Communication Design Major - Bachelor of Design Te Tohu Paetahi mō te Hoahoa

Study communication design and apply graphic design and digital skills to create typographic and visual meaning in graphic and interaction design, branding, illustration, photography, advertising, motion graphics and art direction.

Communication design focuses on generating content and visually communicating ideas, messages and meaning to respond to societal, environmental and commercially relevant themes and issues. Because it's such a diverse subject, it can lead to a wide range of design careers.

You’ll work in AUT's open studios and computer labs with industry standard software, and have access to excellent facilities, including a printmaking lab, risograph, photographic studio and book bindery.

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This is part of the Bachelor of Design Te Tohu Paetahi mō te Hoahoa.

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As a communication design student, you’re supported by lecturers and professional designers, as you work independently and collaboratively on graphic design and communication design projects.

Year 1

In the first semester, you’ll study core courses that introduce you to design principles, research methods, critical thinking, creative processes and design prototyping. You’ll focus on media experimentation, use type and image to exploit graphic design conventions, and communicate ideas.

In the second semester, you’ll explore design systems, industry case studies, information and content management to prototype and communicate messages to an audience.

In Semester 1, you study the following core courses:

In Semester 2, you study:

You’ll also start your courses from your second major, your minor(s) or elective courses.

Year 2

You’ll work on studio projects and workshops where you will:

  • Explore design systems and branding, including marketing channels, campaign strategy and visual identity
  • Engage with core analogue image-making, digital tools and applications, and communication strategies
  • Focus on typography, illustration, drawing, moving image and opportunities to explore image-making and narrative structures
  • Work on projects with social impact, and partner with creative studios, design researchers, designers and other industry stakeholders
  • Apply industry standard lens-based image-making processes and technologies, professional workflow, and market-level management and communication systems
  • Develop a portfolio

You study the following courses:

You’ll also continue to take courses from your second major, your minor(s) or elective courses.

Year 3

The focus this year is the major self-directed design project you complete. Projects can be individual, in partnership with another student or undertaken as a group project.

You study the following courses:

You’ll also continue to take courses from your second major, your minor(s) or elective courses.

Build your degree

Use our online tool to build your own degree and see what your three years of study could look like.

Build your degreeBuild your degreehttps://www.aut.ac.nz/courses/bachelor-of-design-te-tohu-paetahi-mo-te-hoahoa/communication-design-major

Career opportunities if you study the Communication Design major

Continue towards postgraduate studies, establish your own freelance business, or work in design or advertising agencies, print and multimedia companies, or inhouse design teams.

Roles may include:

  • Advertising and brand creative
  • Online and social media manager or content creator
  • Creative or account director
  • Graphic designer
  • Publication or information designer
  • Photographer
  • Videographer
  • Motion graphic designer
  • Illustrator
  • Print-based designer
Communication-design.jpg

Find out more about industry trends, job descriptions and what employers may be looking for.

Communication Design Careers

Key features
  • Learn graphic design and digital skills, design thinking and strategy
  • Prepares you for a wide range of design careers
  • Access industry standard software, a printmaking lab, risograph, photographic studio and book bindery
  • Option to include subjects from across AUT in your degree
See yourself as
  • A visualiser and brand aware
  • Interested in advertising and packaging
  • Having strong drawing skills and story-telling skills
Hāriata Mann
Leah Wilton
Sabrina David
Amber Butt
Justine Macabasco

The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT qualifications, please refer to the Academic Calendar.