Graphic Design MA

This module challenges you to define your advanced design aspirations, explore design perspectives, use strategic design processes and visually research and expand your interests, in line with your professional goals.

Focus will be placed on visual and other research findings to identify new ways of shaping conceptual thinking in order to create work within a range of ‘mini topics’ through physical engagement, evaluation and experience-based design. The aim is to initiate processes that interrogate the relationship between subject, context, audience and user, through modes of visual communication that constitute and also align with Graphic Design. The focus of study will be centred around multi-cultural viewpoints, traditional cultures in design, social and environmental impact, and the effect on place and region, to reflect the global perspective of the international student cohort.

This module aims to develop you as a confident researcher and communicator and to provide a showcase opportunity for the student to engage in peer review and public debate as a means for professional development and consolidation of the research scope, methods, context, and practice of your Master’s project.

We are regularly reviewing and updating our programmes to ensure you have the best learning experience. We are taking what we have learnt during the pandemic and enhancing our teaching methods with new and innovative ways of learning.

We aim to model a wide range of teaching strategies and approaches on the course which you can adapt to your own setting.

How is the MA Graphic Design taught?

This course is flexibly designed to put you at the centre of your learning by using a range of teaching and assessment approaches that take into account your individual interests, abilities and ambitions as a graphic designer.

The MA Graphic Design can be studied in person, by distance learning or through a flexible mix of both modes. If you intend to study through the distance learning mode this should be indicated on your application form. This means you can also tailor not just what you learn but also how you learn. Please complete the same application form and we’ll contact you in September to understand your preference.

Note: for international students, if you intend to apply for a student route visa to study this course, you will only be able to undertake the in person on campus option

Each module is designed to build on from each other or feed into each other, enabling you to build on specific interests, identify areas of graphic design you wish to work within, and develop collaborative partnerships, to build opportunities to embed work within an industry setting or network for future industry opportunities.

As part of your learning, you'll be required to actively participate in activities and engage with your fellow students, both individually and collaboratively, working and learning as part of a small group and as an individual designer.

The course promotes curiosity and encourages you to actively take risks to discover new opportunities, to tackle ambitious, innovative and contemporary design themes that meet the needs of tomorrow's designers to take a lead role in the creative industries.

Outside of these hours, you’ll be expected to do independent study where you read, listen and reflect on other learning activities. This can include preparation for future classes. In a year, you’ll typically be expected to commit 1200 hours to your course across all styles of learning. If you are taking a placement, you might have some additional hours.

Definitions of terms

• Live in-person on campus learning – This will focus on active and experiential sessions that are both:
  • Led by your tutors including seminars, lab sessions and demonstrations We’ll schedule all of this for you
  • Student-led by you and other students, like small group work and presentations.
• Live online learning – This will include lectures, tutorials and supervision sessions led by your tutor and timetabled by us. It also includes student-led group work that takes place online
• Tutor set learning activities – This covers activities which will be set for you by your tutor, but which you will undertake in your own time. Examples of this include watching online materials, participating in an online discussion forum, completing a virtual laboratory or reading specific texts. You may be doing this by yourself of with your course mates depending on your course and assignments. Outside of these hours, you’ll also be expected to do further independent study where you’ll be expected to learn, prepare, revise and reflect in your own time.

You will be based at our north London campus, online or both.

Your skills, knowledge and understanding will be entirely assessed by coursework including practical projects, oral presentations and supporting written work. There are no exams. Your major project will require you to develop a design project of your choice.

You have a strong support network available to you to make sure you develop all the necessary academic skills you need to do well on your course.

Our support services will be delivered online and on campus and you have access to a range of different resources so you can get the help you need, whether you’re studying at home or have the opportunity to come to campus.

You have access to one to one and group sessions for personal learning and academic support from our library and IT teams, and our network of learning experts. Our teams will also be here to offer financial advice, and personal wellbeing, mental health and disability support.