Diploma in Digital Design

Course Overview

Graphic design isn't just about aesthetics; it's a powerful tool for communication and expression. In today's visually driven world, graphic designers play a pivotal role in shaping perceptions, conveying messages, and influencing behaviours. By mastering the art of visual storytelling, you'll have the ability to captivate audiences, evoke emotions, and leave a lasting impression. If you have a passion for creating visually appealing graphics, then pursuing a career in this field could be a great fit for you. With the demand for digital design skills on the rise, there are plenty of opportunities to explore and grow in this exciting industry.

The study of digital design will provide you with the necessary skills to create visually appealing and user-friendly websites and applications. It will equip you with knowledge of current trends and technologies in the digital design industry. This course not only nurtures your talents but also equips you with the essential skills to thrive in the competitive world of design. With hands-on experience and expert guidance, you'll learn to create captivating artwork and designs, while collaborating on real-life projects with leading brands and agencies.

Fully accredited by MQA, our Diploma in Digital Design opens doors to 124 different programmes in 6 countries – the UK, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, Korea, and Taiwan.

Learning Outcomes

• Discover the powerful uses of typography and design principles in creating meaning across communication.
• Manipulate photography and illustration to create original works.
• Master industry-standard software and related tools in a technical environment.
• Learn the language of graphic design so you graduate job-ready.
• Receive a Diploma from the International Advertising Association (IAA), New York upon completion.
• Gain access to advanced standing into Year 2 of the BA (Hons) Advertising and Design or Year 3 of other degree programmes offered by the University of Sunderland.
• Gain access to advanced standing into Year 3 of the BA (Hons) in Graphic Communication Design offered by the University of Northampton.

COURSE MODULES

Year 1

Mass Communication

This module covers diverse fields, examining media's past and present to prompt reflection on its societal role. It teaches communication elements to decode media messages, aiding in analysing their influence on audience attitudes and behaviors.

Communication English

The module emphasises improving the four language skills: Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking, for both general communication and academic proficiency. Through discussions, activities, and tasks, you will practice higher-level communicative and academic English. Projects will provide opportunities to refine language skills and apply knowledge to real-life and career contexts.

Digital Media Graphics

This module is designed to introduce you to the most basic design software used today. You will be taught how to handle simple and basic computer design functions and applications. Practical and theoretical assignments will be given to increase knowledge of the software.

Creative Thinking

This module invites you to change your mind-set about being creative by helping you to understand creativity, what it takes to be creative and how to be a creative thinker. Besides developing your creative thinking, it also helps to hone your analytical skills.

Presentation Skills

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

Principles of Advertising

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

Typography

You will learn the basic principles including history, anatomy, classification and terminology that will help you develop an understanding of Typography. You will further explore the technical and aesthetic aspects of Typography to learn how to communicate effectively with type.

Photography and Digital Imaging

This module provides a basic introduction on photography & digital imaging. It covers a range of related topics from display design to basic knowledge on how to use a DSLR. Case studies of famous photographs will also be used for discussion purposes.

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.

Research Methods

This module seeks to introduce you to the importance of research in today’s world, and to help you think critically of the society around you. This module helps you to articulate your thoughts, formulate the right questions to ask, and determine the most effective research method to answer questions about the world that you live in.

Digital Storytelling & Animation

This module teaches you motion and broadcast graphics, covering creation, selection, and manipulation of still and motion graphics for various media delivery platforms. It includes technical training in Adobe After Effects for motion graphics creation, multimedia production with green screen, and techniques like tracking, rotoscoping, and compositing. You can apply these skills creatively to media content design using multiple media formats.

Art and Design Fundamentals

This is an introductory module that looks into the creative process and helps you understand the fundamental theories in regards to design. You will learn conceptualisation & problem solving skills, elements and principles of design, and practices in studio art. You will gain a better understanding of these building blocks and thus practice how to express ideas through the visual language.

Principles of Drawing

This module will equip you with a basic understanding and skills in drawing to create awareness that drawing is a key factor to creativity, and expose you to the basic elements in drawing for lines, forms, shapes and textures.

Year 2

New Media Applications

New Media explores critical concepts and hands-on skills in "new social media," which often reconfigure older media forms like film, television, graphic design, and print publication. It delves into how phenomena such as the World Wide Web and Multimedia communication alter user experiences of text, image, and sound in social communication. The module examines these shifts in the context of traditional media while exploring emerging new media, particularly in the broadcast industry.

History of Arts

Upon completion, you will be versed in art history, from early Greek and Roman works to contemporary art. You'll understand the significance of masterpieces across eras and analyse artworks' visual elements and meanings within their cultural contexts.

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.

2D & 3D 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.

Digital 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.

Augmented Reality in Advertising Design

In this module, you will explore diverse creative avenues through lectures, research, brainstorming, and group discussions. Acting as both clients and creatives, you get to present your ideas for critique, fostering idea generation and critical thinking. Alongside, you'll gain theoretical knowledge to design, enhance, and evaluate Augmented Reality (AR) systems, improving user interfaces and experiences.

Digital Publication

This module will give you the experience in publication or editorial task includes grid techniques, advance typography, image manipulation and designing multi-page documents. You will learn to become more practiced in constructing page layout and designing skills.

Digital & Experiential Advertising Design

The module emphasises developing art direction skills aligned with current industry standards. You will be able to grasp the fundamentals of art directing, merging visual elements to convey the brand's advertising message effectively. You will also learn to translate concepts into visual executions across various advertising platforms.

In-Company Practical Training

This module aids you in applying your learning outside the educational institution and devising strategies to integrate with the industry. Through Internship Reflection, you will develop critical thinking, communication skills, and identify potential career paths.

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.

UI/UX Design Fundamentals

This module brings a design-centric approach to user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design, and offers practical, skill-based instruction centered around a visual communications perspective, rather than on one focused on marketing or programming alone.

MPU MODULES

Appreciation of Ethics and Civilisation (Malaysian students) / Malay Communication 1 (International students)

Appreciation of Ethics and Civilisation 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. Malay Communication 1 teaches you the basics of the Malay language to help in your daily communication. You will also learn to read, write and understand simple sentences and paragraphs in Malay.

Integrity and Anti-Corruption

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 your 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.

National Language A (only for students without credit in SPM BM)

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