Graphic Design (With Foundation Year)

Combining practical design skills with creative problem-solving, this course offers a solid foundation in contemporary forms of visual communication. It explores all contexts where graphic design is found such as digital content; interface design; web and social media; editorial design; print and publishing; moving image; visual identity; typography; and graphic illustration and engages with important themes like the climate emergency and social justice.

Foundation Year
Whether you’re returning to learning and require additional help and support to up-skill, or if you didn’t quite meet the grades to pursue an undergraduate course, taking a Foundation Year can provide a fantastic entry route to a degree-level qualification. The Foundation Year supports you to build up your academic writing skills and numeracy while exploring a range of subject-specific content so you are fully prepared for the core three-year course. You will need to successfully complete the Foundation Year to progress on to the first year of your degree.

Facilities and specialist equipment

• Spacious studios set in a creative environment, studying alongside students from other creative disciplines

• Our print room offers a range of printing options including large-format fine art printing (up to A0); textile printing; risograph printing; and extensive screen-printing equipment.

• Photo studio

• Set-design studio

• 360° green-screen room with motion-capture suit

• Equipment including drawing tablets; cameras; C-stands; and coloured gels

• Mac computers with access to Creative Cloud, Dragonframe and TB Paint software

• Creative Cloud for personal use

Career-powered links

The course partners with a graphics arts course at MSA University in Cairo, Egypt, for international student collaboration.

Projects collaborations include with Luton Town Football Club, the NHS and Luton Council.

Your student experience

• Become adept at using a variety of platforms from digital to print, moving image to illustration.

  Explore exciting new developments in augmented reality, AI and digital design software, engaging with a wide range of graphic and animation work, from street art to visual identities, character design to motion graphics, and beyond.

  Learn from a staff team that includes practising designers, illustrators and animators educated at the leading-edge art and design schools including the Royal College of Art and the National Film School.

  Collaborate in student teams across disciplines, using industry-standard set-design studios and our stop-motion suite, so you become accustomed to the way you will produce work within the creative industries.

  Take the opportunity to work on live projects through national competitions and awards such as D&AD New Blood, RSA Student Awards and Association of Illustrators, alongside local collaborations and University-wide initiatives.

  Gain a solid knowledge of the cultural, critical and creative contexts of contemporary practice including how social media has transformed the role of the graphic designer.

  Attend weekly World of Work guest talks from a wide range of creative-industry professionals, who share insights into finding your first job in fashion and establishing yourself as an independent creative.

  Recent talks include experts from Barnbrook Design, who work with Rihanna and David Bowie, and Studio Dumbar, the leading Dutch design agency who curate the DEMO Festival celebrating the best motion graphics in the world.

  Benefit from regular visits to galleries, studios and exhibitions as well as talks from designers and animators from across the world, enhancing your understanding of the possibilities there are for a creative future.

Course Modules

Year 1
Context and ideas - How art and design shape society and everyday life. Communication design: exploring materials and methods – Explore a variety of professional methods and materials used in graphic design. Introducing studio practice – Develop your ability to work independently and with others, sharing and presenting your design ideas. Thinking through making - Experiment with different materials and technology to bring your ideas to life visually.

Year 2
Developing professional practice - Build a portfolio that reflects your creativity and understanding of graphic design. Collaborative enterprise - Work with others on creative projects in real-world settings. Context and meaning – Explore global ideas and theories behind visual culture. Communication design: developing materials and methods – Build on the skills gained in Year 1 by experimenting with new techniques and creative approaches.

Year 3
Creative futures - Prepare for your career after graduation. Critical and creative contexts - Explore current ideas and debates in art and design. Final major project: Graphic Design - Pursue your personal creative interests producing of a body of work for public display.

Every effort is made to ensure this information is accurate at the point of publication on the UCAS website. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to our website.