Ravensbourne
Innovation in digital media and design
What next for you? > BA (Hons) Graphic Design > BA (Hons) Graphic Design
BA (Hons) Graphic Design
The BA (Hons) Graphic Design course at Ravensbourne provides you with the knowledge and skills for a broad range of future careers. You will graduate with a rigorous command of typography and information design as you enter the working environment as a competent visual communicators equipped to work in areas such as publishing, branding, print design, wayfinding and exhibition design.
The course has been continually successful in achieving awards in competitions from the D&AD, ISTD and RSA, as well as CSD, YCN and the Banco Sandander Branding competition. Student work has been published in YCN and D&AD Annuals, Blueprint and Computer Arts magazines. In accordance with the subject specialism of the degree, the course is underpinned by the creative use of digital technology. One of the core educational aims of the course is to provide “the ability to make creative use of and experiment with new and existing technologies”.
The course has a good international reputation attracting project requests from around the world. Recently staff and students have been invited to participate in collaborative industry briefs with the Renaissance Academy of Design and the Tokoha Gakuen University in Japan. Other external ‘live’ projects have been completed with Iris Agency, Citi Bank, Greenwich Peninsula, Heritage Trust and the London Development Agency. External examiners have noted that students on the course had “successfully completed live project work from briefs set by outside agencies. This reflects the grounding in research, analysis and problems solving, and attention to high production standards.”
The programme follows three distinct but related phases:
empower (level 1), explore (level 2), and exhibit (level 3).
Level 1
You will develop a common language in level 1 as fundamental graphic design principles are introduced via a series of short briefs, workshops and lectures. Projects at this stage direct the learning through traditional typography, information design and system design principles.
You will study the following subject areas at level 1:
contextual studies: theory and context; opportunities, trends and ideas; professional context; communication and visualisation; concepts; typography; layouts and grids; and branding.
Level 2
In Level 2, you are invited to explore a broader range of principles within visual communication whilst reinforcing skills learnt from level 1. Project briefs can include industry-based projects, live briefs and competitions alongside more subject-specific group and individual projects. You will also be supported in seeking and undertaking a work placement.
You will study the following subject areas at level 2:
contextual studies: debate and polemic; contextual studies: dissertation preparation; marketing strategy; advertising and promotions; design innovation; wayfinding; integrated branding; and information design.
Level 3
At level 3, you will prepare your final individual portfolio, focusing on specific areas of interest and using the skills acquired and developed in the previous two levels to produce work of a high standard in both technique and concept. At the end of the year, you will exhibit your portfolio at the degree show to potential clients and employers, and that opportunity has traditionally resulted in a high employment success.
You will study the following subject areas at level 3:
contextual studies: dissertation; enterprise and entrepreneurship – making it happen; major project report; typographic design; competitions; major project; and self initiated project.
Programme Specification
Click here for the full programme specification.
Contextual studies, and enterprise and entrepreneurship
The adaptability necessary to succeed as a design or media specialist comes not only from deep disciplinary knowledge. Graduates also need a breadth of knowledge and skills which some commentators have referred to as being ‘T-Shaped’. These additional skills include the ability to work with and increasingly work across disciplines, entrepreneurial attitudes and a knowledge of the business contexts in which they will operate. All undergraduate Ravensbourne programmes incorporate curriculum and learning activities designed to develop these skills in our students. Cross-disciplinary collaborative projects offer students the opportunity to work in teams with other disciplines.
The course structure draws on the creative synergies and frictions of the different disciplines at Ravensbourne and provides physical and intellectual opportunities for students to meet, learn and work together with students from different disciplines.
Students study subject specialist units, shared units and core units. Subject specialist units focus on subject specialist methodologies, technologies and processes and offer project-based learning that simulates contemporary professional practice.
Shared units are units which bring together courses in analogous specialist subject areas and allow students to gain skills common across these specialist subject areas, or to develop skills complimentary to those of the other specialisms and to work together on collaborative projects in the kinds of interdisciplinary teams common in industry. They therefore begin to introduce students to the real world context of specialism, a world where inevitably specialists work in inter-disciplinary teams.
Core units provide fundamental knowledge, skills and contexts which we believe are necessary for all the creative professionals who graduate from Ravensbourne and set students up with a model of the types of knowledge they will need continuously to update throughout their careers. Core units equip students with the ideation, visualisation and communication skills required in the creative process characteristic of design and media industries and common across our disciplines. They also provide the conceptual skills, theoretical frameworks and professional contexts necessary for students to position their work and develop their professional identity. Additionally, they ensure that students gain the promotional, marketing and enterprise skills necessary to make success happen in the real world.
Three years full-time
Ravensbourne’s BA (Hons) Graphic Design course is available as a full time three-year course.
Assessment
You will be continually assessed through preparation of written and project work. Assessment in the final year is through dissertation and portfolio.
Learning and support
You will study through a mix of practice and theory-based learning. This will include lectures, seminars, workshops, individual tutorials, self-directed study and projects. You will be supported by well-qualified teaching staff, sessional staff and visiting professionals who will bring an industry perspective to the course.
Laptops
You are required to own or have access to a laptop from the beginning of your studies. Laptops are an essential tool to support personalised learning and give you access, when and where you want it, to many of the creative tools and educational resources you will encounter during your studies.
Laptops are used extensively in all of our courses. You will need one to access our network, and to research, communicate and collaborate during your studies.
Career prospects
You will graduate with a rigorous command of typography and information design as you enter employment as a competent visual communicator equipped to work in areas such as publishing, print design, way finding, exhibition design, corporate identity and branding, editorial design, and design project management.
You could become a...
View >Art Director
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...and many more!
See life as a student
“My mum is a fine artist and my dad is an interior designer, so I’ve always been interested in the creative arts. I thought about studying dance, but I visited some performing arts universities and the students weren’t my type of people.
“I love being at Ravensbourne, as I’ve been able to get involved in a lot of different areas…
Duration
Three years full-time
Entry requirements
Students will normally be expected to possess five GCSEs (grade C or above) or equivalent (including English and Mathematics) and also to hold at least one of the following or equivalent UK or international qualification:
• 2 A levels (grades A-C) or 4 AS levels (grades A-C)
• 2 vocational A level (grades A-C)
• Level 3 Foundation Diploma or National Diploma
• Advanced Diploma (grades A-C)
• International Baccalaureate (28 points or above)
Progression
Successful completion of this course provides the opportunity to progress onto the MA Communication Design programme at Ravensbourne.
How to Apply
UCAS code: W210 (3 year route)
Institution: RAVEN RO6
Term starts
September 2012
Fees
£8,500 per year
Validated by
City University London
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