- Diploma in Design Communication
Diploma in Design Communication
The Programme
The mission of Orita Sinclair is to develop students into bold and imaginative professionals in the pursuit of their ambitions. The diploma in design communication 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.
Full-Time – 12 Months Diploma Programme with 6 Months Internship
Part-Time – 18 Months Diploma Programme
The Learning Experience
A 12-Month full-time diploma programme with 6-Month internship in Singapore. We cover hard and soft skills through small-class-size lectures taught by industry practitioners who have their ears to the design ground, and hearts eager to impart.
The Final Outcome
A career-ready designer with a wide range of skills and a bold, imaginative mindset. You will be able to handle all aspects of a creative project from pitch to product.
Modules
Design Fundamentals
Synopsis:
Design fundamentals looks into the essentials of compositing, arranging and manipulating images and space to communicate intangible ideas into effective visual narratives.
Objectives:
Students will learn the elements and principles of design, and the basics in colour theory to apply them effectively to integrate functionality and beauty. Thereafter, they will learn to apply mind mapping as an ideation technique.
Duration:
8 Weeks
24 Hours
Digital Interface Design
Synopsis:
Digital interfaces have become prevalent through web browsers, tablets, smart TVs, and smartphones. Therefore, their design is a crucial skill to help categorise the clutter of information into user-friendly digital spaces.
Objectives:
This module focuses on designing for responsive digital platforms. Its aim is for students to design webpages and mobile apps, learn and apply basic digital authoring skills, and to provide a general understanding of programming and its functions.
Duration:
12 Weeks
36 Hours
Digital Imaging & Photography
Synopsis:
Digital imaging and photography are essential parts of the digital design process to create and curate visual content, and the techniques to adjust and manipulate them in post-production.
Objectives:
Students will be introduced to digital photography using a Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) camera to work with exposure and composition for indoor and outdoor shoots. They will also learn post-production techniques using Adobe Photoshop CC to perform digital imaging.
Duration:
12 Weeks
36 Hours
Adobe Basics: Photoshop
Synopsis:
Adobe Photoshop is a raster graphics editing software that can manipulate images to aid in communicating visually.
Objectives:
Students will learn how to navigate the interface of the software to work with layers, selection tools, colour adjustments, et cetera, to manipulate and enhance images.
Duration:
6 Weeks
18 Hours
Typography I
Synopsis:
Typography is the visual component of text, and focuses on the basic understanding of typeface characteristics and pairing. At its core, typography performs a utilitarian function that is separate from its aesthetic role.
Objectives:
Students will learn to identify the characteristics of typefaces and their uses, and to select typefaces in supporting the message and design. Students will learn the technical aspects of typesetting, and develop an eye for choosing typefaces that are best suited for the project.
Duration:
6 Weeks
12 Hours
Typography II
Synopsis:
Typeface design is the planning, detailing, and creating of a collection of letters that have visually similar characteristics that form a unified set.
Objectives:
Students will learn to design a typeface that fits into a particular theme or style, with a defined function of display type or long-form reading, with attention to typeface features—shapes and spaces—on legibility, readability, and consistency.
Duration:
6 Weeks
18 Hours
History of Design
Synopsis:
History of design is an exploration into the modern art movements, influential figures and works that have shaped art and its evolution into graphic design.
Objectives:
Students will study the theoretical underpinnings of modern art movements and how they influence contemporary graphic design. Students are also required to research for and write formal essays that follow international standards of citation and drafting up a bibliography.
Duration:
10 Weeks
30 Hours
Image-Making and Production
Synopsis:
Traditional and contemporary image-making have played important roles in recording and communicating visual narratives. Through these techniques, artists, illustrators, and storytellers have also been able to expand their visual vocabulary through prints and sketches to help convey abstract ideas in clearer and simpler terms to bridge textual and visual interpretations.
Objectives:
Students will learn the foundation in sketching and drawing through various drawing tools, materials and media, shading techniques, and observational drawings, and the processes of image-making (silkscreen and lino printing).
Duration:
6 Weeks
18 Hours
Adobe Basics: Illustrator
Synopsis:
Adobe Illustrator is a vector graphics editing software that can draw and manipulate vector images to create illustrations, logos and typefaces.
Objectives:
Students will learn how to navigate the interface of the software to work with shapes, colours and lines, pen tool, typography treatment, pattern-making, et cetera, to create vector compositions.
