The Visual Communication Department (formerly known as Graphic Design Department) was established in 1975 at the St. Thomas Walk Campus. The first 2-year part-time Certificate in Graphic Design was launched in the same year. The full-time diploma programme started in July 1982 at the Sophia Road Campus with a class of 24 students. The course includes subjects such as Advertising and Commercial Design, Typography, Visual Studies, Illustration, Photography and Desktop Publishing.

By 1997, the full-time student population increased to more than 360 with 100 in part-time classes. The current staff strength of 35 includes 9 full-time lecturers and 24 part-time lecturers. Being the pioneer in Singapore, the Visual Communication Department has trained more than 2,000 graduates for the design industry in this region as well as preparing graduates for their higher education since its establishment.

The course was designed to develop conceptualisation, design skills and industrial applications. It prepares students for academic advancement and most of the graduates have been granted advanced standing to universities and colleges in UK, USA, Australia and New Zealand. In view of the regular upgrading of the existing curriculum to meet industrial demand, a Curriculum Advisory Committee was formed in September l996. In early 1998, as part of the curriculum upgrading exercises, the research methodologies subject was incorporated into the third year diploma curriculum. This is a bridging subject which will enable the graduates to extend a one-year study in BA degree conversion programme with University of Western Sydney (Nepean). The full-time one-year degree study will be conducted in Singapore with a 4 to 6 weeks attachment programme in UWSN in Australia.