BA (Hons) Graphic Design

Graphic Design Design: James Addison - 'Save Yourself'


COURSE OVERVIEW

Graphic design is about communicating to inform, educate, entertain, and persuade. However, there’s no ‘right answer’ and you’ll find self-expression plays an important role. As well as developing creative design strategies, we encourage you to bring your own experiences and interests to your work.

 

As a graphic designer, you’ll have to make decisions in complex and unpredictable situations. You’ll have to react quickly to new information, evolving briefs and advances in technology. On the course you’ll learn to innovate under pressure and handle issues such as user-centred design, sustainability, emerging technology, service design, information design and interactive design.

 

You will discover your own approach to visual problem solving and graduate with the technical, critical, and conceptual skills, highly prized by industry.

 

RESOURCES

· The course team are all experienced designers, running independent consultancies and working with major clients and design organisations.

· You’ll learn from guest speakers and visiting lecturers (including successful course alumni) who share their experience in various areas of the industry.

· We have two main studios, one of which has an integrated computer suite.

· We have a newly refurbished main studio with private spaces for individual work and small group discussions.

· You’ll learn through technical workshops, software training, seminars, small and large group tutorials, plus the use of online virtual learning environments.

 

YEAR 1

In Year 1, you will be exposed to the full breadth of graphic design skills and solutions.

· You’ll be introduced to a range of techniques to explore through the course.

· You’ll learn the importance of staying flexible to communicate across a broad range of media.

· You’ll explore: screen, print, interactive, web, typographic and theoretically based issues.

· Your practical work will depend on writing skills too because graphic design often involves images working with text.

 

YEAR 2

In Year 2 you’ll apply your skills and knowledge in different contexts. You’ll also start to understand what you have to do to take more responsibility for your own learning.

 

YEAR 3

Year 3 pushes you to identify and extend the limits of your design knowledge. Your final major projects will focus on your identity as an individual designer. You’ll be encouraged to view your project as a springboard into a career and use it to open doors into industry.

 

Graphic Design

 

INTERVIEWS AND PORTFOLIOS
At interview we are looking for applicants with motivation and who have shown commitment in their previous studies. Portfolios should ideally contain drawing and photography plus evidence of an understanding of the design process. Academic performance is also very important. We have an interest in people from a variety of different educational, social and cultural backgrounds. A-level candidates are very often recommended to possess a Foundation Diploma in addition to their A-level grades. This is because this course requires a high degree of skill, technical knowledge and conceptual understanding that cannot always be demonstrated through A-level study.

 

WHAT WE LOOK FOR
First and foremost you should be passionate about using visual imagery in a compelling and original way. You should demonstrate an appreciation of visual and conceptual aspects of design and a desire to communicate visually to your audience in a variety of styles and with a range of objectives. You should have proven skills in more than one design discipline, which may include drawing, illustration, photography and typography. Your motivation and thirst for learning must match up to the academic demands of this course.

 

STUDY TIME

Study is divided across taught hours, studio and/or work environment time, and independent study. Excellent professional and technical support is available and students are encouraged to experiment and work collaboratively on self-initiated projects. We expect students to spend an average of 40 hours per week on their studies, although it is likely that these hours will vary throughout the academic year.

 

A CLOSER LOOK AT THIS COURSE
More information, including the Graduate website can all be viewed in the ‘Showcase’ for this course. 

 

COURSE LEADER

Roger Gould

CONTACT

Admissions

Tel: 01202 363228/363225

Email: admissions@aucb.ac.uk

 

Graphic Design