GRAPHIC Design Courses / Graphic Design 105 Available: BA (Hons) Degree DESIGN UCAS Code: N39 Course Code Yr 0: Course Code Yr 1: Contact: Visit: W216 W210 graphicdesign@nua.ac.uk nua.ac.uk/bagraphicdesign Overview Becki Turner / Fedrigoni Live Brief NUA s Graphic Design course teaches core design skills but more importantly supports students to be original and creative thinkers it is this that makes our graduates stand out and contribute to NUA s excellent reputation within the design industry. Following a major investment in facilities, graphic students work in inspirational open plan design studios. Supported by your tutors and industry guests you master the fundamental toolkit of a professional designer. The course is unique in offering three strands of specialism Brand, Identity and Packaging Design; Communication Design and Publishing Design. In Year Two you choose the path you want to follow. The course, which has received official Creative Skillset accreditation, aims to produce industry-ready graduates with the up-to-date skills and attitude demanded by the workplace. Within your studio practice you will have opportunities to work on live briefs set by industry such as The Sunday Times, Virgin and Sony Music. You are also encouraged and supported to undertake work placements. Each year NUA puts in a strong performance at national and international competitions such as D&AD, the YCN Student Awards, RSA and the Book Design and Production Awards. WE WORK WITH SOME OF THE BEST PRACTITIONERS IN THE COUNTRY, SUPPORTING THE STUDENTS TO THINK ABOUT THE FUTURE IN TERMS OF PRINT, DIGITAL AND SOCIAL MEDIA. Andy Campbell Course Leader BA Graphic Design
II III STUDENTS Design Courses / Graphic Design 107 I I. Morgan Swain II. Mitchell McGillvary III. Alice Bridle WE ARE ENCOURAGED TO TRY NEW THINGS, WHETHER IT IS NEW HARDWARE OR NEW CREATIVE SOFTWARE AND THE POSSIBILITIES THEY OFFER. Mitchell McGillvary You re expected to be experimental in the medium in which you work and find the correct tone or way of communicating the idea. This allows for great variation in your portfolio. The pace of work at NUA encourages a strong work ethic and we are supported to do internships which can lead on to graduate employment. Our tutors are always on the lookout for new developments and we are encouraged to try new things, whether it is new hardware or new creative software and the possibilities they offer. We are taught that if we can adapt to the newest technologies now, we will be ready to take on anything thrown at us in the future. Our studios are full of new imacs so the latest technology is at our fingertips. I ve found my skills have developed so much since my first year, it s challenging but I like that tutors encourage us to push our ideas further. All the tutors are so helpful, their advice and industry knowledge really prepares you for how the publishing industry works which is great preparation for my future career as I hope to go into editorial design.
COURSE CONTENT FACILITIES Design Courses / Graphic Design 109 Year One Year Two Year Three Facilities In Year One all Graphic students work together as you develop an understanding of universal design principles. Focus on type, image creation, print, layout, moving image and photography Software inductions sharpen creative skillsets Lectures focus on the history and context of the design industry Explore publishing, packaging, identity, advertising, web, editorial and interactive communication. In Year Two you choose your specialist path from Communication Design, Brand, Packaging and Identity and Publishing Design. All strands focus on: Further creative exploration of design for different contexts Increased emphasis on industry live briefs and work placements Collaborative projects with students on other courses Client presentations and professional skills development. The focus on Year Three is building your industry-ready portfolio and consolidating your skills, knowledge and experience. Generate a sustained body of work to support your career aspirations Produce a written Research Report that contextualises your practice Demonstrate organisation, management and communication skills alongside your creative ability and conceptual understanding. Graphics students make extensive use of the Digital Design workshops and have hands-on support from a team of technicians. Digital Design Workshops Access professional creative software on both Mac and Windows Digital Print The workshop can produce prints from A4 to 1.5m wide on a variety of media. Access to wide format, CD printing and laser printing Laser Cutting Large-bed cutter for fabric, leather, card, board and acrylic materials with associated digital design hardware and software Software Inductions A series of software inductions will introduce you progressively to a wide range of creative possibilities and output options Media Resource Centre For digital cameras, tripods, 35mm DSLRs, 35mm cameras and lighting equipment. NUA S GRAPHICS COURSES ARE INDUSTRY- RELEVANT AND PRODUCING THE HIGHLY SKILLED, TALENTED THINKERS WHO ARE SO IN DEMAND IN THE UK S CREATIVE SECTORS. IT IS OUR FIRST PORT OF CALL FOR GRADUATES. Jim Sutherland Founder of hat-trick and NUA graduate
STUDENT WORK Design Courses / Graphic Design 111 I IV II V III I II III IV V Greg Pye / Book Design and Production Awards winner Theo Inglis / Book jacket design Samantha Kerr / Packaging design Samantha Kerr / Design Bridge Award winner Rachel Price / Open University poster Rachel Price / Web concept
