Bachelor of Design specialising in Graphic Design

South Africa

Students with a National Senior Certificate (NSC) stipulating entrance to a bachelor’s degree.

Special Admissions

We offer mature age exemption for Degrees, Diplomas and Higher Certificates programmes as per USAf requirements.

Applications from students who wish to gain access through RPL will be considered. The RPL process is described in the Inscape Admissions Policy and Inscape RPL Application form.

International Students

For admissions to bachelor’s degree: Higher Education South Africa (USAf) complete or conditional exemption certificate. A study permit in the name of Inscape Education Group is valid for the duration of the chosen course.

Students can enrol for the Bachelor of Design specialising in Graphic Design at Cape Town, Durban, Midrand, Pretoria or Stellenbosch campuses. Our programmes are quality assured and standardised across all Inscape campuses. Students who are accepted into certain degree specialisation programmes might be required to complete their 2nd and 3rd-year studies at another specialised Inscape campus.

1st year

Developing fundamental design skills to create design-savvy, critical thinkers form the foundation of first-year studies. Communication, Software and Leadership skills prepare students for intense second-year and third-year studies. Conceptual focus facilitates awareness of the integrated nature of design, advancing the unique thinking of our students. An appreciation of design history and context is a vital component in developing an understanding of complex influences on contemporary design and the need for sustainable design futures.  The fundamentals of the circular economy and circular design inform student design practice. The first-year establishes fundamental building blocks for creative problem-solving.

2nd year

Discipline-specific knowledge in graphic design is developed through design skills and an understanding in visual design and communication, image making, information design, infographics, branding, editorial design, motion graphics, interface and interaction design. Students apply theory to practice through an application of visual hierarchy, design elements and principles, typography, composition skills, illustration and photography, logo design and advertising focusing on context, concept and artwork. Sustainable design and systems of design thinking feature throughout the course.  Software tools for advanced digital compositing, advanced layout and publication, basic web design and prototyping digital products expose students to technologies core to the broader graphic design industry. An understanding of the business of design is developed through the awareness of marketing fundamentals, such as the role of graphic design in marketing, the business of design, competitor strategy, consumer/buyer behaviour, target markets and product positioning, building brands, social media, and integrated marketing strategies.

3rd year

Students develop a signature graphic design focus direction by expanding on research, concept development and visual skills, focusing on integrated design solutions and execution in the areas of visual communication, motion graphics and interaction design. Students advance their design knowledge and expert skills through project briefs that present real-world design problems and time constraints encountered in the industry. Visual design practice, conceptual and typographic skills are refined, and technical aspects governing motion graphics, as well as interaction design aspects are incorporated. Students are exposed to future-fit technologies and innovations in design through software for image-making, visual design and layout, developing interactive product prototypes and motion graphics. Business studies expose students to guidelines and principles involved in running a design business integrating circular economy principles. A capstone project engages each student individually in showcasing their unique design abilities within their area of study. The capstone projects encourage design solutions that are contextually situated through research and designer enquiry, and strategically focused on sustainable professional, economic and societal futures. Students are supported in identifying and solving complex problems through research, design thinking and practice.

Articulation Options

Students who have graduated with a Bachelor of Design degree may apply to register for an Honours or Post Graduate Diploma in Graphic Design, Motion Graphics, Interaction Design or a related field. Institutional minimum requirements will apply.

As part of the Total Annual Fee you will receive:

Tuition including:

Graduates with a graphic design qualification are ready to conceptualise, plan and design exciting visual communication solutions for a dynamic range of media applications and contexts.

Apply your knowledge and shape the industry in the following careers:

• Graphic Designer
• Digital Illustrator
• Print / Publication Designer
• Brand
• Identity Designer
• Packaging Designer
• Information Designer
• Data Visualisation / Infographic Designer
• Web / Mobile App / User Interface Designer
• User Experience Designer
• Motion Graphic Artist
• Creative Director
• Social Media Content Creator /Designer
• Art Director
• Design Teacher.

Graduates enter the dynamic world of graphic arts, branding, advertising, social media, information design and art direction. Graphic designers can take up a role in media as graphic designers, illustrators, online and web-content management, project coordination and planning, editors, journalists, trend forecasters, printing and exposure, photographers and graphic production specialists. They possess all the skills required to work within both the creative, as well as corporate sectors.

To apply for this course, please use the link below.