The programme begins with a group research project, sharing information and references from diverse sources. Collecting and analysing information from a theme of common interest helps to develop your awareness of the subject from multiple perspectives. Stage 1 involves developing professional skills, ideas, research, project work and the opportunity for co-working, partnerships and collaborations. The enterprise potential of your interests is evaluated and innovative outputs are proposed.
Stage 2 allows time to prepare, research and develop project proposals, culminating in a feasibility study for a negotiated major project. Preparation for this major work includes extended reading, visual and experiential references, critical thinking, and collecting and analysing information.
Stage 3 enables you to direct and display your major project work, supported by regular tutorial contact and studio interaction. You show future ambitions and plans for the project including how it may be distributed or realised beyond the University.
Course structure
Core modules
Critical Thinking and Theoretical Contexts
This module explores and interrogates key concepts and critical thinking in the 21st century. It promotes debate on developing themes within culture and the creative arts in theory and practice.
Through lectures you explore critical thinking and cultural philosophical approaches. Key issues are explored through talking and debating in seminars.
There are two assessments; a 20 minute presentation focusing on cultural theory in relation to your design practice and field of specialism, and a critical report that recognises design practice with respect to cultural and critical theory.
Design Research Methods
You learn a number of research methods and practices in order to carry out primary design research to identify solutions to real-world problems.
You cover investigations into practical design applications, strategic planning and theoretical speculations.
Through seminars you debate and discuss case studies and the practical application of research methods.
You are assessed on your research plan (20%) and a critical analysis of research methods appropriate to your own design practice, identifying how these are implemented within a design problem solving context (80%).
Enterprising Leadership and Project Management
You learn through seminars and student-led group work, with guest speakers providing real-world perspectives and expertise. You are assessed by a group portfolio, demonstrating innovation, inventiveness, an entrepreneurial mindset, leadership, creativity and project management. The portfolio contains a product development report and a group presentation detailing the process and findings.
MA Visual Communication Major Project
You will demonstrate the ability to create challenging solutions to real world design issues and to reveal your potential as an innovator and leader in the field of visual communication. Project work will arise from interests and concerns that have been established and researched, to some extent, but this will be a fresh challenge.
You will produce, direct and display your own visual communication project. The independent work as director gives necessary experience of working in a professional setting. Projects are expected to demonstrate enterprise potential and an understanding of future ideas and innovations. Your work needs to show potential for further extended study or application to visual communications, sensory design, experiential or performative outcomes.
Post Digital Practices
You gain insight of evolving technological developments for the visual communicator and consider self-sustaining and independent working methods. You will work in the context of the latest processes, methods and structures, but also consider and employ traditional practices in the crafting of your work. Contemporary norms and conventions are challenged, so you can produce and distribute your work through extended networks.
Digital skills and knowledge are augmented by the development of artisan batch-production and bespoke communications capabilities. Production and distribution, quantity, the multiple, edition sizes and the dissemination or circulation of visual communications are discussed and evaluated in studio practice.
Specialist Skills for Visual Communication
You will be encouraged to identify strengths, build confidence and assurance in your specialism. Your visual communication skills are then audited, evaluated and developed. Existing capability and established expertise are recognised and used for extending command of processes, materials, devices and applications appropriate to your professional aspirations.
Through a series of challenges, exercises, workshops and tutorials new skills are developed. A learning plan is established to determine skills, processes, materials and methods for your specialist area of interest and to manage your own professional development.
Visual Communication and Creative Direction
You will focus on visual and sensory communication processes and emerging studio practice in the design and art direction of creative project. You will apply communications skills and professional approaches to projects that challenge your capabilities. Independent working in response to a negotiated learning plan leads to design and art direction of projects that can lead to competition entries, client liaison or contribution to staff directed research activity.
Portfolio and studio mentored sessions and seminars engage critical discourse and peer interaction around subjects, themes and issues of common interest relating to current debates and practices. Materials, tools and technologies are explored in response to your own area of interest and in practical skill-sharing sessions and workshops. Evaluation of the most effective business and social media applications will also be recorded at this stage.
