Design and Visual Communication Level 1

This course introduces students to the foundations of design and visual communication, combining creativity with technical skill development. Students will learn to generate and communicate ideas through freehand sketching, instrumental drawing, and visual presentation techniques, helping them build strong visual literacy and confidence in expressing design concepts.

Over the year, students will complete four design projects, each aligned with key NCEA standards in:

• Product Design

• Spatial Design (architecture, interior, or landscape)

• Instrumental Drawing

• Visual Presentation Techniques

These projects encourage students to apply the design process, explore real-world problems, and develop solutions through the lens of both spatial and product design. Each project is worth 5 credits, allowing students to gain a total of 20 Level 1 credits.

What students will learn:

• How to sketch, render, and draft design ideas accurately and confidently

• Use of design-specific language and tools

• Exploration of architectural, landscape, interior, and product design contexts

• How to communicate ideas to a specific audience using visual storytelling and layout

• An introduction to computer-aided design (CAD) and presentation software

Course Focus:

This course not only builds technical skills, but also develops creative thinking, problem-solving, and design literacy. It encourages students to observe and respond to the designed world around them, laying the foundation for future study and careers in:

• Architecture

• Industrial and Product Design

• Engineering

• Graphic Design

• Construction and Spatial Design

Whether students are interested in design as a career or simply want to build transferable creative and technical skills, Level 1 DVC offers an inspiring and practical introduction to the world of design.