COURSE LEADER Q&A CAREERS Design Courses / Graphic Design 113 Andy Campbell I still use all the skills I learnt at NUA in my role as a designer for the Sunday Times. I work on supplements and the ipad edition. When I visited NUA for the first time I loved the atmosphere on campus. The graphics course was strongly recommended to me by my previous college and I was encouraged by what graduates had gone on to do. Q What makes Graphic Design at NUA distinctive? The most obvious thing is we offer three strands of specialism after Year One students can choose to focus on Communication Design, Brand, Packaging & Identity or Publishing Design. We look towards the future and train graduates not only for how the world is now but how it will be when they graduate and move into industry. As a team, we keep on top of shifts in communication and design and work out what is a fad and what is something our students need to engage with. It is about being an active part of a fast changing community. Q What do you look for in applicants? Above all else we want to see drive and enthusiasm. In terms of technical ability we are looking for students with an eye for design who have an understanding of how text and image can work together to communicate with the viewer. We re also interested in multimedia work and diversity in your portfolio. Ideas are critical to the course so we want students who can generate and talk about their ideas. How you put together your portfolio is really important it needs to be well thought through and you need to be able to talk about it clearly and with passion. Q How does the course work with industry? Industry is really, really important. There are lots of ways in which we work with some of the best practitioners in the country, supporting the students to think about the future in terms of print, digital and social media. We work closely with the ideasfactory@nua and so students work on live briefs and pitches for external clients. Read more from Andy s interview at: www.nua.ac.uk/bagraphicdesign Hayley Dalrymple, Designer The Sunday Times, London NUA graduate www.thesundaytimes.co.uk Graduates work in senior roles at companies such as Pearlfisher, New York and London based agencies such as Design Bridge and Williams Murray Hamm. Others have started their own agencies employing multiple staff such as hat-trick, Carter Wong and BrandOpus. Graduate Ben Farrin recently won the Barclays Enterprise Award earning a 50,000 investment in his mobile phone app. Postgraduate opportunities MA Communication Design provides a natural route for progression. NUA graduates receive a tuition fee discount if they choose to continue with their postgraduate education at NUA. Potential careers Graphic/Web Designer, Art Director, Desktop Publisher, Design Consultant and Marketing/Advertising Executive. Other Graduates Laura Llewellyn Designer / Hearst Magazines www.hearst.co.uk Nina Jenkins Senior Brand Design Manager Virgin Atlantic Airways www.virgin-atlantic.com Robin White Designer / Design Bridge (Amsterdam) www.designbridge.com Jonny Kearns Designer / Bloom www.bloom-london.com Emily Underwood Design and Community Manager Sidekick Studios www.sidekickstudios.net
APPLY Applying to NUA 149 How to Apply Year Two and Year Three Entry Your Qualifications All candidates (including international candidates) for all courses must apply online though the University and College Admissions Service (UCAS). Be aware that there are deadlines for UCAS to receive your application. Consideration of late submissions is not guaranteed. Application is via the UCAS website: www.ucas.ac.uk/students/apply For UCAS Customer Services call: UK 0871 468 0 468 International +44 (0) 871 468 0 468 Entry Criteria We are interested in your creativity and individuality and therefore interview selected applicants who apply before the January UCAS deadline. The key focus on the application process is your portfolio of work but all courses also have minimum entry requirements. For details see: www.nua.ac.uk/study/apply Students wishing to join at Year Two or Three need to demonstrate an equivalent level of progress as those studying at NUA from Year One. Contact NUA for further information about applying at Year Two or Three. If you need any advice please contact NUA below or contact the relevant Course Leader directly. Call +44 (0) 1603 610 561 Email studentrecruitment@nua.ac.uk Students with Disabilities Offers are made on the basis of merit alone. NUA welcomes applications from all groups in the community including those with disabilities or specific learning difficulties (such as dyslexia). To help us meet your needs and put appropriate support in place, it is important that you declare any disability on your UCAS application form and when you come for an interview. NUA has welcomed many students with disabilities however the inaccessibility of a number of our buildings may cause difficulties for wheelchair users or those with mobility issues. If you need any advice please contact: studentsupport@nua.ac.uk International Applicants NUA, a member of the British Council s Education Partnership, also subscribes to the United Kingdom Council for International Student Affairs. Both bodies offer impartial advice and information on studying in the UK. UKCISA provides guidance notes to help with your application please see: www.ukcisa.org.uk We encourage you to apply via UCAS. Following this you will be contacted about having an interview this can be by telephone if you are not able to be in the UK. You will also need to submit a portfolio of work which could be done digitally or in person. We require IELTS 6.0 (academic module or equivalent) for Year One study. NUA is an approved sponsor of the UK Border Agency points-based system. Students will need to apply for a Student (Adult) Visa under Tier 4 of the points-based system. UK NARIC is the national agency responsible for providing information and advice about how international qualifications and skills compare to the UK s national qualifications. Visit www.naric.org.uk Call +44 (0) 871 330 7033 Get in Touch If you need any advice on international applications and fees please contact us: Call +44 (0) 1603 610 561 Email Visit international@nua.ac.uk www.nua.ac.uk/international
