Visual Communication +Change

180 credits

Do you want to use visual communication to make a difference in the world? Then this is the right degree for you. The programme combines creative practices, visual art, and graphic design with knowledge of sustainability to prepare you for a profession as a visual communicator with a diverse set of graphic and conceptual tools.

This degree programme gives you an introduction to today’s major global concerns, as well as visual and digital tools to help bring order to a sometimes overwhelming flow of information, and to truly affect people.

The programme is delivered through a series of projects, and you will work independently as well as engage in group work. In specific modules, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with local and regional community actors in Småland.

The Visual Communication + Change programme is delivered in English and we welcome students from all over the world. This means that you as a student are part of a group defined by diversity and are well prepared for an international design career.

Visual Communication +Change is located in Växjö, Småland – a region characterized by entrepreneurship, production and craft. Collaborative projects and educational visits will give you unique opportunities to forge networks and learn as well as to build your portfolio.

The study environment in Växjö is explorative and creative, and you will work closely with our practising designers, visual artists, lecturers and guest lecturers from various departments at the university.

Career

The programme prepares you for a number of careers in the world where you can use your creative skills in relation to your understanding of the complexity of sustainability.

Recent graduates from the programme work in various disciplines and fields: working as independent graphic designers or for graphic design companies, human rights organisations, NGOs, political parties, publications, and with initiatives run by local communities or municipalities. Some have also started their own companies and many are currently attending graduate studies at prestigious Swedish universities.

Degree

Bachelor of Fine Arts with a specialisation in visual communication (Main field of studies: Design)

International possibilities

During the programme, you can do field work abroad as part of your degree project. This may involve collecting material abroad for a period of roughly two months. It is also possible to carry out an international exchange in the year following your graduation from the programme.

Learn more about what international possibilities are offered at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at Linnaeus University.

Application and portfolio

Apply to the programme online at universityadmissions.se (in English), or antagning.se (in Swedish). Submissions of documentation attesting your eligibility for Bachelor´s level study must be submitted here.

Please note that admission to the programme is based on an alternative selection, which includes a portfolio, letter of intent, and grades. Of these selected criteria, the portfolio will be weighed highest. You have two options to apply:

With portfolio, letter of intent, and grades
With letter of intent and grades

Please note that letter of intent is required in both options. For portfolio and letter of intent guidelines, see below.

There is two application rounds to apply to the program:

Deadline to apply for international students is 15 January 2025. Application code LNU-F2694. Your portfolio and letter of intent should be submitted, no later than 1 February 2025. Please note. The order of your ranked choices is crucial. Please carefully review the information on "Rank your selections" on universityadmissions.se.
Deadline to apply for EU applicants is 15 April 2025. Application code: LNU-G0355. Your portfolio and letter of intent should be submitted, no later than 2 May 2025.
Please note. During the second admission round, you can only apply via antagning.se. Unfortunately, it’s only in Swedish and if you need help with your application, please contact admission@lnu.se. Also note. The order of your ranked choices is crucial. Please carefully review the information on "Prioritera" on antagning.se.

Portfolio Guidelines, Visual Communication + Change

For your submitted portfolio to be deemed complete, it must consist of all the following components:

Assignment A "Campaign for Change" (2 pages)

Use visual communication as a tool to design a campaign challenging overconsumption in today’s world. For example, this could mean the use of social media, fossil fuels, fast fashion, or any others issues you think are relevant to the topic. Present your idea with visualisations in one or several media of your choice (such as drawings, posters, infographics, photo, video, or animation) and write a short explanation of your thoughts and design choices. Keep in mind that a campaign is directed at a particular audience and to use visual communication to create awareness and change. Please reflect on this in your written explanation.

Assignment B "Present your own work" (6 pages)

Use the remaining pages to show your own creative work. Show us examples of your art or design practice. Make sure to include work that speaks to the vision of the program; that is, visual communication as an agent for sustainable change.

2. Letter of Intent

Please write a letter of intent that on one A4 page describes your interest in visual communication focusing on:

What are you curious about?
What do you want to change through design?
How do you want to use your education to reach your goals?
What sustainability is to you?

The letter of intent will be evaluated in terms of:

Your capacity to envision and engage with your future as a design student
Your previous and intended engagement with sustainability and change
Your proficiency in expressing yourself in English

Submit your letter of intent in PDF, PNG or JPG-format on www.universityadmissions.se.

Submit the assignments and your letter of intent on your pages on www.universityadmissions.se (in English), or www.antagning.se (in Swedish) in PDF. All images and documents should be compiled and submitted in one PDF. Please make a table of contents and include any necessary information about your assignments. If you are unable to upload your video or other media, please upload it to an external streaming site and share the link in your PDF.

After submitting your application and portfolio you will be contacted if you have been admitted to the programme or selected for an online interview.

