MA Design (Graphics)

Program Overview

Encouraging collaboration and personal research, the program's curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, theoretical studies, and practical skills development. Students engage in immerse studio learning supported by specialist staff and benefit from networking opportunities, live projects, and access to advanced facilities. The program prepares graduates for careers as designers, managers, makers, researchers, and beyond.

Program Outline

It aims to help students develop specialist skills and knowledge in a collaborative studio environment, encouraging them to innovate with materials, technology, and conceptual thinking. The program emphasizes personal research, allowing students to develop their own interests and ideas in a challenging and supportive environment. The program is led by design specialists, researchers, and practitioners who support students in expanding their practice and developing an independent, autonomous approach.

Outline:

The program is structured around a set of key principles: engaging with the world, collaborating with others, challenging students to think in new ways, and providing a supportive environment for them to thrive.

• Initial Modules: All postgraduate design students begin with modules focusing on gaining a critical understanding of design thinking, theoretical studies, research methods, and making practices.
• Subsequent Modules: Students then follow their own personal practice, supported by key specialist staff.
They are encouraged to consider social and cultural contexts when positioning their creative output, aiming to develop accessible and marketable products, services, interventions, and other forms or propositions.

Learning Methods:

Students learn through:

• Immersive learning alongside peers in a studio environment
• Practice-based research
• Project work
• Individual and group tutorials
• Lectures
• Seminars
• Constructive critical debates

Modules:

The final year of the program includes the following compulsory modules:

• MA Project (Graphics): This module allows students to undertake a major design project, applying their skills and knowledge to a specific design challenge.
• Methods For Research And Practice: This module focuses on developing research skills and methodologies relevant to design practice.

Assessment:

The program is assessed through coursework (100%) for all modules.

Teaching:

The program is taught through a structured mix of lectures, seminars, and practical sessions. Students also have access to digital and online resources to support their learning. The program is led by experienced design specialists, researchers, and practitioners.

Careers:

The program prepares students for a career as:

• Independent design practitioner
• Designer
• Design manager
• Maker or manufacturer
• Company-employed designer
The program aims to help students achieve their personal employment ambitions, whether as a design professional in the creative industries or in related areas such as research, retail, marketing, and education.
• Applied Learning: Live projects are embedded into specific modules, and students are encouraged to seek industrial sponsors or collaborators for individual projects.
• Field Trips: Students have opportunities to participate in study trips and visits to design conferences and debates.
• Networking Opportunities: Students benefit from studying within a cross-disciplinary, vibrant, international, collaborative, and supportive postgraduate environment.
They can work alongside the Design Futures consultancy and with researchers from the Art and Design Research Centre (ADRC). The program also has contacts with leading design agencies and organizations, museums, and practitioners, and encourages students to work collaboratively with them.

Equipment and Facilities:

Students have access to specialist resources and facilities, including:

• 3D printing for rapid prototyping
• State-of-the-art hardware and software
• Laser cutting
• Well-equipped workshops for jewellery and metalwork, fashion, ceramics, wood, plastic, and other materials
• Studio spaces
• Photography studios
• A creative media centre
• Gallery and exhibition spaces
• An award-winning learning centre featuring a specialist art, design, and media library and extensive online resources

• The total fee you pay may be slightly higher than the fee stated above if the full course is more than one year in duration; the fee will be divided into annual payments which will then be rounded.
• The total fee you pay may be slightly higher than the fee stated above if the full course is more than one year in duration; the fee will be divided into annual payments which will then be rounded.
• Additional course costs may vary widely depending on individual study choices.