Department of the Graphic Design

A) Introduction

The Graphic Design Department of the Faculty of Fine Arts, Kabul University, was first taught in 1975 (1354) as a subject alongside the Departments of Painting and Sculpture. In 1980 (1359), it was officially established as an independent department within the faculty.

Position and Importance of the Graphic Design Field

Graphic Design today serves as a bridge between art, technology, and visual communication, where creativity, design thinking, and visual psychology come together to convey messages, brands, and concepts accurately, attractively, and effectively.

In the modern era, this field is considered one of the most in-demand and high-earning creative field worldwide, covering a wide range of skills and career opportunities.

Key Educational and Professional Areas of the Field

• Visual Identity Design (Branding & Visual Identity)
• Print Design
• Packaging Design
• Digital Design & Advertising
• UI/UX Design (User Interface & User Experience)
• Illustration
• Motion Graphics & Short Animation

Today, nearly no advanced industry or business can function without Graphic Design; therefore, in many countries, it is recognized as a creative, strategic, and future-shaping field.

Development of Equipment and Educational Programs

In 2008 (1387), through the cooperation of Kabul University and the Afghan Equality Alliance, the Graphic Design Department was equipped with eight Macintosh computers, enabling the introduction of digital training for students.

Following this, the department’s instructors, in collaboration with the Afghan Equality Alliance and the Goethe-Institute, completed professional courses in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, officially launching specialized software training for the first time.

In 2010 (1389), the subject Digital Graphics was formally added to the curriculum, marking a significant milestone in modernizing and advancing teaching methods in this field.

 

 

Current Facilities and Capacities

The Graphic Design Department currently operates with more than 50 fully equipped computers in its training laboratory, allowing the delivery of standard, practical, and professional education. The department plays a vital and influential role in enhancing educational quality, expanding digital arts, and preparing specialized human resources in the country.

 

B) Educational Objectives of the Program

The Graphic Design program has been established to preserve national and historical values and strives to improve the academic level of youth in accordance with religious principles and national laws. The program pursues the following objectives:

• Familiarizing students with the fundamental concepts of Graphic Design such as design principles, creation of graphic forms, layout design, logo design, corporate identity, branding, product packaging, and print/digital advertising.
• Training committed, specialized, and research-oriented professionals to strengthen the human resource foundation of the country in design and visual knowledge.
• Ensuring full familiarity of students with the literary, artistic, cultural, advertising, and historical resources of the country to protect and preserve them against foreign cultural influences.
• Introducing students to the works and creativity of leading national and international graphic designers.
• Training the young generation to become skilled and influential graphic designers capable of improving the quality of graphic productions in the country.
• Strengthening creative and innovative thinking among students.
• Preparing students for professional responsibilities as qualified graphic designers.
• Enabling students to conduct research that contributes to the development of visual knowledge.

 

1. Vision

The Graphic Design Department strives to become a leading center for graphic design education at both national and international levels. By creating a dynamic and innovative learning environment, the department aims to foster artistic talent, strengthen technical skills, and contribute effectively to society in line with technological advancements and market needs.

 

 

2. Mission

The mission of the department is to provide standard, comprehensive, and professional education in Graphic Design and visual literacy. By emphasizing hands-on experience, student-centered instruction, critical thinking, and creative problem-solving, the department prepares students for successful entry into the market and strengthens their innovation and entrepreneurship spirit, enabling them to create positive impact through design.

 

C) Values

1. Upholding and respecting national, religious, and Islamic values.
2. Strengthening intellectual, moral, academic, and professional commitment.
3. Promoting sincerity, piety, and adherence to religious practices.
4. Focusing on training committed, professional, and religiously grounded individuals.
5. Encouraging Islamic brotherhood, unity, compassion, empathy, service, mutual respect, and altruism.
6. Applying and reinforcing adherence to Islamic principles in daily life.
7. Promoting harmony and balance between religious and contemporary sciences based on religious foundations and societal needs.
8. Establishing balance between the spiritual, intellectual, and physical needs of individuals in accordance with divine guidance.

 

D) Partnerships

The Graphic Design Department does not have independent partnerships, but it is included within the general partnerships and collaborations of the Faculty of Fine Arts.

 

E) Laboratory (Computer Lab)

To support the teaching of professional subjects, the department is equipped with a standard workshop and a modern computer laboratory containing 50 computers for practical and digital graphics training.

1. Workshop for theoretical and manual graphic design courses
2. Computer laboratory with a standard projector and 50 computers (for teaching and practicing digital graphic design)

 

F) Academic Curriculum (Specialized Subjects)

Credits	Code	Course Name	No
2	B.GD.0115	Fundamentals of Graphic Design 1	1
2	B.GD.0215	Fundamentals of Graphic Design 2	2
2	B.GD.0315	Fundamentals of Graphic Design 3	3
2	B.GD.0415	Fundamentals of Graphic Design 4	4
2	B.GD.0515	Fundamentals of Graphic Design 5	5
2	B.GD.0622	Research Methodology	6
2	B.GD.0114	Photography and Design 1	7
3	B.GD.0214	Photography and Design 2	8
3	B.GD.0216	Digital Graphics 1	9
3	B.GD.0316	Digital Graphics 2	10
3	B.GD.0416	Digital Graphics 3	11
3	B.GD.0516	Digital Graphics 4	12
3	B.GD.0616	Digital Graphics 5	13
3	B.GD.0716	Digital Graphics 6	14
4	B.GD.0816	Digital Graphics 7	15
2	B.GD.0217	Drawing 1	16
3	B.GD.0317	Drawing 2	17
3	B.GD.0417	Drawing 3	18
3	B.GD.0517	Drawing 4	19
4	B.GD.0617	Drawing 5	20
4	B.GD.0717	Drawing 6	21
3	B.GD.0618	Illustration 1	22
3	B.GD.0718	Illustration 2	23
4	B.GD.0818	Illustration 3	24
3	B.GD.0519	Miniature 1	25
3	B.GD.0619	Miniature 2	26
3	B.GD.0720	Printing 1	27
3	B.GD.0820	Printing 2	28
2	B.GD.0321	Calligraphy 1	29
2	B.GD.0421	Calligraphy 2	30

 

Periodic Review Result

The periodic review report of the Graphic Design academic program for the year 1403 was evaluated. All principles of the periodic review were observed in the report, and it was approved by the respected committee in terms of content, educational objectives, and expected outcomes.

Furthermore, based on official letter No. (411) dated 23/10/1403 from the Quality Enhancement Directorate of Kabul University, the continuation of the activities of the department (Graphic Design academic program) has been recommended.