Course Summary
This course aims to builds upon the practices and strengths of the existing Foundation Degree in Graphic Design with specific emphasis the “real-world” demands of the creative industry and advanced levels of commercial and professional awareness. Graduates will have the opportunity to develop a wide range of practical and theoretical skills enabling them to choose to prepare for entry to the creative industries or application to postgraduate study. As there is an increasing need for designers who are adaptable and versatile, the course enables learners to develop either as a specialist or as a type of ‘hybrid designer’ reflecting current needs of the creative industry. The course seeks to produce graduates who will be influential and proactive professional practioners, graphic authors who can take control of individual research and enquiry in pursuits of their aims. Students are encouraged to explore and produce contemporary solutions to Graphic Communication problems, together with an understanding of current practices and a critical knowledge of social, cultural and theoretical background to their field of study.
The programme prepares students for range of professional opportunities in the field of graphic design, advertising, branding, publishing/ e-publishing, typography and digital graphic media.
Our aim is to help our students become creative skilled well-rounded and knowledgeable individuals who are capable of developing and leading in this fast advancing industry. Students are expected to be passionate about graphic design and to challenge design orthodoxy and preconceptions. Students will be encouraged to build a portfolio of work that best demonstrates their skills and appropriately targets their choice of employment or postgraduate aspirations. They will also be expected to enter national design competitions e.g. those of Designers & Art Directors and the International Society of Typographers and Designers.
To enhance the employability of our graduates the course provides a range of direct industry experiences. Students benefit from close links with design agencies in the UK through visiting lecturers/speakers and live/collaborative projects helping them to acquire the professional skills necessary to develop careers in their chosen field. The programme also supports and encourages the development of the entrepreneurial skills and business management skills necessary for freelance practice for those who choose to become self employed.
The course ends with an exhibition to showcase the students work, both locally and in London (“New Blood” exhibition sponsored by Designers & Art Directors). An annual design consultancy award is also offered through a local company which consists of a work-placement in the UK.
Entry Requirements
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Graduates of UCS FdA Graphic Design:
Progression to this programme is an entitlement for all successful graduates of this UCS FdA programme, (i.e. at 240 credits)
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Graduates of foundation degrees or HNDs in the Graphic Design/Communication curriculum area validated by other universities.
Entry is via the Accreditation of Prior Learning process that establishes compatibility of learning outcomes of the respective programmes and it is expected that applicants will present a portfolio of artwork to support their application. It is anticipated that most such programmes in this curriculum area will be counted as 240 credits
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Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL):
The Graphic Design/Communication sector employs many skilled and creative individuals who do not have the above qualifications, but may demonstrate other qualifications together with “experiential learning” and a portfolio of artwork to a level that broadly equates to all, or some of the learning outcomes of a foundation degree. Under UCS regulations such applicants are offered the opportunity to submit a portfolio of evidence that may demonstrate experiential learning to the equivalent of 240 credits. The prior learning may be less than 240 credits, but used in conjunction with appropriate certification (e.g. an HNC Graphic Design valued at 120 credits), the entry requirements may still be met.
Course specific aims
The course specific aims are to provide an intellectually challenging and stimulating educational experience which will:
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develop learner’s creative potential to speculate on new and innovative approaches to their subject specialism.
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appreciate, explore and challenge existing forms of graphic design through independent and collaborative enquiry
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develop learner’s knowledge and critical understanding of the underlying principles and concepts of their field of study and how these relate to a commercial environment;
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develop an understanding of the historical , social cultural and theoretical contextual background to their field of study
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develop an ability think clearly, to construct lines of argument and make sound judgements based upon an ability to evaluate and interpret data
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familiarise themselves with the working environment
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critically evaluate different approaches to solving creative problems in a work context.
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understand the limits of their knowledge and how this should influence their activity in a work context.
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to develop organisational qualities, communication skills necessary for the effective exchange of ideas information and team work.
Course Specific Learning Outcomes
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demonstrate efficient self management, independent and collaborative working methodologies
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apply critical judgements in the utilisation of knowledge of the cultural, historical and social context of the subject.
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demonstrate proficiency in the generation of ideas, concepts and proposals
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critically evaluate research material and apply analytical skills and judgements in the realisation of practical and theoretical work
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select and utilise appropriate materials and techniques, methodologies, media and technologies in the realisation of work.
