BA (Hons) Graphic Design: Branding, Promotion, and Digital Design (on campus)

This course includes the following core modules that all students complete:

Level 4 Year 1

Broaden your design knowledge and work with a range of techniques and processes for experimental projects that are open to individual interpretation.

GD401: Design Inspiration 1 (20 credits)
GD402: Decoding and Constructing Type (20 credits)
GD403: The Digital Domain (20 credits)
GD404: Employment Practice and Portfolio Building 1 (20 credits)
GD405: Branding Fundamentals (20 credits)
GD406: Clients and Competitions 1 (20 credits)

Level 5 Year 2
Use the skills from level 4 to produce project work with a strategic, commercial focus.

GD501: Design Inspiration 2 (20 credits)
GD502: Strategic Thinking and Visual Persuasion (20 credits)
GD503: Digital Branding and Promotion (20 credits)
GD504: Layout Design form Print and Screen (20 credits)
GD505: Type in Motion (20 credits)
GD506: Employment Practice and Portfolio Building 2 (20 credits)

Level 6 Year 3
Demonstrate your ability to articulate your advanced design knowledge and skills through the production of engaging commercial/competition briefs and final major project work.

GD601: Industry and Business Practice (20 credits)
GD602: Social, Cultural, Environmental, and Ethical Practice (20 credits)
GD603: Clients and Competitions 2 (20 credits)
GD604: Self-Promotional Branding (20 credits)
GD605: Final Major Project (40 credits)

Contact
Classroom sessions, online platforms (Microsoft Teams), student forums, one-to-one and group tutorials, and email feedback. All project handbooks and learning support materials and are made available to access online.

Feedback
As you progress through your studies, ongoing feedback and suggestions are provided on work and personal performance. Tutor and peer recommendations are constructive and identify where improvements can be made.

Community
The course continues to build and maintain a vibrant student community. A combination of classroom sessions and forums play an integral and invaluable role in ensuring that all students feel fully supported in their studies. You will also make regular and ongoing use of online platforms to share your work and record your on-going learning journey.

Occasional changes to modules and course content may take place. Students will be notified when applicable.

The primary way of delivering this course is on campus and teaching includes a combination of lectures, small group seminars, workshops, presentations, guest lectures, and one to one discussions with your tutor.

Assessment Methods

• Digital project research, development and outcomes’ journals
• Digital design portfolio
• Reports and essays
• Presentations
• End of Year Show

Students will receive 12 hours of teaching time per week throughout this course. Additional one-to-one meetings with tutors will provide further support. On campus students will also have the opportunity to collaborate and share work with their remote working, flexible-learning peers.

Entry requirements would usually be one of the following:

• 48 UCAS Tariff Points – Level 3 qualifications, these may include: A Level or BTEC National Diploma (PPP) or a Foundation Diploma, in a relevant subject area · Access to HE Diploma in an art related programme with at least 45 credits at Level 3 Recognition of Prior Certificated Learning (RPCL) Recognition of Prior Experience (RPEL)

We welcome applications from people of any age who might not meet the standard entry criteria, but we would expect to see evidence of continuing academic and/or professional development and a capacity to pursue the course successfully. As part of the application process, a digital portfolio of art and design-related work must be presented to evidence creative ability and suitability for the course. If you have been out of formal education for some time, and/or you do not have the qualifications stated, we might still be able to consider your application and offer you a range of support.

Portfolio Requirements
1. We accept both physical and digital PDF portfolios, and portfolio websites. However, we are seeing fewer students present their work in physical portfolios, as digital versions can be more easily updated, and with the integration of more contemporary technology they can also include examples of website design, motion graphics, animation, and video work.

2. Once we have received your application, we will ask to see evidence of art and design work (ideally submitted as an A3 landscape PDF portfolio). This allows us to review and discuss your work before a formal interview. We will have your work on a screen, but if you wish, you can also show a physical portfolio to discuss your work further.

3. When considering which projects to show at your interview, we recommend selecting between 5-10 well-presented creative projects, and evidence of 2-3 essays/reports (to assess your written communication skills).

4. Include your strongest project at the start of your portfolio, with another in the middle, and one at the end.

5. Your creative projects should provide evidence of your methodical ongoing process – from research to the development of ideas and concepts, and realisation of completed outcomes. We are looking for inventiveness and depth of thought.

6. We will need to see evidence of initial sketches and digital development. This should be supported by ongoing evaluative notes that explain your decision-making process.

7. We will assess how your work has applied colour, type and layout, illustration, and/or photography.

8. Ensure that each project is clearly labelled with a heading and include a short description (around 100 words) that explains project requirements, as well as an overview of your resulting creative strategy.

9. We want to gain a good idea of your computer software skills, although this is covered as part of the first year, to ensure all students have the necessary skills to complete their work.

If you have any questions about our portfolio requirements or the interview process, please feel free to contact the Programme Leader at simon.gomes@don.ac.uk

Our graphic design graduates can gain a variety of job roles depending on their skills, interests, and career goals. Some common job roles that graphic design graduates can pursue include:

• Graphic Designer: This is the most obvious job role for a graphic design graduate. A graphic designer is responsible for creating visual concepts and print/digital designs for various mediums, such as visual identity programmes, websites, logos, brochures, packaging, and advertising.

• Brand Identity Designer: A brand identity designer creates and designs the visual elements that represent a company, such as the logo, typography, colour scheme, and other branding elements. They work with marketing teams to create a cohesive and recognizable brand identity.

• Packaging Designer: A packaging designer creates and designs the packaging for various products, including food, cosmetics, and electronics. They focus on creating visually appealing and functional packaging that protects the product and enhances its appeal.

• Art Director: An art director is responsible for overseeing the visual aspects of a project, such as advertising campaigns, magazines, or websites. They work closely with the creative team and ensure that the design meets the client’s needs and project goals.

• User Experience (UX/UI) Designer: A UX/UI designer is responsible for creating the user interface and experience of a digital product or service, such as a website or mobile app. They focus on usability, functionality, and aesthetics to create an intuitive and enjoyable user experience.

• Motion Graphics Designer: A designer working in this area produces unique, animated screen-based graphics for branding, promotion, and social media, such as kinetic and three-dimensional typography, and motion posters.

• Web Designer: A web designer creates and designs websites, including layout, graphics, and navigation. They work with developers to ensure that the design is functional and responsive across different devices.

• Creative Director: A creative director oversees the entire creative process, from concept development to execution. They work with designers, writers, and other creative professionals to ensure that the project meets the client’s needs and goals.

Depending on graduates’ interests and areas of personal focus, they can explore more specific careers in illustration, animation, advertising, copywriting, and marketing.