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Undergraduate subject

Graphic Design

03 October 2023
Discover graphic design as a wide-ranging medium oriented around culture and society.
HOW TO APPLY

Overview


Graphic Design

Introduction

Learn to work as a graphic designer with a nuanced understanding of the role design plays in giving form to ideology.

This subject is available as part of UC's Bachelor of Fine Arts, or as a minor in UC's general bachelor's degrees, designed to teach you traditional and digital methods for creating visual arts that can be used in creative or business industries.

Graphic Design students at UC have a reputation for being actively involved in Ōtautahi Christchurch's thriving arts scene and generating studio practice for national and international creative communities.

Graphic Design

What will my study involve?

  • Develop broad visual communication, technical software, and studio-based skills.
  • Create your own portfolio working across multiple outputs - image and text design, print and online media, business branding, and more.
  • Join a close-knit community with many opportunities for practical work experience with Ōtautahi Christchurch's creative networks.
  • Seminars by staff, advancing students, and visiting practitioners examining emerging technologies and current issues in graphic design.

Graphic Design

Courses

Graphic Design major

There is strong competition for places in the first year of the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) – see the degree page for information on entry requirements and how to apply.

The Graphic Design major courses begin from your second year:

200-level

300-level

At least one 300-level ARTH course must be completed if you want to be eligible for Honours in your fourth year.

400-level

If you are completing your fourth year at Honours level, you will take FINA601 Fine Arts Honours Research instead of the 400-level courses above.

Graphic Design minor

For the minor in the Bachelor of Arts, Commerce, Digital Screen, Health, Product Design, Science, Social and Environmental Sustainability, Sport, or Youth and Community Leadership, complete the following courses:

100-level

  • DESI120 Introduction to Graphic Design
  • DESI121 History of Graphic Design

200-level

  • DESI220 Graphic Design: Digital Typography
  • DESI221 Graphic Design: Contemporary Contexts
  • DESI222 Graphic Design: Branding and Identity Systems

Graphic Design

Career opportunities

This subject takes an expansive approach to graphic design and will prepare you for a number of careers in the creative industries.

Career pathways could include:

  • graphic designer
  • creative director and brand consultant
  • content creator
  • professional artist.

Find out more about what you can do with a degree in Fine Arts.

Brochures

Undergraduate Prospectus 2026

Whakatairanga Ākonga

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International Prospectus 2025/2026

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