BA (Honours) Graphic Design

UCAS code

W210

Attendance

Full-time

Three years full-time

At a glance

Graphic design has four key areas to explore - graphics, motion graphics, advertising and illustration. You learn how to turn new and creative ideas into memorable designs that meet the challenges of a brief. You also have lots of opportunities to test your skills by taking part in international competitions and live briefs.

Key points
ХаExplore graphic design through graphics, motion graphics, advertising and illustration.
ХаTake part in international competitions and live briefs as part of your course.
ХаGet ready for a career in design with live briefs, visiting lectures and conferences.
ХаOpportunities to attend international design conferences and professional design association events.

What is graphic design?
Graphic design is all around us. We interact with it on a daily basis in a variety of formats from the printed page to the digital interface. It is an ever changing and exciting discipline that requires designers who are creative, responsive and innovative.

About this course

Study to be a graphic designer and develop a design portfolio full of ideas to enter and challenge the graphic design industry.

You learn about the core principles of graphic design and its application across a range of sectors and have the opportunity to explore advertising, illustration, motion and interactive, or traditional graphic design. The path you choose can be reflected in your award title such as BA (Honours) Graphic Design (Illustration), so you can easily communicate your strengths to prospective employers when you graduate.

During the course youТll focus on generating new and memorable ideas as the basis of your creative process. You explore a range of media, develop your critical skills, and learn how to solve problems creatively. The course is delivered by tutors who are expert practitioners in a number of areas.

You have the opportunity to enhance your career prospects by taking part in international competitions, live briefs and work placements. There are also residential study trips at home and abroad, complemented by visits to design conferences and professional design association events.

You have access to a huge range of creative resources to experiment and engage with. You can take advantage of facilities such as Х 3D printing for rapid prototyping Х state-of-the-art hardware and software Х TV, film and photography studios Х a creative media centre Х performance spaces Х a gallery Х well-equipped workshops.

You also have access to our award-winning learning centre featuring a specialist art, design and media library and extensive online resources.

Developing your design portfolio is an important way for you to evidence your talents and skills to employers when you graduate. Throughout the course, weТll be looking for you to innovate, take creative risks and challenge social and cultural conventions.

Key areas of study
Key areas include Х advertising Х illustration Х motion and interactive Х structural graphics Х typography Х traditional graphic design study topics such as printmaking, life drawing, photography, branding and marketing.

Associated careers

There are excellent career prospects for graduates in a range of design jobs in the UK and overseas in areas such as Х advertising Х designing for environments and three-dimensional spaces Хаbranding and identity Х illustration Хаprintmaking Х animation Х screen based graphics Х interactivity Х typography.

Here are just a few examples of the careers developed by some of ourаgraduates, who work across a broad range of roles within the creative industries.

Jamie Portch
Jamie is a freelance illustrator who has continued to succeed since graduating in 2011. He received the Association of Illustrators New Talent silver award in 2011 and was also selected for Creative Review's illustration annual 2011.

Ben Mclaughlin
Alongside photography graduate Theo Simpson, Ben set up Mass ObservationаЦ a design agency which was described in the New York Times blogаas being Сone of BritainТs most exciting new design practicesТ. Ben and Theo produce beautifully designed books of photography and typography and have exhibited in many galleries.

Hannah Rummery
Hannah is a graphic designer who currently works at Dalziel + Pow. Hannah began her career as an ecommerce graphic design manager at the fashion label All Saints. While at University she specialised in graphic design with illustration.

Neil Coghlan
Neil graduated in 2008 where his work was spotted at D&AD's 'New Blood' exhibition and from there he landed a job as a motion designer at the UK's biggest ad agencyаЦ AMV BBDO. Neil is now the company director of AszykаЦ a small design studio pushing the more illustrative side of his work.

Alex Tizard and Jonathan Randsа
Alex and John graduated in 2011 and have worked together for several London-based advertising agencies before joining Grey. They won the Clear Channel Student AwardsаЦ Lynx 2010, were shortlisted for The Shelf awards 2010 and won D&AD Workshops Manchester 2010.

Course content

Year one

You strengthen your graphic design skills and techniques, and establish good working practice. Key themes and objectives are to Х explore a range of media areas Х develop your critical skills Х develop your idea generation skills Х understand the design process Х learn how to solve problems creatively Х collaboration.

You also explore Х drawing Х printmaking Х typography Х photography Х digital media Х moving imagery Х 3D skills.

Year two

You explore areas within graphic design including Х advertising Х motion graphics Х illustration Х packaging Х interactive design Х typography.

You work on various projects including competition and live industry briefs with emphasis on professional methods and standards. This year also prepares you for an increasingly independent approach to working and developing your portfolio.

Year three

You develop your design work and skills towards your personal interests and aspirations. This involves you working on self-directed projects, which you have developed with the tutors, as well as live projects and international competitions. You are asked to innovate, take creative risks and challenge social and cultural conventions. You also network with design practitioners, take industry placements, exhibit work and prepare your portfolio for employment.

The course emphasises the generation of new and memorable ideas, led by informed and independent design thinking. This becomes the basis of your creative process. Other study topics can include printmaking, photography, new media, animation and workshop skills.

Assessment

Х coursework Х projects Х essays

Entry requirements

2014 entry requirements

GCSE mathematics and English at grade C or above, plus one of the following

Х 280 points with at least 160 points from two full A levels or BTEC National qualifications, or one AVCE double award. You must have two A levels or BTEC National qualifications in relevant subjects, such as art, design, design technology, textiles and graphics. AS levels and Key Skills may count towards these points.

Х Access Ц an Access to HE Diploma with at least 45 credits at level 3 and 15 credits at level 2. At least 18 level 3 credits must be at merit grade or above, in a media-related programme from a QAA-recognised Access to HE course, or an equivalent Access to HE certificate.

If English is not your first language you must have an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills or equivalent. If your English language skill is currently below IELTS 6.0 we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English score.

If your application is successful, you will be invited to attend a selection event with a portfolio of work to demonstrate your ability. Download our application guidance to ensure you understand the selection process and how to produce a strong application and portfolio.

We welcome applications from people of any age. We may be flexible in our normal offer if you can show a commitment to succeed and have the relevant skills and experience. This must show that you will benefit from and finish the course successfully.

2013 entry requirements

GCSE mathematics and English at grade C or above, plus one of the following

Fees

Home and EU students

2013/14 academic year

For 2013 entry, mandatory UK field trips are included in the course fee.

International students

2013/14 academic year

Typically г10,680 a year

2014/15 academic year

Typically г11,250 a year

How to apply

You apply for this course through UCAS.

Contact details

For more information or to check the progress of your application phone +44 (0)114 225 5555, fax +44 (0)114 225 2167, e-mail admissions@shu.ac.uk