Our Bachelor of Arts in Communication Design is designed for individuals passionate about creative and strategic thinking, problem-solving, and crafting communications through visual language in innovative ways. In a world overwhelmed with information, this degree empowers students to cut through the clutter with compelling, impactful designs.

Students engage in key practices like brand development, packaging, information design, editorial layout, and advertising. They gain the highly sought-after ability to transform complex ideas into unique strategies and captivating visual solutions. Communication Design combines strategic business thinking, market research, and creativity, along with essential technical skills such as colour theory, typography, page layout, and creating visual hierarchies.

Communication Design involves creating both physical (2D and 3D) and digital designs that attract, inspire, and motivate audiences. It extends from brand building and supporting sales to influencing behaviour, promoting messages, or disseminating information. Communication designers play a critical role in developing the relationship between visuals and the viewer.

Communication designers translate ideas across various media. Their talents go beyond traditional design skills, encompassing the ability to think strategically in design and marketing contexts. This allows them to establish credibility and influence audiences effectively.

As a discipline that transcends language barriers, Communication Design is the true language of the globalised economy. This degree program integrates traditional and contemporary approaches, including graphic design, animation, illustration, and photography, equipping students to become astute visual communicators ready to thrive across different sectors of the creative industries.

Elective Options for BA Communication Design:

• Animation
• Illustration
• Photography
• Makers Lab
• Creative Coding

These additional courses are tailored to complement your primary field of study and offer the opportunity to tackle complex problems creatively, fostering your ability to analyse, innovate, and apply solutions through experimentation.

Career opportunities

With a degree in Communication Design, you can become a sought-after specialist in one or more of the following areas:

• Corporate Design and Brand Development
• Art/Creative Direction
• Packaging Design
• Publication Design (Book, Magazine & Newspaper)
• Photography
• Illustration
• Advertising
• Social Media
• Exhibition Design
• Environmental Design

What do our Communication Design students say

“Quality of teaching and guidance is very good and the advantage of the CTCA is that the lectures are still currently in the industry and can tell or advise us to take some necessary steps toward any goal we are looking to achieve.”

“CTCA offered and taught me the knowledge and skills I would need to use when working. The lecturers were always willing to help and offer assistance, be it academically or personally.”

“CTCA is a great institution that celebrates design, diversity and innovation. It’s also located in one of the best design hubs in Cape Town.”

Clayton Sutherland / Programme Coordinator: Communication Design

Clayton is one of the most esteemed design educators in South Africa. He has been responsible for developing some of the most innovative curricula and has guided more students to produce award-winning work than any other lecturer in the country. After teaching at all the other top institutions in the country, Clatyon has found his home at the CTCA. As Programme Coordinator of the Communication Design degree, Clayton has consistently produced graduates adept at strategic, conceptual thinking and work that’s crafted to the highest level who go on to impressive careers. Clayton also gets his hands dirty, delving into handbuilt ceramics, and who despite continued begging, still refuses to start classes for his friends.

Clayton placed 3rd in the 2024 Loeries lecturer rankings for Africa and the Middle East.

Wiehan De Jager / programme coordinator: foundation & course coordinator: illustration

Apart from being a lecturer at the CTCA since its inception, Wiehan is a senior visual communication designer, illustrator, art director and artist, specialising in producing visual aids and communicative media elements to clients from diverse industries around the world. With over 20 years of experience, Wiehan is a conceptual explorer and visual interpreter. He calls himself a print, paper, mark-making, typography and packaging fanatic. Wiehan is a communication design specialist, consultant and teacher with award-winning results. In his free time, Wiehan can be found in his art studio or next to the printing press. His work has been included in exhibitions and collections locally and abroad.

Wiehan placed 2rd in the 2024 Loeries lecturer rankings for Africa and the Middle East.