ABOUT THE COURSE

Are you hoping to work and study at the point where art meets communication? This challenging course explores a range of techniques including web design, UX design and motion graphics and delivers all the skills you’ll need to start a career as a graphic designer.

Graphic design at Solent University encourages you to explore a range of professional techniques and develop your own unique visual style. Throughout the course you will create visual products for a range of printed and digital mediums, and explore academic theories and visual culture in the context of contemporary graphic design.

Your professional development is supported by a wide range of high-end printing and design facilities. These include two Vandercook letterpresses, three screen print beds and three Intaglio/etching presses for calligraphy and etching work. Students also have access to photographic studios and darkrooms; a fully equipped workshop for metal and wood-working, and Apple Macs with the latest Adobe Creative Suite software.

The course’s teaching team come from a wide variety of professional backgrounds, and many are still active in the industry. The team’s close links with practising professionals have enabled past students to take part in a variety of work-based opportunities, live briefs and placements.

Graphic design students are also encouraged to submit their best work to design competitions, securing valuable exposure. Past students have found success at the Royal Society of Arts (RSA) Student Design Awards, the Design and Art Direction (D&AD) Awards, and the Young Creative Network (YCN) Awards.

Graphic design graduates can pursue employment in a range of different creative industries. From marketing and advertising to printed media production, through to web and UX design, all major businesses require a team of talented designers in order to properly communicate with their customers and stakeholders. Suitable roles may include:

• design intern
• designer
• graphic designer
• junior designer/artworker
• junior sales designer
• graphic design assistant
• freelance

Thanks to the course teams close links with industry, past students have had the chance to work on live creative briefs and exhibit work to professional design organisations. Solent’s dedicated art and design studios include a range of digital and traditional facilities.

Whilst there is the opportunity for work placements and internships these are not a compulsory element of any unit.

Students may work with their tutors to discuss possible work placements/internships, their length and how the activity may, or may not, form part of a submission for a unit.