MA Graphic Branding and Identity

at University of the Arts London

In 2019 UAL declared a Climate Emergency and pledged to ‘make sustainability a required part of the student learning experience’. In response to the climate and ecological crisis the Design School set in place an ambitious Sustainability Action Plan to fully embed responsible practices within the curriculum and in everything we do. As part of this initiative we have updated our course handbooks against a set of social and environmental sustainability principles to ensure that learning outcomes reflect the urgent need to equip students with the understanding, skills and values to foster a more sustainable planet. Our aim is to change the way students think and to empower them to work towards a sustainable future.  

MA Graphic Branding and Identity consists of 5 core Units. Units 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 run concurrently, whilst Unit 5 (your major project) runs independently. The course is split into 4 terms with a summer break of 8 weeks.

Autumn, Term 1 

Brand and Design Principles (40 credits)

You’ll work on identifying your own practice in relation to common approaches and develop a deeper understanding of the techniques required to produce effective graphic, brand and design communication.

A series of lectures, workshops and seminars will be available covering research methodologies in theory and practice and the wider contextual framework for contemporary graphic branding.

This culminates with a substantial visual summary (a process book of your design experiments) and a designed brand output.

Field of Study Report (20 credits)

You’ll undertake a scoping and profiling project called the Field of Study Report. This will help you to develop an appreciation of current debates that are shaping the future of the subject and gain an informed view of your own practice.

This will culminate with a piece of design writing of 2500 words.

Spring, Term 2 

Collaborative Unit (20 credits)

The Collaborative Unit encourages you to seek opportunities to work as graphic brand designers with external clients and organisations, form small design teams and report on the process of working with a diverse community of designers and thinkers.

The Collaborative Unit allows you to be directly in touch with the realities of a professional branding practice, and to examine these techniques, approaches and theories in a professional context.

This will culminate with a piece of critical writing of 2500 words and a portfolio of designed brand assets for your chosen client / project.

Major Project Proposal Part 1

Summer, Term 3
 

• Major Project Proposal Part 2
• Major Project Part 1

Autumn, Term 4
 

• Major Project Part 2
• Major Project Proposal (Part 1 and Part 2) (40 credits)

Your Major Project Proposal builds on the work conducted in both Units 1 and 2 to move your study proposal forwards through a series of practical and contextual stages to plan a clearly defined and evaluated research inquiry.

This process focuses on an experimental exploring through design and research methodology, testing and designing new approaches to your intended brand and design project work.

This Unit will culminate in a critically- and design-focused written proposal of 3500 words and a substantial body of visual experiments and brand design strategies. This unit positions the direction of your Major Project.

Major Project: Practical and Report / Thesis – (Part 1 and Part 2) (60 credits)

Your major project develops from the rationale stated in the Major Project Proposal. These elements are then tested and applied in the creation of an original brand design-research project.

Your Major Project will be based on extensive research and a rigorous methodological approach, drawing together your learning from across the previous four units. You will develop a programme of investigation and analysis that supports you in the further development of your personal research project.

This will culminate with either:
 

• A practical design resolution, supporting visual process work and a 5000-7000 word written report

or:
 

• A designed MA thesis of 12000 – 15000 words.

The course team welcomes applicants from a broad range of backgrounds, from all over the world. MA Graphic Branding and Identity attracts students who apply direct from an Honours degree course in a field relevant to graphic design, product design or architecture, or those with other, equivalent qualifications.

The course team also welcomes students with relevant experience or those who may have previously worked in industry.

Educational level may be demonstrated by:
 

• Honours degree (named above);

• Possession of equivalent qualifications;

• Prior experiential learning, the outcome of which can be demonstrated to be equivalent to formal qualifications otherwise required;

• Or a combination of formal qualifications and experiential learning which, taken together, can be demonstrated to be equivalent to formal qualifications otherwise required.

APEL (Accreditation of Prior Learning)

Applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered in exceptional cases. The course team will consider each application that demonstrates additional strengths and alternative evidence. This might, for example, be demonstrated by:
 

• Related academic or work experience

• The quality of the personal statement

• A strong academic or other professional reference

• OR a combination of these factors

Each application will be considered on its own merit but we cannot guarantee an offer in each case.

Language requirements

All classes are conducted in English. If English is not your first language, we strongly recommend you let us know your English language test score in your application. If you have booked a test or are awaiting your results, please indicate this in your application. When asked to upload a CV as part of your application, please include any information about your English test score.
 

• IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) is required, with a minimum of 5.5 in each of the four skills.

Home fee
£11,550

International fee
£23,610