Graphic design is everywhere, from T-shirts, magazines, books, mobile apps and brands right through to websites. Good design work can make a huge difference to everything, whether it’s getting a message across, building a brand or motivating people, it’s a way of communicating and connecting with people.

This is a course that will not only teach you the necessary design, conceptual and creative skills required to be an effective graphic designer, but will also bring you up to date with the current debates and developments in today’s media design industry.

On a course you will study those core principles that form the broad basis of most design courses, and also develop conceptual and critical skills that will allow you to utilize various techniques to produce artistic and attention grabbing designs. Upon graduation you will not only be equipped with the skills required to create an impact with images, but also with the abilities needed for a successful career in the design world. Many graduates go on to work in the design, development and implementation teams of not only private IT companies, but also major public sector organisations.

Apart from becoming a graphic designer other possible career areas include; art director, web designer, interactive designer, studio assistant and production designer.

Graphic design degree course overview

This course will give you a unique opportunity to discover what it takes to be a successful graphic designer, and to graduate with a portfolio demonstrating your capabilities and talents.

The course is taught primarily through projects, contextual studies, and debates about the areas of study. It is hands on and promotes creativity, visualisation, graphic literacy and problem solving. Classes will include a mixture of group teaching with individual tuition, along with lectures, seminars, studio practise, independent learning, workshops, tutorials and project work. You will be taught by enthusiastic lecturers, many of whom will have extensive experience in the design industry. Assessment is usually on a continuous basis and is carried out through presentations of work to tutors, peers and industry experts, along with projects, group critiques and final year projects.

Modules are supportive, student-centred and broad based, with the flexibility required by an ever changing and widening industry. Classes place equal emphasis on the ability to support creative thinking through written and verbal communication skills. Lessons themselves are tutor led, challenging, rigorous and held in a fully supportive learning environment where students are encouraged to develop their own individual style and identity through experimentation.

Typical course modules and areas of study on a Graphic Design Degree 

  • Image-Making for Graphic Design
  • Integrated Graphic Studies
  • Design for Publication
  • Visualising Information
  • Culture and Identity
  • Experimental Typography
  • Design Exploration
  • Image Design
  • Digital Design
  • Introduction to the Design Process
  • Graphic Structure
  • Art and Language
  • Interactive Graphics
  • Motion Graphics
  • Design in context
  • Integrated design
  • Photography
  • Exploring issues in Design
  • Design Studio Practice

Students will learn about

  • Visual communication
  • Computer based artwork
  • Screen based media
  • Advertising
  • Editorial typography
  • Information design
  • Interactive media
  • Packaging
  • Photography
  • TV graphics
  • Print making
  • Motion graphics
  • Website design
  • Evaluation and problem solving
  • Brand identity
  • Magazine design
  • Illustrations
  • Multimedia
  • Web based digital graphics
  • Website design
  • Materials
  • Print processes
  • Animation
  • Art materials

Students will learn how to

  • Work across print and screen-based media to solve visual problems.
  • Produce high quality graphic designs.
  • Create messages with high visual impact.
  • Experiment with a wide variety of digital media.
  • Come up with visual communication solutions.
  • Work on design projects from the concept stage right through to implementation.
  • Advertising and marketing.
  • interpret a clients’ ideas and turn them into a suitable designs and image formats.

Graphic design personal statement

Below is a graphic design personal statement written by one of our writers. You can use this example to gain an idea of how to structure and put together your own one. You are strongly advised not to copy or plagiarise it, instead use it as a resource to inspire your own creative writing.

Graphic design personal statement example

“The best thing about graphic design is the opportunity it gives me to express and explore my own ideas. There are no restrictions on my imagination, it’s a topic that allows me the freedom to experiment and grow as a designer, with each experience I have giving me a better understanding of visual communication and the design process.

I feel I am perfectly suited to this field as I possess intelligence, imagination, originality and a deep interest and enthusiasm for graphic design. I have the ability to think creatively, a willingness to experiment and take risks, and can express my ideas visually.

I am a creative, technical and customer service focused individual who is organised, has a problem-solving nature and a ‘can-do’ attitude. I possess the ability to multi-task, can work to tight deadlines, and am flexible enough to react to developments in culture, concepts and technological change.

On an academic level I am keen and willing to respond to tutorial advice, and determined to take greater ownership of my own learning through excellent time management and scheduling. Wherever possible I am proactive, suggest solutions to problems, offer to take on more responsibility, take the initiative, and can demonstrate flexibility when situations change.

Simply having a degree nowadays is not enough to start higher up on the career ladder, so to get that edge I am working part time as a trainee graphic designer for a company of web developers. This is an excellent opportunity for me to real hands on experience in a challenging work environment, whilst at the same time getting ready for university. I work as part of a team with other designers, copywriters, photographers, account executives, web developers and marketing specialists. I am involved in interpreting a client’s requirements and then developing a concept to suit their needs. My role requires me to think creatively and to produce new ideas and concepts.

At college where I studied Graphic Design at A level, I found the course to be exceptional both academically and socially. It was great being able to bounce ideas off friends and teachers to achieve a polished final product. Whilst there I achieved a high level of success in recognised national design competitions, which provided a real boost to my confidence levels. My time there allowed me to learn how to give greater articulation to my graphic designs, and I currently possess a unique and extensive portfolio of my most recent project work. After achieving first class grades at college in all my subjects, I am now ready for a degree level course at university.

My end goal is to one day become a qualified graphic designer. To me the design industry is full of exciting, challenging careers that involve using excellent artistic skills to communicate through visual media. For the time being however I am focused on obtaining a degree qualification and gaining relevant work experience. I want to enrol on a course that will empower me with the creative skills and knowledge that will enable me to join and contribute to the exciting, dynamic and constantly evolving world of media and design.

I would like to study at your university primarily because I feel that your institution ensures that no student remains anonymous. As well as this the Graphic Design Degree at your university is superb because it gives students the chance to mix the old with the really new. Your institution offers students the full university experience, which includes a unique programme of study, and a wide range of graphic facilities including; letterpress, screen printing, printmaking, photographic studios, darkrooms, and Apple Macintosh suites. Your university is forward thinking and has an excellent reputation within both the art and design community and the graphic communication industry. I look forward to any interview stage where will able to discuss my work and ideas, along with my thoughts on my favourite pieces of design and graphic designers.”

 

Graphic Design resume and CV examples
Graphic Design resume
Graphic Designer resume 1
Graphic Designer resume 2
Graphic Designer resume 3
Graphic Designer CV sample

Graphic Designer cover letter examples
Graphic Designer cover letter
Graphic Designer cover letter 1
Graphic Designer cover letter 2
Graphic Designer cover letter 3

More degrees
University courses

Online degrees
Online degree courses
Online graphic design degree courses

More personal statements
Personal statement examples

Student resources
Essay writing
Graduate internships
Introduction to graduate fasttrack schemes
Revision timetable
Revision tips
Student accommodation
Student loan company
Study skills
UCAS personal statement
University interview questions

University resources
University open days

Student CV examples
Student CV templates (over 30 free professional written examples)

More career resources
Cover letter examples (over 10 expertly cover letter examples)
CV templates (over 400 free professionally written samples)