OUR HISTORY
A Department Shaped by Change, Practice and Progress.
The Graphic Design Department has developed through changes in technical education, academic structure and creative practice. Its story reflects the growth of Graphic Design education at Takoradi Technical University and the continuing need to prepare students for an evolving visual communication industry.
1992
Tertiary Foundations
Polytechnic education in Ghana was upgraded to tertiary status, creating the foundation for Higher National Diploma programmes in Commercial Arts at Takoradi Polytechnic.
2007
Academic Expansion
The Polytechnic Act 2007 strengthened the academic autonomy of polytechnics and created greater opportunity for new programmes, courses, technical research and applied arts education.
2008
A Department Takes Shape
The Department of Graphic Design was created from the former Fine Art Department to provide Graphic Design courses leading to the HND in Commercial Arts, Graphic Design Option. It later became the Department of Graphic Design Technology.
THE PRINCIPLE BEHIND THE PROGRAMME
Learning Through Skill, Practice and Enterprise.
The department’s educational philosophy places emphasis on competency-based technological education, hands-on training and the development of professional, managerial and entrepreneurial capabilities.
Practice
Develop practical competence through hands-on Graphic Design education.
Capability
Build the technical and creative skills required to operate confidently in professional environments.
Enterprise
Develop managerial and entrepreneurial thinking alongside creative practice.
VISION & MISSION
Our Vision
To develop highly capable Graphic Design professionals through training and excellent art education that supports industry and contributes to human resource development in Ghana and beyond.
Our Mission
To provide tertiary Graphic Design education through the application of art while advancing teaching and research in the field.
ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP
The People Who Have Led the Department.
2008–2010
Dr Samuel Adentwi Bentum
2010–2011
Dr Joseph Essuman
2011–2013
Dr Mrs Josephine Sarpong-Nyantakyi
2013–2015
Dr Dzidefo Letsa
2015–2017
Associate Professor George Brako-Hiapa
2017–2019
Dr Ebenezer Kofi Enninful
2019–2021
Associate Professor Bartholomew Johnson Sebbeh
2021–2023 memorandum date
Kwadwo Essuman Amissah (PhD)
Listed according to the department memorandum dated April 2023.
PROGRAMME DEVELOPMENT
Growing With the Discipline.
By 2023, the department documented academic pathways including HND in Commercial Arts (Graphic Design Option), B.Tech routes and postgraduate M.Tech study in Graphic Design and Printing.
HND
Commercial Arts — Graphic Design Option
B.Tech
Two-year Top-Up, one-year Trimester/Modular Top-Up and four-year pathways documented in the department record.
M.Tech
Graphic Design and Printing
THE STORY CONTINUES
Built on History. Designed for What Comes Next.
The department’s history is not only a record of dates and programmes. It is a continuing process of adapting Graphic Design education to new technologies, new forms of communication and the changing needs of students and industry.