Graphic Design
Graphic Design Degree
Our Graphic design degree course will give you the ability to generate great creative ideas as well as the skills to execute them. This fully accredited, UK university course is industry focused, with the emphasis on multi-disciplinary approaches to problem solving.
In keeping with conventional Graphic design courses in the UK, you will become familiar with traditional graphic design and illustration media as well as the latest digital technology.
However, unlike other online courses, you will benefit from advice, guidance and support provided by a dedicated tutor who will guide you through each stage of your studies from the Graphic design certificate to the diploma and the Graphic design degree.
Graphic design degree courses delivered online also provide the student with greater flexibility and potentially, a broader range of experience; you will work on a wide variety of practical projects, and learn how to respond to design problems across a broad range of areas including book and magazine design, book and poster illustration, corporate communications and point of sale.
Additionally, the delivery of courses online means that the student experiences what it is like to work on live projects, and develop extensive knowledge of design production, while benefiting from shared experience with other students from across the UK and throughout the world.
The provision of our Graphic design courses online means that our students can communicate quickly and effectively with their fellow students overseas and benefit from shared experience of our graphic design qualifications.
In short, upon successful completion of a Graphic design course with us, you will be equipped to work as a professional designer in the fast moving area of graphic design communication. You will have acquired the skills to market yourself professionally, and to work either as part of a design team, or as a freelance designer working for both private and corporate clients.
On successful completion of your studies you will graduate with a BA (Hons) Graphic Design Degree from the University of Hertfordshire. You will be equipped to work as a professional designer in the fast moving area of graphic design and visual communication. You will have acquired the skills to market yourself professionally, and to work either as part of a design team, or as a freelance designer working for both private and corporate clients.
This is not a correspondence course; in fact it’s unlike any other distance learning or online course in design. When you become an IDI student you can expect to have lots of regular communication with your tutors and fellow students. You don’t need to post work away or wait for study materials to arrive. Instead you’ll have access to your own, secure online studio and comprehensive study materials. As you work through practical project based activities you’ll benefit from the unlimited expert advice, feedback and guidance from fully qualified tutors who are specialists in Graphic Design and visual communication. Their job is to support you every step of the way, from enrolment to graduation.
This programme specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the course and the intended learning outcomes that you might be expected to achieve.
Module Descriptions Level 4 (Year 1 of Degree) click here
Thinking about Ideas 1A
The first module teaches the basic approaches of looking at graphic design, research, typography and computer skills. Learners undertake the design process as problem solving exercises. There are two project briefs based upon typographic investigation and application. The first is a guided brief during which learners are led through the process. The second is more independently undertaken.
Thinking About Ideas 1A Document
Visual Skills 1A
The second module is centred on illustration and the use of this within a graphic framework, such as a book cover. Students are taught a series of methods for generating ideas.
Visual Skills 1 A Document
Critical and Cultural Studies 1
This module deals with the history and context of graphic design. Students are introduced to some of the main themes running through design and are asked to explore a chosen theme in detail.
Critical and Cultural Studies L4 Document
Directions 1B
This module explores the wider design process, focussing on editorial and layout design. Again there are two final outcomes in which students interpret a themed topic to design two magazine pages for two distinct magazine formats. Emphasis is placed on the importance of research as a starting point for design.
Directions 1B Document
Visual Skills 1B
In this second Illustration module students pick up and develop skills of illustrating and work towards outcomes within a graphic setting, such as a book. There is an emphasis on conceptual imagery and students are encouraged to be adventurous in their approach.
Visual Skills 1B Document
Module Descriptions Level 5 (Year 2 of Degree) click here
Visual Skills 2A
In this module students are encouraged to investigate specific areas of the graphic design and illustration industry in which they may wish to pursue a career path. They then create pieces of work that are geared towards that area in both media and direction.
Visual Skills 2A Document
Professional Development and Employability
Students make further in-depth explorations of the areas of the industry that are appropriate to their chosen career paths. They will develop skills of portfolio building, presentation and c.v. writing necessary for seeking employment in design, illustration or associated industries.
Professional Development and Employability Document
Critical and Cultural Studies 2
In this module theories of visual communication are introduced or refreshed so that students may use these to evaluate their practical work. Moreover, a written piece allows students to demonstrate their specific areas of interest and show their ability to research and theorise on a chosen subject.
Critical and Cultural Studies L5 Document
Visual Skills 2B
This module aims to develop more advanced levels of their image making skills. It also reinforces good practice, and experimental and accidental approaches to the development of design, illustration, storytelling and interactivity
Visual Skills 2B Document
Visual Communication 2A (Graphics)
In this module students develop work that reflects professional standards as well as demonstrating an individual approach to image making. Students also present work using appropriate mediums in answer to a live brief. Students also examine their strengths and weaknesses with those practicing in the field of graphic design. By the completion of this module and the 'The Live Pitch' module, students have an understanding of the commissioning process and how to interact with clients.
Visual Communication Document
The Live Pitch (Graphics)
This module provides students with an opportunity to gain first-hand experience of the nature of pitching competitively. It is possible for students to work with a real client and they may have the opportunity to compete to 'win' a commission through an examination of their creative work and their presentation skills.