INTERVIEWS FINANCE Interviews / Finance 151 Interviews Key Points to Keep in Mind: Student Finance Student Support Selected applicants will be invited to attend an interview (if application received by UCAS deadline). This is an invaluable opportunity for you to meet course staff and for us to meet you. The interview and portfolio is the major factor in determining the success of your submission. The interview gives us a chance to assess your work and your suitability for the course. You will get a chance to tour our campus and ask questions of staff and current students. Your Portfolio You will be expected to bring a portfolio of your creative work with you when you come for interview. It is important that you spend time creating a well presented and thought-out portfolio. For detailed advice on preparing a portfolio we recommend you come to an Open Day where you will be able to attend a Portfolio Preparation talk and see examples of portfolios from a range of courses. For course-specific advice on what to include in your portfolio please refer to the relevant course section at: www.nua.ac.uk or contact: studentrecruitment@nua.ac.uk Your portfolio should be presented in a logical and ordered manner It is important to include a range of work and highlight particular interests that demonstrate your suitability for the course you have applied for The interview panel will be equally interested in seeing sketchbooks and notebooks as well as finished work It is best to photograph large pieces of work Film, video and animation work should be no more than five minutes long You should include examples of your written work. Some courses specifically require evidence of essays or similar assignments You may decide to present your portfolio digitally but please notify us in advance of your interview. By choosing to go to university you are choosing to invest in your future. A university qualification usually means better employment prospects and increased earning potential. Home/EU students do not need to pay tuition fees upfront. The tuition fee loan is paid directly to the University by the Student Loan Company and you do not start to pay this back until the April after you have graduated and only after you are earning more than 21,000. The government also offers help with living costs to home students in the form of maintenance loans and maintenance grants (based on household income). NUA offers some additional bursaries and scholarships and remains committed to supporting talented students from less privileged backgrounds. You will need to plan your finances carefully and we will help you do that. For up-to-date information on current fees, funding, grants, loans and bursaries visit: www.nua.ac.uk/study/finance For information from the government about applying for funding visit: www.gov.uk/student-finance Student Support is in place to ensure that you receive help and support with all educational, practical, personal and financial matters should you need it. There is also an external counselling service to which all students have access. Many students are living away from home for the first time and knowing that friendly advice is always available helps to ensure you can get the most out of their university experience. The Student Support offices offer a dedicated service providing information and advice on disability and dyslexia support, including assistance with applying for funding support through the Disabled Student Allowance. It is important to disclose any disability as early as possible when making your application to ensure that we can help you get the support you need in place for when you start. For further information please see: www.nua.ac.uk/student-support
THE OPEN DAY PLAYED A BIG PART IN MY DECISION TO APPLY TO NUA. IT ALLOWED ME TO GET A VIBE FOR THE UNIVERSITY AND SEE THE BUILDINGS AND WORKSHOPS, WHICH I WAS VERY IMPRESSED WITH. OPEN DAYS We d Love to Meet You Open Days are an invaluable opportunity to view our campus and facilities, meet academic staff and talk to current students about their experience. You can also attend the essential Preparing Your Portfolio talk, which will guide you putting together your portfolio and giving you some tips on interview preparation. We encourage all potential students to attend an Open Day prior to making an application. We are more than happy for you to be accompanied by a parent, guardian or friend. Open Days 153 Open Day Dates Saturday 29th June 2013 Saturday 12th October 2013 Thursday 24th October 2013 Friday 1st November 2013 Saturday 23rd November 2013 Friday 29th November 2013 Thursday 9th January 2014 Book a Place To book a place on one of our Open Days Visit www.nua.ac.uk/opendays Call +44 (0) 1603 610 561 Henry Driver BA Fine Art Where possible we encourage you to visit during one of the official Open Days so you can have a full experience, however if it is not possible we will always try to accommodate ad hoc requests for campus tours.