BA (Hons) Graphic Design

What will I study?

Year 1

The first year introduces you to modules such as ideas and concepts, visual communication and typography, allowing you to explore methods of communication and experiment with traditional and digital image making. These modules encourage you to develop your own visual language whilst introducing the practice of current and historical designers. The design studio plays a crucial role in introducing you to the ethos of a creative environment.

Year 2

The second year explores design and production and studio practice, allowing you to develop a technical understanding and working methodology whilst building a greater appreciation for creative problem solving and innovative experimentation. The applied research module allows the opportunity to study the key concepts of the subject, focusing on a self-initiated study which later forms a proposal for a level 6 research report. During this year you will also work in collaboration with other students, and are expected to develop independent ways of working. At the end of this year you will have developed your own visual style which, via tutorials and guidance, help you to study in year three.

Year 3

The third year will build upon the creative and analytical aspects of your practice, working on national competition briefs and a self-initiated design study. Live projects are run by industry professionals allowing you to establish professional links. The focus is to encourage you to become a motivated and self-directed designer.
An experienced team of lecturers with a wide range of interests reflecting all areas of graphic design will work with you. Our lecturers are active researchers in their fields and have extensive industry experience.

Year 1 - Level 4) AR4901 Visual Communication (40 credits)

Visual communication is designed to introduce and develop methods of image making whilst exploring a variety of different graphic media and understand their value as methods of visual communication. The module will encourage an inventive and experimental response to the use of processes and materials at an introductory level. Practice based projects will introduce the fundamentals of visual language and establish the development of concepts through mind mapping. Current design software will be introduced in this module, however students will be encouraged to initially work with traditional media and later utilise appropriate digital methods. Students will be encouraged to develop their own visual language through design projects. Workshops will introduce students to: photography, screenprint, etching, lino print, letterpress, packaging, drawing, digital design and bookbinding The module will form a foundation for the course, encourage a studio ethos, introduce students to problem solving, visual language, concept building and the methods of research expected at this level.

AR4902 Ideas and Concepts (20 credits)

Ideas and concepts introduces students to a range of major artistic, cultural and ideological issues that have influenced and informed 20th and 21st century creative practice. Through a series of lectures, seminars, and exhibition visits, this module will develop awareness of key ideas and concepts and their impact upon contemporary design practice.

AR4903 Typography (40 credits)

Typography is about the art and skills of designing communication by means of the printed word. Traditional and current typographic practice will be explored and an understanding of theoretical study and practical activity developed. Through practical work students will produce design solutions to extend understanding of typography. They will address the relationships between visual structure, typographic hierarchy, communication and meaning. Changing fashions in letter form developments and typography will be explored encouraging students to consider typographic style when selecting and using type forms in practical design work.

AR4904 Live Project (20 credits)

Live project enables students to engage with a live design competition sourced from industry. A presentation by the client will introduce the project brief. Module tutors will facilitate the project through discussions, seminars and progress will be monitored in project critiques. Visits to appropriate organisations and exhibitions will motivate research activity. The module will conclude with a client presentation and a 1000-word reflective report.

Year 2 (Level 5) AR5901 Applied Research (20 credits)

Applied research presents the opportunity to explore the work of key individuals who have influenced the graphic design profession. Students are introduced to a range of research skills, methodologies and techniques. Within group discussions, graphic design practice will be considered and analysed. In consultation with the module leader the research, documentation and production of an oral presentation will be undertaken. Finally, students will consider and produce a proposal for an independent honours level project.

AR5902 Design and Production (40 credits)

Design and production enables students to generate creative solutions to design problems using current design technology. Students produce a range of design materials including corporate identity, packaging design, brochure design and layout, branding guidelines manual, information graphics and related marketing material. The focus here is on developing technical understanding, conceptual thinking and working methodology Students also building a greater appreciation for the potential for creative problem solving and innovative formal experimentation. Projects will act as a vehicle for students to be exposed to technical areas of design and print production. The module will include: typographic hierarchy, the grid system, page layout, swiss typographic principals, digital design, collecting for output, digital print process, branding, branding guidelines and promotional material.

AR5903 Contemporary Media (20 credits)

Contemporary media aims to provide an opportunity to explore a variety of contemporary media solutions and practices and understand their value and relevance as methods of visual communication within graphic design. A series of lectures will introduce various forms of contemporary media, leading to discussion and analysis of successful practices. Students will be given the option of which form of linear or non-linear work they produce in accordance with designated briefs, from which developmental test versions/models will be created and documented before creating final solutions. Students will document their research and developmental work through the use of journals/sketchbooks and also document digital solutions in the appropriate file formats for presentation/viewing and assessment.

AR5904 Work Related Learning (20 credits)

Work related learning is achieved through engagement with a relevant work related experience. Students have the opportunity to learn and apply the skills and knowledge they have acquired as an integrated element of the course. Such experiences will provide an important basis for the development of students transferable skills, build crucial creative industry contacts and contribute to their employability. Seminars will include CV development, PDF portfolio building, online presence and interview guidance. The work related experience will be negotiated with individual students and can be achieved in many forms. A major focus will be on provision of work experience and placement however, a range of other employment and work-related activities linked to career aspirations, will also be supported and promoted.

AR5905 Studio Practice (20 credits)

Studio practice introduces students to competition design briefs and live client lead design. Live projects will commence with initial briefings by a client. Students will undertake the project with emphasis placed upon meeting project outcomes to an appropriate professional standard and within the context of the brief. Students will identify their own needs by choosing one national design competition brief and managing and documenting client communication and feedback.

Year 3 (Level 6) AR6901 Major Project (40 credits)

Major project will work as an independent research/study project within which students will be required to plan and manage their time and the progress of their proposal. Students will undertake self-directed projects forging links to their identified career aspirations. Initial lectures will set guidelines for project management, suggest the scope and facilitate in the development of work. Seminars and tutorials will be used to exercise peer evaluation on initial plans where risk analysis will ensure that only viable projects proceed. Individual support will be provided in the formulation of project plans and the structuring of students ideas. Students will identify the resources they require and these will be scheduled, planned and resourced accordingly.

AR6902 Research Report (40 credits)

Research report provides students with the opportunity to pursue a significant piece of individual, independent research. Under the supervision of a tutor, this research will support and underpin the practical graphic design honours module. This aims to bridge the gap between theory and practice by asking students to demonstrate knowledge of the methods, content context and wider cultural significance of their working practice.

AR6903 Client Brief (20 credits)

Client brief will include the undertaking of multi-disciplined national graphic design competitions and projects set by design professionals. Working with staff on the art direction of project briefs, students will be encouraged to explore the wider professional aspects of their creative practice in graphic design. Students ability to develop ideas and test their validity within a professional context will be developed alongside a deeper understanding of the conceptual as well as formal demands of industry set design briefs. This module demonstrates students suitability for employment and capability for professional practice or for individual progression to postgraduate levels of study. Throughout the period of study, students will liaise with tutors, and this will be reflected in project diaries and visual journals. The process of organising production of finished visuals, meeting set deadlines and delivery of final product will be deemed essential to a successful outcome.

AR6904 Professional Practice (20 credits)

Professional practice is to facilitate students to develop knowledge of the creative industries and appropriately prepare for entering the world of work or to progress to further study. The module encourages students to consider career aspirations and appropriately prepare for life after graduating. A career orientated research project will focus on required skills and include a graduate action plan. Students aiming to progress onto further study can focus on their research and report appropriately. The preparation and production of an exhibition and the design and build of an online portfolio aim to assist graduating students when preparing to secure employment.