2017/18 Undergraduate Programme Catalogue
BA Graphic and Communication Design
| Programme code: | BA-TEXT/G&CD | UCAS code: | W290 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: | 3 Years | Method of Attendance: | Full Time |
| Programme manager: | Mr Alan Oliver | Contact address: | a.oliver@leeds.ac.uk |
Total credits: 360
Entry requirements:
In accordance with the School of Design admissions policy: please see our website (www.design.leeds.ac.uk)
School/Unit responsible for the parenting of students and programme:
Design
Examination board through which the programme will be considered:
Design
Relevant QAA Subject Benchmark Groups:
Art and Design
Programme specification:
The programme will provide a challenging scheme of study with emphasis on independent enquiry and creative practice, informed by academic studies in a range of art and design subjects. Graphic design is a constantly evolving discipline; its relationship to business has been long established both through innovation and the development of communication strategies to achieve business objectives. The ability to take advantage of the opportunities within this relationship is fundamental to the aims of the programme.
Graphic & Communication Design is defined by the development of a creative concept visualised through effective creation and manipulation of visual images and words. The selection and application of appropriate media is essential to the effective delivery of the creative concept, or communication message. Without an inventive response to a design brief, neither technical expertise nor methodology will produce solutions above the commonplace.
The programme brings together the creative, practical and intellectual elements of visual communication and will provide an opportunity for students to become focused and professional in their approach to their work.
At Level 1 each student experiences practical involvement in different aspects of graphic design and communication, gaining and developing fundamental intellectual and studio skills through individual and group project work and the development of creative computer skills in the dedicated Apple Mac suites. Contextual subjects examining the history and theory of art and design, the development of visual culture and the fundamentals of digital imaging are studied. At Level 2 there are opportunities for students to undertake specialist projects in digital imaging, visual communications and marketing, graphic design and advertising and branding. Students will continue to engage in complementary studies in colour and digital imaging, design theory and marketing.
At Level 3 the students follow a programme of practical and theoretical self directed study. This includes a written investigation into a subject of their choice, relevant to graphic and communication design, and the research, production and presentation of a major design or visual communications portfolio. This final body of work is related to the student's chosen professional ambition.
At each level students may choose to study subjects from a range optional modules from within the School or (at levels 1 or 2) elective modules offered by other departments in the University. This allows students to tailor their academic study to their own interests and strengths, develop useful complementary skills such as languages, or gain knowledge that helps make them unique as graduates.
Industrial Year
Subject to satisfactory academic performance in Levels 1 and 2, students will be given the opportunity to gain an additional one year placement following Level 2. This UK or international work placement enables the student to gain a broad experience and insight into industry. Recent placements have included The Chase Creative Consultants, Fresh 01, McCann Erikkson and Huet & Co. The industrial variant of the programme will allow students to enhance their personal development and learning experience within a real life situation in preparation for their chosen career.
Year Abroad
Subject to satisfactory academic performance in Levels 1 and 2, students will be given the opportunity to take an additional study year abroad at an appropriate European or International Institution. A satisfactory academic report from the host institution and a specified assignment by the student (portfolio or written report) must be submitted by the following October of the Year Abroad in order to be awarded the International variant of the programme.
The programme is principally, but not exclusively, directed towards careers in the communications and media industries. Graduates have an impressive track record as prize winn ers in national competitions and find jobs with sought after employers in the graphic, creative and media sectors. The programme's emphasis on gaining academic and transferable skills equips students for a broad range of prestigious employment, enterprise or postgraduate opportunities.
