Graphic Design (Visual Communication and Illustration) - (Top Up)

Our BA (Hons) Graphic Design (Visual Communication and Illustration) degree thrives on the idea that everything is graphic design and will give you the tools to become a standout designer who can work across the exciting media used in modern visual communications.

The course strikes a balance between traditional graphic design activities such as typography, illustration and idea generation, with modern techniques and mediums such as motion graphics, interaction design, animation, film and video games.

As well as joining the path that has produced students who have recently won D&AD awards, Creative Conscience Awards and World Brand Society Student awards, benefits from studying this Graphic Design course include:

• select number of course places - giving you a superior learning experience and one-to-one support
• access to industry-standard facilities - including printmaking design studio, photography studio and darkroom, Mac labs and more
• overseas trips to visit renowned studios - recent destinations include Rotterdam, Berlin and Lisbon
• taught by highly experienced design and creative practitioners - who are consistently voted among the best in London for teaching and learning according to the NSS.

Finally, studying in London, at the heart of the UK’s creative industries, gives you access to leading galleries and exhibitions, as well as exposure to potential employers.

What you'll study

This graphic design degree will give you the means to develop your own unique visual identity and find work in this important creative discipline. This course focuses on the practice and application of graphic design. The practical skills you develop will be backed up by theoretical and contextual studies of graphic design in history and culture.

While your studies are founded on traditional and established graphic design processes and principles, they also embrace the future of design. This means you will cover a broad range of study areas, including:

• typography
• print design
• illustration
• design development
• motion graphics
• web design
• interaction design
• animation
• conceptual design thinking

You will have access to a variety of specialist equipment, including computer labs and digital print, photography and video studios. Through studio-based work, you will develop the skills and competencies to become a capable professional.

As this course is taught from our main campus in Ealing, we integrate London exhibitions, gallery shows, design lectures and other events into our study programme, bringing the best in design into your classroom.

The select number of places available on our BA (Hons) Graphic Design means that we can offer you the one-to-one support you need to learn to express yourself visually. You will be taught using a range of methods, including:

• lectures
• workshops
• studio-based sessions
• seminar groups

This combination of teaching methods will help you to build the practical, conceptual and strategic skills, as well as develop a portfolio needed to thrive in the varied world of contemporary visual communication.

Level-6 Top-up Option
If you already have a relevant Level 5 qualification (such as a Higher National Diploma, NVQ Level 5, etc.), then you can top this up to a full honours degree with our Level 6 Top-up course. This course consists of a full year of studies covering the same modules as Year 3 of the regular degree.