Graphic Communication

Course structure

Crossover teaching and interdisciplinary projects provide an energetic and flexible learning environment for creative collaboration, whilst specialist areas of study in graphic design, illustration and interactive design are also encouraged. You’ll be able to work across a range of media, explore and express your ideas through word, image, concept, media, narrative, text, taught by a team of full-time and visiting tutors, all active practitioners themselves. Sustainability and the environment are central to good design thinking and we explore them in relation to contemporary social and cultural contexts.

Teaching takes place through critiques, debates, tutorials, presentations, lectures, self-directed learning and peer review. We have excellent studio spaces and workshop facilities in specialist craft areas, such as letterpress, photography, silk screen, etching and lithography to complement state of the art digital resources.

In your first year you’ll be given a broad introduction to drawing, print making, photography, design methods, typography, moving image and digital media. You’ll be encouraged to think visually and analytically, learn to work as part of a team and independently. You’ll gain an awareness of the industry through a Professional Contexts module, and a contextual framework through a Historical and Critical Studies module.

As you move into Year 2 you can choose to focus on graphic design, illustration or interactive media, or keep an interdisciplinary approach. You might choose to spend a semester in Europe as part of the Erasmus exchange programme. 

In your final year you’ll concentrate on independent, self-initiated projects and you’ll be encouraged to find connections between your studio practice and contextual studies (you can choose to give this component a double weighting). ‘Live’ briefs and placements provide experience of dealing with clients and production, preparing you for employment or further study.

Course assessment

Assessment is by exhibition, written papers and live presentations. There are no written exams.