Duration:
6 Weeks
18 Hours
Adobe Basics: After Effects
Synopsis:
Adobe After Effects is a digital and motion visual effects compositing application used in post-production process of film, web video creation, and video games.
Objectives:
Students will learn how to navigate the interface of the software to perform techniques such as keying, tracking, compositing, and animating.
Duration:
6 Weeks
18 Hours
Brand Design
Synopsis:
Brand design is one of the most important aspects in any business. It is the foundational piece in a business’ marketing communication to its consumers.
Objectives:
Students will be introduced to the techniques, processes and considerations in brand development, consumer connection and designing identity material. Students will be exposed to the creative process involved in the development of brand collateral and design planning. Students will also learn how to design according to brand standards and add visual appeal into their imagery.
Duration:
12 Weeks
36 Hours
Packaging Design
Synopsis:
Packaging design is the discipline of creating the container and its visual aspects. This container may range from a simple bottle and label to an elaborate box or system of boxes and inner packaging that a consumer buys at retail or might receive in the mail.
Objectives:
Students will be introduced to the techniques and processes in designing and constructing containers. Students will be exposed to the production process involved in packaging design and also appreciate the influence of culture and climate on materials. They will learn to integrate visual appeal with functionality in their design.
Duration:
10 Weeks
30 Hours
Adobe Basics: InDesign
Synopsis:
Adobe InDesign is a desktop publishing software used to create posters, brochures, magazines, presentations and ebooks.
Objectives:
Students will learn how to navigate the interface of the software to work with grids and columns, pagination, linked images, et cetera, to create layouts.
Duration:
4 Weeks
12 Hours
Layout Design and Studio Practices
Synopsis:
Layout design is essential to setting any textual content and images in physical and digital spaces. This is paired with studio practices to inculcate proper finished artwork preparations.
Objectives:
Students will learn the grid system and how to employ simple hierarchy and signalling techniques to create publications such as pamphlets, brochures and mailers. Students will also learn the proper housekeeping and pre-production preparations for F.A.s.
Duration:
8 Weeks
24 Hours
Conceptualisation
Synopsis:
Visual narratives are often more effectively communicated when a consistent, thematic message overarches the communication. Building concepts around communication strengthens idea association and recall.
Objectives:
Students will learn visual thinking, brainstorming exercises, and conceptualising techniques to help build the framework in which a design approach situates.
Duration:
4 Weeks
12 Hours
Professional Design Practice
Synopsis:
Professional practice here refers to the conduct and work process, such as interview preparation, portfolio building, and work ethics and practices of the design communication and interaction design industries.
Objectives:
Students will be guided on the considerations required to package their individual portfolio based on their strengths, works and/or direction, and gain an insight on the processes and practices in design, and understand the importance of networking, and client management.
Duration:
10 Weeks
30 Hours
Final Major Project
Synopsis:
This module introduces students to problem solving using a structured process to tackle a project commissioned by a hypothetical client. Generally, the following steps may be applied: • Defining the problem • Generating ideas and solutions • Evaluating solutions • Implementing and following up on selected solution • Presentation
Objectives:
Students will be assessed on the culmination of their skills and knowledge learnt in the programme. Students are required to work out a campaign that will implement design on various media such as packaging, brochure, and website that is cascaded down from a brand identity system—cohesive and consistent.
Duration:
12 Weeks
72 Hours
Industry Placement
Entry Requirements
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Career Opportunities
Graduates can look forward to the following jobs:
| Art Director | Artworker | Brand Designer | Brand Researcher | Concept Artist |
| Illustrator | Photographer | Web Designer | Visual Designer | |
Teaching Faculty
Meet our passionate educators who are all industry practitioners. They are seasoned designers and trend-setters in the creative field.
Dr. Bernard Tan, Ph.D
Programme Manager, Design Faculty
PhD from University of St Joseph, Macao
His area of design specialization are mainly Identity Design and Corporate Branding. He has spent more than 25-years in design and advertising, as Art Director and subsequently, Creative Director. His corpus of design work reveals a rare combination of artistic intellect and aesthetic intuition, coupled with a distinctive East-West, visual-verbal synergy, full of wit and humour, and yet always, nuance. An award- winning designer, he had consulted for international clients such as Mercedes Benz’s Dornier Asia, Mensa International, the United States’ Paul Taylor Dance Company, France’s Ballet Nationale De Marseille, and Russian Philharmonic Orchestra. He was awarded a scholarship to study Design at Temasek Polytechnic where he graduated with a Merit Award. He subsequently completed postgraduate studies at The University of Hong Kong, University of Saint Joseph, and Durham University. His research work revolves around the nature of film in relation to semiotic multimodality with specific applications in the interdisciplinary fields of art, design, cinema, literature, and cultural theory.
