Art and Design

Diploma in Graphic Design

The Diploma in Graphic Design is a programme that equips students with knowledge and practical skills in visual communication, digital design, branding, typography and print production. Offered at Lukenya University, the programme prepares students for creative careers in graphic design, advertising, publishing and digital media.

The curriculum covers design fundamentals, typography, colour theory, digital illustration, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), layout design, print production, brand identity, advertising design, packaging design, digital graphic design, UI design basics, photography, communication skills, entrepreneurship and industrial attachment. Students develop both creative and technical design skills.

Kenya's creative economy is growing, with increasing demand for graphic designers in advertising agencies, media houses, publishing companies, corporate communications and freelance practice. The programme responds to the need for trained designers who can create visual content for print, digital and social media platforms.

The programme is delivered through lectures, studio sessions, design projects, portfolio development, software workshops, case studies and industrial attachment. Students gain hands-on experience in design software, brand development, print production and digital design through practical exercises and attachment at design agencies, media houses or printing companies.

Graduates pursue careers as graphic designers, brand designers, layout artists, digital designers, packaging designers and visual communication assistants in advertising agencies, media houses, publishing companies, corporate organisations and freelance practice. They can also progress to a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design or related degree programmes.

Prospective students should have creativity, visual aptitude and interest in digital media. The programme is suitable for students seeking careers in graphic design, advertising and visual communication.

Duration: 3 years
Public, up to: Ksh 67,189
Private, up to: Ksh 170,000
Job market: Moderate

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 25 students
Award: Diploma

What you study

8 subjects

Design Fundamentals, Colour Theory and Typography
Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign
Layout Design and Print Production
Brand Identity and Advertising Design
Digital Graphic Design and UI Design Basics
Photography and Digital Illustration
Packaging Design and Publication Design
Entrepreneurship, Communication Skills and Industrial Attachment

Modules

8 in the programme

Design Fundamentals, Colour Theory and Typography
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers design elements and principles, colour theory, typography fundamentals, visual hierarchy, composition and design thinking.
Adobe Photoshop and Digital Illustration
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers Adobe Photoshop, image editing, photo manipulation, digital illustration, raster graphics and digital art techniques.
Adobe Illustrator and Vector Design
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers Adobe Illustrator, vector graphics, logo design, illustration, icon design and vector-based brand elements.
Layout Design and Adobe InDesign
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers Adobe InDesign, page layout, publication design, multi-page documents, grids, margins and print-ready file preparation.
Brand Identity and Advertising Design
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers brand strategy, logo design, brand guidelines, visual identity systems, advertising design, campaign visuals and marketing collateral.
Digital Graphic Design and UI Design Basics
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers digital design for web and social media, UI design fundamentals, wireframing, social media graphics, web banners and digital content creation.
Print Production, Packaging and Photography
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers print production processes, prepress, colour management, packaging design, signage, photography for design and product photography.
Portfolio Development, Entrepreneurship and Industrial Attachment
Year 3Semester 16 creditsCore
Covers portfolio development, professional practice, entrepreneurship, communication skills, plus a three-month industrial attachment at a design agency, media house or printing company.

Specialisations

Brand Identity Design
Focuses on brand strategy and visual identity for careers as brand designers.
Digital and UI Design
Specialises in digital content and user interface design for careers as digital designers.
Print and Publication Design
Focuses on print production and publication layout for careers as layout artists.
Advertising Design
Specialises in advertising visuals and campaign design for careers in advertising agencies.

A day as a student

A typical day begins with a morning lecture on design fundamentals or typography, followed by a studio session using Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop. Afternoon sessions may include a layout design project, a brand identity exercise, or a photography practical. Students also work on building their design portfolio and preparing for industrial attachment.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's creative economy and digital marketing sector are growing, creating demand for skilled graphic designers.
The programme develops a professional portfolio that demonstrates practical skills to employers.
Graduates can work freelance, offering flexible career options beyond traditional employment.

Against it

The programme is offered at only one university, limiting study location options.
Entry-level design positions can be competitive, with many employers expecting a strong portfolio and software proficiency.

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 courses

Public56k to 67k

56k at Kabete Technical Training Institute67k at Eldoret National Polytechnic

Private54k to 170k

54k at ICS Technical College170k at ADMI

Annual 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 56-67K/yr public. ICS 54K, ADMI 170K/yr private (ics.ac.ke, admi.africa).

Students can access HELB loans. Lukenya University may offer internal bursaries for deserving students.

Funding options

HELB Loan

Scholarships

1 recorded

HELB 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: Certificate in a relevant field from a recognised institution, or equivalent qualification.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Written examination20% of the mark
Mid-semester and end-of-semester written tests covering design theory, colour theory and typography.
Design Project Portfolio
Project50% of the mark
Assessment of design projects, software exercises and portfolio pieces demonstrating practical design skills.
Final Design Project
Project40% of the mark
A comprehensive design project demonstrating mastery of graphic design skills, assessed through a portfolio and presentation.
Industrial Attachment Report
Practicum100% of the mark
Assessment of performance during industrial attachment at a design agency, media house or printing company.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at Lukenya University.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at Lukenya University.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Graphic Designer
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 200,000
Creates visual content for print and digital media, including logos, brochures, social media graphics, advertisements and brand materials.
Brand Designer
Moderate demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 180,000
Develops brand identities, visual systems and brand guidelines for organisations, ensuring consistent visual communication across all touchpoints.
Digital Designer
High demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 220,000
Creates digital content for websites, social media and digital marketing campaigns, including web graphics, banners and social media visuals.
Layout Artist
Low demandKsh 25,000 to Ksh 150,000
Designs page layouts for publications, magazines, books and printed materials, ensuring visual appeal and readability.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as graphic designers, brand designers and digital designers in advertising agencies, media houses, publishing companies and corporate organisations.

Tools you will learn

Adobe Photoshop
DesignPrimary
Adobe Illustrator
DesignPrimary
Adobe InDesign
Design

Certifications

Commission for University Education (CUE) Accreditation

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Graphic design is just about making things look pretty.
Graphic design involves visual communication, problem-solving, brand strategy, user experience and technical production skills, not just aesthetics.
You need to be good at drawing to study graphic design.
While drawing helps, graphic design primarily uses digital tools and focuses on layout, typography, colour and composition skills that can be developed during the programme.
AI will replace graphic designers.
AI tools assist designers but cannot replace the creative thinking, strategic decision-making and client communication that are core to graphic design practice.
Graphic design has no career prospects in Kenya.
Kenya's growing creative economy, digital marketing and media sectors have created increasing demand for skilled graphic designers in agencies, media houses and corporate organisations.