Introduction
The successful information designer (visual communications designer) is a professional, highly qualified person who plays a decisive strategic role in creating the contemporary visual environment. We live in a world in which we are surrounded by words and pictures and it is the designer's responsibility to provide original solutions to mass communication problems.
- Visual Communications FunctionsOpen or Close
The functions of visual communications design can be broadly defined in terms of four intentions.
They Are
- To establish visual identities for people, organisations or products
- To visually inform, direct, explain, describe and educate
- To persuade people to change their actions and behaviors
- To create an entertaining, aesthetic or intriguing experience
- Communications Design MediaOpen or Close
Communications designers execute projects in three types of media:
Print Media
examples are books, magazines, brochures, posters, forms, stamps, billboards
Screen-Based Media
examples are TV advertisements and title sequences, multimedia products such as CD-ROMs and DVDs, web-sites, broadcast graphics, information and service kiosks, computer games
3-D Media
examples are exhibition stands, packaging and environmental signage
- Who Is Information Design For?Open or Close
Information design is a career with unusual and challenging opportunities for:
- the intelligent, energetic and innovative person with creative and artistic talent
- someone with perseverance and the ability to accept responsibility
- the person who is able to communicate with a broad spectrum of people
- the adventurous individual who will enjoy the versatility offered by the visual communications industry
- the potential manager with organisational skills
- Design ProjectsOpen or Close
Typical projects and areas of design practice are the following:
Corporate Identity & Communications
name, logo, visual style and all communications materials disseminated by an organisation
Visual Branding
unique and distinguishing identity and packaging for products, places and events
Editorial Design
cover designs, illustrations, and editorial layouts for all types of books, magazines, newsletters and reports
Advertising & Promotion
information and impact about a product, service or idea in the light of the competitive marketplace
Multi-Media Design
interactivity and interface design, web-sites, and all aspects of e-commerce, e-shopping and e-entertainment
Environmental Graphics
wayfinding and directional systems which indicate where to go and where to find things in large and complex public spaces
Design For Development
awareness campaigns and educational materials that help people and communities develop and empower themselves
Illustration
creating images for educational and children’s books, comics, cartoons, botanical and medical information, computer games
Information Architecture
designing and structuring information so that it is accessible, available and understandable.
Broadcast Design
title sequences for television and video programmes
- Opportunities For DesignersOpen or Close
The design and communications industries offer a wide range of career opportunities.
Graduates Work For:
- design consultants (traditional and new media)
- advertising agencies, in-house studios of large companies, state and parastatal organisations, broadcast corporations, educational institutions and research institutes
- book and magazine publishers
- printers
- public relations companies
- computer bureaux and media production houses
- their own studios and as freelance designers
You will leave the course in Information Design with confidence and a versatility that enable you to establish yourself in any of the above areas of design and advertising. You can expect to be knowledgeable about current developments in professional practice and to be sensitive to influences within society that have an impact on design.
- Admission RequirementsOpen or Close
To be accepted for the BA Information Design package, you need a National Senior Certificate with full university exemption. Art as a school subject is not essential, but prospective students must be able to demonstrate their creative potential and commitment to their chosen field of study. You are therefore required to submit a portfolio of work for a merit selection review and, if invited, undergo a series of tests and be interviewed by a selection committee. Applications for the course close on 30 June annually and selection takes place at the beginning of October.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION
- A university exemption
- An APS score of 30
- Art as a school subject is not a requirement
- Course StructureOpen or Close
The Information Design course is spread across four years of full time study. As part of the course, you will also be required to complete a six week internship. The internship constitutes working for professional design and/or production companies during vacations in your 3rd and 4th years of study.
1st YEAR
Information Design IOW 100 Imaging and Visualisation ILL 101 Visual Culture Studies VKK 111 / 121 / 123 Computer Literacy CIL 111 / 121 Academic Skills EAG 151 Academic Literacy AIM 101 2st YEAR
Information Design IOW 200 Imaging and Visualisation ILL 201 Visual Culture Studies VKK 211 / 221 / 223 Marketing Management BEM 110 / 122 3rd YEAR
Information Design IOW 300 Imaging and Visualisation ILL 301 Visual Culture Studies VKK 311 / 321 / 322 Marketing Management BEM 224 4th YEAR
Information Design IOW 400 Visual Communication ILL 401 - Vision & MissionOpen or Close
Vision
The Department of Visual Arts endeavours to be recognised for its academic and creative excellence. It strives to be inclusive, enabling, socially responsible and value-driven, always acknowledging its mandate to be relevant to the wider community. Moreover, the Department aims to be a leading visual arts department, acknowledged as the department of choice by its students, graduates, employers and peers. It seeks to function as a model multidisciplinary department that fosters a creative, intellectual, professional, critical and reflective climate for its staff and students.
Mission
The Department of Visual Arts insists that its three divisions — Fine Arts, Information Design and Visual Studies — play key strategic roles in shaping knowledgeable, responsible, independent and innovative citizens. Its purpose is therefore to train and educate students who can contribute meaningfully to society. Driven by humanistic and intellectual imperatives, the Department provides an environment where students can learn and grow to contribute to the well-being of the broader community and where staff can become leaders in their respective fields. Each of the Department’s divisions seeks to attain these outcomes by means of focused research strategies, encouraging both individuality and communal responsibility.