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demonstrate proficiency in the application of graphic communication and path way specific principles and methodologies
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use visual oral and written communication, presentation and information skills effectively
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place your work within a professional contex
These course aims are broken down into a set of related skills
A Knowledge and Understanding
By the end of the course graduates should be able to:
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the broad critical and contextual dimensions of the student's discipline(s)
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the issues which arise from the artist's or designer's relationship with audiences, clients, markets, users, consumers, and/or participants
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major developments in current and emerging media and technologies in their discipline(s)
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the significance of the work of other practitioners in their discipline(s)
B. Mental or cognitive skills
By the end of the course graduates should be able to:
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demonstrates some ability to generate ideas independently and/or collaboratively in response to set briefs and/or as self-initiated activity
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demonstrate proficiency in observation, investigation, enquiry, visualisation and/or making
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develop ideas through to outcomes that confirm the student's ability to select and use materials, processes and environments
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make connections between intention, process, outcome, context, and methods of dissemination.
C. Subject Specific and Practical Skills
By the end of the course graduates should be able to:
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exercise self-management skills in managing their workloads and meeting deadlines
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accommodate change and uncertainty
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analyse information and experiences, and formulate reasoned arguments
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benefit from the critical judgements of others and recognise their personal strengths and needs
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apply interpersonal and social skills to interact with others
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communicate ideas and information in visual, oral and written forms present ideas and work to their audiences
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apply information skills to navigate, retrieve, and manage information from a variety of sources
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select and employ communication and information technologies
D. Key Skills
Key Skill, also known as graduate key skills, transferrable skills or general skills, comprise communication, information technology, problem solving, numeracy, working with others and improving own learning.
By the end of the course, you should be able to:
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Select, analyse and synthesis information from a range of sources and produce different type of documents
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Participate in discussions and make presentations
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Collect and record data, work with data and present findings
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Prepare, process and present information
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Review the use of information technology
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Develop problem solving strategies for shorter and longer term problems
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Monitor progress and adapt or improve problem solving strategies
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Plan activities with other and work towards identified targets
The following graduate key skills are embedded into this programme:
Improving Own Learning and Performance
LP1 - Develop a strategy for using a range of skills to improve own learning and performance
LP2 - Review and critically reflect on progress
LP3 - Evaluate overall effectiveness of strategy and present achievements
Communication
C1 - Reading, selecting, analysing and synthesising information from a range of sources
C2 - Producing different types of documents
C3 - Participating in discussions
C4 - Making presentations
Numeracy
N1 - Collecting and recording data
N2 - Working with data
N3 - Presenting your findings
Information Technology
IT1 - Preparing information
IT2 - Processing and presenting information
IT3 - Reviewing the use of information technology
Problem-Solving
PS1 - Develop at strategy for using sills in problem-solving, for a short-term routine problem and a long-term extended problem
PS2 - Monitor progress and adept any problem-solving strategy as necessary to achieve the quality of outcomes required when tackling one complex problem with at least three options
PS3 - Evaluate your overall strategy considered in PS2 and consider improvements
Working with Others
WW01 - Planning activities with others
WW02 - Working towards identified targets
Module Framework
Please see below module framework which shows the BA(Hons) structure full-time and part-time. All BA(Hons) modules are worth 20 credits with the exception of the Undergraduate Dissertation which is worth 40 credits.
Full-time Course Structure
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Year 1
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Semester 1
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Semester 2
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New Graphic Media and Technologies
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Final Design Brief
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Commercial Collaboration
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Specialist Pathways
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Undergraduate Dissertation
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Total 120 credits
Part-time Course Structure
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Year 1
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Semester 1
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Semester 2
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New Graphic Media and Technologies
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Specialist Pathways
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Commercial Collaboration
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Year 2
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Semester 1
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Semester 2
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Undergraduate Dissertation
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Final Design Brief
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Teaching, Learning and Assessment
The teaching and learning strategy emphasises the need to:
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respond as effectively as possible to the increasingly diverse nature of the student population resulting from the government widening participation, social inclusion and lifelong learning strategy
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improve the relevance of student learning experiences to the world of work including supporting students in developing key/transferable skills employers are seeking.
Teaching and learning will therefore be guided by the need to acknowledge and cater for the increasingly diverse nature of the student population, each with their own individual objectives in following the programme.
Material will be presented in an appropriate form depending on the nature of the individual or group and the learning environment, whether college or work-based. As practice and facilities develop, this could increasingly contain elements of distributed learning using ‘new’ technologies. This will be accompanied by supervised problem-based learning, project work, seminar discussions, and/or tutorial sessions as best suited to the associated learning environment. Sufficient time will also be allowed for self-directed learning and reflection.
Teaching and learning will proceed through lectures, workshops, case studies, visits, set briefs. There will be extensive use of Wolsey the UCS “virtual learning environment” to enable students to work on set briefs in the library or other points with wireless access either within or outside the campus.
