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Graphic Design

DN Colleges Group

UCAS Code: W291 | Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

Entry requirements


UCAS Tariff

80

Entry requirements would usually be one of the following: 80 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 Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) 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. As part of the application process, you must submit a digital portfolio of art and design-related work to demonstrate your ability and suitability for the course. Portfolio requirements We accept both physical and digital PDF portfolios, and portfolio websites. However, we are seeing fewer students present their work in physical portfolios, as digital versions can be more easily updated, and with the integration of more contemporary technology they can also include examples of website design, motion graphics, animation, and video work. Once we have received your application, we will ask to see evidence of art and design work (ideally submitted as an A3 landscape PDF portfolio). This allows us to review and discuss your work before a formal interview. We will have your work on a screen, but if you wish, you can also show a physical portfolio to discuss your work further. When considering which projects to show at your interview, we recommend selecting between 5-10 well-presented creative projects, and evidence of 2-3 essays/reports (to assess your written communication skills). Include your strongest project at the start of your portfolio, with another in the middle, and one at the end. Your creative projects should provide evidence of your methodical ongoing process - from research to the development of ideas and concepts, and realisation of completed outcomes. We are looking for inventiveness and depth of thought. We will need to see evidence of initial sketches and digital development. This should be supported by ongoing evaluative notes that explain your decision-making process. We will assess how your work has applied colour, type and layout, illustration, and/or photography. Ensure that each project is clearly labelled with a heading and include a short description (around 100 words) that explains project requirements, as well as an overview of your resulting creative strategy. We want to gain a good idea of your computer software skills, although this is covered as part of the first year, to ensure all students have the necessary skills to complete their work. If you have any questions about our portfolio requirements or the interview process, please feel free to contact the course team // [email protected] or [email protected]

About this course


Course option

3years

Full-time | 2024

Subject

Graphic design

Do you have aspirations to make a positive difference to the way the world is viewed? Would you enjoy the challenge of working with different media platforms, on a diverse range of branding and promotional projects? Do you want to develop a portfolio of work that showcases your unique personal style and creative signature?

This exciting course is led and taught by experienced creative directors with industrial experience and who set a commercial tone in teaching, briefing and appraising work. We will take you on a life changing journey to help you develop personally, intellectually, creatively, and technically. Having completed your honours degree, you will be design agency ready and able to work commercially prior to graduation or you may wish to continue your studies by undertaking Master’s level study.

This course is relevant to people already working in or looking to develop a career within the graphic design, advertising, and associated creative industries.

This course provides a range of skills relevant across a variety of different professions. People who have completed this course have gone on to work in areas including:
UX/UI designer
Website designer
Advertising copywriter / art director
Illustrator
Exhibition designer
Typographer
Editorial designer
Account handler

If you wish to continue studying beyond this course, it will provide you with a strong academic basis to do so. Course progression routes could include postgraduate Masters level study in a design-related subject.

Modules

This course includes the following core modules that all students complete:

L4 modules:
GD401: Visualisation (20 credits)
GD402: Historical and Contextual Studies 1 (20 credits)
GD403: Design Processes and Theory (20 credits)
GD404: Computer Applications for Design (20 credits)
GD405: Studio Practice (20 credits)
GD406: Fundamental Typography (20 credits)

L5 modules:
GD501: Historical and Contextual Studies 2 (20 credits)
GD502: Studio and Professional Practice (20 credits)
GD503: Advertising (20 credits)
GD504: Brand Identity and Design (20 credits)
GD505: Editorial Design (20 credits)
GD506: Advanced Typography (20 credits)

L6 modules:
GD601: Dissertation (40 credits)
GD602: Final Major Pre Production (20 credits)
GD603: Live Commercial Briefs (40 credits)
GD604: Final Major Project Production (20 credits)

Core content
Fundamental and advanced typography and editorial design
Theory-based and digital skills
Branding, visual identity, advertising, and promotional design
UX/UI/app construction and design
Portfolio building and self-promotion

Level 4: Fundamentals level
Broaden your design knowledge and work with a range of techniques and processes for experimental projects that are open to individual interpretation.

Level 5: Commercial level
Use the skills from level 4 to produce project work with a strategic, commercial focus.

Level 6: Professional level
Demonstrate your ability to articulate your advanced design knowledge and skills through the production of engaging commercial/competition briefs and final major project work.

Assessment methods

Assessment methods
Digital project research, development and outcomes’ journals
Digital design portfolio
Reports and essays
Presentations
End of Year Show

Tuition fees

Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:

England
£7,940
per year
Northern Ireland
£7,940
per year
Scotland
£7,940
per year
Wales
£7,940
per year

The Uni


Course location:

University Campus Doncaster

Department:

Education and The Arts

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What students say


We've crunched the numbers to see if overall student satisfaction here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.

91%
Graphic design

How do students rate their degree experience?

The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Design studies

Teaching and learning

100%
Staff make the subject interesting
100%
Staff are good at explaining things
91%
Ideas and concepts are explored in-depth
91%
Opportunities to apply what I've learned

Assessment and feedback

Feedback on work has been timely
Feedback on work has been helpful
Staff are contactable when needed
Good advice available when making study choices

Resources and organisation

60%
Library resources
33%
IT resources
78%
Course specific equipment and facilities
91%
Course is well organised and has run smoothly

Student voice

Staff value students' opinions
Feel part of a community on my course

After graduation


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