamilton) |
| This paper presents the students with the challenge of designing, developing and publishing content for the World Wide Web, working with content management systems (CMS). The students are challenged to combine their typographic skills and their knowledge of design in order to practically solve communication design projects. | ||
| DSIGN242 | Design 4: Interactive Environments | 18B (Hamilton) |
| This paper presents the students with the challenge of designing interactive media environments of different types. The students are challenged to experiment beyond their previously acquired knowledge, designing for interactive computer screens and mobile devices. | ||
| DSIGN243 | Visual Language and Information Design | 18B (Hamilton) |
| This paper offers students the possibility to explore the area of information design. By using their knowledge of principles of design, visual communication using typography and image, students will design information graphics (infographics): visual representations of information, working in the passage from data to information uti... | ||
| DSIGN252 | Cultural Perspectives for Design | 18A (Hamilton) & 18B (Hamilton) |
| The paper provides students with an understanding of culture-specific perspectives on design issues and the ability to apply these in diverse contexts. | ||
300 level
| Code | Paper Title | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|
| COMPX324 | User Experience Design | This paper will not be taught in 2018. |
| This paper will not be taught in 2018. | ||
| DSIGN350 | Intern Project | 18A (Hamilton) |
| This paper will induct the design student into the professional environment where the student applies design skills, research methodology and production skills to allocated projects or industry placement. | ||
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Scholarships and Prizes
Selected scholarships for Communication Design students.
New to Waikato? The International Excellence Scholarship is worth up to $10,000.
CMS International Exchange Scholarship Open
For students who have completed at least one year of study in the Faculty of Computing & Mathematical Sciences (FCMS), applied for a University of Waikato exchange programme, and who will be enrolled full-time in FCMS in the year of tenure.
Closing Date: 31 Jul 2018
Computer Science Undergraduate Scholarship Open
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 a BCMS(Hons), BSc, BSc(Tech), BE(Hons) or BDes degree, in one of the computing streams, at the University of Waikato. Candidates will sit a Scholarship exam, which will be held on 19 and 20 October 2018.
Closing Date: The Scholarship exam will be held on 19 and 20 October 2018
Looking for more scholarships?
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 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 Degree Show. The Degree Show 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.
Subject links
Contacts
Faculty of Computing & Mathematical Sciences
Phone: 0800 924 528 ext: 4322 or +64 7 838 4322
Email: cms@waikato.ac.nz
Website: cms.waikato.ac.nz
Facebook: facebook.com/WaikatoFCMS