Course details
Duration
Two years
Delivery
Online and part-time
Start dates
January, May and September
Next welcome week
September 2024 (date tbc)
Next course start date
September 2024 (date tbc)
Application deadline
September 2024 (date tbc)
Total course fee
£9,900
Course overview
In a noisy global landscape dominated by visual communication, forging a solid creative identity can be a major challenge for graphic designers. Our comprehensive, multi-disciplinary course will equip you with the ability to elevate your creative practice and so much more. With modules focused on urgent global issues such as sustainability, inclusivity and human-centric design, you’ll embark on a transformative journey that empowers you to help people and the planet.
Today’s business market is in high demand for graphic designers who can think laterally, apply critical thinking to their own practice, and engage meaningfully with the world around them. While day-to-day professional experience is invaluable, it takes outstanding academic teaching rigour, theoretical knowledge and contemporary research resources to raise your discipline to the next level.
Our course seamlessly blends theory and practice centred around the three pillars of design: Design Strategy, Usability, and Creativity. Together with your peers, you’ll explore your discipline through critical debate, theoretical enquiry, and multi-modal practice.
What is the graphic designer’s fundamental role in society? In what ways does culture and human behaviour influence (or get influenced by) the graphic designer’s work? How can graphic design be channeled to tackle contemporary social issues such as climate change, waste, inclusivity and accessibility? These are just the beginnings of what you will dive deep into with your cohort, as you broaden your career prospects and shape a better future for our world.
Course modules
The modules within this course have been designed to broaden your creative horizons and give you a global perspective of how graphic design fits into the bigger picture. Together with our academics, you’ll hone your craft as part of a virtual studio community, inform your practice with evidence-based neuroscience, and explore how design can be used to drive positive change.
This introductory module is designed to orientate you with postgraduate study. Where does your past and present practice fit within contemporary graphic design? Which directions might you take in the future? You’ll also be challenged to expand on your own reference points as a practitioner.
Combining theory and practice, we’ll delve far beyond the aesthetic surface of graphic design. You’ll be introduced to design thinking: a research-informed, iterative process for understanding audiences, challenging assumptions, and ensuring that your designs have the right impact. This will shape your creative output before the creation stage, elevating your work as a catalyst for problem-solving.
Through the combined lens of both design and theory, we'll help you centre your practice on the UN’s sustainable development goals. Mirroring professional experience, you’ll be asked to make a successful communications strategy or campaign that prioritises eco-consciousness every step of the way – from the use of sustainable materials to the creation of impactful messaging.
For designers, the five senses are an important consideration when it comes to promoting certain customer behaviours. In this theory-based module, we’ll explore how sensory design can be used to influence brands and branded environments. You will then work collaboratively with your peers to design, present and reflect on a branded experience.
This module will delve into cognitive science: the interdisciplinary study of mind and intelligence. We'll explore how the graphic design process and typography has been revolutionised by neuroscience, evidence-based design, and AI. You’ll also be tasked with creating a statement and either choosing or creating typography that amplifies, enhances, or elucidates your message.
Contemporary design practice often focuses on user needs, and this has ultimately shaped the landscape of customer experience. In this module, you will learn how to adopt human-centred design: a problem-solving technique that puts real people at the heart of the development process.
Through several real-world case studies, we’ll explore ‘nudge theory’ in visual design. You’ll develop a profound understanding of how your projects can influence audience behaviours, shift social perceptions, and act as a catalyst for positive social change.
Together, we’ll explore how to become champions of inclusive design. Inclusive design is a design process that considers diverse groups of people and their needs in visual communication. You'll learn how to make your products, designs and services usable by as many people as reasonably possible – no matter what their age, ability, and socioeconomic background.
This module represents a pivotal point in your academic journey. Together, we’ll help you define the study focus for your Final Project. You’ll also reflect on your purpose as a graphic designer and determine the lines of enquiry you will delve into in your future practice.
This final module is your opportunity to demonstrate the vast breadth of knowledge and skills you have acquired. You’ll work independently to produce a resolved, research-informed, practical project on the topic outlined in your research proposal.
Your Course Leader
Stephanie Horan is a Senior Designer and founder of branding agency Blue Walnut Design.
Her passion is typography, with a fascination for the psychology of brand and the science behind the emotional impact of type in the branding process.
"Central to our modules is a focus on sustainability in design. Designers can foster innovation for societal change in materials, processes, and design thinking."
Stephanie Horan | Course Leader, MA Graphic Design
Entry requirements
We encourage applications from students with a broad range of qualifications and we welcome students from all educational backgrounds. We’ll take into account the knowledge and skills that you have developed outside the classroom, as well as your previous qualifications.
There are two different routes to entry: the standard and non-standard routes. Admissions staff will assess entries to determine which route is appropriate for you when you apply.
Students accepted on the standard route are given offers based on qualifications and supporting documentation alone. If you do not have a qualification at the designated level or in a subject not directly related to the course to which you are applying, you’ll be contacted to request a portfolio, and/or given an interview date.
You'll usually have BA (Hons) Degree graded at 2.2 or above, or an equivalent UK or international qualification in graphic design or the following related subjects: illustration, animation, photography, art or media.
You'll usually have BA (Hons) Degree graded at 2.2 or above, or an equivalent UK or international qualification in graphic design or the following related subjects: illustration, animation, photography, art or media.
As an overseas applicant, you’ll need to validate your proficiency in English. We accept a range of English language qualifications:
- Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE) grade C
- Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) grade C
- Certificate of Attainment in English (London Board) level 5 or 6
- IELTS score of 6.0 or above with at least 5.5 in each band
- TOEFL iBT score of 80 or above with 19 in speaking, and 18 in listening, reading and writing
- Pearson PTE score of 64 and over, with a score of 59 in each component
IELTS, Pearson, and TOEFL scores must be less than two years old at the time the course commences to be valid.
If you don’t have the standard academic qualifications, you could still be considered for entry if there’s sufficient evidence to indicate that you can fulfil the objectives of the course of study and achieve the standard of the final award. An example of this would be to showcase a portfolio of work as requested by the admissions team.
We also welcome applications from anyone with other qualifications or work experience that demonstrates appropriate knowledge and skills to study at postgraduate level.
Fees and funding
The fees that you pay AUB help provide the necessary services and training for you to complete your course. There are a number of different ways that you can pay for your tuition.
How to apply
Head to our online application form to apply directly to us. We encourage applications from students with a broad range of qualifications – we'll take into account the knowledge and skills that you've developed outside the classroom as well.
Careers in Graphic Design
As a graduate of this course, you’ll unlock a diverse range of varied, rewarding career options in the future. Innovative designers are in high demand at companies worldwide. With the knowledge you acquire at AUB, you’ll stand as someone who can help them meet their sustainability and inclusivity goals – and you'll be able to navigate these issues with confidence.
The international network you’ll develop with your peers and tutors will also broaden your knowledge and help you get established as an in-house or freelance graphic designer. Whichever route you choose, your industry-ready skills will empower you to spearhead positive change in the world and drive companies toward success.
Of course, establishing yourself as a graphic designer is just the tip of the iceberg – there are many areas in which you can apply your skills. Whether you’d like to bolster eco-conscious brands, advise businesses on sustainable practice, design eco-friendly packaging with recyclable materials, or branch out into inclusive web design, your dream job will be within reach.
Here are just a few of the options you could pursue as an MA Graphic Design graduate:
You could also pursue opportunities in innovation strategy, UX research, and packaging design.
Join us in September 2024
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