Graphic Design (with Foundation Year) BA (Hons)

Course Overview

The Foundation Year will allow you to develop your academic study skills and build confidence in your abilities, identifying your own strengths and development needs for progression onto the undergraduate degree in Graphic Design. The Design and Visual Communications module starts you off, and introduces you to a broad spectrum of basic graphic design and illustration skills relevant and necessary for successful further study.

BA (Hons) Graphic Design is for visually creative people looking to build a rewarding career in graphic design. If you enjoy uncovering, and solving, challenging visual communication problems using aesthetic language, are culturally aware, and have a passion for experimentation across a variety of creative media, this course is for you.

More to design than using computer software

Our design studio has a stunning range of equipment for you to realise your ideas. We don’t restrict you to using computer software, even though we have everything from the Adobe Creative Suite programs to plotter cutters and photo studios. You can craft beautiful design solutions using our silkscreen, letterpress, and litho equipment, as well as our laser cutting and 3D printing technology. We make sure you get as hands-on with our equipment as possible. And our staff are always around to help you get set up.

Work in a professional environment on campus

Our course gives you many opportunities to explore the diverse world of graphic design. Whichever graphic specialism interests you, be it editorial design, branding and identity or campaigns, we give you many opportunities to write your own brief and start realising your ideas. You’ll also work with professional graphic designers and illustrators who will critique your work and help you improve your designs. Workshops, lectures and seminars with other students in the art and design department help you prepare you for life in an agency or studio environment where you will need good presentation and ideas generation skills as you meet and impress clients.

What are my career prospects

We have a good employment rate with many of our graduates going into work or further education after the course. As you develop a wide range of skills and abilities ready for your career, you’ll be able to specialise in a multitude of different areas. We have graduates in typography, illustration, web design, advertising, publishing and some have started their own companies in the industry.

We’re really proud of our graduates, whose profiles tell their own story:

• Neil Coxhill, Director of Motion at Amazon Media Group
• Jennie Brodie works on the design team at the Natural History Museum.
• Craig Ward is a typographer and design writer based in New York. A recent commission for Craig was the design of the 2018 England World Cup kit custom typeface.
• Callum Green is a digital designer at ItsNiceThatWorks.

How will you help me prepare for my future career?

Throughout your time with us we’ll support you on the route to your chosen career. We’ll help you to develop crucial skills, encouraging you to become enterprising, employable and good leaders. We run work placements for our students, giving you the opportunity to develop your skills in a work background. Our modules and teaching expertise will help you become more independent as a learner and more certain of your discipline expertise.