Student portfolio

Visual Communication + Change's final examination 2023: https://designportfoliolnu.se/change-database/?termid=134

Visual Communication + Change's graduation exhibition 2022: https://designportfoliolnu.se/features/graduation-exhibition-2022-visual-communication-change-bfa/

Student projects: https://designportfoliolnu.se/tag/vcc/

Ten design and communication projects by Linnaeus University on Dezeen School Shows.

#humansoflnu

"I've always been interested in Swedish design, and before I started studying here at Linnaeus University I had never been to Scandinavia. What appealed to me most about the visual communication + change programme was the mix of design and sustainability. The programme has made me more aware and provided me with the tools I need to reach out with my ideas and help contribute to making the future a better one. My dream job would be to run a café and freelance as a graphic designer – a dream that's about to come true since I will soon be opening a café in Kalmar! The name of the café will be Oas [Oasis]and it will focus on organic food and sustainability and offer a lot of locally produced stuff". /Rabea, student on the programme visual communication + change. #humansoflnu

Student project

Clean & Connect. Made by 2ndyear students in Kalmar during the course Småland, Module 1: Interaction Design II, 4th semester.

In collaboration with KalmarHem student housing, the students developed a proposal to: how the communal laundry rooms can be a more comfortable and inclusive space for all students (international and Swedish), by bringing back the community aspect and increase social connections.

Through participatory investigative research methods, the students interviewed and meet with the different stakeholders, KalmarHem and students living in their apartments and observed and visited different laundry rooms. During the design process, they then explored and developed tools and strategies of communication focusing on an inclusive and ‘multicultural’ approach with the stakeholders.

Dinner Time: Made by 1st year students in Kalmar during their module 3 Human Needs vs. Luxury - Motion Graphics, 2nd semester.

"The movie Dinner Time is a critical statement towards the meat consumption/production in today's society. The movie is set in a parallel universe where the roles of the animals and the humans are switched. This is to criticise how meat has become a luxury rather than a human need.
In the movie we follow a mother and her son performing their daily routine of shopping/preparing for dinner. The main characters meet other animal characters such as a bull, a sheep and a pig. These characters perform activities that are perceived as normal when done by humans. The movie begins with the main characters entering a supermarket and buying groceries. The middle scene takes place in the kitchen where the mother cow prepares dinner while watching a cooking show. The last scenes take the audience to the place where the meat is produced and transported. This emphasises the circle of meat consumption."

Josipa has found the right education

Josipa has earlier studied sociology but even though she was passionate about the subject she felt that something was missing. When she finally came across Visual Communication + Change she felt that the programme offered exactly what she was looking for.

Read the whole interview with Josipa

Why did you choose Visual Communication + Change?

"I wanted to study something that combines theory and artistic representation, and I felt that this programme offered the perfect balance between the two. The theory is made up of the + Change part of the programme, dealing with everything from inequalities in society to what causes disruptions in an ecosystem. Having this basis, a designer is equipped with some of the tools needed to reach a large audience, something that is required in order to achieve true positive change that affects everyone in the world".

What is interesting about your programme?

"The fact that it is creative and engaging while at the same time encouraging us to trust our instincts. When it comes to design, everyone has their own expression and this programme helps me develop my own personal ways of mediating my message, both concretely and abstractly. The most interesting part is that you become committed to questions concerning our future and learn how we as visual communicators can contribute to a better development of the societal order and the maintenance of our ecosystems. Since the programme deals with both design and theory, students get broad knowledge in two fields that are very rewarding. Also, the fact that we students enter the programme with varying previous knowledge and experience enables us to learn a lot from each other. It contributes to great diversity!"

Has the programme lived up to your expectations?

"It was very hard to know what expectations to have on the programme, since there are not many programmes I know of that have a programme syllabus that resembles the one for this programme. I have a lot of friends who are studying either graphic design, art or a theory-based programme but no one I know studies a programme that combines these. We have practiced more artistic representation than graphic design. Having an artistic perspective helps you get a broader spectrum of what possibilities there are to put your design and knowledge into practice".

Do you think that the programme will help you make a difference? If so, in what way?

"Each student has to decide for him or herself how much they want to focus on the Change aspect of the programme in order to accomplish change. If you are passionate about making a difference, like I am, I definitely believe that one can accomplish change. There are already inquiries in society regarding how change can be accomplished, but the tools are missing. This programme definitely provides you with good conditions for developing strategic solutions that can contribute to a deeper awareness about an issue. Regardless of what the goal may be, hard work is always rewarding in the form of results and change".

What are you planning to do once you have completed your studies?

"My plan is to apply for a master programme, to deepen my knowledge within what we are studying right now on the Visual Communication + Change programme".

Do you have a dream job?

"I've always dreamt about doing research. I think it would be extremely interesting to carry out research on what impact a design product can have on, for instance, an individual or on an entire ecosystem. I have also realised that there are design agencies that have specialised in developing design products from a Change perspective – something that appeals to me a lot".

