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Full time | Arts University Bournemouth | 53 weeks | SEP-24

Study mode

Full time

Duration

53 weeks

Start date

SEP-24

Key information
DATA SOURCE : IDP Connect

Qualification type

MA - Master of Arts

Subject areas

Graphic Design

Course type

Taught

Course Summary

MA Graphic Design encourages designers to explore ways of developing understanding between co-communicators.

Course Information

This course approaches all forms of graphic design as triggers for thinking and feeling. By interrogating your practice at the cognitive level, you’ll explore how such things as a metaphor, and the framing and blending of ideas, drive communication.

Through self-initiated research and experimentation, you’ll be encouraged to engage with the world, and find insights that generate understanding and guide positive action.

Students apply to the course predominantly from graphic design courses but are welcomed from a variety of backgrounds (if they can show an aptitude for typography). Students may have studied photography, architecture, illustration, interaction design, three-dimensional design, fine art, or, subjects such as journalism, philosophy, psychology, anthropology or sociology.

Whatever your background, you’ll be required to reflect on your worldview; the underlying assumptions and understanding that guides and constrains your practice, and to use this reflection as a starting point from which to further develop. Your practice can take many forms: it can be self-expressive, or socially orientated; print, screen-based or three-dimensional.

It can focus on an aspect of a well-defined area of design, such as branding, experimental typography, publishing, and user-centred design, or on something more unconventional defined as part of your study.

Graphic designers often work in groups, sometimes comprising members from different disciplines. MA Graphic Design provides many opportunities to work in interdisciplinary ways as it sits alongside the courses of other disciplines. Many of the taught sessions such as the introduction to research methods and processes occur in these interdisciplinary groups. At other times however you’ll be developing your project with your supervisor and other students on your course. This will require you to develop a theoretical framework, methodology and research methods that support your research focus.

As a graphic designer you should anticipate the possible consequences of your design interventions, including the meanings constructed through your practice, in relation to ethical and sustainability issues as well as to other relevant contexts. Creative approaches are required that respond to complex situations in which many problems reside. Outcomes are not constrained by media or by limited interpretations of what it is to be a graphic designer.

Consequently, an outcome might involve the design of an experience or service, as much as it might concern more conventional forms of graphic production.

Modules

This unit seeks to identify and critically review the attitudes and understanding underlying your graphic design practice. It begins with a critique of conventional understanding of the communication process. It introduces theories from the cognitive humanities, such as frame theory, primary metaphor theory, and conceptual metaphor theory and applies these to your practice through a number of assignments. You will be encouraged to return, through practice, to an engagement with the fundamental elements and language of graphic design.

Tuition fees

UK fees
Course fees for UK students

For this course (per year)

£9,000

International fees
Course fees for EU and international students

For this course (per year)

£19,950

Entry requirements

You will usually have BA (Hons) Degree graded at 2.1 or above, or an equivalent UK or international qualification in your chosen subject or a related discipline.

University information

Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) was founded in 1880 and is regarded as one of the UK’s foremost specialist institutions for higher education. The university has a particular focus on the arts and creative industry, and excels in combining a student’s creative talent with the drive and skills they need to succeed professionally. The university prides itself on cultivating a vibrant and welcoming community of creatives and innovative...more

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