Level 4-5 HNC-HND Graphic Design

The HND is a dynamic two year design course that provides learners with a strong grounding in design theory and technique. Learners will build skills in disciplines such as animation, web design, design for print as well as have the opportunity to develop a professional portfolio. The course is fast paced and professional with strong industry links and a curriculum that reflects this. Staff are experienced and passionate about design and deliver 16 units over two years in a state of the art studio environment.

All students will undertake a range of live projects across the a range of creative skills. We have our own in-house design agency that will give you the opportunity to pitch for jobs and gain that all important industry experience with companies, design agencies and local community requirements. INDUSTRY INFORMATION Hours You would usually work from around 9 am to 5 pm, but you would need to work longer hours when there are deadlines to meet. As a freelance graphic designer, your hours would vary depending on the work you get. You would usually be based in a studio or office, but may spend some time visiting clients and printers. Income Starting salaries can be around £15,000 a year. Experienced graphic designers can earn between £19,000 and £30,000 a year, and senior graphic designers can earn up to, and over, £50,000. Figures are intended as a guideline only. Key facts: There are 193,969 people working in the design industry, of which: 51% are in communications, interior and exhibition 42% are in product and industrial design 7% are in stage and set design There are 18,105 businesses, of which 94% employ less than 50 people. 34% of the design workforce is located in London and the South East. Design contributes £6.8 billion to the UK economy. 32% of the design workforce is self-employed. 14% of the workforce work part-time. 50% of those working in design have a level 4 or above qualification. Men and women are equally likely to have a qualification at level 4 or above. Women are likely to earn less money than men (66% of women in design earn less than £20,000 per year, compared to only 39% of men). Jobs in the industry include: advertising design, computer game designer, costume designer, exhibition designer, fashion designer, footwear designer, graphic designer, industrial designer, interactive designer, interior designer, product designer, textile designer, textile maker. South West – There are 60,690 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 9% of the UK sector workforce. There are approximately 5,000 creative businesses in the region, of which 93% employ less than 50 people. 47% of the workforce is self-employed in arts, design and music. 59% of the workforce is male. 98% of the sector workforce is white and 46% are under 40 years. West Midlands – There are 40,300 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 6% of the UK sector workforce. There are approximately 5,000 creative businesses in the region, of which 91% employ less than 50 people. 31% of the workforce is self-employed, which is the lowest regional figure.

The HND requires a satisfactory reference and a tariff of 160 UCAS points from within the main programme area of study. Any of the following are acceptable: • BTEC National or Extended Diploma • Foundation Art and Design • Access to H.E. • A Levels (dependent on subjects) Mature applicants will also be considered on the basis of prior experience. You are asked to bring a portfolio of your work with you to the interview. Students will also be asked to produce work for a creative brief set by the teaching team and presented at interview. Under certain circumstances students may enter directly into the second year of the course by way of Accredited Prior Learning (APL). This would involve an assessment by the course team of a portfolio of work, which demonstrated a range of graphic design skills. This course must be applied for through UCAS: http://ucas.com/students/apply/

BA in Graphic Design, advertising, animation, multimedia. MA in Graphic Design, advertising, animation, multimedia. HND graduates can progress to careers in (but not exclusively) advertising, animation, multimedia, web design, magazine design, the printing industries, sign writing, illustration and layout design

STUDENT PROFILE Jack Mulcahy Course: HND Graphic Design Following on from studying A Levels in fine art, product design and ICT at Cheltenham Bournside School, Jack chose to study a HND in Graphic Design and Multimedia at Gloucestershire College knowing that the course was well-respected in the industry and that the College had a great reputation. Jack sought out the opportunity to get on the future jobs scheme and through this he secured himself a Junior Graphic Designer role in the marketing department at Gloucestershire College. He has now been promoted and has been a permanent member of staff for three years. Jack said: “I was lucky enough to take part in the design and painting of the mural in the College Principal’s office at the new Gloucester Campus when it opened. I would definitely recommend studying at GC; it gave me the qualifications to turn my passion for design into a career.”

Please contact the College on 0845 155 2020 for further details