Study location	United Kingdom, Nottingham
Type	Bachelor courses, full-time
Nominal duration	3 years
Study language	English
Awards	BA
Course code	W211

Entry qualification	High school / secondary education (or higher) The entry qualification documents are accepted in the following languages: English. Often you can get a suitable transcript from your school. If this is not the case, you will need official translations along with verified copies of the original.

Language requirements	English Accepted proof of proficiency: Cambridge English, IELTS, TOEFL or other equivalent IELTS: 6.0; CAE (Cambridge English Advanced): 169 points or above

Other requirements

At least 1 reference(s) should be provided. A motivation letter must be added to your application. A relevant portfolio is required. • Aim to bring approximately 15 pieces of work. There is no need to window-mount the work, or spend money on mount board. We are happy for the work to be float-mounted onto plain white cartridge paper or thin white board. • Please select a range of work which shows us who you are and what you are interested in, as well as showing a range of Art and Design skills. • We are interested in looking at a variety of creative work, including design, photography, life drawing, mixed media work, digital work, as applicable and relevant to your area of study. Due to the fact that some applicants have worked on more ‘design’ projects than others, your focus may vary. What matters most is your potential and passion for the subject. • We like to see evidence of your working process, so bring your two most relevant sketchbooks and any working drawings which relate to specific projects in your portfolio. • Bring a piece of writing in the form of an essay or report, completed as part of your studies. • If you keep a visual diary or scrapbook of Art and Design interests please bring that along too. • If you have 3D work which you wish to show at interview it is often useful to bring photographs rather than the actual piece, unless it is easily transportable. • As we use the latest Apple computers we cannot view DVDs or CDs. Digital work including moving image can only be viewed from a memory stick or weblink. If work is on a USB stick please make sure it is fully backed up. • Please do not present just a USB stick as we would like to see work in a physical portfolio to evaluate your work.

More information	ntu.ac.uk/..sign/ug/2017-18/graphic-design

Overview

Interested? To learn more about this study programme, entry requirements and application process, please contact one of our consultants in a country nearest to you.

Programme structure

What you study
Year One: these two year-long modules run side by side.

Design Studio 1 (100 credit points)
In this module you will learn about, and begin to practise, the process behind the development of effective graphic design solutions. This module will be fast-paced, with a studio and tutorial debate around the design process. Risk taking will be encouraged as well as the development of strong personal visual abilities.

You’ll complete a number of different projects that will focus on areas such as typography, image making, branding, packaging, editorial design, illustration, and film / animation. You’ll also produce a portfolio of process and outcomes in response to a seven-week workshop rotation which will include screen and analogue printing, photography, visualisation, design and layout, paper craft and book binding, and Adobe Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator.

Visual Culture 1 (20 credit points)
This module will give you an introduction to the history of graphic design, from the Renaissance to present day. It will look at the various factors that have shaped graphic design and also the role it has played in spreading ideas.

Through a mixture of lectures, seminars and tutorials, emphasis is placed on raising your awareness of relevant issues and controversies, as well as establishing a timeline of events. You will also be introduced to research methods, writing and analytical skills.

Year Two: these two year-long modules run side by side.

Design Studio 2 (100 credit points)
This module gives you the opportunity to build on your Year One experimentation, creative skills and techniques. You will engage with tutor written briefs, live industry projects, negotiated and competition briefs.

You will be encouraged to explore the varied strands of contemporary graphic design practice, in order to identify your personal strengths and interests, and your own personal identity as a designer.

Visual Culture 2 (20 credit points)
This is a historical and theoretical module which builds on the skills and knowledge developed in Visual Culture 1, and prepares you for your Year Three dissertation module. It aims to enable you to identify characteristics of graphic design through reference to other creative practice and media forms.

This module offers you the opportunity to develop your writing and presentation skills. You will become familiar with a range of current issues in visual culture which will help to give you ideas for your dissertation.

Year Three

Design Studio and Visual Culture 3 (120 credit points)
(Studio work 84%, Dissertation 16%)
This year-long module includes both studio work and a written dissertation. In your studio work you will complete a number of set or negotiated projects, with a focus on independent learning and portfolio development.

This will include professional membership schemes (ISTD student assessment scheme), student competitions (D&AD, Design InSight RSA, Creative Conscience Awards, YCN, MPA Roses), set projects by tutors, negotiated projects proposed by you, and live briefs and outside commissions.

Through these projects you’ll develop a portfolio of professional-level design work ready to launch your career.

Your dissertation will be 5,000 words based on a subject relevant to visual culture, which you can negotiate with tutors. This gives you the opportunity to study and write about a subject of personal interest by putting into practise the researching, critical thinking and writing skills you will have developed throughout the course.

Career opportunities

This course has a reputation for employment, with many graduates securing jobs at well-known national and regional design consultancies. Graduates have also chosen to use their well-developed interpersonal skills in other fields such as teaching and management, while others have gone on to set up their own businesses or work as freelancers. Some progress to postgraduate study.

Professional practice is embedded in to each year of this degree course through competitions and live projects. Short periods of work experience are also encouraged , giving you the opportunity to find out more about the different roles within the industry.

Recent graduates from this course are now working in a range of design consultancies across the broad spectrum of graphic design including:

Packaging
Branding and identity
Illustration
Publishing
Art direction
Motion graphics and post production
Design for screen / interactive design.
Recent graduate destinations and job roles include:

2creatives, Graphic Design
BYG Systems, Illustrator/Artist
Benoy, Junior Graphic Designer
Beyond Communications, Junior Graphic Designer
Creative Spark, Junior Graphic Designer
Design Bridge, Graphic Designer
Elmwood, Junior Designer
Fivefootsix, Junior Graphic Designer
Graphite Print & Design Ltd, Graphic Designer
Hallmark Cards, Designer
Household Design, Junior 2D Designer
I love Mel, Artist/Designer
Ideas Factory, Graphic Designer
Interbrand, Junior Designer
Little Miss Independent, Photographer
Maggi Rose Training, Creative Designer
Mellor & Scott Design Agency, Junior Designer Intern
Rare Breed Marketing, Account Executive
River Island, Assistant Online Graphic Designer
Start Judgegill, Graduate Designer
Stockdale and Martin, Graphic Design
Storm DFX, 2D Designer
Studio DeathRay, Graphic Designer
TAG Europe, TV Production Assistant
Tenfold, Senior Designer
Container Group, Graphic Design
The Creative Branch, Graphic Designer
Together Design, Junior Graphic Designer
Tullo Marshall Warren (TMW), Junior Motion Designers
UK Greetings, Graphic Designer
Webb deVlam, Graphic Design Intern
Yoda London, Junior Designer
Zoocha, Junior Web Designer
Skew, Graphic Designer.