BA (Hons) Visual Communication: Graphic Design
Our Visual Communication: Graphic Design course will give you a wide range of skills, techniques, and initiative, allowing you to make a big impact in a broad range of industry areas. Your passion for graphics will help you to flourish during the degree helping you to develop your own communicative style in a variety of contexts and environments.
You will develop a solid understanding of graphic design principles, while having the freedom to express your creative talents across a wide range of technologies and industries including, design for print and screen, moving image, packaging, publishing, brand identity, and typography and persuasive visual messaging.
Site
Hastings (Station Plaza)
Level
Level 6
Course Type
HE (Degree Level)
Qualification
Higher Education (HE)
What will I study?
In the first year we will introduce you to the core elements of communication and design, helping you to gain a solid understanding of visual language, visual identity, visual voice, and typography and letterform. You will also be able to contextualise your work, helping you to develop your own style and approach to meeting design briefs. Core modules
- 101 - Visual Voice
- 102 - Typography & Letterform
- 103 - Exploring Visual Language
- 104 - Visual Identity
- 105 - Contextual Studies 1
- 106 - Professional Development
During the second year you will develop more critical and analytical skills as you begin to develop the principles and fundamentals from the first year. You will be free to experiment with visual language and make your communication clear and concise. You will be given further context to graphic design, understand publishing design and begin to evaluate your work on a personal and professional level, all helping to prepare you for your final year. Core modules
- 201 - Developing Visual Language
- 202 - Experimental Visual Language
- 203 - Publishing Design
- 204 - Contextual Studies 2
- 205 - Professional Practice
In your final year you will be able to fine-tune your innovative approaches to client briefs and reflect upon past practice. You will undertake your dissertation project and have a thorough understanding of visual language and communication, preparing you for a long and successful career in the industry. Core modules
- 301 - Realising Visual Language
- 302 – Dissertation
- 303 - Professional Development and Progression
- 304 - Major Project
The modules shown for this course are those currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new modules. Please note that programme structures and individual modules are subject to amendment from time to time as part of the University’s curriculum enrichment programme and in line with changes in the University’s policies and requirements.
What previous qualifications or experience do I need?
Minimum of 64 UCAS points (160 old system) from a BTEC Level 3 Diploma or Extended Diploma / A Levels / Foundation Diploma / Access Diploma in a related subject; if English is not your first language, an IELTS score of 6.5 with a 6 in writing; proof of qualifications; a satisfactory reference.
What can I do after completing this course?
Once you have graduated, you will have a diverse range of transferable skills that will enable you to start your career in this exciting industry. You will be fully equipped to seek out roles and apply your knowledge as a freelance designer, or equally equipped to work in graphic design agencies around the world. Other options could include further study onto MA programmes or complete a Post Graduate Certificate of Education.
Additional Info
- You will be able to work in your own dedicated space in our new University Centre, with access to the latest PC and Mac computer software.
- Our thought-provoking lectures will give you the confidence to create strong visual messaging, helping you to achieve the aims and objectives of client briefs.
- You will be able to develop your skills in a range of industry standard programmes including Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop, as well as Cinema 4D.
- You will have the advantage of being part of smaller class sizes giving you increased contact time with your tutors, providing you with real value for money.
- We believe that our degree will give you an abundance of transferable skills, reinforcing the vocational aspects of the course, providing you with intellectual flexibility and sustainability to take into your future career.
- Our past students have won over 60 national and international student design awards during their time with us. Awards include YCN, D&AD and RSA.
- You will be able to raise your profile as a graphic designer during a number of activities throughout the year, including work experience placements in the industry, entering your work into local and national competitions, and exhibiting your work at our end of year degree show.
- Hastings is a ‘creative hub’ meaning that you will have plenty of opportunity to work on live projects, visits to graphic design agencies and studios and gain valuable knowledge and experience.