DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW
About the Department
For 30 years, Takoradi Technical University's Department of
Graphic Design Technology has been at the forefront of
creative education, blending traditional artistic principles
with cutting-edge digital innovation.
The History
History About The Department of Graphic Design Technology
In 1992, the Polytechnic Law under Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) Law (1992) upgraded polytechnic education in Ghana to tertiary status. This gave rise to the running of Higher National Diploma (HND) in Commercial Arts Programmes in Takoradi Polytechnic. The HND in Commercial Art Programmes underwent many changes until programmes/courses as Options emerged or created out some departments. In 2007, the polytechnic law was revised into the Polytechnic Act 2007 (Act 745) to provide tertiary education through full time courses in the field of manufacture, commerce, science, technology, applied arts and applied social sciences, and to facilitate studies and research in technical subjects at the tertiary level. This confirmed the Polytechnics as public tertiary institutions in Ghana with academic autonomy. An avenue was therefore created for the introduction of new programmes/courses. In 2008, the Department of Graphic Design (now the Department of Graphic Design Technology) was created out of the then Fine Art Department to offer courses in Graphic Design leading to the award of HND in Commercial Arts (Graphic Design Option). Currently, the Department of Graphic Design Technology is one of the six (6) Departments and with highest enrolment of students in the Faculty of Applied Arts and Technology (FAAT). The philosophy of the courses in the Graphic Design programme among other things will contribute to Ghana’s quest for competency-based technological education in graphic design at the tertiary level and help build the needed human resource capacity of the country. The programme is also aimed at providing students with hands-on skills training, competences and managerial/entrepreneurial skills that will make them self-reliant in the graphic design world of work and thereby create more job opportunities for others to help grow the economy.
Our Vision
To be the premier center of excellence in graphic design and digital media education in West Africa, recognized globally for producing innovative, ethically-minded creative professionals who drive industry transformation
Our Mission
Equipping students with state-of-the-art technical skills, critical thinking capabilities, and deep aesthetic understanding to solve complex communication challenges in a dynamic global environment.
Innovation
Pushing boundaries in visual communication and embracing emerging technologies.
Integrity
Upholding the highest ethical standards in academic and professional creative practices.
Excellence
Committing to superior quality in craftsmanship, design thinking, and execution.
Heritage
Honoring our 30-year legacy while actively designing for the future.
Achievements
The Department of Graphic Design Technology had achieved the following in the past year(s): i. Two (2) Senior Lecturers had been promoted to the rank of Associate Professors ii. Two (2) Assistant Lecturers had been promoted to the rank of Lecturers iii. One (1) Senior Instructor had been promoted to the rank of Assistant Lecturer iv. One (1) Senior Technician had been promoted to the rank of Assistant Lecturer v. One (1) Assistant Lecturer had been employed to augment the staff strength of the Department vi. Three (3) Senior Technicians had been promoted to the rank of Principal Technicians vii. Two (2) Senior Technicians had been employed to augment the staff strength of the Department. viii. Ten (10) out of the total number of the teaching staff at the Department are on study leave pursuing their terminal degrees (PhDs) at the various Universities in Ghana and abroad. ix. It had successfully completed its First Trimester/Modular I of the new One-year B-tech Top-Up programme, which was commenced on 13th January 2023 and ended on 12th March, 2023 (the Examinations was on 9th to 12 March, 2023). x. In addition, the First Semester of the 2022/2023 Academic Year ended successfully after HND, 4-B-Tech and M-Tech students have written their End-of-Semester Examinations and departed to their various homes. xi. In the course of the period, the Department had reviewed the HND curriculum for re-accreditation of which the proposed HND document had been completed and submitted to the Quality Assurance and Academic Planning Directorate for assessment and onward submission to Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) for approval.
30 Years of Excellence
A journey of continuous evolution from traditional print to digital frontiers.
1994
2016
Establishment
Founded to provide specialized education in commercial art and traditional printing techniques.
Digital Transition
Introduction of early computer graphics labs,
integrating digital tools with
traditional curriculum.
University Status
Upgraded to Technical University status,
launching advanced degree programs
in Graphic Design Technology
30th Anniversary
Celebrating three decades of excellence,
unveiling new interactive media labs
and launching the Alumni
Endowment Fund.
