Slides for use in informative course at Bahrain Polytechnic

1. Bachelor of
Visual Design

2. What is Visual Design? Or put it
another way – Graphic Design?
Graphic design is a visual language uniting harmony and
balance, color and light, scale and tension, form and
content. But it is also an idiomatic language, a language
of cues and puns and symbols and allusions, of cultural
references and perceptual inferences that challenge
both the intellect and the eye.” (Hefland, J. 2014)
Watch this video – ‘What is Graphic Design’

3. Graphic design is part of your daily
life.
From small things like gum packets to
huge things like billboards and the t-
shirt you wear, graphic design informs,
persuades, organizes, stimulates,
locates, identifies, attracts attention
and provides pleasure.
Watch this video on Paul Rand - an
American art director and graphic
designer, best known for his
corporate logo designs

4. Who is a graphic
designer?
Graphic designers work with
drawn, painted, photographed, or
computer-generated images,
although their main tool is the
computer. They also design the
typography that goes in movie
titles and credits and TV ads; in
books, magazines, and menus;
and even on computer screens.
Designers create, choose, and organize these elements
– typography, images and the so-called ‘white space’
around them to communicate a message.
Graphic Designers work both in print and in time-based
media.

5. The Designer
They often work in Marketing
with market researchers and
others to understand the
audience.
They work with illustrators,
photographers, typesetters,
and printers to create the final
design piece.
Designers are the link between the client and the audience.
Designers learn how to construct a message and how to present it
successfully.

6. Graphic Design Careers
Mac Operator/Entry Level
Designer
Mac Operator is a term that you
almost never hear in web design
but appears frequently in the
print industry. Other terms like
‘Mac specialist,’ ‘artworker,’
‘entry level designer,’ or even
simply ‘graphic designer’ are
often equivalent.
Roles are restricted to converting existing low-resolution
artwork or sketches from designers to a print-ready layered
file or to make minor changes to preexisting work created
by someone else.
Salary 500BHD

7. Mid Level Designer
A mid level designer means that
you are in the middle. You have
a few years of experience (3 – 7
years). You earn a reasonable
salary. You have FREEDOM to
engage in projects from the
ground up!
Where can you find them?
- Advertising agencies
- Dedicated design firms
The hours are crazy, the pay is
good and this is who the
graphic designer is.
“These are the meat of the
industry and tend to be the guys
and girls who produce the largest
volume of work.”
StahlRMazinbrandbook
Salary 750 - 1000BHD

8. Senior Designer
You have 6+ years of
experience
The senior designer is the
one who reports to the
creative director and goes
through status on various
projects.
Senior designers direct the
team.
“The senior designers are often the voices to listen to, the
experienced few whose opinions carry more weight and
paychecks slightly higher numbers.”
Salary 1000BHD+

9. Art / Creative Director
Creative Directors are the
directors!
They perhaps do more
managing than design
work.
They maximize potential of
teams.
They have the final say on
projects.
They work with clients.
“While everyone else sits in a
cubicle, the Creative Director sits in
an office.”
Salary ????

10. Graphic Designer
employment
opportunities
• Ad agencies
• Animation industry
• Educators
• Design Studios
• Newspaper, printing and
publishing
• Web design
• TV
• Exhibition design
• Marketing
• Interactive interface design
• Type design
• Corporate design

11. AreasofDesign
Print
 Package Design
Herearesomeexamplesofareasofdesign

12. AreasofDesign  Print
 Advertising / Marketing
Advertising and Branding: concerned with branding and the
public image of the product or the company. A personality is
created: its logo, characters, mascots, typography, colours,
messaging, goals, and drive etc. are all part of its brand.
Marketing: Designers focus more on the sales arena. They
create coupons, in-store promotional material and engage
in short term projects.

13. AreasofDesign  Print Publication Design
“This is definitely a field that
can only exist through the hard
work of talented designers.”
Magazines, newspapers, books,
annual reports…
Logo Design
There are logo specialists who
work only with developing the
logo.
A logo is only a part of the brand.

14. AreasofDesign Digital
Front End Web Design
Where the actual design is emphasised
and does not work much in coding.
The look and the feel of the website
and other digital media is produced by
a graphic designer.

15. Become a graphic designer
The Bachelor of Visual Design at Bahrain
Polytechnic…
…aims to develop students’ awareness of
global issues and the role of the Visual
Design graduate as a member of the
international community. Graduates will
have a broad knowledge of the design
industry and how to apply skills and adapt
to creativity today.

16. Bachelor of Visual Design
4 years

17. Programme Entry Requirements
Applicants MUST achieve the
minimum requirements in English,
Mathematics and IT to be considered
for selection to the programme
PLUS

18. Portfolio and Interview
 Applicants MUST submit a portfolio of 10 to 20 pieces of their
design or art work that has a range of original, developmental
and finished works. A portfolio may consist of any type of
student’s artistic work.
 Applicants must also submit 2 art exercises and a written piece
of information which can be found on the Polytechnic website.
 IF SUCCESSFUL at portfolio review, the applicant will attend an
interview where will be chosen according to motivation,
maturity, creativity and communication skills.

19. What we teach…
Besides the core courses we teach
The Power of Advertising
Photography
Video
Package Design
Digital Design
Poster Design
Branding in Advertising
3D design
And many more….

20. Come be a part of the Visual
Design programme
Qualities of a graphic designer
 Great attitude
Endless amounts of creativity
Responsible and Professional
Flexible
Computer Skills
Communication Skills
Team player