Assessment is based upon course work. Coursework provides the opportunity to meet specific outcomes and evidence of continuity of development. This mode of assessment is established practice across all comparable programmes and is felt to provide an appropriate, fair and detailed basis for both summative and formative assessment of a student’s work. Selected modules have peer-assessed presentations. The assessment regime gives the student variety in their assessment process and allows them to demonstrate such skills as working independently and to agreed deadlines which they will find of use in their prospective careers.
Methods of assessment can be negotiated to meet specific needs of students with disabilities.
The course assessment strategy is one of continuous assessment and reflects a number of considerations. These are:
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Assignments are devised to assess a range of skills and abilities and allow for opportunities to build on student knowledge and experience
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Assessments are fair, valid, appropriate to the level of study and are reasonable in number
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Assessments are based on the aims, learning outcomes, standards and content of the modules
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A variety of assessment methods is used to enhance and develop the student experience, for example, written, oral, and practical.
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A variety of outcomes are used to enhance and develop the student experience. These include: essays, projects, case studies, reports, presentation, business simulations etc.
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Assessments will be both formative and summative, with summative assessments typically comprising 2 to 3 assignments.
Emphasis will be placed upon punctual submission of assignments and the punctual return of graded assignments with constructive feedback. Full feedback will often be given verbally with shortened feedback given in written form.
The nature of the assessment proposed for each module will reflect the level of that module and its academic and practical content.
At level 6 the emphasis of assessments will be upon the extension of understanding within the area of study as well as the application of knowledge and skills to realistic work-related problems.
Timetable
The teaching is divided into two semesters, semester one runs from September to January and Semester Two from February to June. All full-time students are expected to complete 2-3 modules each semester, making five modules in one year. A part-time student will complete 1-2 modules each semester over two years. Students can expect to attend College for 3-4 hours per module for the twelve weeks of the semester and to then spend at least an equivalent amount of time per week in independent study. Students will be provided with weekly timetables when they join the programme. Sessions will run during a normal 9-5 where possible, but additional sessions during twilight hours, evening and/or half-term or other breaks may also be required depending on availability of rooms, resources and staffing.
Teaching location
New purpose-built accommodation within the Leonardo Building, UCS Bury St Edmunds. There is a dedicated suite of Apple Mac computers with industry standard software and high quality colour printing. There is also open access to specialist workshops, e.g. Photography, 3D and Print.
Placements/Work Related Learning/Work Experience
The vocational elements of teaching and learning will be strengthened by visits to differing types of design and creative arts enterprises building on the considerable number of existing links. A proportion of the total programme teaching hours will be delivered by visiting lecturers, i.e. academic and professional practitioners from the sector, all adding to the vocational relevance of the programme.
For the module Collaborative Project, students will be expected to work on a live brief with an external agency. This could be the same company that they worked with on placement at level 5 of the Foundation degree or other organisation in the public, private or voluntary sector. The collaborator should have a defined design requirement and be prepared to inform project research and design development acting as a mentor. The project may be multi-disciplinary, print, digital or a combination of both. The module aims to help students to develop a greater understanding of working practices e.g. technical specification, costing and management of the design production process. Students will be expected to liaise with a client, further developing professional communication skills.
As part of Specialist Study module, The level of engagement required re.subject specific areas of study; will necessitate advanced levels of commercial and professional awareness; and create opportunity to enter national awards/competitions, work with community and industrial contexts, and develop declarations of interest which will be presented as part of the final graduate portfolio/exhibition.
National competitions include D&AD, ISTD & YCN. Students will work on live briefs set by leading clients and agencies, the winners receiving cash prizes, credit and exposure in design annuals which are mailed to design agencies world-wide, a significant career development opportunity for graduates of this programme.
Tutorial and Study Support
Personal tutorials are arranged on a rotational basis to ensure at least two full tutorials per student per semester. This structure may alter while project work is taking place (on or off campus), depending on the nature of the work, the level of mentor/tutor support required etc.
One-to-one tutorials are organised within modules when appropriate. In addition to personal tutorials. Students are supported by the Student Welfare section that offers assistance on matters relating to accommodation, finance, tuition fees, loans, careers and progression etc.
Student Union representation is available across the UCS network.
The UCS Bury St Edmunds campus has a well stocked library for Graphic Communication and students have full access to UCS online resources through the UCS “virtual learning environment” (Wolsey).
Opporunitites on Completion of the Course
Learners successfully completing the BA (hons) may consider progression onto a Masters Degree programme at an appropriate UK institution.
The inclusion of work-related learning elements is intended to increase the employability profile of learners and they should be well prepared to seek professional employment in the Graphic Communication/design sector, e.g. advertising, branding, publishing/e-publishing, illustration, packaging, typography and digital media.