BA (Hons) Graphic Design and BA (Hons) Graphic Design (Graphic Illustration) courses are taught in the Arts Building, Ipswich. A dedicated Graphic Design Studio forms the main base for lectures, seminars, crits and workshops, as well as for self-directed study beyond timetabled sessions. It is furnished with networked iMacs, WiFi, light-boxes, scanning equipment, and state of the art audio/visual equipment.
Digital workshops are taught from two computer suites located adjacent to the Graphic Design Studio. Each has 20 networked iMac and MacPro machines, all running Adobe CS5. These rooms have generous open access outside formal taught sessions, including late night and Saturday opening. Supporting this dedicated Arts Building digital provision, the UCS Waterfront Building allows students 24-hour access to iMacs located on its third floor. Additionally, there are colour laser printers and scanners available throughout all buildings on the Ipswich campus.
Through taught sessions and open access, students also use dedicated printmaking and 3D workshops on the ground floor of the Arts Building. Equipment such as camcorders, and digital SLR cameras can be borrowed for evening and weekend use. These, as well as large scale printing facilities, can be accessed from the School technicians’ office. This forms the first point of call for all extra technical support outside of curriculum delivery and is run by a friendly and highly skilled team.
The Student Union shop, selling art and design materials, and the UCS library, are located close to the Arts Building. The library hosts a very wide range of Graphic Design books and journals, and stock is constantly updated to respond to the release of contemporary publications. The library also houses group working pods equipped with iMacs and PCs, a dedicated iMac Suite, as well as the Learning Development Centre where students can get extra support with their written work from dedicated support staff.
Contextual modules are taught in the Waterfront Building, which enjoys state of the art lecture theatres, a Student Union cafe and the UCS gallery where both students and staff; as well as visiting artists, designers and photographers; exhibit their work.
The School of Arts and Humanities runs a weekly visiting lecture programme in one of the Waterfront Building’s 160 seat Lecture Theatres. Local, regional, national and international artists, designers, photographers, writers and historians are invited to discuss their work as additional input to course curriculums. Recent Graphic Design speakers have included typographer and designer Jonathan Barnbrook, illustrator Brian Grimwood, Barney Bubbles biographer Paul Gorman, and graphic novel publisher Doug Wallace.