Graphic Design BA(Hons)

Why choose this course?

This course provides a challenging, stimulating environment that encourages diversity, individuality and problem-solving. The broad focus will provide you with the flexibility required by an ever-widening industry. Whether you choose to remain broadly based or decide to specialise, you will develop a highly individual portfolio to reflect your career aspirations.

What will you study?

This conceptually challenging course is taught primarily through increasingly complex studio projects, with contextual studies providing a critical framework and collaborative or interdisciplinary team projects contributing breadth to your understanding and experiences of design processes, practices and contexts. Professional practice modules will help to equip you with the skills you need for a successful career in design.

Please note that this is an indicative list of modules and is not intended as a definitive list. Those listed here may also be a mixture of core and optional modules.

Year 1

• Design Studies 1

• Design Studies 1

  This module introduces the studio as a working environment. You explore design principles and processes, such as:

  • image-making;
  • two and three dimensional design skills;
  • sequential thinking and visual narrative; and
  • languages of colour.
  
   
• Design Studies 2

• Design Studies 2

  This module develops your understanding of the properties of materials and their associated processes, as commonly used in contemporary industrial production. You cover:

  • the manufacturing context and conventions – including an appreciation of their implications for the environment and society; and
  • the principles of ergonomics and its appropriate application.
  
   
• Typographic Principles and Computer Studies

• Typographic Principles and Computer Studies

  This module familiarises you with the fundamentals of typography and related software.

  
   
• Themes in the History of Design for Communication and Media 1

• Themes in the History of Design for Communication and Media 1

  This module provides a historical and critical framework for communications and media through image-based lectures, screenings and study visits. It covers:

  • the historical development of the graphic arts and imagery from the mid-20th century;
  • the professional development of design for communication and media;
  • the evolution of 'popular' mass imagery; and
  • the role of changing technologies and techniques in the development of image and text production and reproduction.

  We will also explore key themes relating to graphic arts and imagery, including:

  • the consumption of mass media and imagery;
  • the image and consumer culture;
  • the emergence 'new' media, and
  • Modernism and Postmodernism in art, design and communication.

  The module engages with critical texts to allow you to examine the relationship between theory and practice in design and to develop an understanding of Postmodernism as a cultural response to social and technological change.

  
   
• Themes in the History of Design for Communication and Media 2

• Themes in the History of Design for Communication and Media 2

  This module provides a historical and critical framework for communications and media through image-based lectures, screenings and study visits. It covers:

  • the historical development of the graphic arts and imagery from the mid-20th century;
  • the professional development of design for communication and media;
  • the evolution of 'popular' mass imagery; and
  • the role of changing technologies and techniques in the development of image and text production and reproduction.

  We will also explore key themes relating to graphic arts and imagery, including:

  • the consumption of mass media and imagery;
  • the image and consumer culture;
  • the emergence 'new' media, and
  • Modernism and Postmodernism in art, design and communication.

  The module engages with critical texts to allow you to examine the relationship between theory and practice in design and to develop an understanding of Postmodernism as a cultural response to social and technological change.

  
   
• Language option
• Portfolio and Presentation

• Portfolio and Presentation

  This module supports your development of a body of work that accurately reflects your personal endeavours and initiative in graphic design studies.

  
   
• Communicating Art and Design History option

Year 2

• Design Studies 3

• Design Studies 3

  This module gives you the chance to explore screen and print-based media through issue-based, open-ended projects.

  
   
• Design Studies 4
• Creative Careers Management
• Contemporary Issues in Research

• Contemporary Issues in Research

  This module provides a broad introduction and preparation for the dissertation project. It considers:

  • the role of research within art and design practice;
  • the relationship between primary and secondary material;
  • ways of developing and originating research; and
  • ways of realising the research in a formal written manner.

  The module provides a broad overview of some of the different critical and methodological approaches to researching in art and design culture.

  
   
• Dissertation research options
• Language option
• Portfolio and Presentation

• Portfolio and Presentation

  This module supports your development of a body of work that accurately reflects your personal endeavours and initiative in graphic design studies.

  
   

Year 3

• Design Studies 5

• Design Studies 5

  You undertake a wide range of personally-selected and self-initiated work in this module.

  
   
• Professional Portfolio

• Professional Portfolio

  In this module, you develop a professional communication design portfolio, which will help you to embark on your chosen career path.

  
   
• Professional Practice

• Professional Practice

  This module develops your:

  • professional practice skills as they relate to a career in communication design or a related area;
  • understanding of the varied roles in design practice; and
  • project management skills.
  
   
• Dissertation

• Dissertation

  Your dissertation allows you to study a topic of interest within your field of study in greater depth. This will involve scientific detachment, problem-solving and rigorous analysis. It will also help you develop independent learning skills.

  
   
• Show and Presentation

• Show and Presentation

  The degree show exhibition gives you the chance to exhibit a body of creative work reflecting your highest achievements. It will launch you into the professional world with maximum impact.

  
   

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