Graphic and Media Design - Design for Advertising

Content

The BA (Hons) Graphic and Media Design course at London College of Communication is renowned for it's experimental approach to graphic design.

On this degree course you can expect to study in a culturally diverse and forward thinking educational environment, enjoying a wide range of teaching and learning experiences including practical workshops, seminars, lectures, events, exhibitions and live projects.

The course is delivered by active and enthusiastic professionals from a wide range of disciplines in art, design and communication, creating a climate of debate, analysis and innovation.

We seek to produce graduates whose understanding of visual language means that they will be a confident, influential and proactive participant in an increasingly diverse design community.

We view the course as a journey on which you will be guided through a multiplicity of practical and theoretical experiences, informed by subject expertise, contextual, professional and social awareness.

Design for Advertising focuses on environmental, political, social and cultural issues, examining and questioning the ethics of advertising on both a global and local level.

This approach enables you to harness the power of advertising by relating it to real-life experience and testing new ground in communicating with audiences in any appropriate medium.

Structure

Year 1

Year 1 will orientate you to the course and School, its facilities, staff, philosophy and ethos as well as raising your awareness of a range of design principles and media associated with the subject, both practically and theoretically. These include:

• research methodology
• image and narrative
• typography
• semiology
• colour
• developmental and presentation skills

Besides studio based activity you will also be introduced to printmaking, photography, letterpress and relevant aspects of IT and 3D.

Later in the year you will have the chance to experience aspects of the pathways in order that you can make an informed choice of pathway, following a period of reflection and tutorial guidance, prior to entry to Year 2.

Studio, Visual Culture and Theory (VCT) and Personal and Professional Development (PPD) units all relate to each other and give you a broad context in which to place your work.

There are many lectures from internationally recognised alumni and visiting speakers throughout the year that you may attend. If English is not your first language you will have access to the College and University language centre.

Throughout the year, and the course, you will be given both academic and pastoral tutorial support. Additionally the College offers a network of support for disability, learning and personal issues.

Assessment will take place at the end of each term and at the end of the year.

Year 2

Year 2 encourages exploration and application of your chosen pathway using key principles, introduced in the first year, and pathway specific methodologies introduced in the second year.

You will be able to access relevant facilities and resources introduced in the first year. You will have experience of working independently and collaboratively in the studio as well as VCT and PPD units.

During the year you will also undertake a cross College elective unit which will offer you the opportunity to study a completely different or complementary subject to your pathway.

Towards the end of the year you will be introduced to, and prepare, for the final year of the course when you will be required to generate your own proposals for the dissertation and self-initiated project.

A placement year in industry takes place between the second and third years. This qualifies you (should you be successful) for the Diploma in Professional Studies.

Year 3

The Final Year is the culmination of your studies and focuses on the synthesis of innovation, methodology and philosophy in the realisation of personal goals and the solving of individually identified problems in relation to your pathway.

You will be offered information on professional and postgraduate options both from internal staff and visiting speakers.

The year ends with the final summative assessment but also an exhibition of your work either within the College or at external venues in London.

Dedication

4 year, sandwich degree.