Diploma in Graphic Design

COURSE MODULES

Year 1

Principles of Advertising

This module underlines basic advertising concepts and the roles that advertisers, advertising agencies, the media and other related professional bodies play in the industry, as well as how the industry works to reach its target audience.

Art and Design Fundamentals

This is an introductory module that looks into the creative process and fundamental theories of design. You will learn conceptualisation & problem-solving skills, elements and principles of design and practices in studio art. The understanding of these building blocks allows you to practice expressing ideas through the visual language.

Photography and Digital Imaging

You will be introduced to various topics surrounding photography and digital imaging, ranging from display design to basic knowledge on how to use a DSLR, using case studies on famous photographs.

Mass Communication

This module will introduce you to the various fields of mass communication. By understanding the historical development and current structure of the media, you will learn to reflect upon your relationship with mass communication and society. You will also learn the various elements and processes of communication to enhance your understanding of media messages, thus helping you to explore how media content impacts audience attitudes and behaviour.

Principles of Drawing

In this module, you'll gain a fundamental understanding and skills in drawing. It's all about showing you that drawing plays a crucial role in fostering creativity. We'll also introduce you to the foundational elements of drawing, like lines, forms, shapes, and textures.

Digital Media Graphics

This module will introduce you to the most fundamental design software used today. You will learn how to work with basic computer design functions and applications. Practical and theoretical assignments will help you build your understanding and proficiency with the software.

Communication English

This module aims to help you develop and enhance your reading, writing, listening and speaking skills to express your opinions and views in English and write academic essays confidently. 

Presentation Skills

You will learn the skills needed for effective presentations. This module encourages you to think critically about your audience and the purpose of presenting when planning for, and delivering the presentation.

Creative Thinking

This module sets out to change your mindset by helping you understand creativity, what it takes to be creative and how to be a creative thinker. Besides enhancing your creative thinking ability, it also helps you hone analytical skills.

History of Arts

In this module, you will gain a solid grasp of the basics of art history. You will also gain an understanding of the various art eras and the importance of masterpieces, including the early days of ancient Greece and Rome, the 15th and 16th centuries, and contemporary art. This module examines how and why these pieces look the way they do and what they mean within the particular context.

Video Production

You will dive into the world of video production and learn everything from pre-production to production and post-production, focusing on the creative aspects of single-camera video production.. Through practical workshops, supervised exercises, screenings, and discussions, you'll learn both the technical aspects and creative skills necessary to create videos. This module will also teach you how to use video equipment and apply the right techniques for field productions.

New Media Studies

This module will introduce you to critical concepts and hands-on skills related to “new social media” – which are mostly a reconfiguration and re-contextualisation of older media such as film, television, graphic design and print publication. You will also be exposed to how in some very important ways new media phenomena such as the World Wide Web and Multimedia communication modify the user’s experience of text, image and sound in social communication.

Year 2

Packaging Design

You will learn to combine practical, cosmetic, and environmental considerations while managing modern technology in packaging manufacturing. During this process, you'll engage in a creative and hands-on exploration of materials and manufacturing techniques.

Digital Illustration

In this module, you will explore a wide range of drawing techniques, primarily on digital platforms. You will delve into illustration methods, marker rendering, and various forms of mixed media, all in a digital context. You will also learn a variety of digital painting techniques, and study colour theory, balance, and composition to help you create digital artwork that's true to life.

Advertising Design

You will explore the various creative avenues and mediums of advertising design. Classes will be conducted via lectures, practical work like research and brainstorming, idea and concept development, group discussions, and presentations where you play dual roles as a client and member of the creative team. This process encourages idea generation and contribution, as well as your ability to discern between good and bad ideas.

Creative Direction

You will hone your art direction skills and gain a deep understanding of the principles that align with current industry practices. You will learn the essential steps in the art direction process, including how to bring together visual elements and solutions to convey the brand's intended advertising message effectively. You will also discover how to translate concepts into visual executions across a range of advertising media, ensuring successful communication.

Publication Design

In this module, you'll gain hands-on experience in publication and editorial tasks, which will involve grid techniques, advanced typography, image manipulation, and the design of multi-page documents. You'll become more skilled at crafting page layouts and honing your design abilities.

Professional Portfolio Development and Exhibition

In this module, you will explore different approaches to creating a professional portfolio. Whether you're preparing for the year-end exhibition or job hunting, you'll learn how to showcase your work effectively. It's all about making your portfolio stand out and making a strong impression.

Typography

You will be introduced to the history, anatomy, classification, and terminology of typography, thus developing a basic understanding of the subject. You will further explore the technical and aesthetic aspects of typography to learn effective communication through this medium.

Motion Graphics

You will learn how to create, choose, and edit both still and moving graphics for use in broadcasting and other media platforms. It's not just about creating graphics, but also about applying them to design media content effectively. You will also gain technical expertise in software like Adobe After Effects to effectively employ multimedia production techniques like green screen use, tracking, rotoscoping, and compositing.

ELECTIVE MODULES*

*Choose any two below:

Contextual Studies

This module presents you with an opportunity to explore the history, theories and contexts of advertising, design and media. You will investigate the various causes and influences on advertising and design-related practices within broad cultural and contextual frameworks. You will also learn to analyse stereotypes, ideas, values, class, race, gender, spectatorship, psychology, and art movements, and apply critical theories and media theories to gain a deeper understanding.

Copywriting

In this module, you'll delve into the art of effective copywriting, with a focus on crafting copy for various media channels, including print, radio, TV, billboards, and more.

Film Studies

You will learn how to approach films critically and become adept at recognizing and understanding the subtle cues and meanings woven into film aesthetics and cinematography.

MPU MODULES

Penghayatan Etika dan Peradaban (Malaysian students) / Bahasa Melayu Komunikasi 1 (International students)

Penghayatan Etika dan Peradaban aims to provide a true understanding of the concept of ethical appreciation, especially in complying with the National Principles (Rukun Negara), government policies, unity efforts and national development. In this module, you will learn about Malaysian history before and after its independence, and efforts undertaken in building the nation's civilisation. Bahasa Melayu Komunikasi 1 teaches international students the basics of the Malay language to help in their daily communication. You will also learn to read, write and understand simple sentences and paragraphs in Malay.

Integriti dan Anti-Rasuah

This module covers the basic concepts of corruption including the value of integrity, anti-corruption, forms of corruption, abuse of power in daily activities and organisations as well as ways to prevent corruption. At the end of this module, you will be able to understand the practice of integrity, the concept of corruption, anti-corruption, abuse of power, as well as the prevention of corruption in society and organisations.

Community Service

Community Service focuses on the development of students’ communication, critical thinking and problem-solving skills through community service and cooperative learning. This will include the values of social responsibility, leadership and teamwork. The primary emphasis is on community service and/or co-curricular activities that may require going beyond the university environment.

Bahasa Kebangsaan A (only for students without credit in SPM BM)

Bahasa Kebangsaan A helps in grasping the national language to effectively communicate, and express thoughts clearly and creatively through verbal and written communication.

You can also earn microcredentials from:

University of Colorado Boulder

• Basic Elements of Design: Design Principles and Software Overview

California Institute of the Arts

•  Fundamentals of Graphic Design
• Ideas from the History of Graphic Design

The State University of New York

• Photography
• Photography Part 2

Coursera Project Network

• Build Your Portfolio Website with HTML and CCS