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BA (Information Design)

What does the programme entail?

Design is a dynamic discipline that impacts on people and the world they live in. The successful information designer is a highly qualified person who plays a vital role in creating the contemporary visual, spatial and digital environment. A skilled designer can convey meaningful and powerful messages in a variety of media to diverse people. The BA (Information Design) programme incorporates design strategies and design applications in a range of media. Our students learn to design with their heads, hearts and hands to equip them for careers in the local and global communication design industry.

The functions of information design can be broadly defined in terms of the following intentions:

• Establishing visual identities for people, organisations or products

• Visually informing, directing, explaining, describing and educating

• Persuading people to change their behaviours

• Creating an entertaining, aesthetic or intriguing experience

• Creating meaningful and socially responsible design systems

• Information designers execute projects in three types of media: print, ambient and screen-based media.

      Typical design applications include:

• Corporate identity and branding

• Editorial design and copywriting

• Advertising and promotion

• Design for social development

• Imaging and visualisation

• Broadcast, film and animation

• Information visualisation

• Photography

• Web design

• Social design interventions

Graduates will leave the programme with confidence and versatility that will enable them to establish themselves in any of the above areas of professional practice. They can expect to be knowledgeable about current developments in professional practice and to be sensitive to how design can impact society and bring about social change.

Core modules

The core modules consist of two studio practice subjects: Information design, and Imaging and visualisation, as well as a theory subject, Visual culture studies.

Post Graduate Studies

• MA (Information Design) or MA (Visual Studies)
• PhD (Information Design) or PhD (Visual Studies)
• PhD (Digital Media and Culture)

For more information about this programme and this Department, please contact Dr. Duncan Reyburn (Email: [email protected] or Tel: +27 (0)12 420 5189).

Student Endorsement Videos:

Natasha Kudita 

Themba Nhlapo

Cazlynne Peffer