Have you been thinking about pursuing something design related after high school? Perhaps in the area of graphic design? Why not consider a Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication at UTS?
We’ve talked to Britney, a Visual Communication graduate from UTS, to hear all about the pros and cons of this degree.
But first, if you want to know more about the actual degree requirements and subjects, check out what it’s like studying a Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication at UTS here!
Let’s jump into it!
Why should you study a Visual Communication degree at UTS?
Top 3 Pros of a Visual Communication Degree
Top 3 Cons of a Visual Communication Degree
Mistakes You Shouldn’t Make
Things to Know Before Starting UTS Visual Communication
What Makes this Degree Different
Motivations for Studying UTS Visual Communication
Potential Career Paths
Why should you study a Visual Communication degree at UTS?
If you have an interest in designing and creating, but don’t necessarily feel like visual arts is for you, a Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication is a great choice.
This course gives you the opportunity to be constantly working on new projects and designs, finding your individual style and building up a portfolio! There’s a decent amount of practical work involved which will help prepare you for the industry as well as theoretical components to the degree.
Illustration by Britney Fong, Interviewee
“If you’re interested in design and want to learn to communicate with those skills, this degree is great,” Britney said.
Top 3 Pros of a Visual Communication degree
#1: Ticks all the boxes in terms of graphic design
“During high school I had a really clear idea of what I wanted to do — graphic design and illustration, and this degree ticked all the boxes,” Britney said.
If you want to become familiar with a range of programs for graphic designing and illustrating, alongside improving your confidence in creating labelling, branding and typography, this degree is suitable for training those skills.
#2: You learn about the visual design industries
Visual design and digital graphics are all part of particularly new industries, and are booming now more than ever because of the increase in digital companies, tech start-ups and small businesses that need designers for branding and creation.
Britney said, “The course helps you learn about the industry, all the lecturers have been working in the industry and have experience. And because design is always changing, it is important to keep up with the trends.”
#3: You get to experiment with different styles
A Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication involves a lot of projects! And if you’re someone who doesn’t like exams, you’d be pleased to know that you have no exams for Visual Communication!
The great thing about projects is that these works are perfect portfolio pieces that can be used when applying for jobs and internships.
Top 3 Cons of a Visual Communication degree
#1: Very theoretical/lacks practical application
As Britney is currently working in a design studio, she can now put into perspective what was useful from her degree, and what she didn’t find as applicable to the industry.
“It was interesting to see that what is taught at uni doesn’t actually correlate with the practical side of things in the workforce. In uni you have to have a concept, and we were really pushed by that, but in the industry, it’s more about solving problems.
“Clients come to a brand because they want to solve a problem in their business or work on their marketing,” Britney said.
#2: Certain subjects were not relevant
As studying something will more often than not, require theoretical work, you might find that some of the units feel irrelevant to the course.
Britney said, “Although there was a lot of practical learning, there were some subjects that didn’t relate to design at all. I did a subject called Design Futuring, and it was about how the world will look like in the future, but it didn’t relate to the practical experience as much.
“I feel like the degree shifted to more theoretical and conceptual work, which might suit some people, but for me, I knew I wanted to do illustration and graphic design, so it wasn’t that relevant.”
#3: Not enough class time to receive the necessary feedback on projects
As Design in Visual Communication at UTS is particularly practical and definitely assignment or project based, there is a constant feedback loop between the tutors and the students.
As a design student you’ll often be seeking feedback from your teacher on your idea and concept for a project to ensure you’re meeting the assignment requirements but also taking your own creative direction with it.
“The way that our subjects were structured was that we had two to three big assignments a semester and the teacher would circle around and give us individual feedback in classes. But a lot of time classes ran over time and we didn’t get the feedback we needed,” Britney said.
Any regrets?
“I wish I put more effort into the first year because in uni almost all the projects you do can be used in your portfolio in the future,” Britney said.
As mentioned earlier, your assignments are a great way to work up a portfolio of the projects that represent your best work. However, if you find that you’re not putting in enough effort in your assignments, or completing them last minute, it won’t be a display of your best work.
So, be sure to try your hardest from the beginning, so that assignments can still be used long after the due date!
What do you wish you had known before starting Visual Communication at UTS?
“For me I definitely wasn’t an essay writer, and I didn’t think I’d be writing essays in uni but we had at least one subject a semester where we had to do essays!”
Although Visual Communication at UTS is heavily assignment based, and you do a whole load of practical projects, there are still essays and written components for the more theoretical aspects of the degree.
What makes this degree different from the ones offered at other universities?
There are a whole range of design courses offered across numerous universities, particularly at UNSW and of course UTS. However, when you take into consideration the communications aspect of a course, UTS is known to be quite innovative in their approach to these degrees.
“I really wanted to do graphic design someday and… reading the descriptions of courses, the Visual Communications one felt more like what I wanted to do! So for me I chose UTS because it was my main choice after speaking to my high school career adviser,” Britney said.
What inspired you to choose Visual Communication at UTS?
Britney always had a love for creating and drawing, but initially wasn’t too sure what career she could make out of it.
“I think ever since I was a little kid I always loved to draw but I didn’t want to become a typical ‘art gallery artist’. In high school I enjoyed Design and Technology and thought, ‘Oh this is really interesting!’” Britney said.
What are the possible career paths?
As a Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication covers a whole range of areas in terms of graphic designing, illustration, and visualising on a range of computer programs, the career pathways are incredibly versatile.
You could land yourself a job in some of the following areas, but of course, there are so many other opportunities beyond this list!
-
- Publication designer
- Graphic designer
- Interactive media designer
- Motion graphics designer
- Web designer
- Branding specialist
- Art director
- Illustrator
- Advertising
Nandini Dhir is a Content Writer at Art of Smart and is currently studying a Bachelor of Arts (majoring in Marketing) and a Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Media and Communications), as a Dalyell Scholar, at Sydney University. She enjoys covering local issues in her area and writing about current events in the media. Nandini has had one of her pieces published in an article with the Sydney Morning Herald. In her free time, Nandini loves doing calligraphy, ballet, and sewing, or is otherwise found coddling her cats.
