Be inspired, think creatively, respond to change, be innovative, develop solutions, captivate, articulate, entertain and inspire! This course offers a broad experience of graphic design with the opportunity to specialise from the end of the first year in one of three pathways, Communication with Advertising, Illustration or Motion and Interactivity.
Our graduate employment profile is excellent and through enhancements offered such as live briefs, networking events, exhibitions and competitions there are many opportunities to engage both with the local vibrant creative community and on a national and global scale, optimised by our new facilities at MediaCityUK.
We support students to develop idea led solutions, embracing the digital and at the same time preserving traditional processes such as bookbinding and printmaking. Teaching is informed by research and academic staff contribute to international conferences, exhibitions, books and papers. Student learning is facilitated through a range of workshops, seminars and lectures with additional support from a team of demonstrators.
The curriculum covers a broad range of specialist skills in areas such as creative thinking, typography, branding, copywriting, art direction, print-making, image making, bookbinding, photography, motion design, design for multiple platforms, ambient media, interactive and multimedia design, editing, compositing, 3-D digital, app design, ezine and e-book design, online marketing, guerrilla marketing, viral Marketing and social media.
The graphic design course engages with a number of external activities such as Designers Northern Alliance and Hub Salford. We also have our own course blog (http://www.artdes.salford.ac.uk/our-courses/graphic-design-ba/blogs.html) with updates on activities.
The course provides an integrated structure to facilitate the development of your personal practice and progress from level to level.
There is a common first year through which we aim to broaden your experience of graphic design, explore new possibilities and test your creative boundaries. Students are supported to develop fundamental skills in research and creative thinking through briefs, which introduce a range of skills and processes within graphic design such as printmaking bookbinding typography as well as software skills. You will be asked to keep a blog throughout the programme and this facilitates the development of communication skills and the ability to articulate ideas, reflect on practice and make decisions on progression to the next level and this is supported by tutors.
Students build on specialist skills through their chosen pathway in area such as copywriting, typography, branding, narrative development, time and sequence, applying their experience to undertake live and competition briefs. There is a focus on conceptual thinking and core modules support areas of cross over, all students are asked to contextualise their practice and to continue to develop digital skills. There is a focus on industry engagement at this level with networking events and exhibitions.
Students continue to refine skills with continued opportunity to engage with industry but also to develop a personal direction and line of enquiry for your work with a negotiated major project and a dissertation. You continue to articulate your practice and direction as a designer making supported decisions about your planned progression on graduation. You will have the opportunity to develop independent working skills to engage in life long learning but also are encouraged to develop experience of collaborative practice.
Year One
Semester 1
Visual Communication
This module is centred around visual exploration, drawing as a research tool and the interpretation and translation of an idea through visual means. A broadened awareness of the concepts, methods and techniques involved in the process of creating imagery, will enable a fuller appreciation of the potential of the visual to communicate information.
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Exploring Graphic Communication
This module presents a broad view of graphic communication and media independence. Contemporary practice will be explored against the notion that the subject is constantly involved in change, hence you are encouraged to investigate and explore the boundaries of commercial, experimental, mixed-media, print and screen-based fields.
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Professional Contexts 1
You will be encouraged to develop interpersonal skills and to demonstrate an awareness of opportunities provided by the course while gaining an understanding of the relevant working procedures and the professional activities of the creative industries. The module will also provide practice in team work and introduce and explore the nature of research, self awareness and further study.
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Exploring Issues in Design: Graphic Design
This module provides an examination of key movements and designers, as well as an exploration of wider cultural influences on design, of the 20th and 21st centuries. The module will consider significant design movements and theories within an historical and cultural framework in order to reflect on contemporary practice.
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Semester 2
Graphic Communication for Context
This module aims to develop an awareness of the contextual factors, which affect graphic design practice. You are encouraged to give due consideration of your responsibility to both client and audience within studio based project(s). You are introduced to the constraints inherent in designing for client, audience and marketplace alike.
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Directions within Graphic Communication
This module introduces the Graphic Design pathways in Communication, Illustration and Motion Graphics and Interactive Design. Through themed collaborative project work and introductory workshops you produce work which explores the differences and commonalities between the specialist pathways. By the end of the module you select your pathway for years 2 and 3 with tutorial guidance.
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Professional Contexts 1 (continued)
Further developing the knowledge and skills you acquired in semester 1.
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Exploring issues in design: graphic design (continued)
Further developing the knowledge and skills you acquired in semester 1.
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Year Two
Semester 1 (Depending on which pathway you choose)
Fundamentals of Communication
This intensive module will introduce a wider range of distinct professional practices and challenge you to explore, experiment, re-evaluate and redefine the connections and tensions that occur when dealing with the relationship between image and text.
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Fundamentals of Illustration
This module explores the scope of contemporary narrative illustration and conceptual image making, by creative experimentation and utilisation of technical skills and media applications. You will gain valuable insight into the working practices of the illustrator. Preconceptions will be challenged as will be the very notion of illustration alongside a broad view of the effect and appropriateness of media demands, potential and translation.
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Fundamentals of Motion Graphics and Interactivity
This module requires you to develop creative and innovative ways of effectively communicating with and engaging with the audience and users. You are encouraged to develop original solutions, through practice and reflection, taking risks and resolving visual communication problems to find appropriate solutions using an experimental approach to technology.