Boon Lim
Adjunct Lecturer, Design Faculty
MA in 2D and 3D Visualisation, Lougborough University
Boon has a decade of working experience in printing, promotions, and advertising, working with brands such as Skippy, Lipton, Martell, Chivas, and Alfa Romeo, and government statutory boards such as BCA and NEA, before moving on to tertiary education.
Karen Chiam
Full-Time Lecturer, Design Faculty
BA (Hons) Graphic Communication, Lougborough University
Karen has 15 years of industry experience in aspects of design, brand development and marketing communications. She co-founded DAZINGFEELSGOOD in 2015 to pursue her artistic interests guided by design fundamentals across disciplines. Her studio had works represented in local and overseas platforms such as ArtStage Singapore, DesignArt Tokyo, Maison&Objet Paris, SingaPlural, and received international design awards including Asia Design Prize and A’ Design Award.
Loong Cui Wen
Adjunct Lecturer, Design Faculty
BFA in Visual Communications, NTU School of Art, Design and Media
Cui Wen has more than 8 years of experience in graphic design and illustration, and has worked with commercial and private clients such as Love and Co, STB and various design agencies to create artworks. She has collaborated with an author on a published children's book, 'If Doors Could Speak'. She has a keen interest in outdoor painting and sketching, as well as creating illustrations in watercolour and acrylic mediums. She also loves to share art making techniques with people of all ages in workshops and classes.
Shawn Heng
Adjunct Lecturer, Design Faculty
BDes in Communication Design, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology
Shawn is a part-time educator, part-time creative, and a full-time dad. He currently leads a design team at DSTNCT, an integrated marketing agency, and has a decade of experience in print, advertising, and (more recently) social media. Shawn has a HOW design award under the Promotion & Marketing category in 2018. as well as SingaPlural Recognition awards for his works in 2016 under the label Simitaiji.
Kevin Tan
Adjunct Lecturer, Design Faculty
BA (Hons) in Design Communication, Glodsmiths' College
A multi-disciplinary designer who is active in User Experience Design and Web Development for the past 5 years. Kevin always has been fond of designing and developing digital ideas, products or solutions that are modular and have strong emphasis on clean, playful and usable design.
Elwin Goh
Adjunct Lecturer, Design Faculty
BFA in Photography and Imaging, Art Center College of Design
Brewed by 10 years of experience with visual art, Elwin has cultivated a knack for narrating stories with images, working with various mediums and concepts that garnered him international photographer award for both advertising and art.
Jackson Chua
Adjunct Lecturer, Design Faculty
Advanced Diploma in Multimedia, Raffles Design Institute
With over 13 years of experience in the video industry, Jackson has been working in his own studio on corporate videos and campaigns with clients such as Marina Bay Sands, Dassault Systemes and NTUC Enterprises. Bringin a storytelling perspective to his work, he is known for creating a nimble and flexible creative team that helps him to bring his visions to life.Dr. Bernard Tan, Ph.D
Programme Manager, Design Faculty
PhD from University of St Joseph, Macao
Karen Chiam
Full-Time Lecturer, Design Faculty
BA (Hons) Graphic Communication, Lougborough University
Boon Lim
Adjunct Lecturer, Design Faculty
MA in 2D and 3D Visualisation, Lougborough University
Loong Cui Wen
Adjunct Lecturer, Design Faculty
BFA in Visual Communications, NTU School of Art, Design and Media
Shawn Heng
Adjunct Lecturer, Design Faculty
BDes in Communication Design, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology
Kevin Tan
Adjunct Lecturer, Design Faculty
BA (Hons) in Design Communication, Glodsmiths' College
Kevin Tan
Adjunct Lecturer, Design Faculty
BA (Hons) in Design Communication, Glodsmiths' College
Elwin Goh
Adjunct Lecturer, Design Faculty
BFA in Photography and Imaging, Art Center College of Design
Jackson Chua
Adjunct Lecturer, Design Faculty
Advanced Diploma in Multimedia, Raffles Design Institute
How to Apply
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.
Application Date
Local Students
22nd Mar 2021
International Students
5th Feb 2021You might be interested in
