Graphic Design FdA FdA

About the course

On this course you will have the opportunity to develop your creative and technical skills in graphic design. You will undertake a range of vocational projects which challenge you to provide communication and design solutions in the areas of publishing, advertising, corporate work, publicity information and new and emerging media.

Ideas are at the heart of the course and there is a strong emphasis on practical experimental work. You will be challenged to respond to vocational based briefs in a creative and considered way, evaluating and analysing your work as you progress. This course will develop both your creative and technical skills and at all stages you will be taught how to use established and emerging media through workshops, tutorials and seminars delivered by experienced industry professionals.

Through contextual studies and an ongoing seminar programme you will be introduced to the issues of analysis, aesthetic and theoretical frameworks as used in this industry. Through the course's emphasis on work-based learning you will be encouraged to find work placements and job shadowing with industry professionals. You will be working in teams to simulate industry practice across the two years and hone your presentation and communication skills. Through our excellent links with industry, both local and national, you will be regularly visited and supported by leading members of the design community.

Why choose this course?

This programme aims to develop your creativity and skills in carrying out projects to meet the needs of clients and audiences. In addition the programme will provide you with:

• the knowledge and skills to embark on a career in the creative and cultural industries;
• opportunities for work-based learning and experience in the creative arts and cultural industries;
• an opportunity to gain a nationally recognised qualification in two years of full-time study;
• a progression route to the final year of appropriate honours degree programmes at the University of Hertfordshire.

Study routes

• Full Time, 2 Years
• Full Time,

Locations

• Hertford Regional College
• West Herts College

Careers

When you successfully complete the course, you may wish to progress directly into employment or to a BA Honours degree Graphic Design or Illustration at the University of Hertfordshire. Students are eligible to progress to the final year of a BA honours, and will be supported by college and University staff in making their decision.

Teaching methods

Modules include: business environment; introduction to people management; business finance; decision making tools; marketing fundamentals; investigative methods; organisational behaviour; e-business and marketing planning. In addition all students will study a cohesive set of work-based learning modules starting with maximising potential and career planning in year one and culminating with a double work-based learning project in year two.

Structure

Year 1

Core Modules

• Creative Languages (HRC)

  This is a 15-credit module delivered during semester B of the level 4 programme. The focus of this module is about creativity in action, and learning from the experts. You will take a look at several well-known practitioners in your broad subject area, concentrating on their expressive languages, comparing them with each other, and relating them to your own ideas. You will then produce a body of your own work where you build on this study and extend your own repertoire of ideas, ready to be incorporated into project work in other modules.

• Creative Languages (WHC)

  This is a 15-credit module delivered during semester B of the level 4 programme. The focus of this module is about creativity in action, and learning from the experts. You will take a look at several well-known practitioners in your broad subject area, concentrating on their expressive languages, comparing them with each other, and relating them to your own ideas. You will then produce a body of your own work where you build on this study and extend your own repertoire of ideas, ready to be incorporated into project work in other modules.

• Creative Problem Solving (HRC)

  This is a 30-credit module delivered during semester A of the level 4 programme. The module is designed to prepare you for further study and for the workplace you will eventually enter. You will gain an understanding of key production processes and professional practices relevant to your specialist subject and the cultural and creative industries, in addition to learning methods of conceptualising creativity and authorship.

• Creative Problem Solving (WHC)

  This is a 30-credit module delivered during semester A of the level 4 programme. The module is designed to prepare you for further study and for the workplace you will eventually enter. You will gain an understanding of key production processes and professional practices relevant to your specialist subject and the cultural and creative industries, in addition to learning methods of conceptualising creativity and authorship.

• Creative Vocational Practice (Graphic Design) (HRC)

  This is a 30-credit module delivered in semester B of the level 4 programme. The module focuses on building your professional and creative skills in realising and presenting a typical graphic design brief. You will examine and analyse reference materials and visual references from publishing, advertising, corporate work, publicity information and emerging media, and use these to develop your own understanding and concepts. You will learn to use a range of digital and non-digital techniques, including specialist software. Using the design cycle of research, visual referencing and concept generation, these techniques will enable you to bring your own concepts to fruition. You will be expected to include consideration of aesthetics, ethics and function within your designs. In the process you will gain an understanding of the requirements of fulfilling a graphic design brief including audience/client needs and expectations, time management, and internal and external constraints. You will develop the skills necessary for professional presentation and a self-evaluation of your performance.

