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Specialise in Visual Communication Design for your Bachelor of Design with Honours at Massey
The world is undergoing a radical shift in how people communicate, work and share ideas. More people can share more ideas in more ways than ever before - photos, video, animations, tweets, graphics and experiences. We can connect with people across countries, languages and cultures. People can interact with governments and corporations in new ways, while they are using the same tools to try to influence us.
Visual communication design (VCD) offers huge scope and flexibility. At Massey, we teach a diverse range of media, like print, web and video, and give you the chance to try all of them. Within VCD you can explore and specialise in print, typographic and editorial design, information and graphic design, web, interaction and service design, and illustration and branding. You’ll learn to solve complex design problems. You’ll follow your interests and aspirations by developing a higher level of expertise in a specific area.
We set you up for the real world, where you’ll work collaboratively, adapt to new ideas and technologies, and turn your hand to whatever needs to be done.
Get the full picture
Further study
Further your design research and practice with a Master of Design at Massey, or go on to create new knowledge with a PhD.
Planning information
If you study full-time, in your first year, you’ll take eight 15-credit courses, making a total of 120 credits.
If you wish to study over two semesters, you should aim for 60 credits per semester. You may be able to take some courses at summer school. Make sure you include courses that are prerequisites for the next level of courses you wish to study.
About this major
The Visual Communication Design major in the Bachelor of Design with Honours consists of 210 credits.
Minors
Completing a minor is optional and may be a way for you to show the breadth of your degree.
A minor must be in a different subject from your major and be made up of at least 60 credits.
If you’re interested in doing a minor you should contact us using the Get advice button on this page. Our student advice team will be able to talk you through your options and help you plan your degree.
More information: ‘Yellow Book’.
Official regulations
To understand what you need to study and must complete to graduate read the official rules and regulations for this qualification.
You should read these together with all other relevant Statutes and Regulations of the University including the General Regulations for Undergraduate Degrees, Undergraduate Diplomas, Undergraduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas and Graduate Certificates.
Returning students
For returning students, there may be changes to the majors and minors available and the courses you need to take. Go to the section called ‘Transitional Provisions’ in the Regulations to find out more.
In some cases the qualification or specialisation you enrolled in may no longer be taking new enrolments, so may not appear on these web pages. To find information on the regulations for these qualifications go to the Massey University Calendar.
Please contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.
Courses you can enrol in
Course planning key
- Prerequisites
- Courses that need to be completed before moving onto a course at the next level. For example, a lot of 200-level courses have 100-level prerequisite courses.
- Corequisites
- Courses that must be completed at the same time as another course are known as corequisite courses.
- Restrictions
- Some courses are restricted against each other because their content is similar. This means you can only choose one of the offered courses to study and credit to your qualification.
Core courses for the Bachelor of Design with Honours
As well as the specialisation courses listed below, this qualification has core courses that you will need to complete.
Bachelor of Design with Honours core courses
Visual Communication Design courses
Part One
Course code: 222157 Visual Communication Design 1.1: Introduction to Graphic Design 15 credits
In this course students will be introduced to fundamental graphic design principles, understanding rhetorical approaches and building visual language. Students will explore a specific topic and develop content and compositions that are compelling and persuasive and communicate a clear and engaging message for both print-based, and dynamic interactive/motion graphic outputs. This course introduces core skills for all designers communicating visually.
View full course detailsCourse code: 222158 Visual Communication Design 1.2: Introduction to Typography 15 credits
In this course students will be introduced to typography, the foundational design skill of arranging type, exploring the interplay of content and meaning. Students will gain an understanding of fonts, the language of letterforms and the power of structuring written words through developing layout systems and information hierarchies to make information accessible and engaging. This course will be instrumental for all designers who deal with words and images for print, screen and beyond.
View full course detailsCourse code: 222159 Visual Communication Design 1.3: Introduction to User Experience Design and Interactivity 15 credits
In this course students will be introduced to interaction design, and develop understanding of user experience design (UX) through the design of user interfaces (UI) in a web design context. Students will gain knowledge of prototyping and user testing practices through designing a digital interface, learning how information can be effectively communicated in online media. This course will be useful for all students interested in graphic design for interactive environments.
View full course detailsPart Two
Course code: 222263 Visual Communication Design 2.1: Graphic Design: Type and Image Systems 15 credits
In this course students will explore strategies for developing a visual language using type and image. Students will design a printed publication using flexible and cohesive graphic systems for the meaningful, logical and consistent organisation of information on a page. This course develops skills that can be applied to any aesthetic, project or media across print and digital outputs.
