2024/25 Undergraduate Programme Catalogue

BA Graphic and Communication Design

Total credits: 360

Entry requirements:

Entry Requirements are available on the Course Search entry

School/Unit responsible for the parenting of students and programme:

School Of Design

Examination board through which the programme will be considered:

Relevant QAA Subject Benchmark Groups:

Art and Design

Programme specification:

Graphic Design and Communication at the University of Leeds bridges the gap between thinking and doing, developing creative and critical designers who are informed by the past, who challenge the present, and who are prepared for the future.

The programme values research activities and contextual studies as much as creative practice. Through a combination of making, reading, and writing, students become - critical and creative thinkers and practitioners.

As the world changes and grows more complex, the need for communication design has never been greater. Our challenge-led teaching, situated within one of the few Russell Group research intensive universities to offer this subject, helps students to develop the key theoretical, practical, and professional skills vital in the creative industries. We embrace user-centred approaches, teaching graphic design as a transformative system to create powerful, social, and economic impact.

Building from a foundation in subjects such as typography, interaction design, and design for print, challenging briefs will foster the ambition of students’ graphic design practice. Throughout the programme students can also choose optional modules to explore their interests. In their final year, students develop ambitious and substantial bodies of work, specialise and deepen their practice, and build their confidence through two self-directed projects

We value research activities and contextual studies as integral to contemporary creative practice. This will equip graduates with the flexibility and adaptability employers seek and graduates will be equipped with a broad range of resilient skills to address the vital design challenges of the future. The programme develops students’ understanding of issues of digital change, diversity, sustainability and inclusivity to address these challenges. Social and historical contexts and the need for social change are at the heart of our courses.

In the first year, students will learn about history, design culture and technologies relating to graphic and communication design and how societal change impacts the industry. They will gain research and analysis skills and write reflective essays in responsedi to contemporary and historical design concerns. Students will gain fundamental skills in visual communication for a range of purposes and be? challenged through ‘design jams’. Simultaneously, students will engage with a broad range of practical graphic design projects, starting to build their portfolio from Year 1. Applying skills in typography and image-making, students will respond to a range of creative challenges developing their technical and visual competence.

In the second year, students will develop a deeper understanding of professional graphic design standards as they expand their portfolio of practical work. They’ll use academic knowledge to conduct and undertake critical analysis and evaluation as they create graphic solutions in response to various societal needs.

Students will also gain skills in interaction and experience design to understand how emerging technologies are shaping the creative industries across a range of disciplines. Students will also learn about more advanced methods of conducting research in the graphic and communication design area. 

Between year 2 and year 3 students have the opportunity to take part in the Study Abroad Year or our successful placement scheme, Year in Industry. For many students the placement year is a great opportunity to experience the reality of the graphic and communication design industry, applying the knowledge and skills developed on the programme in commercial contexts.

The final year culminates in creative projects where students learn and demonstrate advanced graphic design, research and communication skills. Students will expand their interests into two independently led projects that will demonstrate in-depth research and developed responses to a topic in th e field. Throughout the course students will develop transferable skills such as communication skills, analytical skills and ethical awareness.

Year1 - View timetable

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]

Compulsory modules:

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules

Optional modules:

Candidates will be required to study 20 credits from the following optional modules:

Candidates can choose to study 20 credits of optional or discovery modules

Discovery modules:

Year2 - View timetable

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]

We are currently refreshing our courses to make sure students have the best possible experience. Full module details for years 2 and 3 are not yet available. Before you enter years 2 and 3 details of modules for those years will be provided.

Compulsory modules:

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules

- Graphic and Communication Design for Society - 40 Credits
- Design Studies: Exploration - 20 Credits
- Design for Interaction & Experience - 20 Credits

Optional modules:

Candidates will be required to study 20 credits from the following optional modules:

- Book Arts - 20 Credits
- Advanced Branding - 20 Credits

Candidates can choose to study 20 credits of optional or discovery modules

- Contemporary Photography - 20 Credits
- Advanced Colour - 20 Credits

Discovery modules:

Year3 - View timetable

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]

We are currently refreshing our courses to make sure students have the best possible experience. Full module details for year 3 are not yet available. Before you enter year 3 full details of modules for that year will be provided.

Compulsory modules:

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules

- Graphic Design Self Directed Project - 40 Credits
- Major Research project - 40 Credits
- Graphic Design Innovation - 20 Credits

Optional modules:

Candidates can choose to study 20 credits from the following optional modules or discovery modules:

- Social Design - 20 Credits

Discovery modules:

Last updated: 19/08/2024 15:45:05

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• Undergraduate module catalogue
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• Undergraduate programme catalogue
• Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue

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