MFA Design (Illustration)

Course summary

• Be part of an interdisciplinary design programme which promotes social and cultural innovation.
• Develop your specialist skills and knowledge in a collaborative studio environment.
• Innovate with materials, technology and conceptual thinking.
• Extend existing material practices in response to the needs of our rapidly changing world.

Placing emphasis on personal research, this course gives you the chance to develop your own interests and ideas in a challenging and supportive environment. Academic staff are design specialists, researchers and practitioners who will support you to expand your practice and develop an independent, autonomous approach.

How you learn

The initial modules are taught to all postgraduate design students. You'll focus on gaining a critical understanding of design thinking, theoretical studies, research methods and making practices. In subsequent modules, you will follow your own personal practice, supported by key specialist staff. You are encouraged to consider social and cultural contexts when positioning your creative output. The aim is to develop accessible and marketable products, services, interventions and other forms or propositions.

You learn through

• immersive learning alongside peers in a studio environment
• practice-based research
• project work
• individual and group tutorials
• lectures
• seminars
• constructive critical debates

Future careers

This course prepares you for a career as a

• independent design practitioner
• designer
• design manager
• maker or manufacturer
• company-employed designer
• postgraduate student at PhD level

The aim of this course is for you to achieve your personal employment ambitions - whether as a design professional in the creative industries, or in related areas such as research, retail, marketing, and education.

Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for international design companies and consultancies as well as gaining PhD scholarships.