Excel as a creative visual thinker and communicator. Study a wide range of modules covering topics including visual communication, motion design and visual effects, and experience design. Graduate with a portfolio of work that showcases your creative development and skills, all of which will impress prospective employers.
Overview
Our passionate and highly experienced staff understand how to nurture talent and are dedicated to building your confidence, knowledge and design skills that will help you to succeed within the creative industries. We have fantastic facilities, award-winning students and alumni, and a focus on employability and cutting-edge professional skills.
The Graphic Design team combine teaching with professional practice in a variety of fields including: graphic design, branding, illustration, exhibition and experience design, editorial, print, web and mobile interface, packaging, 3D (digital/physical/Augmented Reality (AR)/Virtual Reality (VR)), animation and motion graphics. Each bring their industry insights and experience directly into teaching and, when coupled with influential guest speakers, enriches your student experience and ensures that the course meets the needs of an exciting and dynamic industry.
Why us?
- Our Design courses are award-winning - our most recent successes include 'The Best In Show' award at Design and Art Direction, a Global Association for Creative Advertising and Design; seven nominations for the Creative Conscience Awards and the Adobe Students Creative Awards
- Internationally acclaimed guest speakers from across the design world, such as Andy Altmann (Why Not Associates) and Andy Sandoz, an Honorary graduate and former president of the internationally influential Design and Art Direction. More guest speakers can be found on our Creative Lives page
- Access to outstanding facilities including FabLab Sunderland, which is part of a global network of digital fabrication spaces; glass/ceramic expertise and a water-jet cutter at the National Glass Centre; a rare and comprehensive traditional print studio; and extensive pre-production, process, finishing equipment and technical support
Course structure
Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, group work and e-learning, with support and a structure that helps you develop independent study skills. You'll take advantage of the University's specialist learning communities, knowledge structures, facilities, computer suites and enhanced techniques to develop a command of core and advanced creative skillsets.
Year 1 focuses on skills and knowledge acquisition and development, applied across a comprehensive range of techniques, both studio and software-based. Moving into year 2, you'll focus on idea and conceptual development, while honing technical skills for a broad range of print and screen-based outcomes.
You'll have the opportunity to apply to undertake an optional placement year out in industry between your second and final year, this is sometimes known as a sandwich degree.
In your final year, professional practice is underpinned by further theoretical, conceptual and technical development that culminates in a major project that defines your practice, interests, skills and knowledge.
Part-time study
If you study this course on a part-time basis you'll typically complete 40-80 credits in a year, rather than the 120 credits of full-time students. All modules are taught during the normal working hours and you will be studying as a member of the full-time cohort.
Facilities
This course is based at the Priestman Building, the main base for art, design, and performance on City Campus. Thanks to a major renovation programme, the Priestman Building provides state-of-the-art teaching space and resources as part of a vibrant and creative learning environment.
Career ready
Throughout the course we'll support you to launch your design career. You'll develop a creative and industry-ready portfolio, access work placements, attend employability days and put your designs on show to the public.
On modules such as ‘Graphic Design and Professional Practice', you'll also receive valuable advice on a variety of work-related topics. These range from costing and business plans to going freelance, self-promotion, self-employment, enterprise, careers, networking and copyright issues.
You'll also develop a Professional Engagement Document. This highlights all your self-development activities and engagement with industry, as well as other factors that give you an edge compared to other graduates.
Career options
Our graduates have gone on to work all over the globe in graphic design, editorial, infographics, motion graphics, advertising, web, packaging, experience and interactive design. Our graduates boast employment at Everything Different, Ordinance Survey, MTV, Sitel Group, Newcastle Football Club, Sports Direct, Initials Marketing, Cravens, Blumilk, Frontier (games) and SEGA. Most work in the creative industries of publishing, design consultancies and advertising design, while others prefer self-employment.
This creative degree can also open doors into many other careers, such as teaching, or further study to Masters or Doctorate level.
Real-world experience
We encourage you to participate in competitions and award schemes including those run by the Design and Art Directors Association (of which we are a corporate member). Such competitions are part of building up a compelling creative portfolio.
In your final year you'll display your work at our annual Degree Show, attended by industry experts and potential employers. You may also have the opportunity to take your work to London.
In addition, our academic team organises visits to arts venues across the UK and in cities such as Edinburgh, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Paris and New York. Our London campus hosts a visit each year, providing access to the varied museums and galleries and opportunities to visit studios such as JRK Global, Anyways and Ogilvy.
Employability days and guest speakers
We hold specific ‘employability days’ to help give our students that essential cutting edge. We invite graduates and employers to come into the University in order to look at student portfolios and give advice.
Through our links with industry, we also attract professionals in graphic design to come in and give talks throughout the year. These help you gain valuable insights and contacts in the world of work. Our creative spaces and conferences attract acclaimed guest speakers from across the design world, such as Andy Altmann (Why Not Associates) and Andy Sandoz, an Honorary graduate and former president of the internationally influential Design and Art Direction. To find out more about our guest speakers visit Creative Lives.
Creative Industries Week
Creative Industries Week gives everyone in Arts and Creative the opportunity to participate in a range of projects, workshops, talks, industry visits and career events. This exciting week encourages interdisciplinary working, broadens your experience, to build your confidence and help develop your career path.
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