Communication Design

Practitioners and researchers in Communication Design speak the language of culture: dynamic, expressive, and visual.

Communication Design research at the School of Design Innovation extends beyond traditional practices of graphic design and illustration to explore new horizons in visual communication. Our research delves into the intersection of personal narrative and expression with emerging technologies in time-based and computational design, contributing a local perspective to global visual culture.

We are practice-based researchers investigating visual narrative, typography, comics, animation, book design, photography, and illustration. We are interested in new visual perspectives across various media, from surfaces and screens to physical and virtual spaces. Our research extends beyond individual designs to address complex issues like world-building, sustainability, and emerging technologies and identities, encouraging innovative approaches that redefine the scope of visual communication.

Our aim is to advance the field of Communication Design through critical and creative inquiry, fostering new insights and approaches. Communication Design research is predominantly practice-based, with researchers collaborating closely with colleagues and industry partners through creative work, critique, and collaborative projects. Our Visual Narrative Lab boasts numerous award-winning, internationally-renowned staff with decades of experience in comics & graphic novels, illustration, photography, animation, hybrid literature, visual poetry, speculative design, tabletop and video game design, and more. This vibrant research environment supports the exploration of new ideas and the development of innovative solutions to contemporary design challenges.

Research topics

Research topic	Staff who can supervise research in this area
Visual Narratives and Storytelling	Zach Dodson, Areito Echevarria, Dylan Horrocks, Raqi Syed
Design and Technology	Leon Gurevitch, Tom White, Areito Echevarria
Indigenous and Cultural Design	David Hakaraia, Tanya Ruka
Art and Design in Society	Tonya Sweet, Rosie Scott, Mizuho Nishioka
Narrative Design for Games	Zach Dodson, Areito Echevarria, Dylan Horrocks
Visual Effects and Digital Media	Simon Ray, Raqi Syed, Areito Echevarria
Typography and Publishing	Sarah Maxey, Zach Dodson
Illustration and drawing	Dylan Horrocks, Jelena Rukavina Vuckovic
Design for Health and Environment	Dana Fridman, Tanya Ruka, Tonya Sweet

Academic staff

Name	Research interests
Zach Dodson	Practice-based visual narrative in book and game design.
Areito Echevarria	Motion capture and generative deep learning for visual effects and digital storytelling. Interactive narratives for VR/AR and games.
Dana Fridman	User-centered design for health or education.
Leon Gurevitch	Design sociology, science and technology studies, software studies, labour practices and tech industries, post-work futures.
David Hakaraia	Integration of cultural narratives and indigenous knowledge in design.
Dylan Horrocks	Narrative and worldbuilding potential of comics and graphic novels; comics studies; visual narrative; picture books; role-playing games; tabletop game design; ludology; game studies; narrative design; world-building; fantasy.
Sarah Maxey	Type as image, visual narrative, typography, concrete poetry, publishing as artistic practice, the materiality of the codex book, drawing, typotechture.
Mizuho Nishioka	Communicative power of critical photographic practice.
Nan O'Sullivan	Investigations that explore and express cultural narratives through both 2D and 3D design and time-based mediums
Simon Ray	Hybrid animation, creative documentary, mental health and visual media, autobiography in art, design and research.
Tanya Ruka	Indigenous design practices in cultural communication and identity. Mātauranga Māori & Indigenous knowledge systems, te taiao (environment), climate, biodiversity (land & ocean) recovery, community resilience, rematriation, land back.
Jelena Rukavina Vuckovic	Communicative aspects of drawing and visual expression. Multisensory artistic encounters.
Rosie Scott	Interior design & interior architecture; interior-painting; watercolour painting; design drawing, representation and communication; colour & sensation; design justice; design for social impact and innovation.
Tonya Sweet	Art and design in the context of the Anthropocene. The mitigation of negative psychological impacts of trauma through art and design. Speculative design for sustainability.
Raqi Syed	New storytelling and communication forms through visual effects and virtual production. Practiced-based art, media archeology and software studies.
Tom White	Intersection of artificial intelligence with design, focusing on new media forms and communication. The creative potential of neural networks.

Study options

The following postgraduate programmes allow you to pursue research in the area of communication design:

Master of Fine Arts (Creative Practice)—Visual Narrative (MFA(CP))

The Visual Narrative MFA in Creative Practice starts with your story. We welcome visualisers of all stripes: from comics, graphic design, games, creative writing, animation, concept art, or live-action and tabletop roleplaying.

Our programme combines courses like Visual Development and Narrative Design with practical experience in managing a creative career. You can explore new techniques and media like AI and VR while collaborating with students from Film, Theatre, Music, or Animation and VFX. Craft a powerful story, full of rich images and complex ideas. Conjure a new world of emotion using your command of visual language. Then bring it all together in a masterful final project with the help of award-winning faculty in the narrative arts.

The one-year degree includes coursework and a final project, but not an academic thesis. Prepare a short portfolio and Expression of Interest to apply.

Find out more about the Master of Fine Arts (Creative Practice)—Visual Narrative.

Master of Design (MDes)

The MDes allows you to further develop your critical thinking and discussion skills, increase your understanding of design, and learn to express your own ideas and conclusions within a theoretical framework.

Find out more about the Master of Design (MDes).

Master of Design Innovation (MDI)

The MDI delves deep into the process of innovation, from conception to design to construction. Through independent research, you'll gain the specialist skills and knowledge you need to be a successful professional in the design industry.

Find out more about the Master of Design Innovation (MDI).

Master of Design Technology (MDT)

The MDT builds on the existing digital media skills acquired in an undergraduate degree in design. It prepares you for highly technical design professions such as game design, visual effects (VFX), exhibition design, and multimedia design.

Find out more about the Master of Design Technology (MDT).

Master of User Experience Design (MUXD)

The MUXD is a conversion degree. The degree will build on the relevant skills these students have developed during their professional careers and/or undergraduate university study, such as problem solving, critical thinking and verbal and written communication.

Find out more about Master of User Experience Design (MUXD).

PhD

On our PhD programme, you'll produce an original body of research that expands the design discipline. Your work will be largely independently driven, with two supervisors available to advise you. Typically the PhD is studied on-site, but in suitable cases it may be studied by distance.

Find out more about the PhD.