BA (Hons) Graphic Design & Illustration

This highly stimulating degree is focused on educating designers who are creative thinkers, unconstrained by the conventional boundaries of graphic design and illustration. The course provides students with the specific skills demanded by the visual communications industry, with a strong emphasis on work-related experience.

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Course Structure

Year 1

An ideas-focused year emphasising design-thinking, problem solving and brainstorming, with workshops providing hands-on media and software experience.

Design studies
Design process, use of media, printmaking, digital process, typography, presentation skills, production techniques, photography

Imagery
Divergent thinking, alternative solutions, interpreting a brief, drawing, analytical thinking

Cultural & critical studies
Introduction to analysis in design, design studies

Year 2

In year 2 students can choose to specialise in either Graphic Design or Illustration. Work will focus on projects related to the creative and cultural industries, emphasising professional constraints and expectations. It includes:

• live projects
• pitching
• work-related experience
• design production knowledge.

Graphic Design

Students selecting the Graphic Design specialism in year 2 will focus in particular on:

• design studies
• challenging conventions
• developing external links with industry
• research and analysis
• professional design knowledge and skills
• cultural and critical studies
• exploring aesthetic and theoretical frameworks used in graphic design and illustration. 

Illustration

Students selecting the Illustration specialism in year 2 will focus in particular on:

• imagery
• design process
• divergent thinking / alternative solutions
• design problems
• drawing, imagery and design
• presentation skills
• negotiated project.

Year 3

The final year is focused on:

• professional portfolio with national competitions
• emphasis on professional standards of working
• support from staff whose experience best matches your interests.

Students will emerge as a creative individual able to work to professional standards.

This final year of study takes place on campus at the University of Hertfordshire. However, alternative options are available:

• move on to our partner university, the University of Hertfordshire, for final year of study
• transfer to another university for final year of study
• take the university Diploma at the end of Year 2 and go straight into work.