What is Graphic Design?
Allow me to take you on a journey of creativity, innovation and imagination – to the world of Graphic Design. Graphic Design is the art of creating visual content to communicate ideas and messages to an audience. It’s the art of using typography, colours, images and other design elements to tell stories, evoke emotions, and capture attention.
In today’s world, Graphic Design is boundless. From the logo on your favourite coffee cup to the packaging of your preferred product, Graphic Design plays a pivotal role in our daily lives. However, what distinguishes Graphic Design is its ability to convey stories.
A proficient Graphic Designer is like a storyteller, crafting a narrative through visuals. They commence with a blank canvas and use their imagination to produce something beautiful, meaningful and impactful. They meticulously pick colours, fonts and images to communicate a message that resonates with their audience. They acknowledge the power of design to stir emotions, inspire, educate, and entertain.
However, Graphic Design is not solely about creating stunning designs; it is also about resolving issues. Graphic Designers are adept at problem-solving and use their creativity to find solutions to visual challenges. They collaborate with clients to grasp their requirements and create designs that meet their objectives.
So, if you’re someone who adores colour, creativity, and storytelling, Graphic Design might be the ideal career for you! It’s a world full of delight and excitement, where you can make a real impact with your designs.
Types of Graphic Design
Types of Graphic Design | Description |
Brand Design | Brand design usually involves a team of Graphic Designers and web designers who collaborate with brand managers to establish the company’s overall look. Brand design can include developing brand design guidelines, selecting colour palettes, icon groups, typography, and more. |
Product and Packaging Design | Packaging designers are responsible for designing cost-effective, attractive, and safe packaging for commercial products. They work closely with the design and marketing teams to develop packaging ideas that suit clients’ needs. |
Marketing Design | A marketing designer creates illustrations and digital images. He or she also develops presentations for companies and businesses to market and promote their goods and services to the public. |
Print and Publication Design | Print designers work, often in a digital format, to conceptualise and design an end product that’s usually printed in physical form on materials including paper, plastic, cloth material, or even ceramics. |
Web Design | Web designers plan, create, and code internet sites and web pages, many of which combine text with sounds, pictures, graphics, and video clips. A web designer is responsible for creating a website’s design and layout. It can mean working on a new website or updating an existing site. |
UI Design | UI designers create the user interface for an app, website, or other interactive medium. Their work includes collaborating with product managers and engineers to gather requirements from users before designing ideas that can be communicated using storyboards. They also process flows or sitemaps. |
Typeface Design | Type design is a niche field of Graphic Design that encompasses all things typography and lettering. Typographers understand the balance of kerning and line height while following typography principles. |
Environmental Design | Environmental Graphic Design is aimed at connecting people to curated spaces, whether for navigational purposes, user interaction, or to make a lasting impression. This type of Graphic Design focuses on physical communication rather than just digital design. However, it can involve both parties in certain projects. |
Motion Design | Motion or animation design can be found throughout online marketing and website design. Motion designers can create anything from animated tutorials for product pages to animated logos on websites. |
Illustrative Design | Illustrators are responsible for creating intrinsic images that tell a story or express an idea or feeling for their clients. |
Graphic Design Skills
- Colour Mastermind
If you have a natural talent for choosing colours that pop, you’re already halfway there! As a Graphic Designer, you’ll need to know how to use colours to create visual harmony and impact. So go ahead, channel your inner rainbow, and let your colours shine!
- Font Wizard
Do you have a love for letters? Then you might just be a font wizard! As a Graphic Designer, you’ll need to be able to choose and pair fonts that work well together and communicate the right tone. So go ahead, get your typography game on, and dazzle the world with your font-tastic skills!
- Visual Storyteller
Are you a natural storyteller? Then you’ll be a pro at crafting visual stories through your designs. As a Graphic Designer, you’ll need to know how to create designs that convey emotions and messages and keep your audience engaged. So go ahead, let your imagination run wild, and tell the world your visual tales!
- Adobe Creative Cloud
Get ready to unleash your creativity with Adobe Creative Cloud! This amazing set of applications and services from Adobe Inc. offers a vast collection of software that can be used for Graphic Design, video editing, web development, photography, and more. With a subscription, you’ll also get access to a set of mobile applications and optional cloud services. It’s the ultimate toolkit for unleashing your imagination and bringing your ideas to life!
- Problem-Solving Ninja
As a Graphic Designer, you’ll need to be a master at solving visual problems. From choosing the right colour scheme to designing a layout that works, you’ll need to use your creativity and critical thinking skills to come up with effective solutions. So go ahead, put on your problem-solving cape, and save the day with your design skills!
Are you eligible to study Graphic Design?
Following are the general entry requirements to study Graphic Design:
Academic Entry | Minimum Score |
Foundation | CGPA of 2.00 |
Diploma | CGPA of 2.00 |
STPM | 2Cs |
UEC | 5Bs |
A-Levels | 2 Passes |
Australian Matriculation (ATAR) | ATAR 55 |
IB Diploma | Grade 4 |
Note: Universities may have different requirements. To learn more, get in touch with us!
Entry Level | Minimum Score |
IELTS | 5.0 |
MUET | Band 3.5 |
TOEFL | 40 |
Note: Universities may have different English Language requirements. To learn more, get in touch with us!