Year1 - View timetable
[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
Compulsory modules:
Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:
| DESN1250 | Fundamentals of Imaging | 20 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| DESN1815 | Material Culture and Mass Consumption | 20 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| DESN1820 | Design History: 1900 to the Present day | 10 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| DESN1989 | Graphic and Communication Media A | 20 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| DESN1999 | Communication and Design Process | 20 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Optional modules:
Candidates will be required to study 10 credits from the following optional modules
| DESN1175 | Green Design and Sustainability | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| DESN1575 | Patterns and Culture | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Candidates will take 0-20 credits from the modules below
| DESN1415 | Introduction to Photography (Digital) | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun), Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| DESN1633 | Colour and the Design Process | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| DESN1658 | Fashion Brand Analysis | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| DESN1705 | Drawing 1A | 10 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan), Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| DESN1706 | Drawing 1B | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun), Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| DESN1830 | Technologies for Art and Design | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
The optional modules listed are indicative of those available. The School reserves the right to withdraw and introduce new optional modules in line with the annual review and development of teaching within the School. It may also be necessary on occasion to withdraw modules due to staff absence or very low enrolment numbers.
Students should note that they are not permitted to study the same module more than once.
Discovery modules:
Candidates will be required to study 0 - 20 credits of Discovery Modules
Year2 - View timetable
[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
Compulsory modules:
Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:
| DESN2285 | Research Methods 1: Finding and Using Research Resources | 10 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| DESN2295 | Research Methods 2: Research, Writing and Dissertation | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| DESN2350 | Marketing Creativity and Innovation | 20 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| DESN2980 | Design Application | 20 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| DESN2989 | Graphic and Communication Media B | 20 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Optional modules:
Students should take 10-20 credits from the following optional modules
| DESN2615 | Design Management and Trends | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| DESN2645 | Design Theory | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Students should take 10-30 credits from the optional modules listed below
| DESN2150 | Contemporary Digital Media | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| DESN2405 | Contemporary Art and Memory | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| DESN2415 | Photography (Digital) | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun), Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| DESN2465 | Class, Taste and Society: Interpreting Designed Objects. | 10 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| DESN2469 | Fashion Management | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| DESN2500 | Eco-Design: Understanding Design's Role in Global Ecology | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| DESN2633 | Colour: Art and Science | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| DESN2658 | 20th Century Fashion | 10 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| DESN2705 | Cutting edge: Collage as reconfiguring | 10 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan), Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| DESN2730 | Principles of Typography | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
The optional modules listed are indicative of those available. The School reserves the right to withdraw and introduce new optional modules in line with the annual review and development of teaching within the School. It may also be necessary on occasion to withdraw modules due to staff absence or very low enrolment numbers.
Students should note that they are not permitted to study the same module more than once.
Discovery modules:
Candidates may study up to 20 credits of discovery modules.
Candidates will be required to study 0 - 20 credits of Discovery Modules
Year3 - View timetable
[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
Compulsory modules:
Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:
| DESN3660 | Independent Study Dissertation | 40 credits | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
| DESN3989 | Graphic and Communication Media C | 20 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| DESN3994 | Independent Project | 40 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Optional modules:
Candidates will be required to study 0-20 credits from the following optional modules.
| DESN3150 | Contemporary Moving Image | 20 credits | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
| DESN3405 | Landscape, Place and Environment in Contemporary Art | 20 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| DESN3445 | Time and the Image in Contemporary Art | 20 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| DESN3582 | Fashion Styling and Photography | 20 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan), Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| DESN3585 | Collaborative Marketing and Promotion | 20 credits | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
| DESN3720 | Contemporary Typography | 20 credits | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
| DESN3725 | Information Design | 20 credits | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
| DESN3765 | Brand Communications | 20 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| DESN3770 | Contemporary Advertising | 20 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) |
The optional modules listed are indicative of those available. The School reserves the right to withdraw and introduce new optional modules in line with the annual review and development of teaching within the School. It may also be necessary on occasion to withdraw modules due to staff absence or very low enrolment numbers.
Students should note that they are not permitted to study the same module more than once.
Discovery modules:
Students may choose 0-20 credits of discovery modules. These must be at level 2 or level 3 unless they are special skills Discovery modules.
Last updated: 22/01/2018
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