Diploma in Art and Design
The Diploma in Art and Design is a programme that equips students with knowledge and practical skills in visual arts, design and creative practice. Offered at Pwani University through the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, the programme was developed in collaboration with the Transnational Perspectives in Art and Art Education (TPAAE) project involving European and Kenyan educators.
The curriculum covers drawing and painting, textile design, sculpture, printmaking, photography, digital design, art history, African and Kenyan traditional and contemporary art, aesthetics, art psychology, anthropology, entrepreneurship for creative industries (artrepreneurship), communication skills, ICT and portfolio development. Students develop both artistic creativity and technical design skills.
Kenya's creative economy is growing, with increasing demand for skilled art and design professionals in advertising, media, fashion, cultural institutions and creative enterprises. The programme responds to the need for trained artists and designers who can contribute to the creative industries while drawing on African and Kenyan cultural heritage.
The programme is delivered through studio sessions, workshops, lectures, field visits to cultural institutions, practical projects and portfolio development. Students gain hands-on experience in various artistic media and design techniques through studio work, workshops and collaborative projects.
Graduates pursue careers as artists, graphic designers, textile designers, illustrators, art teachers, gallery assistants, creative entrepreneurs, cultural project officers and freelance designers in advertising agencies, media houses, cultural institutions, fashion companies, schools and self-employment. They can also progress to a Bachelor of Arts in Art and Design or related degree programmes.
Prospective students should have creative ability, visual aptitude and interest in artistic expression. The programme is suitable for students seeking a practical foundation in art and design for employment or further study.
- Duration
- 2 years
- Public, up to
- Ksh 89,700
- Job market
- Low
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Practicalities
- Study mode
- Full-time
- Attachment
- 3 months
- Average class
- 20 students
- Award
- Diploma
What you study
8 subjects- Drawing and Painting
- Textile Design and Sculpture
- Printmaking and Photography
- Digital Design and Illustration
- Art History and African Contemporary Art
- Aesthetics and Art Psychology
- Artrepreneurship and Creative Industries
- Portfolio Development and ICT
Modules
8 in the programmeDrawing and Painting Fundamentals
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers drawing techniques, perspective, composition, colour theory, painting methods, watercolour, acrylic and oil painting fundamentals.
Art History and African Contemporary Art
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers art history, African traditional and contemporary art, Kenyan art movements, art criticism and global art contexts.
Sculpture and Printmaking
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers sculptural techniques, modelling, carving, casting, printmaking methods including relief, intaglio and screen printing.
Textile Design and Photography
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers textile design principles, fabric decoration, batik, tie-dye, digital photography, composition and photo editing.
Digital Design and Illustration
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers digital design tools, vector and raster graphics, illustration techniques, layout design and digital media production.
Aesthetics, Art Psychology and Anthropology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers aesthetics, perception and psychology of art, cultural anthropology, art and society and the role of art in cultural expression.
Artrepreneurship and Creative Industries
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers entrepreneurship for creative industries, art marketing, pricing, gallery management, freelance practice, copyright and business planning for artists.
Portfolio Development and Project
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Development of a comprehensive portfolio of creative work demonstrating skills across multiple media, assessed through a portfolio exhibition and oral presentation.
Specialisations
Fine Art
Focuses on drawing, painting, sculpture and printmaking for careers as practising artists.
Textile Design
Specialises in textile design, fabric decoration and surface design for careers in the textile and fashion industry.
Digital Design
Focuses on digital illustration, graphic design and digital media for careers in advertising and digital media.
Art Education
Specialises in art education methods and pedagogy for careers as art teachers.
A day as a student
A typical day begins with a morning lecture on art history or aesthetics, followed by a studio session working on drawing, painting or sculpture projects. Afternoon sessions may include a workshop on textile design or printmaking, a digital design laboratory using design software, or a group critique of student work. Students also visit local cultural sites for inspiration and work on developing their portfolios.
The trade offs
In its favour
- The programme was developed with European and Kenyan educators through the TPAAE project, providing an international perspective on art education.
- The programme draws on African and Kenyan traditional and contemporary art, connecting students to local cultural heritage.
- The programme includes artrepreneurship, equipping graduates with business skills for the creative economy.
Against it
- Career opportunities in art and design can be competitive and may require building a strong portfolio and professional network.
- The programme is offered at only one university, limiting study location options.
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 73 art and design coursesAnnual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.
The fine print
TVET 67K, Pwani Uni SSP 89.7K/yr (pu.ac.ke). Private: unverified.
Students can access HELB loans. Pwani University may offer internal bursaries for qualifying students.
Funding options
HELB Loan
Scholarships
1 recordedHELB Loan
LoanKsh 40,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in accredited programmes at recognised institutions
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
- KCSE mean grade
- C-
- Alternative entry
- KCSE D+ with TVET level 5 Certificate in Art and Design or related area with one year of work experience, or KCE Division III, or equivalent qualifications as determined by KNQA.
How you are assessed
4 componentsContinuous Assessment Tests
Written examination20% of the mark
Mid-semester and end-of-semester written tests covering art history, aesthetics and design theory.
Studio Projects
Practicum50% of the mark
Assessment of studio work including drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking and textile design projects.
Portfolio Exhibition
Project60% of the mark
A comprehensive portfolio of creative work assessed through an exhibition and oral presentation.
Artrepreneurship Business Plan
Project40% of the mark
A business plan for a creative enterprise, demonstrating understanding of art marketing, pricing and business management.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at Pwani University's School of Humanities and Social Sciences, developed in collaboration with the TPAAE EU-Kenya project.
Accredited by
Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at Pwani University's School of Humanities and Social Sciences, developed in collaboration with the TPAAE EU-Kenya project.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesArtist
Low demandKsh 25,000 to Ksh 150,000
Creates original artwork for exhibitions, commissions, galleries and private clients, working in various media including painting, sculpture and printmaking.
Graphic Designer
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 120,000
Creates visual designs for advertising, branding, publications and digital media using design software and artistic skills.
Textile Designer
Low demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 100,000
Designs textile patterns, fabric decorations and surface designs for fashion, interior design and cultural products.
Creative Entrepreneur
Moderate demandKsh 20,000 to Ksh 200,000
Starts and operates creative businesses including art studios, design agencies, craft enterprises and cultural product ventures.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as artists, graphic designers and creative entrepreneurs in advertising agencies, media houses, cultural institutions and self-employment.
Tools you will learn
Adobe Illustrator
ToolPrimary
Adobe Photoshop
Tool
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Art and design is not a real career.
The creative economy is a growing sector in Kenya, with career opportunities in advertising, media, fashion, cultural institutions, galleries and creative entrepreneurship.
You need to be naturally talented to study art and design.
While natural ability helps, the programme teaches fundamental techniques, design principles and artistic skills that can be developed through instruction and practice.
There are no jobs for art and design graduates in Kenya.
Kenya's growing creative industries, advertising sector, media houses, cultural institutions and tourism sector create demand for skilled artists and designers.
Art and design is only about painting.
The programme covers diverse media including drawing, painting, sculpture, textile design, printmaking, photography, digital design and artrepreneurship.
Related courses
Further reading
Fees and entry marks for Diploma in Art and Design are restated every intake. Save it and the app keeps this version, so you can see what changed when it does.