Higher Diploma in Visual Communication

This programme aims to develop students’ ability to communicate visually through conventional and digital means that is effective as well as creative.
 
The focus of the programme is to equip students with visual communication skills on analytical thinking, visual expression and problem solving, message interpretation, manipulation and communication through a wide range of graphic design areas including typography, branding and marketing, persuasive strategy, information design, user experience design, digital publishing design and visual manipulation. It aims at nurturing self-motivated problem-solvers who are observant, curious, passionate and dare to explore new frontiers in visual communication.

Under user-centric approach, the programme also provides a broad educational experience with creativity, project management, interpersonal communication and team-building skills which match industry demands for flexible, articulate graduates who are able to compete in a dynamic, fast-paced and ever-changing regional creative environment.

This programme is designed with an emphasis on generic, language and communication training, whole-person development and workplace experience to better prepare students for further studies and employment after graduation.

International Students:

• Applicants with academic qualifications obtained in secondary or tertiary institutions outside Hong Kong will be assessed individually by the departments concerned.
• IGCSE, GCE, International Baccalaureate (IB) or other overseas qualifications which are comparable with the required levels of the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education will be accepted.
• IELTS overall score at 5 or equivalent 

Semester 1 (Common Modules) :

• English and Communication : Workplace Interaction
• Whole Person Development - MindShift: Achieving Personal Growth & Effectiveness
• Information Technology Essential - Smart Living
• Creative and Design Thinking
• Communication Design in Context
• Communication Design Studio
• Digital Design: Graphic Production
• Drawing and Visual Imaging
• Graphic Language Workshop
• Typography: Expression and Information

Semester 2:
Higher Diploma in Visual Communication:

• Vocational Chinese Communication: Putonghua Conversation and Reports
• English and Communication: Workplace Correspondence
• Whole Person Development - Collaboration, Teamwork & Social Engagement (Part 1)
• Cultural Studies
• Photography and Art Direction
• Illustration and Motion Graphics
• Studio: Design to Read
• Typography: Editorial Design

Higher Diploma in Visual Communication (Brand Design):

• Vocational Chinese Communication: Putonghua Conversation and Reports
• English and Communication: Workplace Correspondence
• Whole Person Development - Collaboration, Teamwork & Social Engagement (Part 1)
• Cultural Studies
• Photography and Art Direction
• Brand Strategy
• Digital Design: Media Production
• Motion Graphics
• Studio: Brand Identity Design

Higher Diploma in Visual Communication (Information Design):

• Vocational Chinese Communication: Putonghua Conversation and Reports
• English and Communication: Workplace Correspondence
• Whole Person Development - Collaboration, Teamwork & Social Engagement (Part 1)
• Cultural Studies
• Instructional Illustration
• Motion Graphics
• Studio: Editorial Infographics
• Typography: Information Structures

Higher Diploma in Visual Communication (Publishing Design and Print Media):

• Vocational Chinese Communication: Putonghua Conversation and Reports
• English and Communication: Workplace Correspondence
• Whole Person Development - Collaboration, Teamwork & Social Engagement (Part 1)
• Cultural Studies
• Photography and Art Direction
• Illustration
• Print Media Production: Fundamentals
• Printing Substrates and Materials
• Studio: Design to Print

Higher Diploma in Visual Communication (User Experience Design):

• Vocational Chinese Communication: Putonghua Conversation and Reports
• English and Communication: Workplace Correspondence
• Whole Person Development - Collaboration, Teamwork & Social Engagement (Part 1)
• Cultural Studies
• Studio: Design for User Interfaces
• Seminar: Usability
• Concept Presentation Workshop
• Graphical User Interface Design

Semester 3:
Higher Diploma in Visual Communication:

• English and Communication: Persuasive Presentations
• Whole Person Development - Collaboration, Teamwork & Social Engagement (Part 2)
• Aesthetics and Semiotics 
• Digital Design: Media Production
• Packaging Design Workshop
• Studio: Design to Persuade

Higher Diploma in Visual Communication (Brand Design):

