About the Department
The Department of Graphics at Necmettin Erbakan University offers a multidisciplinary education that brings together graphic design, graphic arts, and digital media within a contemporary visual communication framework. Structured around three complementary areas of specialisation—Graphic Design, Graphic Arts (Printmaking), and Digital Media—the department encourages students to develop original, socially responsive, and conceptually strong design practices while establishing a solid artistic and technical foundation. Established in 2013, the department adopts a studio-based educational model that combines artistic exploration, theoretical inquiry, and professional practice. Students are encouraged to experiment, collaborate, and think critically while developing their own creative identity within an interdisciplinary learning environment. The programme values ethical responsibility, cultural awareness, research, and lifelong learning alongside professional competence. In addition to its undergraduate programme, the department contributes to the MA Programme in Graphic Design, administered by the Institute of Social Sciences, supporting advanced study and research in the field.
Programme Duration
The undergraduate programme consists of eight semesters (240 ECTS) and combines studio practice, theoretical coursework, and project-based learning. Students progressively develop their artistic, technical, and conceptual skills through a curriculum that integrates traditional graphic arts with contemporary digital media.
Internships
Students complete a mandatory summer internship, gaining practical experience in design studios, advertising agencies, publishing houses, creative industries, or related institutions. These placements provide valuable opportunities to connect academic learning with professional practice and prepare students for the creative sector.
Language of Instruction
The primary language of instruction is Turkish. However, students are encouraged to engage with international literature and digital resources in English, while professional terminology and selected course materials support participation in global design and academic environments.
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Project-Based Learning
Students undertake a wide variety of studio projects throughout the programme, ranging from typography, illustration, publication and packaging design to animation, interactive media, and game design. The programme culminates in a comprehensive graduation project that demonstrates each student's creative, technical, and research capabilities.
Core Curriculum
The curriculum is designed to cultivate creative thinking, visual literacy, technical expertise, and critical inquiry through a progressive studio-based education. Rather than focusing on a single specialisation, the programme encourages students to explore diverse approaches to visual communication by integrating traditional graphic arts with contemporary design practices and emerging digital media. Throughout the four-year programme, students gradually develop their own design language while balancing artistic exploration, conceptual thinking, technical proficiency, and professional practice.
Foundation Studio
The foundation studio cultivates visual thinking, creative exploration, and experimental problem-solving through courses in basic design, drawing, colour, and composition. These courses establish the conceptual and practical foundations that support all subsequent studio work.
Digital Media & Interactive Design
Students engage with contemporary digital practices through courses in web design, animation, interactive media, motion graphics, and game design. Emphasis is placed on user experience, storytelling, experimentation, and designing for emerging technologies.
Typography & Visual Communication
Typography is approached as both a functional communication tool and a cultural practice. Students investigate hierarchy, editorial design, information organisation, and publication design while developing sensitivity to language, structure, and visual expression across print and digital media.
Professional Design Practice
Projects in branding, packaging, information design, advertising, and publication design encourage students to respond to real communication challenges while developing research, conceptual thinking, and presentation skills required in professional practice.
Graphic Arts & Image Making
Studio courses in illustration, photography, printmaking, and graphic production encourage students to experiment with diverse methods of image making. Traditional techniques are explored alongside contemporary visual practices, fostering craftsmanship, material awareness, and artistic expression.
Studio Projects & Independent Development
As the programme progresses, increasingly complex studio projects, internships, portfolio development, and elective courses enable students to define their own creative direction. The curriculum encourages interdisciplinary collaboration while preparing graduates for professional careers, independent practice, and postgraduate study.
Curriculum
The Department of Graphics offers a four-year undergraduate programme comprising 240 ECTS credits. The curriculum progressively develops students' artistic, technical, and conceptual competencies through foundation studies, specialised studio courses, elective modules, professional practice, and a graduation project.
