Specialist Diploma in Visual Communication (Graphic Design)
Intake: Monthly Intakes Available
Kickstart your design career with FMDS! In this hands-on programme, you will explore ‘the mother of all design’ and gain a thorough understanding of the what, why, when, where, who and how of communication graphic design.
This exciting programme is suitable for people with no prior design experience – all you need is a keen eye for design and a great learning attitude. Gain an understanding of the impact design has on the world and uncover creative strategic thinking and managerial skills that will help you execute design techniques that you can use to build an industry-standard, polished portfolio.
What will you learn?
Module 1: Conceptual Thinking Using Design Thinking Methodologies
This module covers the application of a holistic design thinking approach to investigate origin of problem, frame design problems and to find desirable solutions. It covers the progressive stages of design thinking and aims to instil critical thinking skill among students to challenge norms and conventions.
It covers the typical traits of an effective thinker, effective application of design thinking and evaluation to spur improvement and innovation.
Module 2: Idea Generation Techniques
This module is aimed at teaching Students how to generate ideas through the use of popular idea generation techniques. This will be composed of ideas for design as well as ideas for business innovation. They will also learn how to come up with logo ideas appropriate to a brand.
Module 3: Graphic Design Essentials (Adobe Photoshop)
This module is aimed at teaching Students how to recognise and discern between different kinds of visuals from different styles. Students will also learn about the characteristics of visuals such as size, resolution and colour profile. Based on this knowledge, Students will learn how to manipulate and enhance visuals using Adobe Photoshop.
Module 4: Graphic Illustration and Design Fundamentals (Packaging Design)
This module is aimed at introducing students to the techniques and processes involved in designing and constructing storage articles used for holding various types of objects. Students will be exposed to the production processes involved in packaging design and also appreciate the influence of culture and climate on materials. They will also learn to integrate visual appeal with functionality int their designs.
Module 5: Art Direction and Photography
This module is aimed to teach Students to plan a strategy for a video production. They will learn how to incorporate the “three-part-act” into their strategy for storytelling. They will do this by firstly learning the key considerations in video filming, including angles, lighting, shots and scenes. They will also learn how to create film storyboards and to align scripts with scenes.
Module 6: Design Studio Management
This module covers the key elements of professional practices and processes typically applied across design studios and multiple design disciplines. The skills include applying appropriate codes of professional conduct within professionals, clients and vendors.
Students will learn how to write and prepare a design project brief including contract proposal covering intellectual property rights principles.
Module 7: Integrated Marketing Communications
This module covers the knowledge and application skills in identifying the right channels among on- and off- lines channels for promotion.
Students will acquire the basic knowledge of brand traits, brand positioning, targeted market audience and study of various media channels effectiveness. Students will determine the promotional and publication strategies, coordinating promotional and publication activities and evaluating the effectiveness of promotion and publication of products and services via the selected channels.
Module 8: Mixed Media Drawing and Rendering
This module covers creating and renderings artworks which integrates a range of mediums in the structure and design of the object. This includes collage, assemblage art, and altered objects.
Module 9: Publication Design
Students will be taught the basic design elements and key design principles to create visual messages to be applied across multiple print visual formats. Students will also apply best practices in publication design ensuring a print literatures are tastefully designed to suite its targeted market audience.
Module 10: Typography for Design
Students will be taught the appreciation and right application of different fonts for different concepts. It aims to equip students the fundamental designing skill to define the needs and expectations of the audience using the right design elements to complement the design strategy. This skill also aims to generate and structure content, using content creation frameworks.
Module 11: Final Major Project (Preparing New Design)
The final major project is a research-based module that integrates concepts and work from throughout the program. The module is designed for students to expound their skillset in one unified project. This project would test Students’ ability in the areas of graphic design to build or improvise a new or existing brand, conceptualise its marketing messages through the application of graphic design to build a brand visual identity system.
Programme Fees
In SGD – Inclusive of GST
$379 (24-month instalment)
$607 (15-month instalment)Talk to us about Financing Options!
Intakes
January, April, July, October
Programme Duration
Full Time: 6 months, 5 days a week
Part Time: 15 months, 3 days a week
Intakes Yearly
Teacher to Student Ratio
Career Opportunities
- Graphic Designer
- Art Director
- Brand Designer
- Print Designer
- Web Designer
- Product Designer
- Design Consultant
- Designpreneur
Entry Requirements
Specialist Diploma level
Direct Entry
Applicants will be enrolled directly into Specialist Diploma programmes if they meet the following criteria:
- Singaporean and Singapore PR applicants: 5 ‘N’ Level subjects including English with minimum C6 grade for each subject, or equivalent
- 18 years old and above
- Foreign applicants: Completion of Grade 10 taught in English or completion of Grade 10 not taught in English with minimum IELTS score of 5 or minimum TOEFL score of 55, or equivalent
Conditional Entry
Applicants will be given conditional entry into Specialist Diploma programmes based on the following criteria:
- Submission of a design portfolio subjected to assessment by FMDS Academic Team AND
- Submission of resume and Letter(s) of Identity from employer(s) for matured candidates of minimum 25 years of age with a minimum of 2 years of working experience in a related field AND
- Completion of the FMDS Design Foundation programme with a minimum Credit grade
Useful Information
Graduation Requirements
For the successful graduation from any FMDS qualification, students are required to pass all modules. For Specialist Diploma, Diploma and Advanced Diploma students, they are additionally required to successfully complete their Final Major Projects as well.
Assessment and Examination Methods
Assessments for each of the modules under each qualification is based on a student project to be completed by the student. It will be conducted by a qualified examiner to be appointed by the school. Students will be given ample time to prepare their deliverables for assessment and the assessment date will be informed in advance. The appointed examiner will grade student assessments based on a standardised gradesheet given by the school. Students are also entitled to appeal the grades they receive should they feel that there was either a procedural error, evidence of a failure of supervision or other extenuating circumstances.
Requirements of Industry Attachments
Students which sign up for the Advanced Diplomas will be required to undergo an industrial attachment programme at the tail end of their studies. Students will be matched up with a participating partner to undergo this industrial attachment where they will receive on-the-job training in the following: design and management, human relations, computer applications, cost implications, safety measures, quality control, productivity and marketing.