Graphic Design (Combined)

BA (Hons) Combined

Graphic designers are at the forefront of the digital communications revolution and create the 'packaging' for all kinds of products and information including websites, advertisements, public education, newspapers, magazines and corporate reports. Graphic designers are the key to effective and successful communication in society today.

Campus Chester
Course BA (Hons) Combined
Length 3 Years Full-time
Start date September 2012

The programme is a dynamic combination of specialist knowledge, practical skills, creativity and critical awareness, and prepares graduates for the challenges of creative thinking and the development of their own individual visual language that are demanded by today's intensively competitive and global marketplace. 

The continuing demand for innovative, high quality graphic design offers our graduates a range of exciting and rewarding employment opportunities within the creative economy - an area in which the UK is a world leader.

 

Why study Graphic Design Combined? 

  • Creative and challenging experiences
  • Hands on learning environment with industry standard production facilities
  • An emphasis on professional practice and skills acquisition
  • Creative risk-taking and experimentation
  • Students enter national and international design competitions
  • Live external projects
  • National and international field trips
  • Opportunity to study abroad through the University's Erasmus and USA exchange programmes
  • Year 2 professional placements
  • The opportunity to study a combined honours degree

 

Features:

There are a number of strands running through the programme that develop all the key attributes for a professional career in Graphic Design. There is the development of the skills needed to visualise creative ideas and to use professional digital and non-digital production technologies. Design projects offer an opportunity for personal lines of enquiry as well as to experiment and devise an individual visual style.

The exploration of relevant contemporary practice via its cultural and theoretical roots offers insight into developments that influence the world of design. The development of skills and competence in digital and other media allow designs to be realised through from initial concept to final production. The development of appropriate study skills and research methods enable students to engage with design theory and to express ideas in writing as required by an honours degree programme and industry.

The programme is delivered by enthusiastic staff who are active in both the design industry and research into graphic design practices, ensuring that the programme content remains current and relevant.

Next: Modules

Programme Structure

First year modules encompass:

  • Introduction to Graphic Design (double module)
  • Visual Communication
  • Introduction to Typography (double module)
  • Design Contexts

Second year modules encompass:

  • Design and Communication
  • Writing for Design
  • Design Research Methods (double module)
  • Interactive Design (option for combined honours programmes)
  • Experiential Learning in Design or Work Based Learning

Final year modules include:

  • Design Discourse
  • Professional Practice (double module)
  • Corporate Design
  • Design Research Project (double module)
Next: Assessment

Assessment is universally via coursework or projects. These activities normally incorporate an "interim crit" which provides formative feedback on work in progress. 

Responding to this feedback assists students to perform to the best of their abilities in the formally assessed part of each module and contributes to either progression to the next year of the programme or towards the classification of their degree.

Next: Careers

Graphic designers provide creative communication solutions for a huge range of organisations in the fields of media, publishing, advertising, brand management, public relations and corporate communications. 

The programme provides a unique combination of knowledge, skills and practice suitable for gaining employment within design or the creative industries, or to commence individual professional practice.

Graphic Designers work at national and international levels and graduates pursue careers in design consultancies and agencies or as effective and successful freelance practitioners.

Many BA Graphic Design students go on to study Design at a postgraduate level.

Next: Entry requirements

Combined Honours

 

UCAS points:
 A minimum of 240 - 280 UCAS points from GCE A Levels, including a grade C in one of the subjects recommended by the department
GCE A Level:
The department recommends one of the following subjects:
Art, Art & Design, Graphic Design, Design & Technology
BTEC:
BTEC National Diploma/Certificate (Art & Design): merit/distinction profile
Irish/Scottish Highers:
B in 4 subjects, including Art
International Baccalaureate:
26 points, including 4 in Visual Arts
QAA:
QAA recognised Access to HE Diploma (Art & Design), Foundation Diploma in Art & Design, Open College Units or Open University Credits
OCR: OCR National Extended/Diploma (Art and Design): merit/distinction profile
Extra Information:

The Advanced Diploma: acceptable in combination with one of the GCE A Level subjects listed above

Welsh Baccalaureate (core) will be recognised in our tariff offer
Beginning: Overview

Who to contact

  • For admission enquiries

    Undergraduate Admissions

    University of Chester

    Parkgate Road

    Chester

    CH1 4BJ

    T:
    01244 512175
    enquiries@chester.ac.uk

  • For enquiries about course content

    Bernadine Murray, Programme Leader Graphic Design
    T:
    01244 515703
    b.murray@chester.ac.uk