View full course detailsCourse code: 222264 Visual Communication Design 2.2: Visualising Information 15 credits
In this course, students will learn narrative and data visualisation techniques to aid audience interpretation of information in compelling and accessible ways. Students will consider different audiences and produce responses across multiple media. This course provides an opportunity to apply and extend typographic, graphic design and illustration skills, and consider how interactivity and narrative can enhance the communication of complex information.
View full course detailsCourse code: 222265 Visual Communication Design 2.3: User Experience Design in Web and Digital Media 15 credits
In this course students will deepen their knowledge of web design and digital media concepts. Students will design a comprehensive website through a user-centred design practice, including developing information architecture appropriate to a large-scale website. Students will develop their user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design skills further, integrating visual communication design principles into the online environment.
View full course detailsCourse code: 222266 Visual Communication Design 2.4: Brand Communication 15 credits
This course explores a designer’s role in creating, developing, positioning and implementing a brand. Students will create a visual identity system applied across print, packaging and promotional touchpoints. Learn about brand positioning, audience profiling and persuasive strategies alongside processes for logo identity design.
View full course detailsCourse code: 222267 Visual Communication Design 2.5: Illustration Practice 15 credits
In this course students will explore illustration as both art form and as a powerful medium for design communication and storytelling. Students will develop and apply techniques, skills and processes to create illustrations for a range of topics and audiences, which engage, inspire and provoke.
View full course detailsCourse code: 222268 Visual Communication Design 2.6: Transmedia and Motion Graphics 15 credits
In this course students will explore how visual language can be applied across different media to engage, inform and enable. Students will create a cohesive visual narrative to work across print and digital media. This will appeal to students interested in branding, marketing, transmedia narrative and motion design. It also provides excellent opportunities for innovative application of illustration and typographic design.
View full course detailsPart Three
Course code: 222358 Visual Communication Design 3.5: Design for Social Change 30 credits
In this course, students will develop a deep understanding of human-centered design processes that respond to the needs, preferences, and behaviours of the target audience. Students will create an innovative design strategy to address a societal issue. This course has broad appeal, offering students a high level of creative independence and an opportunity to focus on their specific area of design interest. Students are also encouraged to consider their role as a designer and how they can contribute to society in a meaningful way.
View full course detailsCourse code: 222367 Visual Communication Design 3.1: Editorial Design and Production 15 credits
In this course students will extend skills for managing complex editorial content for a curated reading experiences. Students will find that this course helps them develop their skills in typographic detailing, document structure, grids and hierarchy, alongside hands-on format, print-finishing and binding techniques. This course will be valuable for students interested in book/publication design, and those wanting to advance their typographic skills for any medium.
View full course detailsCourse code: 222368 Visual Communication Design 3.2: Brand Communication Identity and Narrative 15 credits
In this course, students will extend their understanding of the role of branding in the context of the overall marketing and communication mix. Working with a studio group, students will create a cohesive brand narrative and apply it across a comprehensive range of touchpoints. This will be of particular appeal to students interested in branding, marketing and transmedia narrative, with opportunities for detailed exploration and application of graphic design, typography, motion graphics, photography, illustration and video.
View full course detailsCourse code: 222369 Visual Communication Design 3.3: User Experience Design: Service, Experience and Interaction 15 credits
In this course students will extend their knowledge of web, service and experience design. Students will apply a robust user centred design process to create a comprehensive digital service through experience design. This course will be valuable to those interested in advancing their graphic design and service and experience design skills through digital media practice.
View full course detailsCourse code: 222372 Visual Communication Design 3.4: Creating Visual Narrative Content 15 credits
In this course students will expand their content creation practice. Explore professional ways of generating, translating and presenting ideas and narratives into expressive and engaging visual forms for specific audiences. Outputs may include analogue or digital responses, encompassing illustration, moving image, graphic design, and digital interactive interfaces.
View full course detailsPart Four
Course code: 222453 Visual Communication Design Research and Development 30 credits
Application of research methods and processes to investigate social, cultural, aesthetic and technical issues and strategies in an approved visual communication design project.
View full course detailsEntry requirements
Admission to Massey
All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
Specific requirements
This is a selected entry qualification . This means there are a number of extra requirements you must meet.
To enter the Bachelor of Design with Honours you will:
- submit a portfolio (if you do well in NCEA Level 2 art, design or technology (or equivalent) you may not need to submit a portfolio. See details below.)
Application closing date
- For Semester One start: Applications close on 30 November, for study commencing the following year.
- For Semester Two start: Applications close on 30 June.
Late applications will be considered subject to available spaces.
English language requirements
To study this qualification you must meet Massey University's English language standards.
Portfolio requirements
There are three main ways to gain entry to the Bachelor of Design with Honours/Bachelor of Fine Arts with Honours.
