Graphical Communication is about managing spatial ideas. A designer's great idea needs to be tangibly expressed, developed, analysed and communicated to others. Graphical Communication provides the necessary skills for all this to be achieved. In this way Graphical Communication is the universal language of the whole technical world. It is used by architects, engineers, interior designers, graphic designers, illustrators, technicians, digital artists and many other professionals in allied jobs. Graphical Communication is at the heart of product development and technical innovation in general.  Nearly all jobs dealing with Graphical Communication employ computer aided drawing software packages.

Engineering Drawing is graphical communication applied to the broad sector of Engineering. Engineers design and create appliances, machinery and complex industrial systems.  At each step of the process, from the representation of the initial concept, through the development stage, to the actual physical production of the prototype, engineering drawing plays a vital role. It is used to describe the different machine parts, to illustrate how these parts fit together, to specify the manufacturing process to be employed and even to indicate the requested limiting parameters (of size and finish) of the completed product.

As hinted above, the subjects of Graphical Communication and Engineering drawing find extensive application in a modern ever-changing industry. In this context the subjects are updated regularly to adhere to current revised standards and conventions related to drawing practice and technical product specification. The current unified codes are PP 8888-1 and PP 8888-2.

The main areas covered at Advanced Level are plane geometry, solid descriptive geometry, the graphical solution of static equilibrium problems, pictorial drawing techniques and communication graphics. The fundamental principles of 2D computer-aided drawing are also studied using the industry-standard AutoCAD® drawing package by Autodesk®. This section upgrades the subject with present-day techniques and facilities in a modern drawing office. This CAD component is hands-on and each student is required to compile a portfolio of three competence exercises.

Students taking this route may eventually further their studies at MCAST, earning a vocational degree in Graphic Design, Product Design or Spatial Design. Alternatively, A-level holders may enrol for a B.Sc. in Technical Design and Technology offered by the University of Malta.

At Intermediate level, the subjects of Graphical Communication and Engineering Drawing are combined into a single course. The course is extremely useful to candidates aspiring to become engineers and architects through courses offered by the Faculty of Engineering and the Faculty of the Built Environment at the University of Malta. 

Students taking up one of the above two courses should ideally hold a pass grade in Graphical Communication at SEC level. Enrolled students soon realise the need to commit themselves to long hours of meticulous drawing practice. Only practice, coupled by conceptual knowledge can guarantee high quality graphic work.