HE, three years, full-time, day-time
Higher Education
BA (Hons) Graphic Design
Course Validated by the Open University.
Course Contact
Fred Bates
fred.bates@leeds-art.ac.uk
Telephone
0113 202 8000
UCAS code
W214
About
This course explores the communication of ideas through type, imagery, meaning and message, and will equip you with the understanding and skills you need to operate effectively within the competitive, fast-moving and continually developing design sector. You will explore the designer/client relationship in response to the brief, and develop your creative understanding, individual practice and ability to communicate ideas, both visually and verbally.
The course will prepare you for life in the workplace as well as challenging you intellectually. You’ll be encouraged to develop your own voice, opinions and individual understanding of your position within graphic design while developing the discipline and skills to apply that understanding in a professional environment.
The course accommodates and encourages the broader creative and professional interests of today’s designers. You will benefit from a wider understanding of the creative, social, cultural and ethical context of contemporary visual culture.
First year
You will focus on the fundamentals of visual language, thinking and analysis within the context of graphic design. You will explore practical and conceptual research methods and effective studio practice in relation to the areas of type, language, image, narrative, meaning and message. Your studies will focus on the use of typography, print, drawing, digital media, photography and the moving image. This fast-paced programme encourages group dynamics and individual practice, but offers the time for reflection and evaluating your progress.
Second year
Taking a more self-directed role, you will develop your ideas about communication through type and image, using specialist workshops, critical assessments and seminars. You will consider audience context, distribution, professional ethical practice, focusing on print (publishing, editorial, packaging, promotion, and design for advertising) as well as web, motion graphics, and design for both screen and the moving image.
You will be introduced to professional practice, project management and business/marketing studies.
Third year
Your final year will continue to encourage teamwork while supporting individuality with a view to the way you will work as a professional designer. It will involve negotiated briefs, competition briefs, professional practice, self-promotion and self-publication. You will also work towards the professional presentation of your portfolio and final exhibition of work.
Links with industry
The course has developed a broad range of industrial links through visiting lecturers, live/competition briefs, work placements and involvement in the D&AD, YCN, Creative Networks and other national graduate schemes. You will be encouraged to take advantage of these opportunities throughout your second and third years of study.
Resources
You will be using industry-standard facilities, including a suite of Macs with professional software and typographic resources, a dedicated multimedia centre with Mac workstations, a photographic studio and print rooms.
Progression & career opportunities
The course will prepare you for employment in a range of continually changing disciplines including magazine design, book design/ illustration, design for advertising, web design, motion graphics, packaging graphics, information graphics, character design and editorial illustration. You could choose to work as part of an in-house commercial design team, in a studio, or as a freelance independent designer/illustrator. You might also choose to continue your studies at postgraduate level.
Visiting professionals
Ben Haworth, The Beautiful Meme
Mr Bingo, illustrator
Chris Jackson, Elmwood Alex Atkinson, The Consult Tom Eales, Plus Minus
Andy Lodge, graphic designer Chris Osburn, social networker Craig Oldham, Music
Paul Dodds, All Good Matt Ferres, illustrator Wendy Beattie, Concept
Alec Doherty, The Lonely Punks
Lee Goater, L&K Creative
Paul Hewitt, Generation Press
Mike & Katy, Tado Andrew Brown, Brass Barrie Tullet, typographer
Steve Banks, Paper Scissor Stone
Mark Howe, illustrator and photographer
Si Scott, illustrator.
Awards
D&AD Awards 2011 (Best New Blood) ISTD Award 2011
D&AD Awards 2010 (Best New Blood) SH! Awards 2010 (runners up)
D&AD Awards 2009 (Best New Blood) Yorkshire Digital Awards 2009 (Best New Talent)
Diana Nelson Memorial Prize 2009.
Placements
Our students and graduates gain industrial experiences through work placements, internships and employment across a range of professional, commercial and cultural sectors such as branding & identity, packaging, information graphics, editorial and publishing. They work with print and web based designers and design studios that have included:
Creative Spark, Glue, Artmix, Uber London, Aardman Animations, Wildlife, TBWA, MARK Studio, Build, B&W Studio, Idego Media, Design Bridge, The Consult, The Beautiful Meme, Twentysix Digital, All Good, Numiko, Box-head*, Absolute Design, Morgan Agency, Vast, Qubik, True North, IdN magazine, Creative Concerns, Elmwood, Pearlfisher, tDR, Augmente, Further Creative, Creative Interpartners, Umbro, Diverse Design, Catalogue, Creative Squeeze.
Mature students (21+)
We welcome applications from students who are returning to education. We offer many opportunities for adults even if you don’t have conventional entry qualifications. We’re interested in your motivation, your potential, and your ability to follow the course successfully.
Course fees & costs
See course fees page and find out if you qualify for any support. Do we need to say anything about additional costs, eg materials? No
Find out more
- Contact our Student Advice Team
- Visit the College at one of our open events
- Contact our Marketing department on 0113 202 8000
How to apply
UCAS code W214
The deadline for applications is Saturday 15 January 2012. Visit our how to apply section.
The College is currently unable to accept direct entry onto Year 2 of this course
Course guidance