Where do you live? How did you find your accommodation?

"I live in a student apartment about three kilometres from the city centre. I found the apartment shortly after being admitted to Kalmarhem's website.

How do you like the city of Kalmar? Do you have a favourite place?

"I've lived in many different places and Kalmar is truly a charming little city. My favourite place is definitely Black Coffee where I often hang out with my friends when we feel like taking a break from the school environment".

Where do you find inspiration and what do you do to relax?

"I do a lot of reading, and spend way more money on that than I really should, but I see it as an investment. Besides that, I very much enjoy making contact with people I find interesting to share ideas – to me that's relaxation".

Curiosity led Carla to Visual Communication + Change

Carla has the opportunity to work with her passion art and being creative during her education, something that she really appreciates

Read the whole interview with Carla

Why did you choose your programme?

"I've always been curious about how the world is connected. The ways in which people connect to each other, and to nature. This curiosity grew last year when I went on a year-long bicycle trip across Africa with my sister and parents (from South Africa to Kenya, and then back). I began to question why the world seemed so out of balance and ask myself whether I could contribute to restoring that balance.

Actually, it was when I was on this bicycle trip that I discovered this course. I thought I'd be going back to South Africa to study fine art, but as we were passing through Zimbabwe, we met an Italian backpacker who had lectured in Sweden. He told me that it was an interesting and progressive country and also a beautiful place to live and study in. I decided to investigate it as an option, searching for degrees that focused on art, design and sustainability. It's an unusual combination and I wasn't really expecting to find anything, but the very first programme that came up was an international programme called Visual Communication + Change. At first I couldn't believe it and I figured that there must be some catch. But there was no catch – so here I am, in beautiful Kalmar having my first real experience of snow, cinnamon buns and princess cake!"

How is the education / how has it been so far?

"So far, this experience has exceeded my expectations. It has challenged me to reflect on my perspectives and opened my mind to new ways of thinking. I'm surrounded by students and teachers who inspire me and who have pushed me to stretch myself, to take risks and to continue being curious. It has also genuinely been so much fun. I love art and I love being creative and that is what we do every day. There hasn't been any pressure to create perfect things – just to explore, be colourful and think laterally."

What goals do you have with your education?

"All modules have focused on how everything is interconnected, and my hope is to explore ways of communicating this. I think that the only way to accomplish the much needed positive change in restoring balance is by reminding us all of this very complex, but also very simple, connectedness."

More information about the programme

Frequently asked questions

How do I apply for Visual Communication + Change?

You apply to the programme online at www.universityadmissions.se (in English), or www.antagning.se (in Swedish). On those pages, you also submit your documentation of eligibility for university studies and English proficiency. Besides the online application, you need to submit your portfolio to Linnaeus University (LNU) in time. Please read the instructions regarding the portfolio carefully.

I have questions regarding my eligibility for BA level studies?

Please contact: admission@lnu.se. They are taking care of the admission process and can answer all questions regarding documentations and deadlines.

Do I have to know Swedish to study a design programme at LNU?

You don't have to know the Swedish language, but you have to show proof of your English language skills through for instance TOEFL or IELTS-tests. Your level of English needs to compare to a English B in the swedish education system.
I will not be able to send all documents (like highschool diploma, result from English test...) before the deadline, may I apply anyway ?
Yes, it will be possible to send documents at a later point. Please contact admission@lnu.se to get an exact deadline.

How much is the tuition fee?

Non EU/EEA students need to pay a fee of 130 000 SEK per term, which sums up to a total of 780 000 SEK for the whole program.
More information: https://lnu.se/en/student/new-student/tuition-fees-and-scholarships/

For Swedish and other EU/EEA students the education is without charge. But cost for study trips and material apply.

Are there any scholarships for international students ?

Scholarships are not handled by the department of Design. Please check for further information on the following pages: https://lnu.se/en/student/new-student/scholarships/

When does the academic year start and end?

The Academic year is divided into two terms. Our programs start only in the Autumn. The academic year at LNU starts in the end of August and the autumn term will end in the middle of January. The spring term will run from the middle of January to the beginning of June.

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Växjö – the student city with a living campus

Just south of Växjö’s city centre you will find Linnaeus University’s campus. In Växjö, many students choose to live on campus.

Here you will have five minutes’ walking distance to friends, restaurants, lecture rooms, gym, grocery store, the University Library, nature trails, and student pubs. If you live in another part of Växjö, you can quickly get to the university by bus or bicycle.

With its 90 000 inhabitants, Växjö is one of the fastest growing cities in Sweden. Here you will find the famous Småland entrepreneurship spirit and a lot of companies, for instance within the IT industry – perfect for when you are looking for an internship position or a job. Växjö is also a picturesque city where you are always close to forests and water.

Learn more about our student cities.