MA Graphic Design explores the ever-changing landscape of graphic design to build critical understanding, individual design thinking processes, practical experience and insightful design solutions. The course offers areas of specialism in typography, branding, editorial and book design, social enterprise and digital interactive experiences.
We take a problem-solving approach to graphic design to explore contemporary practice through design thinking, insight and co-design processes, prototyping ideas, and building expert collaborative networks with external partners.
We are a diverse collective, working across project areas of typography & information, brand identity & campaigns, new technology & digital experiences, design writing & insight analysis, sustainability & environmental issues, structural packaging and book design.
Based in the Grove, our £80 million Arts and Creative Industries building, and taught by some of the UK's leading practitioners from a range of disciplines, our course features world-class facilities and specialist workshops fitted with both new and traditional equipment, and these will be part of our blended learning approach available where possible. With opportunities to build industry contacts and exhibit your work externally, you'll also gain the employability skills, exposure and experiences you need to navigate a successful career path in today's competitive creative industries.
*this course is subject to review. We periodically review our programmes to make sure the content and teaching stay up to date and relevant. Please check this page regularly for updates.
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The majority of the programme will be centred upon developing and fully completing a substantial body of graphic design work towards an external public exhibition. This will be supported by research reports and regular presentations on the progress of the project. You will also address postgraduate research and critical debates in graphic design, working with students and staff from across the art and design postgraduate community.
You will gain the skills and experience to produce professional graphic design work in any industry. The course will also give you the skills to independently plan, design, implement and evaluate graphic design projects from start to finish.
In this module you will explore a chosen area of graphic design in a contemporary context while enhancing your technical skills. You will employ a variety of reflective methods to develop your own creative research proposal with the advanced communication skills to present, discuss and evaluate your work effectively.
In this module you’ll explore the key concepts, ideas, issues and research methodologies relating to the practice and theory of graphic design. With particular focus on the cultural and social contexts within your chosen discipline, you’ll produce a portfolio of critical responses to contemporary debates in research and professional practice.
In this module you will develop a focused line of enquiry which demonstrates critical practice informed by current debates in graphic design. You will explore new insights that challenge preconceptions within the professional practice of graphic design while developing the skills, knowledge and research to advance your proposed design project.
In this module you will examine a diverse range of advanced approaches to graphic design research using both historical and contemporary sources, and explore the work of practitioners and scholars in your chosen area of graphic design and the contemporary research problems they face.
Using research methodologies, concepts and processes previously explored in the course you will evaluate interrelationships between theory and practice. You’ll produce a portfolio or public exhibition of a substantial body of practice work supported by critical and reflective written work that demonstrates your resolution and expertise.
See the course specification for more information:
Optional modules are usually available at levels 5 and 6, although optional modules are not offered on every course. Where optional modules are available, you will be asked to make your choice during the previous academic year. If we have insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, or there are staffing changes which affect the teaching, it may not be offered. If an optional module will not run, we will advise you after the module selection period when numbers are confirmed, or at the earliest time that the programme team make the decision not to run the module, and help you choose an alternative module.
We are regularly reviewing and updating our programmes to ensure you have the best learning experience. We are taking what we've learnt in recent years by enhancing our teaching methods with new and innovative ways of learning.
This course is flexibly designed to put you at the centre of your learning by using a range of teaching and assessment approaches that take into account your individual interests, abilities and ambitions in graphic design.
The MA Graphic Design can be studied in person, by distance learning or through a flexible mix of both modes. This means you can also tailor not just what you learn but also how you learn. Please complete the same application form and we’ll contact you in January to understand your preference. Please note that if you intend to apply for a student route visa to study this course, you will only be able to undertake the in person on campus option
As part of your learning, you'll be required to actively participate in activities and engage with your fellow students, both individually and collaboratively, working and learning as part of a small group at times.
Students are encouraged to ask questions; we promote curiosity and actively take risks to discover new opportunities, to meet the needs of tomorrow's ambitious designers and take a lead role in the creative industries.
Your skills, knowledge and understanding will be entirely assessed by coursework including practical projects, oral presentations and supporting written work. There are no exams.
We have developed new approaches to teaching and learning for the 2021/22 academic year, and have resumed the majority of our teaching on campus.
Your timetable will be built around on campus sessions using our professional facilities, with online sessions for some activities where we know being virtual will add value. We’ll use technology to enhance all of your learning and give you access to online resources to use in your own time.
The table below gives you an idea of what learning looks like across a typical week. Some weeks are different due to how we schedule classes and arrange on campus sessions.
This information is likely to change slightly for 2022 entry as our plans evolve. You'll receive full information on your teaching before you start your course.
Learning structure: typical hourly breakdown in 2021/22 | |||
1. | Live learning | Contact time per week, per level: | 11 hours |
2. | Self-paced learning time | Average hours per week, per level: | Independent study: minimum 9 hours Critical debates/advanced research: 18 hours |
3. | On demand resources | Average hours per week, per level: | As and when necessary |
Outside of these hours, you’ll be expected to do independent study where you read, listen and reflect on other learning activities. This can include preparation for future classes. In a year, you’ll typically be expected to commit 1200 hours to your course across all styles of learning. If you are taking a placement, you might have some additional hours.
Definitions of terms
Support
You have a strong support network available to you to make sure you develop all the necessary academic skills you need to do well on your course.
Our support services will be delivered online and on campus and you have access to a range of different resources so you can get the help you need, whether you’re studying at home or have the opportunity to come to campus.
You have access to one to one and group sessions for personal learning and academic support from our library and IT teams, and our network of learning experts. Our teams will also be here to offer financial advice, and personal wellbeing, mental health and disability support.
Aurelia Bergs
Brittany Harold - textured cups
Risky Radian - Gut Reaction
Lucina Cunjamalay - Type I Found It
Dutch Design Week Exhibition
Work in Progress Magazines
Nothing in common publicity banner
Preeyaporn Suwannarat
Uroš Zupan
Uroš Zupan
Aurelia Bergs
Nicole Konstantinidou
Sulaimon James
Victor Kovalenko
This course will prepare you for a diverse range of design careers within the creative industries such as graphic designer, picture editor, packaging designer, web designer, freelance designer and illustrator, brand designer, retail designer, art director and similar managerial positions. This course is also well suited to those looking to pursue careers in further research and teaching about Graphic Design. With strong links to art and design employers across the UK and internationally we’ll assist you in finding and securing professional opportunities while you study with us and after your graduate.
We’ll carefully manage any future changes to courses, or the support and other services available to you, if these are necessary because of things like changes to government health and safety advice, or any changes to the law.
Any decisions will be taken in line with both external advice and the University’s Regulations which include information on this.
Our priority will always be to maintain academic standards and quality so that your learning outcomes are not affected by any adjustments that we may have to make.
At all times we’ll aim to keep you well informed of how we may need to respond to changing circumstances, and about support that we’ll provide to you.
Start: September 2022
Duration: 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time
Code: PGW220
Start: September 2022
Duration: 1 year full-time, Usually 2 years part-time
Code: PGW103