Alongside this activity the module will introduce students to the issues surrounding professional competitive pitching within the graphic design industry. Students will be responsible for holding design meetings with the client, helping to develop and interpret a brief and ultimately making client presentations.
The Live Pitch Document
Module Descriptions Level 6 (Year 3 of Degree) click here
Competition Briefs
This module aims to develop more advanced levels of experimentation, aesthetic judgement, development and realisation of design ideas and management of the student's own learning. The module gives students access to a selection of nationally recognised competition awards such as YCN, (Young Creatives Network), ISTD (International Society of Typographic Designers) and D&AD (Design and Art Direction). Students are encouraged to consider audience, practicality of solution, materials sustainability and impact of design. Students design processes, evaluations and decisions will be recorded in reflective reports throughout the module.
Competition Briefs Document
Negotiated Project 3
With tutor support, this module offers students the opportunity to develop
a body of work that reflects a personal area of design or subject matter. Students will engage in the authoring of a design brief through a process
of negotiation. The brief created is researched, developed and creatively pursued through a range of imaginative and appropriate responses. Students design processes, critical evaluations and design directions are recorded
in reflective reports throughout the module.
Negotiated Project 3 Document
Self Promotion
Students acquire the self-promotional and marketing skills necessary to establish contacts, work experience and employment within industry. The module will encourage students to develop digital and physical promotional packs, create case studies and produce individual employment strategy plans.
The aim of the module is to develop confidence, structure and guidance for student's future directions within the creative industry.
Self Promotion Document
Final Major Project
Students initiate or negotiate a design brief and deploy appropriate and individual design processes to thoroughly solve the design problems set. Managing their own learning, showing independence of thought and critical evaluation of their own work, performance and needs are expected at this level of study. Students design processes and decisions will be written in
a reflective report throughout the module (1500 words).
Final Major Project Document
Critical and Cultural Studies 3
In this module students are required to negotiate, research and present an honours level essay that presents and in-depth critical examination relevant
to their own practice. Students will consolidate and extend their knowledge and understanding of some of the ways in which histories, theories, cultural, social, technical or ecological issues inform contemporary professional design practice. These theoretical investigations will culminate into a 6,000-word essay.
Critical and Cultural Studies L6 Degree Essay Document
Elective Module Options click here
Level 4 (Year 1 of Degree) Certificate of Higher Education
During year one of the course, you will learn some of the skills and techniques essential for students of Graphic Communication. You will use a wide range of media and materials, working with both traditional media and modern digital technology.
You will also begin to explore ways of responding to issues in visual communication. These include problem solving, creative thinking, ideas generation and the presentation of visual solutions to clients.
Although specialising in Graphic Design, at this level you will also work on Illustration projects as an essential component in building a broad based understanding of your subject area.
Level 5 (Year 2 of Degree) Diploma of Higher Education
Year 2 is the 'professional level' – where you gain the skills and knowledge necessary to work as a professional designer.
You will work to industry relevant briefs, and will become accustomed to working to strict deadlines and within the constraints imposed by both private and corporate clients.
Level 6 (Year 3 of Degree) BA
Year 3 is the 'portfolio level' – the emphasis at this level being on building a portfolio of work as a preparation to entering the design profession. You will have the opportunity to enter national design competitions, and will work to a series of professional briefs. You will also be able to negotiate personal projects in order to develop your personal creativity.
Graphic Designers produce designs that portray their customer’s messages using high visual impact. They work on various products including websites, packaging, books and magazines, corporate identity, advertising, exhibitions and displays and computer games. Today, most graphic design is done on computer using specialised industry-standard graphics and multimedia software packages.
There are nearly 40,000 businesses working in graphic design, ranging from major agencies to sole freelancers. Gaining early experience and building a portfolio of work will give applicants an advantage in a competitive area. Some Graphic designers even create websites to show off their skills.
Normally employers expect applicants to have learned the essential skills while gaining their qualifications, but could support further study, for example a postgraduate degree. They may also provide in-house or external training for specific aspects of the job. Graphic designers are expected to keep up to date on the trends of the industry.
Salaries may range from around £18,000 to £65,000 a year.
Texture in Graphic Design
Aim
On completion of this activity, you will be familiar with the use of texture as an important element in graphic design.
Objectives
1. During this activity you will begin to keep a scrap book of examples of the use of texture in graphic design
2. During this activity you will consider the use of texture in a piece of design for the visually impaired
Duration
The suggested time allocation for this activity is 3 hours.
You might have asked yourself the question, “Where does texture feature in graphic design?”
Of course, it may occur within imagery. Texture could be seen in the surfaces of rusty metal buildings or in a dried or muddy river bed in a geographic magazine or in the smooth leather of a seat in the luxury car poster.
Texture might be seen, in still-life paintings, in the delicious food advertisements for oranges, creamy cheeses or fresh fish. Or perhaps in the silky hair in the shampoo promotion or in the textiles used in a fashion magazine spread.
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