• English and Communication: Persuasive Presentations
• Whole Person Development - Collaboration, Teamwork & Social Engagement (Part 2)
• Aesthetics and Semiotics 
• Concept Presentation Workshop
• Packaging Design Workshop
• Studio: Brand Promotion Design

Higher Diploma in Visual Communication (Information Design):

• English and Communication: Persuasive Presentations
• Whole Person Development - Collaboration, Teamwork & Social Engagement (Part 2)
• Aesthetics and Semiotics 
• Graphical User Interface Design
• Data Visualization
• Studio: Dynamic Information

Higher Diploma in Visual Communication (Publishing Design and Print Media):

• English and Communication: Persuasive Presentations
• Whole Person Development - Collaboration, Teamwork & Social Engagement (Part 2)
• Aesthetics and Semiotics 
• Colour Management in Print Media
• Print Media Production: Technology

Higher Diploma in Visual Communication (User Experience Design):

• English and Communication: Persuasive Presentations
• Whole Person Development - Collaboration, Teamwork & Social Engagement (Part 2)
• Aesthetics and Semiotics 
• Photography and Art Direction
• Seminar: Design Gamification
• Studio: Design for Immersive Experiences

Semester 4:
Higher Diploma in Visual Communication:

• English and Communication: Reports
• Vocational Chinese Communication: Putonghua Presentations and Promotional Text Writing
• Communication Design Futures
• Investigative Practices
• Concept Presentation Workshop
• Professional Practice
• Research for Visual Communication
• Studio: Design to Promote

Higher Diploma in Visual Communication (Brand Design):

• English and Communication: Reports
• Vocational Chinese Communication: Putonghua Presentations and Promotional Text Writing
• Communication Design Futures
• Graphical User Interface Design
• Investigative Practices
• Research for Brand Design
• Professional Practice
• Studio: Brand Experience Design

Higher Diploma in Visual Communication (Information Design):

• English and Communication: Reports
• Vocational Chinese Communication: Putonghua Presentations and Promotional Text Writing
• Communication Design Futures
• Brand Identity Design
• Investigative Practices
• Professional Practice
• Research for Information Design
• Studio: Experiential Graphic Design

Higher Diploma in Visual Communication (Publishing Design and Print Media):

• English and Communication: Reports
• Vocational Chinese Communication: Putonghua Presentations and Promotional Text Writing
• Communication Design Futures
• Investigative Practices
• Studio: Design to Publish
• Sales and Estimating in Print Media
• Packaging Design Workshop
• Graphical User Interface Design

Higher Diploma in Visual Communication (User Experience Design):

• English and Communication: Reports
• Vocational Chinese Communication: Putonghua Presentations and Promotional Text Writing
• Communication Design Futures
• Investigative Practices
• Professional Practice
• Research for User Experience Design
• Seminar: Social Innovation and Service Design
• Studio: Design for Social Good

Semester 5:
Higher Diploma in Visual Communication:

• English and Communication: Promotional Materials
• Whole Person Development - Enhancing Competencies in the 21st Century Workplace
• Graphical User Interface Design
• Career and Portfolio Development
• Graduation Project

Higher Diploma in Visual Communication (Brand Design):

• English and Communication: Promotional Materials
• Whole Person Development - Enhancing Competencies in the 21st Century Workplace
• Career and Portfolio Development
• Graduation Project

Higher Diploma in Visual Communication (Information Design):

• English and Communication: Promotional Materials
• Whole Person Development - Enhancing Competencies in the 21st Century Workplace
• Career and Portfolio Development
• Concept Presentation Workshop
• Graduation Project

Higher Diploma in Visual Communication (Publishing Design and Print Media):

• English and Communication: Promotional Materials
• Whole Person Development - Enhancing Competencies in the 21st Century Workplace
• Operations and Quality Management
• Graduation Project

Higher Diploma in Visual Communication (User Experience Design) :

• English and Communication: Promotional Materials
• Whole Person Development - Enhancing Competencies in the 21st Century Workplace
• Career and Portfolio Development
• Interactive Programming
• Graduation Project

Modules Across Semesters :

• Industrial Attachment

Remark: Students have to complete the Enrichment Module in Semester 5.