This course aims to offer students an insight into all the areas associated with graphic design. Students are encouraged to interpret projects in their own way, and art given guidance and support to create their own individual style.
Why Study Here?
You will work in specialist graphic design and drawing studios, have access to photographic darkrooms and use industry standard IT applications running on the Mac platform. Students have full access to appropriate hardware and software, backed up with high levels of technical support, in order to aid and support the design process from concept to final production.
Course Content
All students follow the same modules but are encouraged to interpret them according to their particular interests, thus developing specialisms which will form the basis of their future and ongoing careers
Areas covered include typography, illustration and hand-rendered graphics, digital design, photography and lens-based media, conceptual development, visual communication, and corporate identity and branding. These specialist areas are supported by cultural/design history modules in the first and second year, building towards the third year dissertation, written on an area of specialist research interest. The Final Major Project, including an exhibition in London, is the culmination of the degree.
Course Structure
Year one introduces core study areas and tools of graphic design, including the following modules:
Drawing and Illustration, Typography, Conceptual Development, Visual Communication, Graphic Design History, Photography, Print, Digital Design.
Year two seeks to consolidate skills and encourage students to develop individual specialism.
Modules include:
Further drawing/hand rendered graphics, lens based media, text manipulation, 2D/3D graphics, cultural studies, continuing professional development, and an industry-based research project
Year three allows students space to explore their specialism in a final major project and researching and writing a Dissertation. Additional modules include Application of Ideas and Professional Promotion.
Work Placement
Although a work placement is not compulsory, students are actively encouraged to seek one for the second year industry-based research module, which improves study performance and can provide valuable contacts for future work.
Assessment Methods
Assessment is carried out by 100% coursework through a range of individual and group projects.
Practical design work is supported by industry-based research and academic written essays. Students study a number of specialist areas within the field of graphic design, with a view to developing a specialism which will form the basis of the final major project in the final year.
Future Career
Graduates will be prepared for a professional careers within the wide graphics and new media sector in traditional areas such as advertising , magazines, book illustration, lens-based media and packaging as well as new industries like web design and WAP/3G phone technology.
Future Study
The course aims to provide you with the skills and knowledge required to enter a career in your own specialist area of graphic design or you may wish to continue your studies at Masters Level.
For an explanation of qualifications, have a look at our IAG page on this site www.creativeway.org.uk/quals. All applicants who are either working towards, or who have achieved a level 3 or overseas equivalent programme of study will be considered, and invited to a portfolio interview. Typical entry requirements are:
• At least two GCE A Levls
• BTEC National Diploma
A full Access certificate
A Progression Agreement is a formal arrangement between two or more
education providers. It spells out what a learner needs to do to be
considered for a place on a named programme of study. Progression Agreements
may vary in the conditions they specify but they all aim to give guaranteed
pathways into higher education.
There are progression agreements between this course and the following courses:
Newham 6th Form College BTEC National Diploma Art & Design
Advice on courses and careers:-
The Creative Way IAG team provides a specialist service for anyone
interested in finding out about courses and careers in the creative and
cultural industries. We can provide information direct to Students,
Parents/ Carers, Tutors and Careers Advisers via email, phone or organised
workshops and 1 to 1 sessions.
To find out more, visit our IAG page on this site on
http://www.creativeway.org.uk/IAG Or contact one of our career advisers: Matt Ball 07889 001764
m.ball@uel.ac.uk or Sarah
Comerford 07515 051509
s.comerford@uel.ac.uk