Welcome to your Graphic Design course

In September you will embark on an exciting learning journey that will explore the world of visual communication. You will work with your tutors to create a plethora of design outputs across a range of modules, collaborate with your class peers and be a valued member of our creative community. You will get the opportunity to be led by leading academics in their specialist fields, experience studio life in our wonderful large learning space and be introduced to guest lectures, visit design agencies and immerse yourself in a range of workshops and specialist software instruction.

Over the next three years you will become equipped to enter this dynamic industry.

Exciting times ahead!

We don’t set you a summer task, all that we ask is that you observe your surroundings and mentally keep a record of good design examples that you see on a daily basis. Stay curious, explorative and passionate about your subject and this is what we want to see in bucket loads when you join us in September.

Our advice to you is have a good summer, stay observant, read relevant material from our reading list and join us with excitement ready for your fantastic learning journey in Graphic Design.

We have a wonderful on-campus library which you will be able to access in person and online. Many of the books and journals on your reading list will be accessed freely through the library resources.

If you want to get a head start with creativity and design inspiration over the summer take a pick of one or two from the following:

Reading list

Know Your Onions Graphic Design Drew de Soto BIS Publishers 2011

Graphic Design A Concise History Richard Hollis Thames & Hudson

The Fundamentals of Creative Design. Ambrose/Harris AVA Academia 2009

Visual Communication Design – Davis Hunt – Bloomsbury press 2017

The Fundamentals of Creative Advertising. AVA Academia 2011

Ideation. Nik Mahon. AVA Academia 2010

A Smile in the Mind. Mc Alhone & Stuart. Phaidon

Why Shrink Wrap a Cucumber? Miller & Aldgridge. Lauwrence King

Online Free Content

https://www.itsnicethat.com

https://www.creativereview.co.uk

https://www.creativebloq.com

https://theinspirationgrid.com

Equipment and materials can be acquired as you work through the course, they do not necessarily have to be purchased at the start of your course and what you require will vary in quantity and range depending on the work you carry out.

For your first day, if you can be prepared with an A3 layout pad and notepad and fine liner pens that would be ace. Also bring a diary or if you use your phone/tablet to make diary dates then bring that. This will help you organise your week and help you know where you need to be when.

Please familiarise yourself with MS Teams before your first day and make sure you have access to an internet connected device such as a laptop, tablet, PC, Mac. This will enable any online contact we may need to facilitate. Once you have enrolled with the University you are able to access a range of software that is licensed for use by students including MS Teams.

The university has its own art shop so you will also be able to buy things as and when you need them so don’t worry about stocking up too much before you join us.

We have Apple Macs in our dedicated studio for your use and there are other computers around the University too. As the course progresses it is useful to have your own laptop with access to relevant software, but you will have access to all IT equipment and software over the three years in the studio space and other digital labs throughout the university campus. We instruct you on Apple Mac computers in the use of Adobe Creative Suite. If you have a desire to purchase new equipment in advance, then make contact with the University and we can make recommendations for you.

Download software

You will have the opportunity to join educational trips during your three years of academic study. We have recently returned from a cross-course trip to New York City and there will be a chance for you to be involved with UK, European and International course and department trips.

In November, there will be a visit to galleries and museums with your level 4 peers from illustration. This experience will help familiarise you with your creative community and enhance your learning possibilities.

If you’d like to have a sneak preview of what we get up to, head over to our Instagram pages at staffsgraphic and you’ll get an insight into design outputs, trips and you will see a collection of friendly staff an student faces. Feel free to follow us or send us a hello post or DM