PURPOSE OF PROGRAMME

The Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree in Multi-Media, Graphic Design and Editing is a four-year programme designed to produce highly qualified and dynamic personnel that will meet the increasing demand for graphics and multimedia designers in the visual communication, design and multimedia industries. Students going through the programme will be provided with essential knowledge and skills that enable them to produce client-ready graphics and multimedia products that can be utilised both in the manual and digital environments. These include, among others, advertising, printing, motion graphics, web and interactive media. It intends to equip students with both academic and practical skills that enable them to enter the media industry as well as carry out research.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

2.1 NORMAL ENTRY

For normal entry, a candidate should: –

• have satisfied the General Regulations,
• have a pass in English Language and a pass in Mathematics at “O” Level, and
•   Advanced Level pass in Computer Science, Art and Design, Design and Technology, Geometry and Mechanical/Building Drawing or any other relevant subject will be an added advantage

2.2 SPECIAL ENTRY

•   Holders of a Diploma in Mass Communication, Art and Design, Public Relations or any other media discipline and have at least five years of hands-on experience may apply for admission.
•   A minimum of a National Diploma in Computer Science, Art and Design or equivalent from a recognised institution, or
•   A recognised teaching qualification with a specialisation in Computer Science or Art and Design.

2.3 MATURE ENTRY

Refer to Section 3.3 of the General Academic Regulations for Undergraduate Degrees of the Midlands State University.

3.0 PROGRAMME CHARACTERISTICS

    3.1 Areas of study:       Media studies, Graphic designing and Editing

    3.2 Specialist focus:      Multi-Media production with emphasis on theory and practical production in the digital age. The application of multimedia in many fields such as advertising, packaging, broadcasting, entertainment, printing, web and other fields which utilise the applied arts is characteristic of the twenty-first century.

    3.3 Orientation: Research and innovation-oriented. Teaching and learning are professionally oriented and focused on theory and practice in multi-media and graphic design.

    3.4 Distinctive features: The programme builds the research-technology-innovation continuum and focuses on knowledge development and application using a student-centered approach.

4.1   CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AND FURTHER EDUCATION

4.1   Employability:  HMGDE graduates have career opportunities in a wide range of industries which include the following: Animation, Applications designing, creative designing, brand development, graphic arts designing and management, Illustration, interface designing, web and video designing, copy editing, visual journalism, etc.

4.2 FURTHER STUDIES   

    Masters degree in Multi-Media, Graphic Design, Visual Communication Studies, Public Relations and Advertising, Marketing and International Relations.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

Code            Module Description                                                            Credits

Level 1 Semester 1

MGDE 131   Theories of Communication and the Media                        10

MAAI 131    Art History                                                               10

MGDE 133   Drawing                                                                               12

MGDE 134   Aesthetics                                                                            10

HCS 135      Introduction to Information Systems                                  10

CS131          Basic Communication Skills                                              12

Level 1 Semester 2

MGDE 135   Introduction to Typography                                                   12

MAAI 135    Applied Colour Theory                                                         12

MGDE 236   Concept development in Multimedia Design                          12

RTMP 241   Text, Audiences and Reception                                             10

CS 132 Extended Communication Skills                                                        12

MGDE 137   Image Creation and Cinematography                                     12

LEVEL 2 Semester 1

MGDE 232   Packaging and Display  Design                                             12

MGDE 233   Sub-editing, Design and Layout                                             12

RTMP 238   Research Methods for communication and media                     10

MGDE 235   Advanced Typography                                                          12

ENT 131      Entrepreneurship                                                                  12

LEVEL 2 Semester 2

MGDE 236   Advertising Design and Copywriting                                     12

MGDE 238   Fundamentals of Game Design                                          12

MAAI 235    Motion Graphics                                                                  12

MGDE 240   Web Design and Development                                          12

GS 231         Gender studies                                                                 12

LEVEL 3

MGDE 331  Work- Related Learning Report                                             60

MGDE 332   Academic Supervisor’s Assessment                                       30

MGDE 333   Employer’s Assessment                                                        30   

Level 4 Semester 1

RTMP 242   Critical Media Theory                                                           10

MAAI 433    Capstone project                                                                   48

Level 4 Semester 2

MAAI 431    Digital Painting                                                                     12

MGDE 432   Dissertation                                                                      24

MGDE 433   Advanced Print Design                                             12

 

MODULE SYNOPSES

MGDE 131 Theories of Communication and the Media    

The module focuses on the theoretical foundations of communication and the media, the various theories that try to explain the communication process and mass media. The module will also look into the functions of the mass media, as well as questioning the critical roles that the media play in our society.

MAAI 131 Art History

This is an obligatory introductory module for all Creative students. The module is an introduction to a range of skills required to study the History of Art, including the first-hand study of works of art. It is designed to familiarise students with some current debates in the subject and introduce them to a variety of theoretical positions of which they need to be aware in the course of their degree.

MGDE 133 Drawing                                           

As a skill that is fundamental to all art, drawing introduces students to the basic knowledge and proficiency in visual representation as well as elements and principles of design necessary for their development as artists. Focus is on the development of individual drawing styles, techniques and experimentation with different media and surfaces. Topics to be covered are peculiarities of anthropomorphic subjects, geomorphic and zoomorphic subjects, the anatomy and physiology of the human figure, still life drawing, rendering outdoor landscapes and townscapes, abstraction, perspective, foreshortening, and representing different views and elevations. The module gives a background to principles of design such as shape, colour, balance etc.