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International Contexts: Communication
This module is designed to encourage you to draw together your growing experience of design with a developing awareness of the wider international context of contemporary graphic design practice. Through a series of case studies, research and primary contact, you are enabled to establish an appreciation of international clients and practices.
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International Contexts: Illustration
This module is designed to encourage you to draw together your growing experience of illustration with a developing awareness of the wider international context of contemporary illustration practice. Through a series of case studies, research and primary contact, you are enabled to establish an appreciation of international clients and practices.
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International Contexts: Motion and Interactivity
This module is designed to encourage you to draw together your growing experience of motion graphics and interactive design with a developing awareness of the wider international context of graphic design practice. Through a series of case studies, research and primary contact, you gain an appreciation of international clients and practices.
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Professional Contexts 2
This module introduces further professional knowledge and context allowing the you to apply and develop your knowledge and skills while gaining an understanding of the relevant working procedures, functions and the professional activities of the creative industries.
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Dialogues in Design: Graphic Design
This module asks you to find your position in debates around key ideas in design and visual culture. Building on your knowledge of the ideologies and aesthetics of the 20th and 21st centuries, you will engage in dialogue in order to critique design and the visual within an historical and cultural framework.
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Semester 2
Processes of Communication
The module requires you to work in teams to produce an outcome which reflects the creative potential of web based design in relation to the criteria and challenges presented by 'live' industry related briefs. You must show an understanding of sophisticated computing technology for the web in conjunction with aesthetic judgements involved in the design process.
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Processes of Illustration
This module is designed to analyse the complex and multifunctional role of images within current practice, through personal research, concept development and media handling. It will also enhance the principles of team working in relation to either personal or live industry related briefs.
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Processes of Motion and Interactivity
This module is designed to analyse the complex and multifunctional role of media within current graphic design practice, through personal research, concept development and media handling. It will also enhance the principles of team working in relation to either personal or live industry related briefs.
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Professional Practice for Communication, Illustration and Motion and Interactivity
This module encourages a liaison between you and industry in the form of a professional placement which allows you to apply and develop your knowledge and skills gained on the course while gaining an understanding of the relevant working procedures of industry and the professional activities of graphic designers within the field of motion and interactivity.
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Professional Contexts 2 (continued)
Further developing the skills and knowledge you learned in year 2, semester 1.
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Dialogues in Design: Graphic Design (continued)
Further developing the skills and knowledge you learned in year 2, semester 1.
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Year Three
Semester 1 (Depending on which pathway you have chosen)
Advanced Communication 1
For this module you select from a range of vocational design projects or undertake a national design award scheme. All projects on offer will require high levels of research and analysis. Of particular importance is a sophisticated understanding of the contemporary and professional constraints of concept, design and production.
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Advanced Illustration 1
For this module you select from a range of illustration projects or undertake a national design award scheme. All projects on offer will require high levels of research and analysis. The projects will develop particular aspects of the subject (editorial illustration, book jackets, illustration for design and publishing etc). Of particular importance is a sophisticated understanding of the contemporary and professional constraints of concept, design and production.
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Advanced Motion and Interactivity 1
For this module you select from a given range of vocational graphic design projects or undertake a national design award scheme. All projects on offer will require high levels of research and analysis. Of particular importance is a sophisticated understanding of the contemporary and professional constraints of concept, design and production.
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Advanced Communication 2
This module builds on the previous module and provides you with the opportunity to further develop specialist interest within the broad remit of the graphic design industry. Particular importance is placed on the understanding of diversity in professional practice, concept development, design and production of work all measured against realistic constraints of time, budget and project management.
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Advanced Illustration 2
This module provides you with the opportunity to further develop specialist interest within the broad remit of the illustration industry. Particular importance is placed on the understanding of diversity in professional practice, concept development, design and production of images all measured against realistic constraints of time, budget and project management.
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Advanced Motion and Interactivity 2
This module builds on the previous module and provides you with the opportunity to further develop specialist interest within the broad remit of the digital media and graphic design industry. Particular importance is placed on the understanding of diversity in professional practice, concept development, design and production of work all measured against realistic constraints of time, budget and project management.
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Professional Contexts 3
This module enables you to articulate a personal agenda, build your portfolios, focus on self promotion and contextualise your work in relation to current key critical and professional debates.
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Negotiated Theory: Visual Culture
Negotiated Theory provides an opportunity for you to engage in a detailed examination of an aspect of visual culture of interest to you. You are encouraged to explore connections between your proposed study and your studio practice in a connected but distinct programme, thereby underpinning and strengthening your own practice and providing an intensification of understanding.
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Semester 2
Negotiated Major Project: Communication, Illustration, Motion and Interactivity
Negotiated Studies as the final major project is designed to allow you to synthesise your experiences on the course through the definition, negotiation and implementation of a self-directed programme of investigation, research and development leading to the presentation of a major project.
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Professional Contexts 3 (continued)
Further developing the skills and knowledge you learned in year 3, semester 1.
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Negotiated Theory: Visual Culture
Further developing the skills and knowledge you learned in year 3, semester 1.
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