Graphic Design

Why study Graphic Design, Animation and Photography?

In today’s fast moving ever widening digital communications industry the complementary disciplines of graphic design, photography and animation work seamlessly to solve a multitude of design needs over a growing array of media channels and touchpoints. To mirror these changes and current creative industry practices, this course will offer you the opportunity to learn both traditional problem solving and design craft skills through digital graphic, animation and image making processes. Skills which will ultimately enhance your employability within a wide range of career and employment possibilities.

As in industry, the course encourages interdisciplinary innovation through collaboration, and uniquely offers students the option to pursue their own specialist interests within Graphics, Animation or Photography through a substantial major project. Completing students will elect certification in either Graphics, Animation or Photography. You will regularly engage with leading UK design professionals through ‘live’ projects and talks, and benefit from our impressive track record for both gaining employment and winning national competitions. The course is an active member of British Design & Art Direction (D&AD) and the British Institute of Photographers and has forged strong industrial links with both local and national practitioners.

At the end of the first year your work will be exhibited in public venues. Work experience opportunities will also be made available to you in the latter stages of the course.

WHAT WILL I STUDY?
Course delivery is by practising, specialist Graphics, Animation & Photography lecturers (including visiting professionals), in well-equipped studios supported by one-to-one tutorials and group discussions & seminars to inform personal progress & aid assessment.

The course consists of two assessment units which cover the development of core competencies for the workplace: contextual knowledge, ideas generation, design strategies, technical knowledge & skills, professional practice & communication & presentation skills.

You will have the opportunity to work individually and collaboratively on assignments:
• Branding & corporate identity
• Motion graphics
• Photographic techniques/lighting
• Advertising & digital campaigns
• 2D & 3D animation and modelling
• Image making & visual effects
• Typographic design & kinetic typography
• Storyboarding & narrative
• Editorial & information visualisation
• Website design, app Design & social media
• Digital media production

In the first year you will be introduced to Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Lightroom, After Effects, Blender, & Animate.

The BTEC HND qualification is designed to equip you with the knowledge, flexibility and skills required for a successful career within an exciting and ever-widening industry. The course will provide you with the opportunity to develop a professional portfolio, covering branding, corporate identity, design for print, advertising, illustration, editorial design, typography, digital design, and animation.

You will regularly engage with leading UK design professionals through ‘live projects’ and talks, and benefit from our impressive track record for both gaining employment and winning national competitions. The course is an active member of British Design and Art Direction (D&AD) and has forged strong industrial links with both local and national designers.

At the end of the year, you will exhibit your work locally and at a major London venue as part of D&AD’s New Blood exhibition. Work experience opportunities will also be made available to you in the latter stages of the course. A list of visiting contacts and speakers is available on request.

Course Modules

The course is delivered over 1 academic year covering one Core Module with two main units. Content is delivered based on the following unit criterion.

1. Contextual Knowledge
2. Ideas Generation & Development
3. Technical Knowledge & Skill
4. Professional Practice.
5. Communication.

Formative feedback supports assessment throughout the year, ensuring group and individual sessions on feedback are achieved.

Students attend for 12 hours a week and it is expected that they match that with independent study time.

Core Module:

Unit B1 Personal Professional Development

This assessment unit further enables the practice and development of underpinning knowledge, understanding and proficiency of creative practice through exploration of the subject area, in addition a developed refinement of approaches is expected at the level.

Unit B2 Professional Project

This assessment unit is designed to give students the opportunity to consolidate and apply their learning through the production of a portfolio of work and exhibition.

All modules are compulsory and specialisms are built into the study programme.