BA (Hons) Graphic Design

Design Theories, Practitioners and Context (20 credits)

Develop a knowledge and understanding of the important theoretical and historical contexts which have shaped modern design, opening up creative possibilities in your work. This module introduces a range of design philosophies, approaches and thinking, and the work of influential design practitioners.
Gain a broad view of design disciplines, through lectures and seminars intended to provoke wider debate.
Develop analytical and research skills by exploring subjects in design theory and history through assignments. Finish the module with an understanding of various historical and theoretical ideas, intended to encourage you to challenge conventional thinking.

Visual Communication – Exploration & Practice (60 credits)

This module is concerned with developing design experience and knowledge through a range of visual and practical methodologies: including design for print and screen. You will gain an understanding of the underpinning design principles through various workshops, lectures and set projects and through the practice of subject specific skill requirements. Industry standard digital software, both vector and pixel based, will be taught and projects will provide the opportunity to apply that knowledge. Different approaches to visual communication, typography, image making and their relevance to the contemporary design world will be introduced. You will understand the principles of creative communication and how it can be applied appropriately to your subject specialism. This module provides an opportunity to build a strong foundation for further development.

Applied Design Principles and Techniques (20 credits)

The basic techniques and dynamics of visual communication form the basis of the module; which explores some of the mechanisms, such as semiotics, that assist you to understand the visual communication processes. A variety of projects and exercises are set in order to develop a visual intelligence and literacy where the methodology and processes are more important than the over-reliance on technical outcome. The relationships of practice and theory and the processes employed as a communication tool are references for project work.
The work in the developing field of graphic design and communication directs us to a wider range of references and graphic language. The aesthetics of typography and the dynamics of visual form are recognised and explored; such as the processes of information design or the applications it has in a variety of subject areas such as advertising and graphic design.

Motion Graphics 1 (20 credits)

This module will develop your skills in motion design, with a range of approaches and techniques that will allow you to design, plan, edit and create movies using motion graphics and special effects.
You will be introduced to the audio-visual language of time-based media and use a range of industry-standard software in order to communicate your designs and ideas. You will learn how to create and synchronize moving graphics, video, sound, animated elements and visual effects to create dynamic and effective movies.
Demonstrations and hands-on studio tutorials will help to extend your knowledge and understanding of the techniques, looking at how they fit into the wider creative context of design and communication. Practical assignments will allow you to experiment with and demonstrate both technical and creative ability, and will allow you to explore the use and application of these technologies.

Global Challenges and the Ethical Designer (20 credits)

Develop a critical understanding of important issues linked to design such as the environment, globalisation, gender representation, equality and diversity. Through lectures, seminars and a written assignment, you are encouraged to consider your ethical role as a developing designer. You will also be introduced to ways of considering a major piece of written work (the dissertation in Stage 3) which is based on a subject relevant to your own practice. Finish the module with a developing design philosophy, that potentially impacts on your ways of working and thinking in terms of studio practice.

Beyond DTP (20 credits)

The learning outcomes will be developed within the module through your research into typography and magazine design and subsequently your final magazine design.
This module will introduce you to the more advanced concepts of DTP (Desk Top Publishing), looking beyond the type and images. The module will begin with a basic introduction to the historical, theoretical and fundamental principles of typography and design.
This is followed by in depth practical research into typography, image creation and advanced layout techniques using new technology and traditional processes. This module will also include tuition in advanced techniques of computer software such as InDesign, illustrator and Photoshop. You will undertake two specific assignments, one being a research journal and the other a magazine based upon the content of your choice.

Design Edge; Counter, Culture and Experience Design (40 credits)

Graphic Communication is a term used to describe graphic design where the boundaries and parameters are consciously eroded and redefined.
The purpose is to encourage a greater creativity and originality in your practice by adopting a position not constrained by the pressures exerted in prescriptive commercialism. Imagination and syntheses are component parts of the work which you will exploit in testing and challenging established outcomes in graphic design.
Unconstrained by external pressures, the projects provoke opportunities for originality in thinking and its application through graphic outcome; as well as individual reactions and responses to a wide range of areas in contemporary culture. Typography and image generation are prime elements in the process; and you are encouraged to invent and design individual, alternative and useful vehicles for communication.
You will be asked to deal with a range of contemporary subjects and themes where outcomes provoke opportunities for the audiences themselves to share in the act of communication; and with a reflective layered approach to design practice in which meaning is more significant than surface superficiality.

Motion Graphics 2 (20 credits)

In this module you will understand how to combine some of the key techniques learned at stage one, to create more advanced effects. You will continue to research and experiment with new techniques and explore the creative and visual possibilities of professional motion graphics. This module advances your skills in motion design using industry standard applications such as Adobe After Effects.

Practical assignments will allow you to demonstrate technical and creative abilities and presentation skills. Very importantly, they will allow you to explore the use and application of these technologies within a real world context.

Digital Illustration (20 credits)

Modern digital and print production processes have given rise to a growth in the placement and demand for digitally produced illustration. This module will look at the commercial application of these; pixel/ bitmapped illustration, scalable vectors, technical illustration, photo-realistic 3D, etc.
The module will allow you to develop your understanding of the contemporary practice and theory in the field. It will give you the opportunity to develop core technical skills and then the scope to apply these within distinct creative briefs.

Design Research Project – Dissertation (20 credits)

Develop an in-depth investigation into a particular issue or topic that is relevant to you as a developing designer, or an issue inspired by wider society.
Utilize and build on your knowledge of various design and theoretical disciplines and techniques gained in previous THD modules, or from studying at other colleges.
Gain research and organizational skills through an introductory lecture, tutorials and discussion. Complete the module with a dissertation (3500 to 4500 words), supported by a clear central question and hypothesis relevant to the chosen topic. Research conducted in this module can be used as the foundations for your major final project in the module EXD300, although this is not compulsory.

Graphic Design and Professional Practice (40 credits)

Explore specific aspects of graphic design and professional practice and the opportunity to choose projects within your own areas of specialist interest.
Create a minimum of two graphic design ‘products’ from a wide and variable range of options. Including a live client brief. Typical outcomes could be: corporate literature; online identity design, advertising; environmental graphics; packaging/surface design, advertising/promotion, web design/ editorial design.
Produce portfolio enhancing design that showcases your talents and will prepare you a life in the professional world as a graphic designer.

Design – Final Major Project (60 credits)

Produce a project that will be the centrepiece of your showcase to future employers, demonstrating your fresh and creative approach to your discipline. Develop new and specific skills, explore creative direction and be immersed in the exploration of broad, deep, enquiring and focused communication.