• Creative Vocational Practice (Graphic Design) (WHC)

  This is a 30-credit module delivered in semester B of the level 4 programme. The module focuses on building your professional and creative skills in realising and presenting a typical graphic design brief. You will examine and analyse reference materials and visual references from publishing, advertising, corporate work, publicity information and emerging media, and use these to develop your own understanding and concepts. You will learn to use a range of digital and non-digital techniques, including specialist software. Using the design cycle of research, visual referencing and concept generation, these techniques will enable you to bring your own concepts to fruition. You will be expected to include consideration of aesthetics, ethics and function within your designs. In the process you will gain an understanding of the requirements of fulfilling a graphic design brief including audience/client needs and expectations, time management, and internal and external constraints. You will develop the skills necessary for professional presentation and a self-evaluation of your performance.

• Historical and Contemporary Context (HRC)

  This is a 15-credit module, running during semester A of the level 4 programme, which will introduce you to several historical and contemporary periods or movements from your discipline and the creative works which they produced. The cultural contexts in which these works were produced will be examined to identify the ways in which the time, place and conditions of their production influence and shape creativity and practice. You will then develop your research abilities, critical faculties and academic skills so that you can investigate, analyse and present your case effectively. Together these will develop your own creative, cultural and critical understanding.

• Historical and Contemporary Context (WHC)

  This is a 15-credit module, running during semester A of the level 4 programme, which will introduce you to several historical and contemporary periods or movements from your discipline and the creative works which they produced. The cultural contexts in which these works were produced will be examined to identify the ways in which the time, place and conditions of their production influence and shape creativity and practice. You will then develop your research abilities, critical faculties and academic skills so that you can investigate, analyse and present your case effectively. Together these will develop your own creative, cultural and critical understanding.

• WBL: Developing Professional and Employability Skills (HRC)

  This is a 30-credit module running through semesters A and B of the level 4 programme. The focus of this module, is planning your career and developing employability and professional skills. You will take a closer look at the creative and cultural sector to identify a route that reflects your strengths and preferences. You will prepare for progression by looking at job-hunting techniques, networking and self-promotion. You will also articulate your skills and knowledge to create an action plan for progression using appropriate report writing skills.

• WBL: Developing Professional and Employability Skills (WHC)

  This is a 30-credit module running through semesters A and B of the level 4 programme. The focus of this module, is planning your career and developing employability and professional skills. You will take a closer look at the creative and cultural sector to identify a route that reflects your strengths and preferences. You will prepare for progression by looking at job-hunting techniques, networking and self-promotion. You will also articulate your skills and knowledge to create an action plan for progression using appropriate report writing skills.

Optional

Year 2

Core Modules

• Business Practice and Entrepreneurship

  You may already have a great idea that you think will make money, or you may develop a creative idea with some of your fellow students. Working in teams or partnerships you will design a business plan and marketing strategy, whilst discovering and developing the entrepreneurial skills needed to communicate these successfully to your potential customers.

• Business Practice and Entrepreneurship

  You may already have a great idea that you think will make money, or you may develop a creative idea with some of your fellow students. Working in teams or partnerships you will design a business plan and marketing strategy, whilst discovering and developing the entrepreneurial skills needed to communicate these successfully to your potential customers.

• Contextual Study HRC

  As we progress through our creative education we all develop strong views on the way other people do things compared to how we do them ourselves. We may feel a sense of injustice at the way so many products end up as landfill when they could be designed to be recycled, or because we feel that TV is ignoring a social issue that disadvantages sections of the population. We may feel that a particular artist/designer/director is undervalued and that we want to do something about this. Creative people tend to have strong views, and these often have considerable influence in and beyond the creative sector. This module allows you to articulate an argument connected with your own practice, and to add your perspective to the debate, possibly by building on ideas that you have touched on in the Cultural Context module in the first year.

