Graphic Design (with Foundation Year)

Combine the key areas of graphic design and illustration practice in this broad-based Graphic Design course.

• Understand design conventions to challenge them, working across print, screen and interactive media.

• Learn through carefully structured modules taught by supportive, experienced staff.

• Experience working with clients and solve real production problems through Live Briefs.

• This is a four-year course which includes an Integrated Foundation Year.

Graphic Design at the Bath School of Design is a well-established course with an excellent reputation and employment record. You’ll learn through a comprehensive making-based experience, designed to equip you with the full range of skills you’ll need to thrive in the dynamic and interconnected creative industries.

You’ll develop works across print, screen and interactive media, and be taught by a team of full-time and visiting tutors, who are design specialists, illustrators or graphic communication practitioners.

You’ll be supported through excellent workshop facilities in specialist areas such as letterpress, photography, screen printing, etching, lithography and digital design, and through our course-specific lecture series, delivered by highly-regarded national and international designers and illustrators.

Integrated Foundation Year
Explore art and design through an integrated Foundation year before you progress onto your chosen BA (Hons) degree.

• Evolve. Build your confidence, skills and knowledge in preparation for your undergraduate course.

• Develop. Challenge perceptions, make, explore and investigate new territory through active projects.

• Realise. Pursue your undergraduate specialism and benefit from scholarships at each level of your BA studies.

We want to ensure that you reach your full potential. That's why we've devised an intensive and experimental Foundation course that develops your art and design abilities in relation to contemporary practice, and introduces you to our exceptional facilities and staff.

You'll enhance your drawing skills, and explore the many materials and processes encountered in art and design practice. As the year progresses, you'll begin to specialise in your chosen discipline, acquiring advanced skills and knowledge in preparation for continued study.

Foundation Year – Develop your ideas, skills and confidence during the Foundation year, in readiness for Year one of your BA (Hons) in Graphic Communication.

Year one – You’ll study carefully-structured studio modules examining the core aspects of graphic communications, typography and image. You’ll learn to conceptualise, produce, and critique type and images. Attending specialist workshops will help you develop practical skills. Workshops include: drawing, screen­printing, letterpress, etching and lithography, photography (analogue and digital), motion graphics, and animation (analogue and digital). You’ll gain an awareness of the industry through a Professional Contexts module, and a contextual framework through a Historical and Critical Studies module. Year two – You’ll explore interactive media in the context of type and image. You can choose to focus on graphic design, illustration or interactive media, or keep an interdisciplinary approach. A Professional Development module will help you consider and develop your professional identity as a practitioner and your Historical and Contextual Studies module will prepare you for your dissertation. Year three – You’ll produce of a series of portfolio projects. Live briefs will give you experience of dealing with clients, real production problems, and solutions to them. Portfolio clinics conducted by professional designers help you consider and prepare your portfolio before graduation, and career workshops help you get ready for career networking, opportunity finding or further study.

You’ll be assessed in two ways. Firstly, during your studio modules there will be critiques, advice and commentary from your tutor or peers about your work (formative assessment). Secondly, after you present your research and you final design outcomes, you’ll receive written feedback with a mark from your tutor (summative feedback).