A degree in Graphic design can lead to careers across branding, advertising, digital experiences, publishing, illustration, user experience, and emerging technologies. For aspiring creatives, the right university offers an opportunity to explore these possibilities and begin discovering where their own strengths and interests lie.
This was a key message from Curtin University Dubai’s recent ‘Careers in Graphic Design’ webinar with Sandeep Fernandes, a creative professional with more than three decades of experience in advertising and design.
An award-winning Creative Director, Sandeep has worked with the likes of TBWA, BBDO, Ogilvy and Lowe, on some of the most prominent public sector brands – Mubadala, Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, Dubai Motor Festival, Dubai Media City, Dubai Studio City, Dubai International Film Festival, Louvre Abu Dhabi, du, Emirates, Etihad Airways, CBD, and Mai Dubai.
Sandeep highlighted the importance of developing both practical skills and the mindset to respond to a fast-moving creative industry: “Our industry moves fast and expects designers to be plug-and-play. This is where a university education comes in. Through assignments and research, they learn to build skills and develop the mindset of a designer.”
Students had the opportunity to put this thinking into practice when Sandeep visited Curtin Dubai for an interactive session with students from Graphic Design and other study areas.
During the session, a Graphic Design student presented a project, as part of her academic assessment. Sandeep provided professional feedback on the work, while students from other disciplines contributed their own perspectives and ideas.
For emerging designers, conversations like these are an important part of the learning process. Presenting work helps students explain the thinking behind their creative decisions, respond to professional feedback, and consider how different perspectives can strengthen an idea.
Importantly, students do not need to arrive at university already knowing exactly what kind of designer they want to become. Sandeep encouraged them to use this time to experiment with different mediums, approaches, and areas of design.
“Experimenting across different mediums, they will discover their strengths and start shaping a portfolio around the career that genuinely speaks to them,” he said.
For students considering a future in graphic design, that process of exploration can be just as important as mastering the tools of the profession. University provides the space to try, create, question, and refine – helping students turn a broad interest in design into a creative direction of their own.
Building the experience behind the portfolio
A portfolio develops through the experiences behind each piece of work. At Curtin Dubai, that includes academic learning, creative experimentation, feedback, and opportunities to apply skills in practical settings.
Shelley Lawson, Lecturer from the School of Design, describes this as an experience that provides a student holistic exposure. “At Curtin, we care about every aspect of the student experience,” she said. Students develop their graphic design skills through “industry-standard software, drawing, media analysis, and art theory”, while industry visits and internships create further opportunities to connect with leading professionals and strengthen their portfolios.
This approach also connects with Curtin Dubai’s wider commitment to Work-Integrated Learning, which brings practice-based experiences into courses through opportunities such as industry projects, fieldwork, and guest speakers.
For Shweta Wahi, Managing Director at Curtin University Dubai, bringing industry into the student experience is an important part of preparing students for what comes after university.
“There is tremendous value in giving students opportunities to put their work in front of people who are actually active in industry. They get honest feedback, understand what is expected professionally, and start to see how what they are learning translates into the real world,” she said.
“It also helps students build confidence in their own ideas. Particularly in a field as broad as graphic design, these interactions expose them to different perspectives and career possibilities, and can help them start figuring out where their own strengths and interests could take them.”
That same career preparation continues as students progress through university. Curtin Dubai’s Careers Hub supports students with internships, personalised career advice, professional development, and opportunities to connect with employers, helping future graduates understand where their skills can create value in the professional world.
As brands and organisations place greater focus on digital experiences, visual communication, content, and how they connect with their audiences, skilled designers have an increasingly important role to play. The ability to think creatively, communicate ideas visually, understand audiences, and adapt across platforms gives Graphic Design graduates skills that can translate across a growing range of industries and roles.
Your creative direction can start taking shape at Curtin Dubai. Connect with our team on 800CURTIN or email [email protected] to explore where a Graphic Design degree could take you.
