Graphic Design MA

Graphic Design is made up of many different creative processes and inhabits a multitude of contexts. In the design of graphics for different commercial and artistic platforms the world of the graphic designer occupies both physical and digital arenas. Graphic Design is at the forefront of innovative and dynamic communication tools of the future. Our course offers continuing students or graduates from creative art and design subjects with an opportunity to enhance their knowledge, creative skills and employment prospects.

Our course aims to enable you to:

Critically appraise the importance of social, ethical, technological and cultural dimensions of graphic design as applied to your personal practice and that of others. Evidence advanced knowledge and understanding of graphic design and its current and emerging global applications such as, but not limited to, signage, branding, packaging, online communication, user-experience, motion graphics. Systematically plan, negotiate and implement topical research to substantiate a coherent body of advanced graphic design practice. Contribute to the principles and processes of graphic design in supporting innovation within commercial or creative industries.

Evidence awareness and relevance of your work in relation to professional standards in graphic design practice such as through high-quality proposals and presentation responding to design problems, client expectation or market opportunity. Our course aims to encourage you to push the boundaries of graphic practice with the development of innovative and imaginative concepts and ideas relevant to the design of graphic products and artefacts. We will introduce you to a variety of platforms and a range of situations and contexts within which graphic design sits, enabling you to experiment, expand, progress and communicate your ideas through different forms and processes, both digital and print-based.

Entry requirements for this course are normally:

• An Honours degree (2:2 or above) in a relevant subject or an equivalent professional qualification.
• Alternative qualifications and/or significant experience may be accepted, subject to approval.
• International students with qualifications in 'creative' or 'practice' subjects should submit a digital portfolio (pdf) of work with their application.
• All suitably qualified applicants are normally invited in for an informal chat with a portfolio or considered for admittance under alternative arrangements, such as a skype chat.

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.0 overall with no element lower than 5.5, or equivalent will be considered acceptable

Graphic Design is at the heart of every area of visual communication in life, business and industry. Consequently, the opportunities are endless. A visually literate, innovative ‘creative producer’ has the edge and potential to lead in whatever area they choose; in freelance/consultancy, corporate, national and global contexts.

The expectation is that you will be seeking to enter the cultural and creative global industries into roles such as graphic designer, interaction designer, motion designer, typographer, advertiser, packaging specialist, creative director, or advertising executive. You may also be seeking to develop proposals for further postgraduate research and doctoral study or the education sector.

After studying within the subject area of Art and Design, a few of the careers graduates have gone on to be successful within include: Graphic Designer – The Bigger Boat; Art Direction – Code Computer Love; Moving Image Designer – Accept & Proceed; Motion Graphic Designer – Thompson Brand Partners; Digital Art Direction - IMA.; Visual Designer – Google