Design for Graphic Communication

Content

This builds upon the practices and strengths of the FdA Design for Graphic Communication, helping you to progression into both employment and/or further study. Work Based and Work Related Learning will be the central focus of this Top Up year, allowing graduates to develop a wide range of practical and theoretical skills enabling them to choose to prepare for entry to the creative industries or application to Postgraduate level study.

The contextual studies element of this Top Up course will have more of an industry focus and students will be required to produce a design research report based on their own primary research of the creative industries, critically analysing current industry practice and feeding back, directly into the students' studio practice and Work Based learning experiences.

Entry to industry will be facilitated by building upon the current practice of the FdA Design for Graphic Communication of assessed work placements, use of a mentorship scheme, studio visits, input of School of Graphic Design alumni and encouraging the development of entrepreneurial skills and understanding necessary for freelance practice or successfully finding a job.

Staff from the Top-Up and Postgraduate courses will develop teaching and learning activities together designed to facilitate and help interested students identify which postgraduate course is the most appropriate for them, build an appropriate portfolio and prepare for application, therefore ensuring continuation of experience and retention of the most suitable students.

Teaching and learning practice developed by School of Graphic Design staff on parallel courses (Diploma in Professional Studies and Grad Certificate/Diploma Design for Visual Communication) will be utilised in the curriculum. Both these courses have strong Work Based Learning and research method approaches that align closely with the aims of the FdA and this Top Up year.

Structure

The course consists of a set of units, focused on a mix of practice-based and theoretical activities.

Term 1

In Term 1, the Strategies for Visual Research unit focuses on the development of a range of practical visual research methods common to current industry practice.

During this term you will also undertake the Industrial and Theoretical Contexts unit. This unit provides you with the opportunity to demonstrate your intellectual skills in the development and writing of a 4,500 word Research Report focusing on the current design industries.

Term 2

The Live Projects unit, during Term 2, challenges you to utilise your graphic communication skills and knowledge in the answering of a live design brief. The Personal and Professional Development unit will ask you to research, plan and write the brief for following term's Major Design Project unit.

Term 3

The final Major Design Project unit in Term 3 gives you opportunity to undertake a self-initiated design project that explores and investigates a particular area of personal interest within graphic communication design.