Graphic Design and Illustration

Why study Graphic Design and Illustration at Liverpool John Moores University?

• LJMU ranked 10th in the UK for Graphic Design (The Guardian University Guide 2025)

• 98% of students surveyed on this course said teaching staff were good at explaining things and the course challenged them to achieve their best work (National Student Survey 2025)

• Students can access study abroad opportunities and prizes for overseas travel

• Diverse range of graphic arts covered including graphic design, illustration, printmaking, photography, animation, motion graphics and interactive design

• You will have opportunities to work with and be taught by renowned graphic designers, illustrators and professionals from the creative industries

• Opportunities to participate in 'live' projects, work collaboratively or in teams, and attend freelance and networking events

• Students benefit from free access to industry-standard Adobe Creative Cloud Suite including Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign

• Enjoy spacious, well-equipped, dedicated studio space in RIBA award-winning John Lennon Art and Design Building

About your course
The BA (Hons) Graphic Design at Liverpool John Moores University has a well established reputation for developing innovative designers and illustrators, highly sought after by employers in this exciting but competitive sector.

Graphic Design and Illustration has been a central component in the The Liverpool School of Art and Creative Industries for over 40 years. Our established and distinctive approach offers you the chance to explore a broad range of skills and knowledge whist supporting you to develop into independent and creative thinkers with the capacity to make an impact in and beyond the creative industries.

We are a friendly, inclusive, and supportive community of illustrators, designers, researchers, and troublemakers with studio culture at the heart of our approach. Across all years our modules are inclusive and accessible. We encourage traditional approaches to flourish side-by-side with emerging technologies, nurturing play and experimentation, and embedding research into practice in the belief that design & creativity can be used to make positive changes in the world around us. Coursework is primarily organised around practical studio projects with supporting contextual studies and professional development modules.

The first year of the programme develops fundamental skills in visual communication and graphic arts. In the second year you can choose to specialise in developing skills in either Graphic Design or Illustration. In the third year you work closely one-to-one with your tutor to define a suite of projects that can support you in achieving your goals after graduation. Our close links with the local and national creative industries results in collaborations, 'live' projects and internship opportunities, all of which are essential preparation for your future career.

Our course has a strong reputation, and you are following in the footsteps of graduates who have become creative forces both nationally and internationally. They include:

• Paul Pensom, who is current Art Editor at Creative Review

• Jimmy Turrell, Graphic artist and Video Director represented by Heart Agency and an international client base including Nike, MTV, Conde Nast, Pentagram and Dazed & Confused

• Joe Stottard, Lead Designer at Adidas in Germany

• James Gilmore, designer at Design Studio, responsible for the recent rebranding of The Premier League and Airbnb

• Malik Thomas-Smeda who was commissioned by the National Football Museum in Manchester

• Al Murphy, freelance illustrator with an international client base including MTV, Guardian and TimeOut NY

• Richard Turley, Global Creative Director at Wieden + Kennedy, New York

Additional opportunities available outside of the studio include study trips at each level.

Please visit the Liverpool John Moores University website for detailed module information.

Assessment varies depending on the modules you choose, but will usually include a combination of exams and coursework.

Constructive feedback is vital in helping you to identify your strengths as well as the areas where you may need to put in more work. It is provided verbally during reviews and critiques of practical projects interim reviews.

At the end of each module, you will receive written feedback with an indication of your marks within three weeks of submitting work, although this may take longer if the marks go through an external moderation and approval process.