The Communication Design major within the Bachelor of Design Te Tohu Paetahi mō te Hoahoa at AUT prepares students for a diverse range of creative careers by focusing on developing both graphic and digital communication skills. The programme covers typographic and visual meaning creation, interaction design, branding, illustration, photography, advertising, motion graphics, and art direction. Students access industry-standard software and excellent facilities, work independently and collaboratively, and build a professional portfolio through a mix of coursework and a major third-year project culminating in a public exhibition. The course is supported by professional lecturers and active collaboration with industry.

Course Content

• Design principles, research methods, and creative processes

• Design prototyping and critical thinking

• Media experimentation and graphic design conventions

• Communication of ideas through type and image

• Design systems and industry case studies

• Content management and prototyping for audiences

• Branding, marketing channels, and visual identity

• Analogue and digital image-making; digital tools

• Typography, illustration, drawing, and moving image

• Narrative structures in media

• Lens-based image-making and workflow management

• Portfolio development

• Self-directed capstone design project

• Public exhibition of design work