Communication Design - Graphic Design, Illustration, Photography BA (Hons)
| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-09-18 | 2023-05-05 |
Program Overview
Experience our distinctive collaborative approach to teaching and learning in this Communication Design course. This course will develop your extensive understanding of Communication Design disciplines and supports the development of your creative, critical and technical skills necessary to pursue a career in today’s ever-evolving communication design professions across a range of industries.
Our course offers you the opportunity to explore Communication Design through the investigation of traditional techniques and the latest digital technologies and production methods. Industry-led projects, European exchanges, national design competitions, placements and internships are all integral to the curriculum and place an emphasis on the professional and commercial setting.
Program Outline
Four honours degree awards are available including Communication Design and/or specialising in Graphic Design, Illustration or Photography.
Year 1
You will develop competencies in the fundamental elements of the creative process including research, ideas generation and development, resolution and reflection. You will learn a broad range of core skills and knowledge that enable informed choices and decisions to be made as the curriculum progresses.
Year 2
In Year 2 you will apply your knowledge and understanding of key theoretical principles through the delivery of integrated thematic and theoretically driven projects. Design briefs are delivered through a combination of studio, contextual and critical study activity that focuses on outputs that connect with personal interests.
Year 3
You can opt to specialise in Graphic Design, Illustration or Photography and will undertake increasing levels of self-directed study and studio project work enabling a greater focus on developing specialist interests in preparation for Year 4. You further develop your insight into your professional context and explore the requirements of new business start-up.
Year 4
You will develop your own design brief in response to personal interests, researching subjects, themes and design questions that will underpin your study and final design outcomes. You apply critical design skills to a range of projects while collaborative design briefs and competitions provide opportunity to promote work at our annual Degree Show and externally at a national and international level.
Events
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Modules
Modules and delivery order may change for operational purposes. The University regularly reviews its courses. Course content and structure may change over time. See our
course and module disclaimer
for more information. Detailed module informationLearning Methods
You will explore graphics, illustration and photography within studio based collaborative practice and are taught using both traditional and digital technologies and techniques. Open plan studios with dedicated work spaces create a vibrant learning environment through shared learning experiences while a programme of critical theory-based study exploring design culture and context supports your studio learning.
You will have the opportunity to participate in a diverse range of external activities throughout the duration of the course including international field study trips, national competitions and live collaborative projects with a wide variety of external partners. Our Enterprise Partners Network includes Hatch, Elevator, Scottish Institute for Enterprise Aberdeen, Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce and NESTA.
Activity Summary
Year 4
Lectures
- Approx 50 students per group, length of time varies per weekSeminars
- Approx 12 students per group, 1 - 2 hours per weekWebinar
- Approx 50 students per group, length of time varies per weekTutorial
- 1 - 12 students per group, 0.5 hour per weekProject Supervision
- Approx 50 students per group, 1 - 2 hours per weekDemonstration
- Approx 50 students per group, length of time varies per weekPractical class or workshop
-Approx 50 students per group,length of time varies per weekSupervised time in studio / workshop
- Approx 50 students per group,length of time varies per weekIndependent Study
- Approx 50 students per group, length of time varies per weekField Work
- Approx 50 students per group, length of time varies per weekExternal Visits
- Approx 50 students per group, length of time varies per weekPlacement / Work Based Learning
- Approx 50 students per group, length of time varies per weekHow long is a BA (Hons) Communication Design: Graphic Design, Illustration, Photography course?
The duration of a Communication Design course is 4 years. This includes lectures, workshops, independent study and other activities.
Independent Study
Throughout the course particular emphasis is placed on your development of independent learning through self-directed design project/s. By Year 4 you will undertake independent study, reflecting on your previous 3 years’ experience of building expertise and specialist knowledge within your chosen pathway and towards a level approaching professional practice.
Staff Delivering on This Course
The dedicated academic and technical staff on this course have a wide variety of design backgrounds and their knowledge and experience will provide you with a deep understanding of the Communication Design disciplines.
Industry experts contribute to the course as Professional Associates and through the Guest@Grays lecture programme, which invites national and international illustrators, designers and photographers to speak about their work. The course works closely with the University’s Library, Study Skills and Careers staff and academia from other Schools and departments of the university.
Assessment
Typically students are assessed each year:
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Feedback
We aim to provide you with feedback within 20 working days of hand-in for all written exams, coursework and practical exams.
Academic Support
The Inclusion Centre advises and supports students who disclose a sensory or mobility impairment, chronic medical condition, mental health issue, dyslexia and other specific learning differences. Applicants are encouraged to arrange a pre-entry visit to discuss any concerns and to view the facilities.
The Inclusion CENTREOnline Learning & Support
All undergraduate and postgraduate students, whether you are learning on campus or by online learning, benefit from using our collaborative virtual learning environment, CampusMoodle. You will be provided with 24/7 online access to your learning material and resources, along with the ability to interact with your class members and tutors for discussion and support.
CampusMoodleStudy Skills Support
The Study Support Team provides training and support to all students in:
Library Support
The Library offers support for your course, including the books, eBooks, and journals you will need. We also offer online reading lists for many modules, workshops and drop-ins on searching skills and referencing, and much more.
University LibraryPlacements
You will have the opportunity to undertake a 10 week optional placement in Year 3, Term 2. This will enable you to gain first-hand experience and a real insight into professional practice. Past placement opportunities have included working with local, national and international creative companies and designers such as Timorous Beasties, Modest Studio, Bright, Bespoke Atelier, Tellyjuice, Slurpy Studios, Lomography, Satumaa Family Business and Imajica Brand Evolution.
You are responsible for finding the placement with support from the placement office and academic staff.
Placements at RGU
Study Abroad
In Year 3, Term 2, there is the opportunity to undertake a period of international study exchange with our partner colleges across Europe, Canada and the US
STUDY ABROADJob Prospects
The breadth of experience and choice of specialisms offered by this course ensures you have a number of employment opportunities in various roles.
Is Communication Design a good career choice?
Previous BA Communication Design graduates of Robert Gordon University have gone on to pursue the following careers:
A number of our graduates have established their own design consultancies while others are working as freelance designers, illustrators and photographers for prominent publications, major design consultancies and media organisations such as the BBC and Channel 4. A number have extended their academic understanding through further study at the Royal College of Art and other postgraduate institutions.
Find out more about the Master's programme at Gray’s School of Art
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