University of Cumbria

BA (Hons) en Diseño Gráfico

The BA (Hons) in Graphic Design aims to help you successfully transition from being a design student to a professional designer. Our graduates work for national and international design and advertising consultancies, multi-media agencies, TV companies, publishing houses, magazines and many now run their own design studios.

Year One

In Level 4 you’ll gain fundamental knowledge and practical experience of visual communication, the building blocks of visual language, and professional attitudes and practices. When you join us you become part of a creative community and from the outset, you will be encouraged to share your ideas, and experiences and work through discussion with tutors and fellow students.

A distinctive feature of the graphic design course is that, initially, you will work closely with Level 4 illustrators exploring the fundamental principles of visual communication as many of the core principles and considerations are shared between the two disciplines, for instance; color theory and application, traditional and digital media, development processes, presentation skills, etc.

Introducing Visual Communication

Develop effective working practices and habits.

Cultural Contexts

An introduction to the cultural, historical, and social contexts in which creative work from a range of disciplines.

Multi-Dimensional Graphic Design

Explore multiple forms and formats, from traditional print to the latest digital platforms, simple symbols to complex information and ideas, ephemeral to iconic.

Collaborative Practice

Work with other students to explore and practice the skills involved in creative collaboration.

Year Two

The second year is focused on applying the knowledge and skills you’ve gained to a series of design challenges. Testing and refining your design and personal management skills in a number of scenarios will give you confidence in your ability to tackle unfamiliar challenges. As your confidence grows through experience you’ll begin to develop personal strands of interest or specialism.

Your tutors bring a wide range of design experience to the course with particular expertise and interests in typography, editorial/publishing, corporate identity, and branding work. There is an emphasis on knowledge, passion, and enjoyment, showing you how they can be utilized to make memorable, meaningful designs.

The Designer's Toolkit

Explore the structural elements that are essential when creating any piece of graphic design - alignment, hierarchy, contrast, repetition, proximity, balance, color, and space.

Type & Typography

Explore letterforms and how they can be manipulated and arranged to inform, entice, and communicate lies.

Graphic Design Projects

Develop conceptual skills and an individual approach to graphic design problem-solving, providing the springboard to your final year of study.

The Critical Designer

Explore key contextual debates that impact production and the reading of graphic design texts. Consider design as a form of social practice.

Year Three

As you enter your final year, flexibility increases where all of the skills, knowledge, and confidence you have developed so far are brought together to produce a portfolio of design work that showcases your talents.

By this time you’ll be preparing for progression – life after you finish your degree-seeking work or preparing for Master's or Postgraduate study. Much of your professional practice will be focused on that exciting step.

Advanced Design Projects

An opportunity to work within a design brief and explore a particular area of interest.

Independent Research Paper

Develop specialized and focused knowledge and understanding of a subject of your own choice.

Graphic Design Showcase

An opportunity to show off the skills, knowledge, and professionalism developed throughout the course to potential employers and the wider world.

How You Will Be Assessed

A lo largo de su curso, participará en una variedad de métodos de evaluación, incluidos proyectos grupales, creación de portafolios y prácticas laborales. Recibirá asesoramiento y orientación periódicamente a través de comentarios formativos, explorando cómo aborda y aporta conocimientos en tutorías individuales y grupales. Las evaluaciones sumativas se llevarán a cabo durante todo el año y tendrán como objetivo evaluar cómo aplica sus conocimientos a través de ensayos, portafolios y proyectos.

Las evaluaciones tienen como objetivo desarrollar su confianza profesional, dotándolo de las habilidades que necesita para sobresalir como diseñador gráfico adaptable y confiable.

On This Course You Will...

• Aprenda diseño gráfico, diseño de revistas, ilustración y tipografía de la mano de expertos en cada una de estas especialidades, y utilice software, equipos e instalaciones estándar de la industria.
• Realizar verdaderos trabajos de diseño gráfico. El 80% de tus estudios serán prácticos, por lo que no aprenderás sólo teoría.
• Cree una sólida cartera de trabajos para exhibiciones para mostrar su formación en diseño gráfico y mostrar su talento a posibles empleadores.
• Benefíciese de demostraciones prácticas, visitas y comentarios de diseñadores profesionales.