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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 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. Extremely good. Must not be missed!
A 12-Month full-time diploma programme 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 maximum teacher to student ratio for the course is 1:10.
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.
| January 2023 Intake | Fees | Application Close Date |
|---|---|---|
| Full-Time 12 Months Part-Time 18 Months | Local Course Fees : S$16,135 Course Administration Fee : S$545 Total Course Fees Payable : S$16,680 International Course Fees : S$20,275 Course Administration Fee : S$905 Total Course Fees Payable : S$21,180 | Local : 16th December 2022 International : 26th November 2022 |
| All fees are inclusive of prevailing GST |
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
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:
11 weeks, 33 hours
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:
11 weeks, 33 hours
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
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:
4 Weeks, 12 Hours
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 (twice a week)
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| Art Director | Artworker | Brand Designer | Brand Researcher | Concept Artist |
| Illustrator | Photographer | Web Designer | Visual Designer | |
Graduated from School of Design
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.