• Contextual Study WHC

  As we progress through our creative education we all develop strong views on the way other people do things compared to how we do them ourselves. We may feel a sense of injustice at the way so many products end up as landfill when they could be designed to be recycled, or because we feel that TV is ignoring a social issue that disadvantages sections of the population. We may feel that a particular artist/designer/director is undervalued and that we want to do something about this. Creative people tend to have strong views, and these often have considerable influence in and beyond the creative sector. This module allows you to articulate an argument connected with your own practice, and to add your perspective to the debate, possibly by building on ideas that you have touched on in the Cultural Context module in the first year.

• Specialist Graphic Design Project 2A HRC

  By now you will have a good idea of your creative and professional strengths and weaknesses. You will now be ready to start managing your own affairs, so you will be able to negotiate your own project brief for this module. You will carry out the whole process from brief to final product/performance, evaluate it and present it. Although this is a practical module there is an underlying theme of project planning and management. The title of this module will reflect the award you are studying: e.g. * Specialist Fashion & Textiles Project 2A * Specialist Fine Art Project 2A * Specialist Graphic Design Project 2A * Specialist Illustration Project 2A * Specialist 3D Design Project 2A * Specialist Media Project 2A * Specialist Photography Project 2A * Specialist Performing Arts Project 2A

• Specialist Graphic Design Project 2B HRC

  This is a 30 credit module that gives you the opportunity to put all your experience and learning together in a project that confirms you as a creative professional. To ensure that you meet the module requirements the brief will be negotiated between you and your tutors. In some disciplines this project will form the main part of your end of course show. The title of this module will reflect the award you are studying: e.g. * Specialist Fashion & Textiles Project 2B * Specialist Fine Art Project 2B * Specialist Graphic Design Project 2B * Specialist Illustration Project 2B * Specialist 3D Design Project 2B * Specialist Media Project 2B * Specialist Photography Project 2B * Specialist Performing Arts Project 2B

• Specialist Graphic Design Project 2B WHC

  This is a 30 credit module that gives you the opportunity to put all your experience and learning together in a project that confirms you as a creative professional. To ensure that you meet the module requirements the brief will be negotiated between you and your tutors. In some disciplines this project will form the main part of your end of course show. The title of this module will reflect the award you are studying: e.g. * Specialist Fashion & Textiles Project 2B * Specialist Fine Art Project 2B * Specialist Graphic Design Project 2B * Specialist Illustration Project 2B * Specialist 3D Design Project 2B * Specialist Media Project 2B * Specialist Photography Project 2B * Specialist Performing Arts Project 2B

• Specialist Projects 2A: Graphic Design

  By now you will have a some idea of your creative and professional strengths and weaknesses. You will now be ready to build on previous experiences and carry out processes from brief to final product/performance, evaluate it and present it. Although this is a practical module there is an underlying theme of project planning and management. The title of this module will reflect the award you are studying: e.g. * Specialist Fashion & Textiles Project 2A * Specialist Fine Art Project 2A * Specialist Graphic Design Project 2A * Specialist Illustration Project 2A * Specialist 3D Design Project 2A * Specialist Media Project 2A * Specialist Photography Project 2A * Specialist Performing Arts Project 2A

• Work Based Learning Project HRC

  This is a 30-credit module, and it runs through both semesters of the second year of your programme. You are required to work with an employer on a project that meets their needs whilst allowing you to express and develop your professional skills and understanding. You might well have set this up in the first year during Work Based Learning 1B, but if not, you will have other opportunities to do this. The project will be shaped by negotiation between you, your tutors and the employer. It may be carried out on the employers premises but this will depend on the type of project that is agreed.

• Work Based Learning Project WHC

  This is a 30-credit module, and it runs through both semesters of the second year of your programme. You are required to work with an employer on a project that meets their needs whilst allowing you to express and develop your professional skills and understanding. You might well have set this up in the first year during Work Based Learning 1B, but if not, you will have other opportunities to do this. The project will be shaped by negotiation between you, your tutors and the employer. It may be carried out on the employer s premises but this will depend on the type of project that is agreed.

Optional

Fees & funding

Fees 2013

UK/EU Students

Full time: £5,000 for the 2013 academic year

International Students

Discounts are available for International students if payment is made in full at registration

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Other financial support

Find out more about other financial support available to UK and EU students

Living costs / accommodation

The University of Hertfordshire offers a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

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How to apply