Jobs in Graphic Design
One of the following jobs is possible for you:
- Graphic Designer
- Creative Director
- User Experience (UX) Designer
- User Interface (UI) Designer
- Advertising Art Director
- Editorial Designer
- Illustrator
- Website Designer
- Branding and Packaging Designer
- Communication Designer
Universities in Malaysia to study Graphic Design
1. First City University College
First City University College is a private university college located in Bandar Utama, Selangor, Malaysia. The institution has a rich history, having been established in 1990 as a college before being granted university college status in 2015. First City University College is known for its diverse range of programmes offered at the Diploma, Bachelor’s Degree, and Postgraduate levels in various fields such as Design, Business, Engineering, Computing, Hospitality, and more.
The university college is dedicated to providing its students with a well-rounded education that combines academic excellence with practical experience. Its faculty is composed of highly experienced academics and industry professionals who are committed to imparting knowledge, skills, and values to students, preparing them for success in their respective fields. By offering a holistic education that emphasises personal and professional development, First City University College aims to produce graduates who are not only highly skilled but also responsible, ethical, and socially aware members of society.
Programme Offered | BA (Hons) Graphic Design |
Duration | 3 Years |
Intake | Feb, Jun, Sep |
Indicative Fees (2023) | Local students: RM64,310
International students: RM72,960 |
For more information on the table presented above, contact us now!
2. Swinburne University of Technology Malaysia
Swinburne University of Technology Malaysia is a campus located in Malaysia that is affiliated with Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne, Australia. The first foreign university campus to be established in Sarawak, Malaysia is located there and was founded in 2000.
Swinburne University of Technology Malaysia is distinguished by its emphasis on research and innovation. The university houses multiple research centres and institutes that focus on enhancing knowledge in fields like digital innovation, nanotechnology, and renewable energy. The Sarawak Technology and Innovation Park (STIP) is a research and development facility located on the campus. It offers students and researchers the chance to work together with industry partners.
Programme Offered | Bachelor of Design (Graphic Design) |
Duration | 3 Years |
Intake | Jan, Feb, Sep |
Indicative Fees (2023) | Local students: RM98,376
International students: RM122,664 |
For more information on the table presented above, contact us now!
3. Taylor's University
Taylor’s University is a private university located in Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia. It was established in 1969 as a college before being upgraded to university status in 2010. The university offers a wide range of programmes at the Foundation, Diploma, Bachelor’s Degree, and Postgraduate levels in fields such as Business, Law, Engineering, Medicine, Hospitality, and more.
One of the key features of Taylor’s University is its commitment to providing a holistic education that prepares students for success in their chosen careers. The university’s curriculum is designed to combine academic excellence with practical experience, emphasising developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills. Additionally, the university has a strong industry partnership program that provides students with internships, industry projects, and mentorship opportunities.
Programme Offered | Bachelor Of Design (Hons) In Creative Media |
Duration | 3 Years |
Intake | Jan, Mar, Sep |
Indicative Fees (2023) | Local students: RM 106,646
International students: USD 30,921 |
For more information on the table presented above, contact us now!
4. INTI International College Subang
INTI International College Subang is a private university located in Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia. It was established in 1986 as a college before being upgraded to a university college status in 2006. The university offers a wide range of programmes at the Foundation, Diploma, Bachelor’s Degree, and Postgraduate levels in fields such as Business, Engineering, Computing, Law, and more.
One of the unique features of INTI International College Subang is its focus on providing students with a comprehensive education that combines academic excellence with practical experience. The university has a strong industry partnership program that provides students with opportunities for internships, industry projects, and mentorship. Additionally, the university has modern facilities and state-of-the-art equipment, including advanced labs, studios, and workshops, that enable students to gain hands-on experience and develop industry-relevant skills. The campus is also home to a diverse student body from around the world, providing a multicultural and inclusive learning environment.
Programme Offered | BA (Hons) Graphic Design 3+0 |
Duration | 3 Years |
Intake | Apr, Aug |
Indicative Fees (2023) | Local students: RM 83,324
International students: RM 83,324 |
For more information on the table presented above, contact us now!
5. UCSI University
UCSI University is a private university located in Malaysia. It has been ranked as the 284th university in the world. The university’s programmes have recently achieved a 100% employability score in the Malaysian Higher Education Ministry’s Graduate Employability 2021 survey, making their graduates highly sought-after in the job market. Long renowned for its excellent track record in teaching and learning, UCSI University is quickly making a name for itself in research and innovation in university education.
UCSI University offers a range of academic programmes at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. These programmes cover a wide range of subjects including Business, Engineering, Architecture, Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing, Applied Science, Music, and Social Science. The university has received accreditation from a number of professional bodies such as the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC), the Malaysian Nursing Board (MNB), and others.
Programme Offered | BA (Hons) Graphic Design |
Duration | 3 Years |
Intake | Jan, May, Sep |
Indicative Fees (2023) | Local students: RM 67,105
International students: RM 79,805 |
For more information on the table presented above, contact us now!
For more information regarding the university, programmes offered, entry requirements and fees, contact Excel Education
Recommended Articles to Read
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About The Author
Qasyrina Zahirah
Still figuring out the direction of my life and most of the time life directs me to good foods and beaches 🙂