MAAI 137 Aesthetics

This module provides an introduction to the basic terminology of aesthetics as a philosophical subject. Through engagement with both ancient and modern conceptions of the relationship between art and philosophy, we will seek to identify and critique key stages in the development of this relation. Students study Plato and Aristotle’s contrasting views on mimesis. Contemporary notions of ‘aesthetics’ are explored by the Enlightenment, Hume, Kant Schopenhauer and Nietzsche.

MAAI 135 Applied Colour Theory

This design foundations module introduces students to colour theory and its application in two and three-dimensional designs through lectures, demonstrations, extensive studio work and critiques. Emphasis is on developing students’ ability to use colour effectively in two and three-dimensional design applications by studying traditional design elements, gestalt grouping principles, theories of colour organisation, colour and spatial perception, and colour interaction.”

 

MGDE 135 Introduction to Typography   

Typography is a critical skill for the graphic designer. In Module 3, students will get an overview of what typography is and the integral role it plays in graphic design. They will learn the history and evolution of the alphabet and typographic design and will advance into basic theory and practice. Students will learn typographic tools available in Adobe Illustrator software.

 

MGDE 236 Concept Development in Multimedia Design

This module will equip students with skills to solve specific design problems. Students will develop] concepts that are interdisciplinary, covering design, communication, e-commerce and marketing. In the process, the students will acquire wide knowledge in digital communication and social media marketing.

 

MGDE 137 Image Creation and Cinematography

Students will be expected to grasp the art of photography and visual storytelling. Students will be taught basics such as lighting, framing, camera motion and angles, filtration and depth of field among other things.

 

CS 132 Extended Communication Skills

Refer to Faculty of Arts and Humanities Regulations for Undergraduate Degrees

 

MGDE 232 Packaging and Display Design

Students will learn the essential elements of composition and layout design. Students will create dynamic typographic compositions in multi-page layout programme, Adobe InDesign. Students will reinforce vocabulary from earlier modules that apply to the typographic layout. Students will learn how to manipulate typographic principles to create dynamic layout designs.

RTMP 238 Research Methods for communication and media                     

This module introduces students to both qualitative and quantitative research in media. It distinguishes the main research approaches, that is, positivist/ scientific research the critical or social science research. The module explores the research design, research instruments, data collection as well as data analysis procedures. In particular, it covers issues relating to the universe/population, physical setting or geographical location for study, sampling techniques, that is, probability and non-probability sampling.

MGDE 235 Advanced Typography

Students advance their knowledge of typography by learning how to apply graphic design elements and principles to typographic design. The module is computer-based and expands knowledge of type anatomy, tools and vocabulary. It introduces the elements, principles and theories of design as they apply to typography. Students learn to create letterforms, lines of type and body copy, using Adobe Illustrator.

RTMP 241 Text, Audiences and Reception

The module traces the theoretical foundations of audience studies. Key issues include the perception of the text in different traditions, the role of new information technologies on audience studies and research in the field.

ENT 131 Entrepreneurship

MGDE 236 Advertising Design and Copywriting

The module introduces students to communicative practices in designing and copywriting in the industrial environment. It imparts knowledge and skills in visual communications and design processes in advertisements.

MGDE 238 Fundamentals of Game Design

This module focuses on understanding games in all kinds of formats: paper-based strategy games, electronic games, classic board games, etc. It examines the theoretical and practical aspects of making games. Focuses will be placed on its designing rules, strategies, methodologies, and organisational structures, and the design process from the ground up. Further analysis and evaluate the elements that make a game successful and how they function will be included. In addition, investigation on understanding design, interactivity, player’s choice, action, and outcome, rule-making and rule-breaking, the social interaction, the storytelling, and the emotion that games invoke.

MAAI 235 Motion Graphics

The module provides students with intermediate practical skills in motion graphics for film and television including animation and visual effects.

MGDE 240 Web Design and Development

This module introduces the fundamentals of web design and prototyping for websites. Students gain experience using software and writing HTML5 and CSS3 to design web pages. Additionally, students learn prototyping basics using Adobe XD, a sophisticated application built specifically to quickly produce clickable, HTML5/CSS3-compliant prototypes. This module addresses the opportunities and complexities in graphic design applied to the development of websites.

GS 231 Gender studies

RTMP 242 Critical Media Theory

This module distinguishes between Administrative research and Critical research. The module looks at the culture industry and focuses mainly on how cultural products are commodified, standardised, and modified to maximise profit. It also studies the works of critical thinkers in different epochs like the British Cultural Studies, African scholars and others.

MAAI 433 Capstone project  

A capstone project is a culminating assignment, on which students usually work during their final year in school or at the end of the academic programme. It requires different intellectual activities. This project helps young people learn how to find and analyse information and how to work with it efficiently.

MGDE 434 Dissertation

Students will work on a topic related to media and cultural studies and compile a research report of about 9 000 words, under a supervisor.

CS 131 Basic Communication Skills

Refer to the Faculty of Arts and Humanities Regulations for Undergraduate Degrees.

HCS 135 Introduction to Information Systems

Refer to the Department of Information Systems

MAAI 431 Digital Painting

This module covers digital painting techniques essential to produce artwork and background for concept art, animation and games. It covers speed drawing and painting and further enhances students’ understanding of light and shade, colour, composition, atmospheric and linear perspectives, form and space to create an appropriate mood and emotion for the situation as required in the script and the illusion of volume and space.

MGDE 435 Advanced Print Design

Advanced Print Design offers an opportunity for students to propose, design, and produce printed graphic design products while expanding upon their experience in surface design and printing. Students will explore graphic design communication through group and individualised projects in a cohort, and under the supervision of Graphic Design Faculty.

 

 

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