BA (Hons) Graphic Design

at Anglia Ruskin University - Cambridge

TEACHING AND ASSESSMENT

3 years full-time

Year 1

In the first year of your Graphic Design degree, we’ll spend a lot of time in the studio, complemented by field trips and the opportunity to create design on-the-go in Amsterdam.

Our focus is firmly on introducing you to the design process, and you’ll be developing the creativity to solve design problems and tasks. In particular, we’ll explore typography and web design, and you can get hands-on with industry-standard applications and specialist software.

You will also learn how to research, analyse and write about art and design. We look at design history, practice and how designers have realised their ideas throughout the 20th century and into the present day.

From this stage onwards, you’ll be ready to fine-tune your skills and apply them to complex design briefs.

This is a hands-on, practical course and our assessment is based on the coursework you complete for each of your modules. This includes completed project work as well as accompanying material such as sketchbooks.

We’re looking to see how you research, analyse and develop your work – in other words, how you think as a designer.

You’ll also attend lectures and produce written material. We’ll look at these when we’re reviewing your progress.

Modules are subject to change and availability.

Assessment
Assessment is ongoing and includes one-to-one feedback, group crits and class design presentations, so you can be sure you’re receiving structured, insightful feedback throughout your degree course.

Core modules

• Design Process
• Graphic Design: Histories and Ideas
• Introduction to Type Media
• Introduction to Web Design

 

Year 2

There’s an increasing focus on employability and life in the design profession in Year 2, developing your understanding of the industry and the roles of design professionals – including those that are self-employed.

We also take time to explore the visual languages of graphic design, and the design brief – from initial proposal through design development to pitching and production.

We’ll work on a range of projects including design for publication, packaging, brand development, advertising and promotion, informational graphics and new media design. This is a great opportunity to try a number of different media and practices, see what interests you, and focus on the career paths that are available to you as a professional designer.

This is a hands-on, practical course and our assessment is based on the coursework you complete for each of your modules. This includes completed project work as well as accompanying material such as sketchbooks.

We’re looking to see how you research, analyse and develop your work – in other words, how you think as a designer.

You’ll also attend lectures and produce written material. We’ll look at these when we’re reviewing your progress.

Modules are subject to change and availability.

Assessment
Assessment is ongoing and includes one-to-one feedback, group crits and class design presentations, so you can be sure you’re receiving structured, insightful feedback throughout your degree course.

Core modules

• Design Practice
• Graphic Design Media Specialisms
• Professional Studies in Design
• Ruskin Module

 

Year 3

Your final year is all about getting you ready for life after graduation, by developing your portfolio website and honing your ‘design writing’ skills which, ultimately, you’ll use to promote your work.

Back in the studio, you might find yourself responding to commissions, working on live briefs or entering competitions. While allowing you to experiment and get creative, these projects will also get you thinking like a professional graphic designer, by focusing on visual problem-solving.

There’s the option to take a summer work placement as part of your final-year module.

And of course you’ll prepare for your Degree Show where you have the chance to promote your work and everything you’ve learned to industry professionals.

This is a hands-on, practical course and our assessment is based on the coursework you complete for each of your modules. This includes completed project work as well as accompanying material such as sketchbooks.

We’re looking to see how you research, analyse and develop your work – in other words, how you think as a designer.

You’ll also attend lectures and produce written material. We’ll look at these when we’re reviewing your progress.

Modules are subject to change and availability.

Assessment
Assessment is ongoing and includes one-to-one feedback, group crits and class design presentations, so you can be sure you’re receiving structured, insightful feedback throughout your degree course.