Course Name: Diploma in Graphic Design
Major Subject: Graphic Design & Visual Brand Strategy
Course Category: Diploma
Department: School of Visual Arts
Duration & Structure: 8 Terms (2 Years). Executed under a strict 1-to-1 processing workstation layout. Students master commercial design pipelines through deep, multi-platform studio software environments and advanced visual engineering theory.
Tuition Fee: Ksh 45,000 per term
Detailed Course Outline/Structure:
1. Term 1: Vector Architecture, Chromatic Mathematics & Design Semiotics
- Advanced Vector Mechanics: Masterclass on mathematical coordinate Bezier curves, complex anchor point logic, precise boolean operations, and dynamic mesh grading systems inside Adobe Illustrator CC.
- Visual Semiotics & Gestalt Principles: Application of subconscious visual laws (Proximity, Closure, Continuity, and Figure-Ground relationships) to engineer immediate psychological visual impact.
- Chromatic Mathematics & Spatial Calibration: Designing layouts utilizing the physics of color systems, CMYK spot ink profiles, digital RGB rendering spectrums, and precise Pantone Matching System (PMS) color compliance.
Typography Engineering I: Structural study of type anatomy, tracking, manual optical kerning, baseline hierarchies, and standard pairing configurations for print and digital publishing houses.
2. Term 2: High-Density Pixel Manipulation, Composite Logic & Digital Artistry
Non-Destructive Raw Processing: Advanced bit-depth image processing pipelines, localized camera raw lighting calibrations, and frequency separation masks within Adobe Photoshop CC.
Complex Multi-Layer Compositing: Mastering advanced luminosity masks, channels, path isolation strings, smart objects, and blending equations to build hyper-realistic composite commercial ads.
Generative AI Tool Integration: Strategic deployment of modern AI generation vectors (Adobe Firefly workflows) to securely extend boundaries, manipulate patterns, and render composite backdrops without infringing client copyright guidelines.
Digital Imaging Optimization: Fine-tuning technical compression matrices, raster export profiles, color space conversions, and file container preparation for fast-loading web deployment.
3. Term 3: Multi-Page Editorial Systems, Variable Data & Pre-Press Imposition
Structural Grid System Architecture: Constructing sophisticated grid hierarchies, parent pages, paragraph style nesting, multi-page data bindings, and automated index generation loops inside Adobe InDesign CC.
Variable Data Publishing (VDP): Linking live spreadsheets to multi-page document layers to generate thousands of unique, personalized data layouts (corporate IDs, certificates, tickets) instantly.
Pre-Press Preflight Mechanics: Fixing structural printing faults, embedding full bleed boundaries, margin offsets, tracking registration marks, and managing spot-color transparencies.
Commercial Print House Impositioning: Designing multi-page signature structures, binding impositions, paper weight configurations, and managing technical exports for massive commercial lithographic presses.
4. Term 4: Three-Dimensional Packaging Design, Dieline Logistics & Prototyping
Vector Dieline Engineering: Drafting structural structural packaging templates, manufacturing score marks, cut lines, safety tolerances, and interlocking tab configurations.
3. Three-Dimensional Asset Mapping: Projecting flat, complex vector artwork seamlessly across 3D surfaces and geometric containers using dimension modeling programs to preview packaging mockups.
Substance Texture Materialization: Applying photorealistic textures, metallic foil mockups, embossed finishes, and UV gloss textures to digital commercial products.
Product Visualizations & Showcases: Rendering ultra-clear, production-grade 3D product visualizations from multiple angles for corporate marketing lookbooks and investor presentations.
5. Term 5: Motion Graphics Architecture & Kinetic Typography Elements
Temporal Timeline Editing & Keyframes: Introduction to interpolation methods, velocity acceleration graphs, transform anchors, and temporal spacing parameters within Adobe After Effects.
Kinetic Typography & Lower Thirds: Setting up fluid, animated typographic statements, lower third panels, and dynamic title sequences optimized for video channels and corporate brand intros.
Vector Asset Animation Pipelines: Importing multi-layered vector designs seamlessly from Illustrator to execute smooth, independent object movements and dynamic morph properties.
Visual Special Effects Compositing: Manipulating green-screen keys, rotary mask paths, color tracking data fields, and generating organic alpha channels for multi-media video integrations.
6. Term 6: User Interface (UI) Architecture & User Experience (UX) Interactive Prototyping
Human-Centered Design (HCD) Research: Executing target user persona studies, building user flow maps, organizing complex information architectures, and wireframing digital layouts.
Digital Interface Layout Mastery: Designing clean visual grids, responsive asset components, adaptive icon arrays, and dark/light color modes utilizing Figma or Adobe XD.
Interactive Micro-Animations & Testing: Wireframing conditional triggers, complex hover animations, component state transitions, and conducting active, live prototype usability studies.
Design-to-Developer Handoff Frameworks: Building comprehensive layout asset sheets, design system guides, CSS token variables, and organizing pixel-perfect handoffs to engineering teams.
7. Term 7: Corporate Rebranding Operations, Creative Law & Media Economics
Unified Enterprise Rebranding Operations: Engineering exhaustive corporate brand identity guides, establishing logo geometry limits, asset safe zones, and formatting cross-media identity manuals.
Intellectual Property Law & Copyright Safety: Navigating trademark registrations, formatting legal design contracts, model releases, property waivers, and registering works under KECOBO lines.
Freelance Pricing Mechanics & Valuation: Calculating structural Cost of Doing Business (CODB), tracking hardware/software depreciation scales, and formulating profitable value-based project rates.
Corporate Account Pitching Strategies: Formulating persuasive creative treatments, pricing proposals, and client presentation documents to successfully close agency contracts.
8. Term 8: Pearson BTEC Portfolio Jury, Industry Placement & Board Evaluations
The Graduation Agency Master Portfolio: Formulating, designing, and printing a comprehensive, high-end multi-disciplinary commercial brand campaign spanning print, digital UI/UX, and motion graphics.
External Media Industry Internship: Supervised technical placement within prominent advertising agencies, design firms, print media houses, or regional corporate marketing departments.
Pearson BTEC Portfolio Compliance Validation: Global educational verification of all collected project assets against strict international assessment benchmarks.
TVETA Board Graduation Examination: Final comprehensive theoretical and practical exit examinations before the regulatory board to secure official national technical graduation licensing.