BA (Hons) Graphic Design
The course structure enables students to realise a professional
identity within the graphic design and associated media industries,
and aims to help you to achieve your full potential by developing
and challenging conventional design theories through experimental
and practical applications.
Contemporary graphic design requires an appreciation of all
forms of visual communication, and you will be shown, through
demonstration and explanation, how to continuously expand and
develop your skills by undertaking challenging project briefs,
often in collaboration with local and regional business
organisations.
Essential ‘tools of the trade’ such as the layout pad, computer,
and other more traditional materials will be introduced and
discussed in detail to challenge you and diversify your thinking
during the conceptual and developmental design stages of each
project brief.
Course Content and Structure
Industry involvement
Employers and creatives currently connected with the
course:
- Aura Design, Nottingham
- Colbear Creative Communications
- Doncaster Chamber
- Adrian Shaughnessy
- Craig Hodgson (Ad agency, Dubai)
- Tamsin Garbutt (Nexus / IH)
- Combine Studio
- Doncaster Minster
You will examine the current world of graphic design and develop
personal skills in all of the following essential areas:
- Advertising and the promotion of brands using all
available forms of sensory communication.
- Art Direction and how graphic design, photography and
illustration is used to transmit specific brand messages and
values.
- Branding and the tools needed to present a coherent
and unified brand identity to a specific target audience and/or end
user.
- Editorial/Print design for books, magazines and
periodicals; when traditional knowledge about printed elements
including colour, typography, layout, imagery and art direction
combine with skills in digital application to produce exciting and
considered design proposals.
- Print Reproduction and an appreciation of how artwork
should be prepared for digital reproduction.
- Professional Practice and the management and
presentation of successful graphic design to specific target
audiences and/or end users. An appreciation of local, regional and
global graphic design/branding practice will also be addressed.
Portfolio development and salesmanship skills will also form a core
element of this area of study.
- Typographic design and how the letterform is applied
as a visual identifier of particular brands, products and/or
services.
- Website design and the translation of ‘brand’ into
online media applications.
The BA (Hons) Graphic Design Course Structure is as follows:
Year one (Level 4)
- Visualisation
- Historical/Contextual Studies 1
- Design Processes/Theory
- Computer Applications for Design
- Studio Practice
Year two (Level 5)
- Historical and Contextual Studies 2
- Industrial Practice
- Advertising
- Brand Identity and Design
- Editorial Design
- Typographic Design
Year three (Level 6)
The final year of the course requires learners to compile a body
of work including a professional portfolio and a practical
exhibition. In order to achieve this you will study the following
modules:
- Dissertation
- Externally Set Briefs
- Final Major Project
In addition, all three year groups will participate in the
following:-
- Educational visits
- Live briefs
- Visiting lecturers from industry
Assessment
Your progress will be assessed via formal critiques and
presentations with written feedback at the end of each module. You
will be formally assessed at the end of each year and in the final
semester, when you will demonstrate your skills through the
production of a major project.
Entry Requirements
One of the following:
- 200 UCAS Tariff Points- from at least 2 GCE A Levels or BTEC
National qualifications or a Foundation Diploma
- Access to HE Diploma in an art related programme with at least
45 credits at Level 3
- Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)
We welcome applications from people of any age who might not
meet the standard entry criteria, but we would expect to see
evidence of continuing academic and/or professional development and
a capacity to pursue the course successfully.
If your application is successful, you may be invited to attend
an interview with a portfolio of design related work to demonstrate
your ability and suitability for the course.
Progression Routes
Potential careers
| Potential jobs |
Expected salary |
| Art Director |
£12-40,000 |
| Copywriter |
£12-40,000 |
| Typographer |
£20-30,000 |
| Editorial Designer |
£12-35,000 |
| Website Designer |
£15-50,000 |
| Brand Consultant |
£15-50,000 |
| Account Executive |
£15-40,000 |
| Digital Art Worker |
£15-35,000 |
On completion of this course you will have the necessary skills
and professional portfolio to allow you to gain employment in a
variety of areas.
Alternatively, you may choose to further your studies with the
MA Design Enterprise.
Student comments
"Coming from a web design background the degree course
has allowed for a greater understanding of the process and theory
behind graphic design, a huge benefit when considering forthcoming
design concepts. Working on software packages like Adobe
Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign have been invaluable in
expanding my knowledge on everything from typography and image
creation, to editorial layout." MF, Year 2
student
"One thing I like about the course is the way we all
work together as a class to form critiques to constantly improve
our work. I also like the fact we have a relatively small class so
it feels we get a lot of guidance in our work individually. Lastly,
I thought the first year was really beneficial as we were all
guided towards improving our computer applications skills to a high
enough standard to benefit the forthcoming years in the course."
SH, Year 2 student
"The course is really flexible and is able to adapt to
my personal circumstances and support is readily available. Tutors
always reply quickly by telephone or email with help, advice and
guidance so I never feel as though I am on my own. This Course has
assisted me with my work projects. It provides practical skills
that can be used straight away in my day to day duties as a Graphic
and Multimedia designer in a commercial design studio. I am always
given relevant information and time to complete briefs. The tutors
are informative, give help, guidance and constructive criticism
quickly that allows me to develop my skills ready for life in
industry." DC, Year 2 student
"Some people think of us creatives as crazy, eccentric people
who sit in a room conjuring up all kinds of weird and wonderful
things ... and I for one would agree with them!
"One of the hardest industries in the world to get into yet
people like myself do whatever it takes to get it to it! This is
why my journey in the big wide world of design has led me to High
Melton University Centre and I am very happy pleased to be a part
of it. I am extremely happy with everything I have seen and
experienced so far. It will defiantly give all the students the
knowledge and the portfolio to be able to make that dream job a
little easier.
"The first thing that I want to praise is the tutors themselves,
who so far have all ready played a huge part in my education. They
are always there to be able to talk to and bounce ideas around with
but most importantly give us young creatives criticism. To me
having criticism is the biggest compliment anybody can pay to my
work, as its from this criticism great things happen. Plus if we
didn’t seek it we would never push those boundaries and explore
greater depths of our imaginations. I would just like to send a
huge thank you to the tutors for that!!
"I also like the vast amount of experience they bring to the
table! This is a huge benefit again to us young design sponges as
we need to be aware of how things are done in industry and how the
‘big fishes’ go about producing the work they do! This insight is
priceless and I for one am certainly soaking up every last little
bit of information I can.
"Then there’s the studios themselves which I have to say are
kitted out extremely well. The line of IMacs sporting the latest
technology and software make it easy for any student to be able to
get logged on and get cracking. Plus the fact that they are always
accessible means that students are able to begin there day as early
or keep those creative juices flowing till as late as they
want.
"Finally the briefs ... and I am not talking about those you get
from Marks and Spencers. These tasks push us students to broaden
our minds and welcome new challenges to the table ... from,
branding, to advertising, to editorial High Melton offers it all,
and it will certainly challenge any young creative mind. I also
like how the work has to be produced and presented the way it would
be expected to be done out in industry.
"I am extremely happy with everything I have encountered at
University Centre Doncaster, it certainly offers much more than
graphic design from the national diploma course and puts the
students into a studio environment which like I said is priceless
experience. I am sure it will give me and every other student the
vital tools they need to be able to cope with their futures."
SM, Year 1 student
If you are unsure which course is the right one for you, please contact us further information and guidance.