BA (Hons) Graphic Design with Foundation Year

This module explores the intersection of print and digital media. Building on your design process and project work from Semester 1, you’ll experiment with motion graphics and hands-on printmaking techniques like risograph and silkscreen printing. You’ll also learn to apply your skills to digital contexts, such as designing for social media. The aim is to develop your ability to work creatively across different formats and platforms.

This module introduces you to the fundamentals of typography and its role in effective communication. You’ll explore expressive approaches to typography through projects like creating letterforms and designing typographic responses to phrases. Alongside this, you’ll develop academic and reflective writing skills, practice visual analysis, and build confidence in research using library resources. The focus is on understanding typography as both a practical and conceptual tool, with contextual underpinning.

In this module, students are invited to explore how they and their peers perceive the world and examine how that fits in with creative practice and the wider context of the Creative Industries. The focus is on empowering voices and refining the articulation of ideas. The module aims to develop students' abilities to critically analyse information and engage in thoughtful, sometimes controversial, discussions on contemporary issues. It provides an opportunity to explore concepts including cultural, social, political, economic, and environmental factors and across various disciplines. Additionally, it encourages the exploration of diverse perspectives and fosters the development of collaborative and inclusive communication skills.

This module focuses on designing for campaigns and user experiences. You’ll work on a User Experience and User Interface (UX/UI) project using industry software, learning to create intuitive and impactful interfaces and user journeys. Additionally, you’ll collaborate in a communications agency setting to develop a brand campaign, honing your ability to design across multiple platforms with a strategic focus on audience engagement.

This module deepens your understanding of graphic design’s role in society and industry through themed seminars and practical work. You’ll write an essay exploring critical and contextual perspectives on graphic design and participate in ethically-focused design challenges, such as the Starpack sustainable packaging competition. These projects encourage critical thinking, research skills, and creative responses to contemporary design issues.

This module is about ‘you’ and your place in the world, with a view to refining your specialism as a professional/practitioner and improving your profile. The module will be delivered across specific course groupings that capture the core values of each course. Across this module students will typically undertake at least one major externally facing project (e.g. live brief, placement, virtual placement, etc) or 2-3 smaller projects by negotiation. These projects will support student transferable skills around employment within the Creative Industries.

This module allows you to take ownership of your creative journey through a series of negotiated projects. You’ll begin with a conceptual starting point and develop work aligned with your career aspirations, honing skills in strategic thinking and project management. The emphasis is on producing a portfolio-worthy body of work that reflects your vision and professional goals.

This module bridges the gap between education and industry, preparing you for professional practice. You’ll undertake a brief set by an agency for a high-profile client, offering insight into real-world design challenges. Additionally, you’ll complete a visual thesis that includes an extended essay and a conceptual visual response, demonstrating your ability to synthesise research and practice aligned with your creative ambitions.

This module is about your 'career' after you complete your formal UG study. It is about the realities of (and preparation for) freelance, entrepreneurial, industry and further study trajectories. This pan-school module will hinge around students creating a personal career strategy plan called ‘28 days later’. The purpose is for students to take accountability and ownership over their future direction by creating a career plan that they activate when leaving the course with a view to maximise their long term employability prospects.