Automatic entry
If you achieved NCEA Level 2 or 3 with Merit or Excellence overall, and a Merit or Excellence endorsement in an approved art, design or technology subject, you have automatic entry and will not have to submit a portfolio.
This also applies for Cambridge International students achieving an AS grade A or B in an approved art, design or technology subject.
Portfolio pre-approval entry
You can show work in progress to a Massey College of Creative Arts staff member during a school visit, Massey Open Day or other University event, or in a video call. They’ll look at examples of your work with you and if it shows the creative potential we’re looking for, they’ll sign a portfolio pre-approval letter. Then you won’t need to submit a final portfolio with your application.
Portfolio entry
When you apply online, submit a portfolio showing a selection of your creative work that demonstrates your creative potential with your application to study.
See full details about portfolio requirements and pre-approvals
English language skills
If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.
Fees and scholarships
Fees, student loans and free fees scheme
Your tuition fees may be different depending on the courses you choose. Your exact fees will show once you have chosen your courses.
There will also be some compulsory non-tuition fees and for some courses, there may also be charges for things such as study resources, software, trips and contact workshops.
- Get an estimate of the tuition fees for your qualification
- View a list of non-tuition fees that may be payable
Already know which courses you're going to choose?
You can view fees for the courses that make up your qualification on the course details pages.
Student loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free scheme
You may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying your fees.
The New Zealand Government offers fees-free tertiary study for eligible domestic students. Find out more about the scheme and your eligibility on the Fees Free website. To use the site's eligibility checking tool, you will need your National Student Number.
Current and returning Massey students can find their National Student Number in the student portal.
- Student loans (StudyLink)
- Fees Free
- Student portal
Scholarship and award opportunities
Search our scholarships and awardsFees disclaimer
This information is for estimation purposes only. Actual fees payable will be finalised on confirmation of enrolment. Unless otherwise stated, all fees shown are quoted in New Zealand dollars and include Goods and Services Tax, if any. Before relying on any information on these pages you should also read the University's Disclaimer Notice.
Careers and job opportunities
There has never been a more exciting time to be a visual communicator. There are opportunities to work in areas such as:
- publishing
- branding
- interactivity
- entertainment.
There is also a growing demand for graduates who can apply design thinking at a strategic level in business, government, and social and civic enterprises.
Massey design graduates with a visual communication design major are employed in a diverse range of enterprises in New Zealand, Australia, Europe, North America and beyond. They work for:
- design firms and consultancies
- advertising agencies
- IT and web design firms
- film studios
- post-production companies
- publications.
Some are self-employed freelance illustrators and designers, or have set up their own successful companies.
International students
New Zealand is a great place to study. Massey University’s reputation is supported by our international rankings, accreditations and associations. We are rated five star plus by the QS World University Rankings.
Massey University has small class sizes, and our lecturers and staff are friendly and approachable.
As an international student, there are entry requirements that will apply to you. We recommend that you apply at least three months before your anticipated start date so your application can be processed in time. There are additional steps you will need to take. These include obtaining a visa and travel bookings if your study is to be in New Zealand.
Related study options
Bachelor of Fine Arts with Honours – BFA(Hons)
Discover how to produce work that makes people think and feel, act and react. Whatever your mode of art-making is, we’ll help you find and develop your own creative voice.
Certificate in Creative Arts – CertCreativeArt
Massey’s Certificate in Creative Arts is a flexible qualification that will introduce you to the basics of art and design - creative thinking, visual communication, specialist skills, and critical awareness.
Diploma in Creative Arts – DipCreativeArts
You’ll study with art and design degree students in a range of studio and lecture-based courses covering everything from critical and contextual studies, to social media, painting, and digital fabrication.
Expressive Arts – Bachelor of Communication
If you love being creative and want to study a selection of theatre, performance, creative writing, and digital media production, and you also want great career prospects, the Bachelor of Communication (Expressive Arts) is for you.
Graduate Diploma in Fine Arts – GDipFA
Massey’s Graduate Diploma in Fine Arts is for skilled graduates who want to gain new knowledge and skills in fine arts.
Master of Fine Arts – MFA
Embed yourself in a rich dialogue about your creative practice in Massey’s transdisciplinary Master of Fine Arts qualification, for artists and designers.
Postgraduate Diploma in Fine Arts – PGDipFA
Extend your creative practice and begin your fine arts journey. Massey’s Postgraduate Diploma in Fine Arts gives you the opportunity for advanced study in contemporary art.
Without Specialisation – Postgraduate Diploma in Design
Go beyond your bachelor’s degree and advance your design thinking with a Postgraduate Diploma in Design.
Useful planning information
Key information for students
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions. Learn more on careers.govt.nz