Course summary

BA (Hons) Graphic Design with Foundation is a four-year programme of study that includes an additional foundation year, enabling you to develop the required practical, technical, academic and creative skills for your undergraduate degree at the University of Plymouth. This programme offers access to study at university for those students who may not have the standard entry profile for Year 1 BA study. Equally, the programme is designed for those returning to study who have relevant work/professional experience but not the required academic profile for Level 4 entry. It is also suitable for Level 3 learners whose subject choice does not include the necessary background, but who are otherwise academically capable. Your foundation year will:

• Welcome you to an engaging, experiential learning environment with a focus on active exploration, experimentation and discovery across a wide range of material, methods and media.

• Help develop your practical, technical and creative skills through studio and workshop based projects.

• Provide training in key learning skills for further undergraduate study and build an awareness of practice, context and theory.

• Introduce you to the accessible community of experienced academics, practitioners and technical staff that will support you on your studies.

• Give you access to a wide range of enviable specialist workshops, laboratories and facilities across the campus and become part of our vibrant student community through the various opportunities available within the School of Art, Design and Architecture.

• Enable you to explore and develop your personal interests and strengths as a creative practitioner.

• Develop innovative ideas in response to design briefs, and creatively solve design problems using images and typography. The course places emphasis on graduates having industry informed expertise, ensuring you’ll stand out in the job market. Good graphic design relies on the relationship between type and imagery... this course will teach you mastery of both.

• You’ll develop your knowledge and develop yourself by taking advantage of a learning environment that includes open plan studios with a 360 degree views of a thriving city centre, the Devon coastline and Dartmoor National Park. You’ll also be prepared for a dream career, with our graduates finding creative fulfilment working for companies such as Leo Burnett, Future Publishing and IBM.

• In your final year you can choose a specialism to match your interests and career goals with options that relate directly to the design industry. Choose from Identity and Branding, Editorial and Publishing or Information Design.

• Have direct contact with visiting speakers from prestigious studios such as Snask, Hey Studio and Dalton Maag.

• Present your work to practicing graphic designers during our ‘Industrial Liaison Day’.

• Enjoy small, personalised teaching groups, with tutors who know your name and your work. • Explore our diverse resources, including printmaking and photographic studios, cutting-edge Mac workstations, Fab Labs and a unique letterpress workshop.

• Join our student-run Design Society and take part in visits, exhibitions and socials!