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Established since 2002 | One of the oldest design and music schools in the region | Led by field practitioners
The mission of Orita Sinclair is to develop students into bold and imaginative professionals in the pursuit of their ambitions. The diploma in communication design aims to provide an all-rounded, interdisciplinary design education through excellence in teaching creative and innovative design practices, and building students’ portfolios. The design department is committed to creating an open-minded and creative atmosphere to pursue research and discover collaborative practices that nurture students’ potential through active engagement and participation in a small class size setting. Our graduates understand where knowledge comes from and how to integrate them to influence art, design, and communication. At the end of the course, graduates will be ready to take on a wide range of roles in the creative industry—graphic design, branding, editorial design, digital design, motion graphics, packaging design and campaign strategy. Extremely good. Must not be missed!
Levels of Study (1 Year Diploma + 2 Years Degree)
Foundation Diploma in Communication Design – Students first explore the fundamentals of design. They will develop the necessary techniques to create images using both digital and traditional image-making techniques. Students will also build up their language skills to become effective communicators.
Diploma in Communication Design – Students progress on to apply their technical skills in major domains like branding, digital interface, packaging and publication design. They integrate everything together in a capstone final major project.
Students who complete the Diploma in Communication Design after the 1st Year can choose to start working or progress to a Bachelor’s Degree programme in our partner universities.
Bachelor’s Degrees – Students will be able to enter directly into Year 2 of a 3 year Bachelor’s Degree programme to further their journey as designers.
Levels of Study (6 months Foundation Diploma + 6 months Diploma)
Foundation Diploma in Communication Design – Students first explore the fundamentals of design. They will develop the necessary techniques to create images using both digital and traditional image-making techniques. Students will also build up their language skills to become effective communicators.
Diploma in Communication Design – Students progress on to apply their technical skills in major domains like branding, digital interface, packaging and publication design. They integrate everything together in a capstone final major project.
Students who complete the Diploma in Communication Design after the 1st Year can choose to start working or progress to a Bachelor’s Degree programme in our partner universities. To find out more, go here.
By the end of the Foundation Diploma in Communication Design, students will be able to apply design fundamentals and design technical skills to translate ideas into appropriate design solutions.
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to progress to the Diploma in Communication Design and, thereafter, enrol in a Bachelor’s Degree with our partner universities (subject to the university’s entry requirements).
The maximum teacher to student ratio for the course is 1:18. The average class size is 12.
Full-Time: 6 months
Part-Time: 12 months
There are 4 intakes per year:
Minimum Age
At least 16 years old.
Academic Qualifications
Completed GCE ‘O’ Level (with minimum 3 grades of C6) or equivalent; or
NITEC/Higher Nitec; or
Mature candidates (≥ 30 years old with 8 years’ work experience).
English Language Requirement
GCE ‘O’ level English (with minimum grade of D7); or
IELTS score of 5.5 (with no single band less than 5.0); or
An equivalent English language qualification.
Singaporean/PR
Course Fees S$6,100.00
Course Admin Fee S$250.00
Total Course Fees S$6,350.00
International Student
Course Fee S$7,200.00
Course Admin Fee S$450.00
Total Course Fees S$7,650.00
All fees are inclusive of 8% GST
Singaporean/PR
Non-Refundable Application Fee of S$50.00 (inclusive of 8% GST).
International Student
Non-Refundable Application Fee S$100.00 (inclusive of 8% GST).
By the end of the Diploma in Communication Design, students will be able to integrate design craft and creative thinking methodologies to produce appropriate solutions to industry-aligned design challenges.
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to progress to a Bachelor’s Degree programme with our partner universities (subject to the university’s entry requirements).
The maximum teacher to student ratio for the course is 1:18. The average class size is 10.
Full-Time: 6 months
Part-Time: 12 months
There are 4 intakes per year:
Minimum Age
At least 16 years old.
Academic Qualifications
Completed GCE ‘A’ Level (with minimum 2 subjects at H2 level) or equivalent and possess course-related qualifications; or
Foundation Diploma in Communication Design from Orita Sinclair; or
Mature candidates (≥ 30 years old with 8 years relevant work experience)
English Language Requirement
GCE ‘O’ level English (with minimum grade of C6); or
IELTS score of 5.5 (with no single band less than 5.0); or
An equivalent English language qualification.
Singaporean/PR
Course Fees S$8,500.00
Course Admin Fee S$250.00 (waived for students progressing from Foundation Diploma)
Total Course Fees S$8,750.00
International Student
Course Fee S$10,150.00
Course Admin Fee S$450.00 (waived for students progressing from Foundation Diploma)
Total Course Fees S$10,600.00
All fees are inclusive of 8% GST
Singaporean/PR
Non-Refundable Application Fee of S$50.00 (inclusive of 8% GST).
Waived for students progressing from Foundation Diploma in Communication Design.
International Student
Non-Refundable Application Fee S$100.00 (inclusive of 8% GST).
Waived for students progressing from Foundation Diploma in Communication Design.
| Art Director | Artworker | Brand Designer | Brand Researcher | Concept Artist |
| Illustrator | Photographer | Web Designer | Visual Designer | |
"I graduated with BA Hons in Graphic Design at the University of Derby (UK) after my 1-year Diploma at Orita Sinclair.”
Graduated from School of Design
"I got a job as a creative strategist in a media company, after graduation from Orita Sinclair.”
Graduated from School of Design
Meet our passionate educators who are all industry practitioners. They are seasoned designers and trend-setters in the creative field.
All prospective students are encouraged to contact our Recruitment Executive or authorised recruitment agents for a pre-course counseling session if they would like to enrol for a course with Orita Sinclair School of Design & Music. The purpose of this session is for us to address the needs of students as an individual, professional and as a student of our institute.
If you want to be a graphic designer, you must be able to use design and photo-editing software such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Lightroom, and Corel Paintshop Pro. Aside from that, you'll need to work on your creativity and aesthetic sense. Finally, if you can manage your time effectively and meet deadlines, you'll eventually increase your value in the market.
The best graphic design course promotes continuous learning by exposing you to design fundamentals taught by professionals. The ideal course will also allow you to practise your knowledge, familiarising you with the design process.
You might want to enrol in our graphic design courses, including the Diploma in Design Communication and the Advanced Diploma in Design Communication. The Diploma in Design Communication teaches creative design techniques and encourages portfolio building. In comparison, Advanced Diploma in Design Communication prepares you for a career as a designer.
The time it takes to become a graphic designer varies depending on the individual's experience and education. Courses like a Diploma in Design Communication and an Advanced Diploma in Design Communication will take you 12 – 18 months to complete and prepare you to apply your knowledge in the creative industry.
The 12-month Diploma in Design Communication has been discontinued and replaced with a new 6-month Foundation Diploma and 6-month Diploma. For further information, please contact us.
CPE Registration No. 200209295K.
Period of Registration:
05 Sept 2023 – 04 Sept 2027
